Summer is the time for backyard BBQs, pool parties, long nights, and yard games. Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. A bare concrete patio? No bueno. Lucky for you, refreshing your backyard space doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!
RESTORE YOUR DECKING
Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it’s more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.
CREATE A PATH
Put down materials like mulch, bricks, or stones to create a clear path from your house to the pool or playhouse in your backyard. You can also include a little flair to your pathway by adding yard decorations like gnomes, lawn art, glow-in-the-dark rocks, or garden stakes.
ADD LIGHTING
Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, making your deck come alive. You can also consider paper lanterns, rope lights, mason jar lamps, or small twinkle lights, depending on the style and mood you’d like to set.
BUILD A PRIVACY SCREEN
Privacy screens come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. Consider purchasing and installing bamboo fencing or lattice panels for a quick and easy solution. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can build a wooden frame and grow climbing plants or vines or stretch outdoor fabric in between. Whichever route you end up choosing, make sure you get the most out of your efforts by evaluating all lines sight before building.
DIY PERGOLA
A pergola is a fantastic idea for your dream backyard. Clear out an area on a deck or in your yard and build your own pergola with this guide from DIY Network. Planning to spend a lot of time outside with your backyard remodel? Add curtains for extra shade to create the ultimate relaxing space.
ADD ACCENTS
The addition of a rug, some planters, and some cozy patio furniture can eliminate that “driveway look” most concrete slab patios have. You can even add a few accent pillows to brighten up the space. For longevity, you can add fake flowers and plants to your planters! Just create your desired arrangement and forget about them till the season changes. Easy!
GO VERTICAL
Whether you’re looking to expand your garden without taking up horizontal space or searching for small backyard ideas, wall planters are terrific for changing your outdoor area on a budget. Build a custom DIY vertical planter, or simply drill plastic planter boxes or pots into a wooden pallet to place against your house. Hanging pots from a metal lattice also works well.
ADD LAWN GAMES
Backyards can become the ultimate relaxation space, but take some time to add a little fun to the yard – especially when company comes over! Complete your yard makeover by setting up lawn games. Croquet, bocce ball, ladder golf, and bucket ball are all awesome ideas for including recreation in your backyard green space. You can DIY several backyard favorites or hit up stores like Target to find something fun.
HGTV recently released their design trends for 2021 and that got us thinking – 2020 was full of some pretty lousy home decor trends. And some of these trends were greatly overused thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your home should be a place of comfort and refuge. Designers are hoping you ditch these design trends in 2021.
7. Antlers
Many designers attempted to modernize taxidermy. This lead to white, brass-trimmed, fake deer wall mounts started surfacing on walls. Designers are now saying they look kitschy. Save the antlers and other taxidermy wall mounts for your hunting lodge.
6. Chevron
That continuous “V” pattern can make your eyes do funny things if you stare at it too long. And with more people hunkering down at home during the pandemic, chevron has really become a sore sight for the eyes. Chevron-patterned accessories—rugs, pillows, and linens—are being cast aside for more toned-down patterns.
5. Chalkboard Paint
DIY chalkboards or chalkboard wall paint first graced kids’ rooms and then started edging into other spaces in the home (hello chalkboard kitchen walls). Designers want to erase this now-outdated trend from memory. Reserve walls for paint, not scribbles. If you need something for the kids to scribble on, try a roll of paper from Ikea.
4. Wallpaper – specifically on the ceiling
Metallic wallpaper on the ceiling looks chic in magazine photos and TV design shows. But in reality, wallpaper on a ceiling is a terrible idea. Wallpaper has proven to be a short-term fad that comes and goes through the years. Save yourself the trouble of putting it up—and then taking it down in short order.
3. Grey Interiors
The gloom and doom of 2020 has been depressing enough, with a continuous train of bad news. Do we really want our interiors to make us feel gray, too? All-gray interiors—floor-to-ceiling paint, along with gray furnishings and cabinets—make us long for vibrant color pops, like in blues, greens, or yellows, that bring us hope.
2. Clutter Core
Some homeowners have embraced a lived-in look while spending more time at home during the pandemic. But there’s a reason minimalism has worked before. Social media tried to tell us “cluttercore”—a backlash to Marie Kondo’s decluttering movement—was in vogue. Instead, cluttercore dictates stuffing every shelf and wall space with knickknacks. It’ll bring you greater comfort, cluttercore enthusiasts say. Let’s get real: Clutter is never cool, even in a pandemic.Warning: don’t confuse this trend with Cottagecore.
1. Mason Jars
Crafty people, inspired by Pinterest, have been collecting mason jars like their as rare as toilet paper in a pandemic. This signature farmhouse aesthetic encouraged a range of DIY design projects, including filling mason jars with flowers, candles, or candy. They clutter countertops with forgettable décor. Interest in mason jar designs has plunged 40% since its 2015 peak, according to the “2020 Décor Trends: What’s Out & What’s In” report by Living Spaces. Nowadays, save the mason jars for storage in the pantry.
Let’s face it. We’re all going to be stuck at home for a while. The kids are out of school, you’re trying to work from home, and on top of everything else you’re trying to balance the uncertainty of what’s going on. So how can you keep yourself and your family busy, have fun, and still keep yourself socially distanced from others? Check out the list of fun things to do below and if you do any of them, tag us in your photos or stories on social! We’d love to see how creative you get!
Throw an Indoor Picnic
Lay a blanket down. Make some sandwiches. Pack up your favorite quarantine snacks and head to the living room. Put on some YouTube video of scenery and chow down! It’s a fun way to spend time together, and do something a little bit different.
Have an Indoor/Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Humans love to find things and this will keep your kids busy for a while. Come up with a list of things they have to find, give them clues, and let them free. Bonus points if you set up some obstacles or things to throw them off the trail. Even more bonus points if there’s a treasure at the end of the hunt.
Plant Seeds
Not only is this a good teaching lesson for kiddos on patience and the Earth, but it’s a fun little activity to get you in the Spring-season mood. It’s time to start planting anyway, so if you have a little space for a garden in your yard, go for it. If not, get some seeds from Amazon, or even a Chia Pet, plant those suckers and enjoy the process.
Film a Cooking Show
You’re likely cooking anyway, so why not film it on your phone? You can be the host, the kids can be the helpers, so get your Julia Childs – or depending on how the day is going, Gordon Ramsay. Just make sure you include the accent, too.
Invent Your Own Board Game
The obvious: play board games or card games, but let’s take it a step further. Invent your own board game. I remember doing this is school and it was probably one of the most fun projects we had to do. Come up with rules, make the cards, the money, and take pieces from other things or make your pieces! No cheating.
Bonus tip: Make cleaning the house into a game. Have the kids race and see who can clean their rooms the best and the fastest. Not only will your house be the cleanest it’s ever been, but the kids will have fun, too.
READ MORE of our blogs here and be sure to tag us (@datadriven208) in your Instagram posts while using the hashtag: #DataDriven208.
You have a new home! What an exciting time full of new ideas followed by a bunch of questions. The process should be fun the whole way through. Our tip to you is: keep things organized and accessible. This way, you’re able to stay on top of everything and always be prepared.
The tips we will outline are very simple and definitely something you’re able to pass along to your friends as they move into their new home. As always, if you need anything at all, we’re here for you.
Homeowners Binder
The process is just like when you started school. Grab a three-ring binder, some tabbed dividers, and even folders if you’d like. Have fun with the process as you’re creating your home’s go-to resource. In the homeowners binder will be your home information, your closing paperwork, any appliance manuals, neighborhood information, insurance, etc. Place this binder where you can always access it and you’re ready for anything.
Air Filters
Get several air filters. The cost of air filters is very reasonable so grabbing 5 or 6 at one time is very doable. On the side of each filter, there is a cardboard/paper surface where you can write the dates you’ll need to swap filters. – write the months on each one. You will avoid a lot of unnecessary furnace or clean air issues by staying on top of replacing filters. The thinner the filter, the more often you change it. Regular filter replacement is every 3 to 6 months.
Emergency Fund
Start an emergency house fund. Homeowners are responsible for any improvements or repairs. Tucking away money (even a little at a time) will take the stress and pressure off when it comes to replacing a roof or fixing a pipe down the road. Isn’t there a saying where if you prepare, you won’t have to use it? I’m sure there’s something like that.
Save on Energy
Save money by saving energy. Simple changes like swapping light bulbs for LED bulbs, turning your water heater to 120 degrees and moving the refrigerator away from the oven can cut costs on the amount of energy needed for your home. Daily habits also play a role in saving energy. The top energy-sucking things in your home are cooling and heating, the washer and dryer, lighting and the water heater. A full list can be found HERE.
Electrical Box Labels
Relabel breakers. Open up that electrical box and take a look at the labels for each breaker. Is it in pencil? Are they correct? Make sure you know what’s what and have labeled them permanently. There’s nothing worse than needing answers about your power and the label is impossible to read…or is wrong.
Maintenance Dream Team
Build your home maintenance dream team. Choosing the people you’d like to work with before something happens is a lot less stressful and less pressure than having to scramble to find someone in an emergency situation. A good list to start includes an HVAC company, a plumber, an electrician, a handyman, a roofing company, pest control, and a locksmith. We are more than happy to share our recommendations as well. Contact us for any of the above.
Change of Address
File a change of address with the post office. With everything going on with the move, it’s really easy to overlook the simple stuff. While you’re at it, changing your address on your driver’s license is a good idea. This should be done within 30 days of your move.
Looking for more tips for your home?
We’ve got a lot of organizational hacks and money-saving hacks just waiting for you to use!
There are some very simple decor tips for your new house that make it feel like home. The whole moving process instantly gives us all the feeling of wanting new furniture and decor and just creating a fresh start. That feeling is not wrong at all – it’s expensive, though. How about some money-saving hacks that appear as if you have an endless bank account.
Finding a happy medium that still meets your needs for a fresh look and that dream home feel is completely possible.
We’ve gathered tips from professional home stagers, decorators and experts in order to give you everything decor-related for your new home. There are a lot of great tips, too!
Don’t rush to go shopping. Talk about starting off with a bang. Heading to the store to get furniture and decor all at once, tends to result in impulse purchases and also leads to the purchase of matchy-matchy items. Perfectly matched items create a cold-feeling atmosphere.
Curtains above the windows. The best news is that it doesn’t matter how big or small your windows are if you hang your curtains above your windows and wider set, your room looks a bit grander.
Art at eye level. When you hang your art, whatever it may be, hang it at eye level. A good idea is to grab a statement piece or cluster different size (smaller) art in a common area. Rule of thumb is 57” off the ground.
Layered lighting. Overhead lighting is the quickest way to take the “homey” feeling out of a home. Layer the lighting with lamps that are smaller and taller. This could be side table lamps, dim standing lamps, and dim counter space lighting.
Create a hotel bed. Think of your sleeping space as a sanctuary. Load it up with the sheets you love, splurge on the bedding you like and add a few more pillows. Not only will you love your bed but you’ll be happy to make your bed every day which also helps spruce up the decor.
Rugs in zones. A wall doesn’t have to be the divider between rooms or areas, a rug can accomplish the same thing. Place rugs in the different areas to signify a living space, a dining space, an entryway, etc.
Produce is decor. Talk about cost-effective decor that can be changed at any moment. Grab some fresh produce and create a centerpiece.
Soap containers. This is one of those tips that go a long way and will always work. Grab dish soap or hand soap or any liquid soap at a great price. Find one of your favorite reusable soap dispensers and fill it with the inexpensive soap.
Karate chop pillows. Those large decorative pillows on your sofa and bed can sit straight up and be a nice clean square or you can karate chop the middle for a fancier, high-end look.
The two-inch rule. Leave two inches of space between your furniture and the wall. Think of it as allowing breeze or air to float through your home. The goal is to eliminate tight spaces.
Bonus Tips:
We wanted to stop sharing tips but these bonus tips are definitely something we don’t want to leave out. Trays, mirrors, and scents are super-important so let’s move forward with even more ways to spruce up your home!
Trays. Things look better in trays. Add them as centerpieces or offset on an ottoman with a short stack of books, fresh flowers, and a candle.
Mirrors to reflect the outdoors. Hang smaller mirrors and lean larger mirrors across from windows to bounce the light around. The room will feel so much brighter. Heads up if you have a window in direct sunlight.
Scents are important. The smell of a room creates ambiance. Often times the sweeter scents aren’t as warm or welcoming (or even fresh) in a larger room. Think of the feeling you want when you enter a room. In the kitchen, apples or citrus scents reveal baking or clean. In living spaces, something with a woodsy smell or clean, airy scent will “trick” people into thinking it’s cleaner than it really is.
Keeping things picked up and staying organized seems to make the house run more smoothly. If everyone in the family is on the same page, the days seem to gain more hours. This means time for fun, adventuring up into the Foothills, taking a leisurely drive down Harrison Blvd or just relaxing at home and binging on the latest Netflix series.
We have hundreds of tips we would like to share and, if you like this, we may do just that. Let’s start with just five really easy steps.
FAMILY CALENDAR
A family calendar works for a family of two or a family of ten. No matter the size of the family, everyone should know what the plans are. Being on the same page is crucial for daily flow.
We are fans of syncing calendars on our phones but nothing beats having an old fashioned paper calendar where everyone can see it. This is a place for everyone to include their activities, plans for the day, appointments, etc. Don’t overlook the small stuff like “project due today” or “clean bedrooms”.
LABELS
If it’s in a closet or cupboard and it has a surface, put a label on it.
In the pantry, label bins with what is inside. This helps find what you need with a quick glance and also cuts down the question of whether or not you have the ingredient for your next meal or if there are snacks for your little ones.
In the linen closet, label the bins and drawers with categories like “first aid” and “summer supplies.” As an added bonus (and a little tip we came across), check out the most brilliant way to store your sheets.
In the refrigerator, grab clear containers you can set on the shelves. In each container, place food that is ready to eat. wash veggies and cut them (if necessary) so you can grab and go. For the kids, place the snacks you approve of them eating at eye level.
CONTAINERS
Under the sinks and in the garage seems to be no man’s land. Once a cleaner or box of Q-Tips finds it’s way there, it seems to either disappear or attract other random things.
Find small containers for under bathroom sinks or on bathroom counters. Empty out the box or package and put in a holder where you can see what you have. With cleaners, do the same thing. Empty out your sprays or surface cleaners into clear (and labeled) jars or spray bottles.
BLANKETS
Our cozy covers need a home, too. Nothing cleans up a room more than folding a blanket and putting it away.
LAUNDRY HAMPER
When life gets busy, clothing seems to be attracted to the floor or corners of the room. To stay organized and make laundry day move a bit more quickly, put laundry hampers in each bedroom. If at all possible, use multiple so laundry is separated as you go. This will also provide an opportunity for all members of the household to take part in doing laundry. If it’s already separated, why not make it a group effort?
Bonus Tip: Clear That Counter
We couldn’t end this without sharing something that makes a HUGE difference in the way a home looks. The kitchen is the centerpiece so when the kitchen is picked up (we didn’t say clean – there’s a difference for sure), the whole house looks serene. Clear the counters and empty the sink. Just making space in the kitchen area can bring on a sigh of relief.
Want More Tips and Hacks?
Sick kids? Grab your cleaning checklist HERE and get to work ridding your home of all germs.
Want to save at the grocery store? We have compiled some money-saving hacks (and some secrets) HERE.
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