yard Archives - Serendipity Mommy

How to Get Creative When Adding Shade to Your Back Yard

February 20, 2020 by Mandy

Your back yard should be a place where you and your family can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Depending on your situation, it may be a spot where you opt to install a vegetable garden, patio area for grilling out, and more.

However, during the torrid summer months, the back yard can be rendered virtually useless due to extreme temperatures. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to add shade to your backyard so you can enjoy it even when the sun is beating down.

Install a Pergola or Gazebo

If you have the time and skill, you may want to consider building a pergola or gazebo. Although these structures are slightly different in design, both can provide excellent shade. Gazebos can even be used for parties and even backdrops for the wedding officiant and the lucky couple.

A pergola is a structure that uses lattice for the overhead shelter. Combined with climbing plants such as wisteria or various vines, the shelter can provide complete shade from the sun.

A gazebo uses a solid roof rather than a lattice one, meaning that you get 100% shade immediately, without waiting for plants to come in. The disadvantage of a gazebo is that it may be more costly than a pergola.

Regardless of which structure you choose, building one can be accomplished in a weekend. If you don’t feel that you have the skill to build one, there are numerous kits available online or at your local home improvement store.

Consider the Use of a Shade Sail

If you don’t have the time to build a pergola or a gazebo, or you just don’t want to incur the cost, using a shade sail is a very affordable way to increase the shade in your back yard.

A shade sail is exactly what it sounds like: a piece of cloth or similar material is hoisted between 3 or 4 posts, creating an instant patch of shade. Shade sails are excellent choices when you need shade right away, as they only take a few minutes to put into place.

Although a shade sail will not be as durable as a pergola or a gazebo, a high-quality shade sail should last you several years with the proper care. For this reason, and due to the ease with which you can switch them out, decreased durability should not be a major concern for you.

Another advantage of a shade sail is that you can cover a larger area than might be feasible with a gazebo or pergola. While those structures tend to cap out at 10 feet to a side, shade sails come in much larger sizes.

Finally, a shade sail is an excellent choice if you are looking for temporary shade. The vegetation in your back yard needs sun to thrive; if you were to shade a large area for an extended period of time, you would find some of the plants struggling to survive. Using a shade sail lets you enjoy the shade while you need it, while giving you the option to take it down when you are finished, allowing your plants access to the sunlight they need.

7 Key Tips for Choosing the Best Fence for Your Yard

July 23, 2019 by Mandy

As a homeowner, it’s crucial that you take time out to make improvements that’ll make your house more comfortable, safer, and a more valuable investment.

Bar none, a new fence installation is one of the best investments that you can make.

So how can you find the best fence for your yard?

The tips below will help you find out the best design. Follow these strategies so you can choose the right household fence for your needs.

1. Figure Out How Much You Can Spend on the Fence

It’s always important to have a budget in mind when you are trying to buy a new fence. Stick to the budget so that you don’t accidentally overspend.

You might pay between $5 per linear foot and $25 per linear foot on a new fence installation.

When you are shopping for a new fence for your household, you’ll need to talk to a few professionals. They’ll come to your property and give you a price range so that you know how much such an installation might cost.

That way, you can check your finances and lending potential and come up with a budget.

2. Find Out Your Local Requirements and Obligations

Making certain changes to your property might necessitate permits, zoning changes, and other requirements.

The laws and requirements for installing a new fence will differ depending on where you live, so make sure that you check into these matters ahead of time. You may also have certain neighborhood rules or homeowner’s association (HOA) policies to check on.

Always look into these rules in advance so that you don’t break them with your new fence installation.

3. Decide on What Factors are Most Important For Your Fence

When buying a new fence you’ll need to consider what kind of attributes matter most.

Things like aesthetics, security, and privacy are important when you’re shopping for a new fence. Knowing what’s most important will help you figure out which fence type is best.

The type of fence you decide on will let you know everything from the price you’ll pay to the level of upkeep required.

4. Learn About the Different Types of Fences

Always research more info on the different types of fences and materials so that you can make the best decision for your household.

There are several different fence materials you can research, to include vinyl, wood, aluminum, PVC, bamboo, and iron. There are also a number of styles, to include privacy, picket, chain link, and driveway gates.

Be sure that you look into the pros and cons of these fences so you can figure out which you’d like to get installed in your household.

For instance, wood fences are incredibly popular and you can cut them to a number of heights and styles. Chain link fences are inexpensive and easy to install.

Wrought iron fences are charming and add a lot of value to the property, in addition to serving as great security fences. PVC fences are eco-friendly materials that are also low-maintenance and long-lasting.

Since each fence type and material has its own perks and liabilities, it’ll require you to do some research. Be discerning about which fence type you invest in, and don’t hesitate to get the help of a contractor that’ll assist you.

5. Play Around With Some Design Principles

You can make your fence a decorative asset for your household.

Think about what you want to accomplish aesthetically and then work backward. For example, if you want your home to have a nice landscape that’ll help you entertain company, you can design the fence in a way helps to accomplish this.

This means looking into the shape, square footage and entryways. You’ll also want to consider different color schemes and think about how they match your current home setup.

6. Bring in a Professional For Surveys and Advice

Be sure that you get the help of some contractors that’ll assist you in putting together the best fence for your needs.

There are a number of fence contractors that you can talk to, and they will come out and survey your property, while also answering any questions that you have. Be sure that you do your own research ahead of time so that you can ask all of the pertinent questions that come with the territory.

7. Properly Insure and Maintain Your Fence

Be sure that you do everything you can to maintain your fence. Since you’re likely paying a few thousand dollars to get it installed, it’s crucial that you do all you can to get the most out of it.

Each fence type has different requirements when it comes to washings and cleanings. You’ll also need to call up a fence professional to fix any structural issues that may come about.

Buy an insurance package for your fence, or purchase a warranty to go along with it. You can also add your new fence to your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Find the Best Fence For Your Yard

When you need to find the best fence for your yard, these words of advice will be helpful to you.

This fence is more than just a decorative addition, it dictates a lot about your home security and privacy as well. Since it’s also an investment that can bring equity into your property, follow these tips and reach out to some professional fence contractors.

For all things DIY, crafts and home living, check back for more of our content.

Up Your Curb Appeal: 8 DIY Home Projects to Spruce up an Outdoor Space

June 20, 2019 by Mandy

In 2000, the DIY market worldwide reached an astonishing $377 billion.

Tackling your own home projects is a great way to save money while improving appeal and functionality. Whilst many of us are happy to take on a DIY project indoors, there’s plenty to be said for taking your DIY skills outside too.

There are some fairly simple DIY home projects that you can take on which will help to spruce up your outdoor space. With a little investment and your DIY know-how, you’ll have your exterior looking like new.

Read on as we look at eight outdoor DIY projects you should consider.

1. Creative Lighting

If you want to get the most out of your outdoor space then you need to be sure you can use it morning, noon, and night.

Adding some lighting to your outdoor area is an incredibly simple DIY project, but one that can have a huge impact on the curb appeal of your home. A string of lights can be particularly effective; you get all the impact of downlighting without a ceiling in sight.

You could also consider installing some solar-powered lamps. You can find these types of lights relatively cheaply and they’re extremely simple to install. Once in place, you don’t have to worry about providing power; you can just enjoy watching them light up as the sun goes down.

2. Perfect Your Planters

Plants and flowers are a perfect way to give your outdoor areas a splash of color. Whether you’ve got decking, lawn, or a paver patio, planters are a great choice for fuss-free foliage.

Instead of just buying some planters, however, consider building some of your own. Constructing your own planter is a fairly simple job, and you can let your imagination go wild. Try being creative with ideas such as tiered planters or even planters that you can hang up.

You can also turn pretty much anything into a makeshift planter, from old toolboxes to mason jars.

3. Ring of Fire

There’s nothing like the beauty of a real fire. Why should that gorgeous glow be confined to the indoors?

Building a firepit is a great DIY project to take on. There are plenty of guides online to take you through the whole process step by step. And there’s nothing quite like basking in the glow of fire pit that you’ve built with your own two hands.

Once completed, you’ll have a real talking point as well a way to enjoy your outdoor space all year round.

4. Refinish Your Fencing

This is a simple job, but one that can make a huge difference to the look of your outdoor area.

Fencing that hasn’t been treated for some time can look old and weary. Clean it off with a stiff brush, then apply a waterproof stain. You’ll soon have fencing that looks as good as new.

If you have wooden decking, be sure that you give it the same treatment. You can buy a dedicated deck cleaner to help you with the first phase of the job.

5. Hone Your House Number

When people visit your home, one of the first things they’ll see is your house number.

If you want to up the curb appeal, try creating a stylish house number that will help you to stand out from the crowd. One popular idea is to use the first initial of your family’s name as a background onto which you can fix the numbers. You can then add any additional decorative features that you want.

Not only will it look great, but will also ensure that you don’t end up getting your neighbor’s mail by mistake.

6. Gazebo For Your Grill

What’s the point of a gazebo? Well, how about to keep you covered when you’re fulfilling the important tasking of tending the grill?

A gazebo over your grill means that you’re protected from the elements as you work on cooking the perfect burger. There are plenty of DIY construction kits for building a gazebo, or if you’re really feeling adventurous you could try building one from scratch.

The beauty is that you can leave your grill where it is, safe in the knowledge that it’s protected from rain or snow.

7. Cut a Rug

If you’ve got a paver patio, try sprucing it up by adding an outdoor rug.

You could buy a rug specifically designed for this purpose. But if you’re feeling in the DIY mood then why take one of your old indoor rugs and apply some waterproof paint? You can create your own designs; you’re only limited by your imagination.

If you don’t have a paver patio, then getting one is definitely something to consider if you want to spruce up an outdoor space. Check out this article to help you decide which types of pavers to choose.

8. Put Up a Pergola

If you love the idea of enjoying the sun surround by beautiful vines, then a pergola could be just the job.

If you have a paver patio, it’s the perfect base to construct your pergola on. This is a more challenging DIY job, but once it’s complete you’ll love watching the vines slowly growing over your handiwork.

It can also provide a nice amount of shade to make your afternoons in the sun even more pleasant.

Looking for More Tips for Your DIY Home Projects?

If you want more tips and advice for your DIY home projects then we’re here to help.

We have a wide range of articles covering all things DIY. If you’re looking for inspiration then our articles can help you find your new favorite DIY project. We also have articles on many other subjects, including education, fashion, finance, travel, wellness, and more.

Feel free to take a look around.

Buying the Right Tree for Your Garden

February 24, 2018 by Mandy

If you are lucky enough to have a large garden you can turn it into a really special place, an oasis for you and your local wildlife. One way to quickly fill up some space and greatly improve the ambiance of a big garden is to plant a tree. If you choose a fast-growing variety and buy something that is already a few feet high you will have a lovely large tree to enjoy after just a couple of years.

The right tree for your growing conditions

However, it is important to do your research and buy the right tree for your garden. You can easily purchase trees for your state from The Tree Center. They really are experts. This firm knows the US well, so can help you to find a tree that will thrive where you live. It feels good to plant something that will still be there for people to enjoy many decades later.

The look you are after

Once you understand which varieties of tree will thrive in your garden you are halfway there. Now, is the time to think about how it will look. You want any trees that you plant to fit in with the style of your home and neighborhood.

It is important to think about how the tree will look during each season. A bare poplar looks very different from one that is covered in leaves. If you do not like bare branches you may be better off planting an evergreen variety instead.

Ease of maintenance

That brings me nicely to another important point. You also need to consider how easy the tree that you are planning to buy will be to look after. If you do not like raking leaves that last thing you need is a couple of large deciduous trees to look after.

Can you afford to take care of it?

The other consideration is the cost of maintaining your trees. If you choose a large variety, every few years, you may have to pay a tree surgeon to trim it back hard. This can cost a lot of money, so it is an important consideration.

Do you really have enough space?

When buying a tree you need to understand how big it will be once it reaches maturity. It is all too easy to choose a tree which you enjoy for the first few decades but eventually end up hating because it has practically taken over your entire garden. You need to think about the spread of both the branches and the roots when working out how big a tree your yard can accommodate. You can learn a bit more about how to do this by reading this excellent PDF.

Can you legally plant it in your area?

It is also important to check whether there are any restrictions on the size of tree you can plant in your neighborhood. In some places, the planting of certain varieties is banned. You really must not skip over this part of your research. If you plant the wrong thing you can end up being fined. Plus, you will usually face a hefty bill for the removal of the tree and stump.

How to Make Your Garden Perfect for Kids

January 24, 2018 by Mandy

It’s a tale as old as time – families up their sticks and move to houses with bigger gardens as their children grow. Parents understandably want as much space as possible for their children to thrive and explore, all while keeping them safe. Your garden is one of the best places to do this. Outdoor activities encourage fitness, allow your child to spend time in nature with the fresh air, and teach them more about the new world they find themselves in. Growing plants, finding animals and having the space to run around are all great ways of making memories with your kids. Of course, some gardens are better than others at providing this kind of environment for a developing young child. Here are some helpful tips on how to ensure that your garden gives your children the best space to play, learn and grow.

One: Make it Educational

Children’s brains are like sponges. From the day they are born, they absorb so much information and rapidly develop into thinking, conscious beings with preferences and opinions. This is why it is so vital that your children are exposed to as much mental stimuli as possible during their formative years.

Your garden can become an excellent arena for learning and discovery, especially if it is filled with stimulating and challenging opportunities for your child. Encourage your children to enjoy the outdoors and teach them about nature, safety, and other life forms. Insects that are attracted to particular plants can be fascinating for a young mind, as can playing in the soil. Being comfortable in the natural environment teaches your child to treat it well. If you can, grow plants with your children so they can watch the development of different species. If you need to create the right climate for your favorite plants, look for some quality greenhouse kits to start your gardening journey. By doing so, you can explain why certain flowers and plants flourish in specific climates, while others perish.

Greenhouses are exciting places for kids to watch as a seed becomes a sprout and eventually a fully-grown plant. Opt for fruit and vegetables to really catch their interest, demonstrating to them how food is made. There’s nothing quite like eating a home-cooked meal made from the produce in your very own garden. Your children will learn so much about many unexpected topics as you let them explore the great outdoors.

Two: Make it Safe

As a parent, your number one priority is the safety of your children. Gardens can be dangerous places for kids since there are a number of uncontrollable elements. Poisonous plants can be ingested by children and cause illness or even death. Insect bites can cause infection if untreated. Protect your garden and your children by researching what types of plants to avoid. While humans by nature are intrigued by what could kill us, children should be kept away from these dangers at all times.

It isn’t just plants and insects that can pose a threat to your children, though. Poorly positioned slabs and unstable walls or garden ornaments can be hazardous for children who enjoy running around and climbing. Try to avoid turning your yard into a stylish yet deadly obstacle course and instead create a wide, open space with grass or wood chips for a soft landing should they fall over. Cover any water features with netting to prevent your child from falling in. Even small cuts and scrapes can be dangerous as they create an opening for soil and other unhygienic particles to enter your child’s body. Tetanus bacteria live in soil, so make sure your child has had their vaccines. Long grass can be the home of ticks that carry infections such as Lyme disease. Keep an eye on your child at all times while playing in the garden.

Three: Make it Fun

Children are creatures that require constant entertainment, so why shouldn’t your garden be the place to provide that? Toy stores have huge sections dedicated to outdoor play equipment and games, such as climbing frames, trampolines, jump ropes, balls, pools, water pistols and so much more. Trampolines and climbing frames can use up so much of your child’s energy that they sleep perfectly all night long, all while keeping them fit and healthy. Pools for paddling and water pistols are especially fun during warmer months because you can cool down while being splashed by your kids. Gardens are perfect for letting your children be messy and free without worrying about getting into trouble or making the house untidy. Let them enjoy this freedom and perhaps even indulge your inner child too.