Does your deck live up to its potential? If the answer is no https://decksofamerica.us/ is here to help you transform your outdoor living space.

Besides periodic cleaning and sealing, you may want to spruce things up a bit with additions from this Sofa Retailer furniture store that may better suit your family’s outdoor needs and lifestyle.

Lighting – If you find yourself out on the deck in the dark, you may want to explore some lighting options. There are a number of choices available for outdoor deck lighting, and many of them are solar powered so there’s no need for electrical wiring, if you want to do the same check this solar panels installation company suggests. There are even small lights that can be installed in stair risers to illuminate the steps.

Seating – Built-in benches are one way increase available seating on your deck. Being stationary they aid in traffic control and are available even when other lawn furniture has been stored for the season.

Planters – Bringing some plant life to your deck is a natural way to decorate with colorful pots and flowers. No floor space for pots?  Consider installing flower boxes over the railings.

Grill – If your deck is large enough to keep the heat and smoke away from the house, consider moving the grill onto the deck and include the grill master in the party. Some built-in end tables will keep tools and platters handy for the chef.

Shade – Too much sun can spoil an outdoor get-together, so you might wat explore adding some shade to your deck. Table umbrellas or awnings attached to the house may help. A pergola is similar to a trellis.  With vining plants adding their shade, a pergola is an attractive and natural addition to your deck. There are even pergola kits available that may suit your needs.

Storage – Many decks are built high enough to walk underneath and create a natural storage space for lawn furniture and pool accessories. If that space is not already enclosed, investigate adding some latticework to “hide” your treasures and then buy some Outdoor Furniture in Sydney to decorate the space.

When your imagination for improving your deck wanes a bit, definitely turn to the internet.  Pinterest posts countless pictures and plans for your contemplation.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: deck enhancements, Outdoor Living

Want a way to add value to your home and actually enjoy it? Consider building custom designed deck with help from deck builders Austin TX. A deck is a very versatile addition to any house.

It can be used for grilling and outdoor dining, entertaining friends, stargazing, observing nature and just plain relaxing! Furthermore, a deck can be covered providing shade or it can be open for those who love the sun. According to joiner Paul Shultz you may wish to hire an experienced professional such as a builder, contractor, carpenter or remodeler to do the deck installation and build a custom deck railing for you, or you might decide to tackle the project on your own. Either way, building a deck can be rewarding. The driveway extension can be emptied to act as a patio, mulling area for guests or can be a large table, seating area and while it is not in use, these patio covers could be useful.  The shed is in the back corner of the lot, blocking the view to the back of the neighbor’s garage.  To add some interest a wide path curves around a tree back to the shed.

Master bedroom with multiple closets and en suite bath that has custom vanity built in and walk in shower. Ample 2nd bedroom also with en suite bath. Roof deck has a spacious full head house that makes an ideal tree top office, with walk out to the over sized roof deck with city views, water and power. Central A/C, in unit laundry, plethora of closet space, and a strong self managed association. Maintaining a place like this can be hard if you get a lot of rain in the area, you might actually get water damage from this. If you ever need to fix up your deck then you can contact this deck repair service.

Working with a professional will ensure custom touches that you might not be able to create, build or accomplish on your own, while building the deck yourself can be rewarding and offer the satisfaction of completing the job. If you do decide to build the deck on your own, consider purchasing a woodworking or deck plan. They are available online in a variety of sizes ranging from a basic platform with railing to more detailed deck designs that might include built-in wooded benches for seating, plant shelves, a built-in barbecue area or even a hot tub from Hot Tubs For You, it would be a great feature. No matter which route you take, you’ll be pleased with the new deck you can enjoy year-round and feel confident that you have just added value to your home.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: add value to your home, building a deck, decks, home addition, Outdoor Living, outdoor living spaces

If you’ve just built a new home with plenty of outdoor living spaces, chances are you’ll want to entertain family and friends. From the backyard to the deck or lanai, any outdoor entertaining space is sure to please your guests. Whether you plan to host a small gathering of friends or a family reunion with everyone from your grandma to your third cousins, this list of entertaining tips will help you prepare for your event.

·         Give your guests plenty of notice about the date and time of your party. Mail invitations or send an email if it is an informal get-together. Be specific about who is invited. If it is an adult only party, specify it in the invitation. If the whole family is welcome, specify that the kids are invited too.

·         If you’ve chosen a theme, tell your guests. They may want to dress accordingly or bring a themed gift or dish.

·         Music adds to the festive atmosphere of any gathering. If your party has a theme, choose themed music.

·         Make sure you have enough seating for everyone. Ask everyone to bring a lawn chair if necessary and bring indoor tables and chairs outdoors if extra are needed.

·         Have a backup plan in case of bad weather.

·         If your gathering is on a hot summer day, consider setting up few umbrellas or screened tents to beat the heat.

·         Have plenty of drinks on hand in coolers filled with ice, you can find a good commercial ice maker for sale online, besides make them accessible so guests can serve themselves.

·         Be aware of guests that may have special needs. Those who take certain medications cannot be in the sun, so make sure there is seating available on the covered porch or provide an umbrella. If someone has special needs when food or drink is consider such as a diabetic or someone with food allergies, make sure you have food items that are safe for them.

·         Burn citronella candles for bug control. Place a smaller one in the center of each table and use larger ones at the ends of your entertainment space.

·         Netted food domes will keep insects out of food dishes.

·         Promote group activities by putting up a volleyball net, provide horseshoes, ladder golf or washer boxes. If you have a large backyard, organize a softball or kickball game.

·         Don’t forget the kids. Fill a box or tub with things just for them like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jump ropes, balls, etc. If it is a hot day fill a cooler or tub with prefilled water balloons and organize a water balloon toss. Water guns are always a big hit too.

·         If your party is going to continue from daylight until after dark, don’t forget about lighting. Make sure steps and walking areas are well lit. Solar lighting, rope lighting and even strands of white Christmas lights are great for lighting pathways and covered porches and patios. Check around for themed lighting. If you are hosting a luau, palm tree shaped lights hung around the entertainment space will add a little extra fun.

Don’t forget to refer to this list before you plan your next outdoor gathering.

Visit The House Plan Shop to find home plans with outdoor living spaces that are great for entertaining such as a patio, courtyard, covered porch, grilling porch, screened porch, deck or lanai.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: backyard party ideas, outdoor entertaining ideas, outdoor living spaces

Now is the time for people everywhere to get into the holiday spirit. One of the most common ways is by hanging decorations, more specifically decorating homes and yards with Christmas lights. An exterior display of Christmas lights can range from a simple strand of white lights wrapped around the front porch rail to an elaborate display of multi-color lights decking the home and landscaping. No matter how you plan to decorate the outside of your home with lights, these tips will help you hang your holiday lights with less hassle.

1.    You will need a ladder, measuring tapes, hooks/light clips, holiday lights, extension cords, a hammer, and an assistant.

2.    Have a plan. Sketch the outside of your house and determine what you want to decorate – the gables and eaves, the windows, porch rails and columns, bushes, every tree branch. Indicate locations of available outlets on your sketch. Measure and label the width and depth of your house. Have your assistant record the measurements. Measure the height of bushes and trees.

3.    Figure out how many lights you will need. Most come in lengths of 25-200 lights. Professionals recommend figuring about 50 lights per foot of height for bushes. If you are using miniature lights, double the number. Decide on a color scheme for your lights and whether you prefer solid, blinking or chasing lights.

4.    Purchase and test lights. Choose lights rated for outdoor use. They are usually more weather resistant and larger and bolder making them stand out against your house, garage and landscaping. Test every string of lights before you hang them. There is nothing more frustrating than hanging the lights and turning them on only to find some of the bulbs do not work.

5.    Hang the lights. Securely place hooks or light clips at regular intervals under the eaves of your home so your lights will not droop. Hang them one strand at a time making sure the strands are tightly connected. You may want to wrap/seal them with electrical tape to help keep rain and snow out. Your assistant will be key at this time holding the ladder, helping hold the lights, etc.

6.    Light trees and bushes. Wrap tree trunks and branches with lights. Wind or zigzag lights throughout each bush. Wrap lights around trellises and other landscape features.

7.    If you need to run extension cords, tape them down so no one trips on them.

Additional Safety Tips

1.    Hang lights on a dry day. It reduces the chance of electrical shock and slipping on the ladder.

2.    Be sure to use lights rated for exterior use. Interior lights are night designed to withstand the elements such as snow and rain.

3.    Use multiple outlets to reduce the load on a single outlet.

4.    Use plastic light clips or hooks. They are much safer for the wires than nails or a staple gun and easier to remove.

5.    Check wires for damage to insulation. Throw away any that are damaged. It is not worth risking a house fire just because you tried to save a couple bucks on cheaply manufactured lights. 

Think Green

1.    Purchase LED lights. They use 80-90% less energy than traditional incandescent lights and some can last up to 20,000 hours. They are also cool to the touch.

2.    Put your holiday lights on a timer. This way you won’t forget to turn them off before bed, and you will save energy by not keeping them lit all night. Besides, there aren’t many people out looking at holiday lights at 3:00 AM anyway.

With these helpful tips, you are on your way to hanging Christmas lights outdoors safely, spreading holiday cheer and doing your part for the environment.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: Christmas decorating, Christmas lights, hanging Christmas lights

If you are planning to build a new house chances are you’ve consider a wide range of aspects and elements about the interior of your home from efficiency and comfort to form and function. You’ve probably even considered the exterior appearance. But before you make your final decision about the house plan you wish to build, take some time to think about the usefulness and other benefits of choosing a floor plan with at least one outdoor living space making the most of your lot and yard.

As per Stilus Design and Construction Sunshine Coast, outdoor living spaces include a wide range of possibilities. They can be almost any size and can satisfy one or more purposes.  They include covered front or rear porches, wrap-around porches, screened porches, covered or open decks, patios, terraces, lanais, balconies and more. Furthermore, special features such as outdoor fireplaces, grills, outdoor kitchens, pools, hot tubs, spas, gazebos, cabanas, built in seating and planters improve usefulness, function and enjoyment of outdoor living spaces. Other additions include sound systems to listen to music or the ball game, a TV tucked into a weather proof cabinet, outdoor lighting, ceiling fans and weather poof furniture.

How could your family use an outdoor living space?  Think about your family and the activities you enjoy.  The following ideas will help you decide what outdoor living space is right for you.

·         Do you enjoy barbecues and outdoor gatherings? A deck, patio, covered porch or screened porch work well for grilling and outdoor dining. If you tune into your favorite radio station you can enjoy some music too.

·         Maybe you prefer to prepare an entire outdoor meal. Consider a grilling porch or outdoor kitchen keeping the heat outside while leaving your indoor kitchen clean and spotless. Furthermore, your family and friends will enjoy as tasty meal outside without leaving a mess inside for you to clean up when everyone’s gone home.

·         Do you envision your kids swimming all summer long? Does your family hope to throw pool parties through the summer months? A patio, lanai or a deck will make a nice complement to any home with a pool.  Add built in benches for extra seating and outdoor lighting so your gatherings can continue after sunset.

·         Maybe you just enjoy reading or relaxing outdoors after a day at the office.  Consider a courtyard or covered porch. Planters will add a splash of color and satisfy any gardener’s green thumb. Perhaps an upper level balcony is more what you desire, a wonderful place to watch the sunset.

·         Do you have a lot with beautiful panoramic views? Do you enjoy submerging yourself in the sights and sounds of Mother Nature? A sweeping deck or full-length covered porch will give you a great place to take in the view or observe surrounding wildlife.

·         Does your family like to entertain? Maybe a covered porch with an outdoor fireplace is the answer. You’ll have a great place for gathering and conversation without being crowded inside the house and the fireplace will give the kids an opportunity to roast marshmallows and make S’mores when they want a snack. Not to mention everyone will enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire on a crisp fall evening.

·         Looking for a romantic evening? How about dessert and stargazing with your loved one on an open deck? An open deck is also great for sunbathing. 

Outdoor living spaces offer endless possibilities. With a little imagination, your family can use and enjoy the spaces surrounding your new home just as much as the interior living areas. Be sure to consider the outdoor living spaces of every home plan you review.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: decks, Outdoor Living, outdoor living spaces, patios, porches