Whether you’re a work-from-home veteran or just started, consider these basic home office remodeling tips to make the most out of your space.

Locating the Ideal Space for Your Home Office

The primary goal is to find a space that has few household distractions. Of course, a separate room is ideal for a home office. The ability to close a door at the end of the workday is best. It maximizes privacy and serenity, and lends the feeling of leaving work at the end of the day, which has positive psychological effects – it allows you to disconnect.

If your home and budget permit, you might consider adding a separate entrance to your home office from the outside to really capitalize on the feeling of going to and from the office. This is obviously a task that you probably wouldn’t want to undertake on your own and will most likely require you to hire a contractor to do the job.

Not everyone has the luxury of having a separate space, so some of you need to think more creatively if you’re short on space. There are many ways to distinguish and optimize your home office space even if you don’t have an extra room, a consultation with an interior designer will help you to get on the right track.

Boost Your Productivity with Color

Color can help you virtually separate your office space and has other benefits as well. Color and its brightness are a matter of personal preference. Now that this home office space is all yours, it’s time to personalize it to optimize performance. So, consider color carefully when you select paint and accents.

Interestingly, most experts agree that blue is the best color for productivity. It calms your mind, which helps you concentrate and stay focused.

 These colors can also help give you a boost.

• Yellow energizes, enhances creativity and mood.
• Green is balancing and creates calm.
• White is ideal for a smaller space as it makes it feel larger and brighter.

And you creative types may want to do something a little different with your walls. Perhaps a chalkboard wall or section will take that ingenious mind of yours to the next level.

The Proper Lighting Will Make You Shine

Lighting can improve productivity and make you feel better according to this WorkDesign Magazine article and other studies.

When it comes to lighting for your home office, you can’t beat mother nature – natural lighting is best. It increases alertness and helps optimize brain function. Who doesn’t want that when they’re working? It also improves physical and mental health.

Therefore, finding a space with windows, allowing natural lighting to come in, is optimal. Being close to a window that opens to the outdoors also allows you to get some fresh air throughout the day, which also enhances your wellbeing. Another benefit of a window in your home office space is that it offers a view, which can help you de-stress during the workday.

If you don’t have a space with natural lighting, you can add energy efficient lamps and directional lighting. Budget and structure permitting, you can add a window and/or a skylight.

Choose Your Desk, Chair and other furnishings for Comfort, Style and Functionality

Whether you choose modern, minimalist furniture or go the traditional route, make sure you fulfill storage needs. The goal is to have a clean, uncluttered work environment.

• Desk – Your desk should be large enough so that you can spread out when working on multiple projects simultaneously or as needed in the normal course of your workday. You don’t have to break the bank for a desk. There are many good, economical options available.
• Chair – Your office chair is an item on which you don’t want to penny pinch, but you can find some deals too. Consider how many hours you spend sitting at your desk during your workday. Healthy posture is critical to your comfort; an ergonomic chair promotes health and productivity. Your office chair should be sturdy; have good lumbar support;  a long back with a headrest and height adjustment. A mesh back will keep you cooler during those long days. You can find a good, economical one at ikea.
• Office desks and chairs have come a long way. Adjustable standing desks are a great option for those who prefer not to sit at their desk all day. Stability balls are another seating option that is becoming more prevalent. They enhance posture, balance and core strength and can be used periodically throughout the day to break the monotony of sitting in an office chair for extended periods of time.
• Storage – Choose a storage system for files, equipment and other items that flows with your home office decor and helps create a clutter-free work environment.

Get the Right Tools for Your Trade

Don’t overlook the basics when setting up your home office.

• You don’t want to wait forever to upload or download large files. Make sure that you have a fast, reliable internet connection.
• It’s critical to have backup for your power and your data. Get a backup power source and external hard drive so that your files are backed up periodically. If you don’t want to purchase a hard drive, you can also backup data in the cloud with services such as Google Drive and iCloud.
• An additional monitor is great for multitasking and allows you to see the full scope of projects you’re working on.
• A scanner and printer are a must. You can find all-in-one machines that include scanner, printer and fax; does anyone use a fax anymore? Some professionals still do and need them.
• Remember that not everything is electronic. You will always need tangible notes. Always include the basics like pen and paper. Physical office supplies make the space feel more like an office and less like a home.

Include Final Touches that Make it Your Own

Including some aspects of home design in your home office will help you think more creatively, make you more productive, reduce stress and reduce feelings of loneliness.

• Adding a sound system with music of your choice can make you more productive.
• House plants bring nature indoors and also help you think more creatively.
• Artwork and /or framed quotes should inspire you.
• Essential oil diffusers are being used more in offices to reduce stress.
• Lastly, add finishes that you like, for example, gold finishes in your chair and/or desk accessories for that glam touch – have fun with this and make it your own!

Now that you have these practical tips, go ahead and start making your home office space the ideal place for you to excel in your job. Besides, don’t you want a really cool space that impresses your coworkers during all those Zoom meetings?

1. Roof Upgrades

If you’re remodeling your roof, try installing a wraparound soffit and some polyiso insulation to cut energy bills, improve air quality, and ultimately, increase property value. Soffit is a ventilated cover that goes around the entire length of your home below the roof where it hangs over the edges of your walls. It keeps the inside of your roof from overheating, thus improving energy efficiency in the summer.

Polyiso insulation is installed beneath everything else on the exterior of your roof. It provides extra protection against air and moisture intrusion as well as helping prevent your home from losing heat through the top of your house in the winter.

2. Slash your HVAC Expenses

By fixing all the leaks in your HVAC system, you can use it less frequently and still achieve the same effect. Going through a company that can come in, identify and fix all the leaks in your ducts is the only way to make sure your HVAC system is completely airtight. Duct cleaning companies will normally use a computerized pressure system to achieve this, and can also typically provide you with a before and after of how much energy you were losing vs how much you’ll be saving once they’re done.

3. Concrete Wall Upgrades

Insulated concrete forms are the best energy-efficient option for new construction. If you’re adding an extension or building a pool or guesthouse in the backyard, ICFs are, hands down, best choice. ICFs are hollow concrete blocks that are linked together to form a comprehensive wall system that is airtight and much more energy-efficient than the average wooden wall framed home.

When builders want to build the most energy efficient buildings possible nowadays, they use ICFs to form the wall systems. ICFs are sound-resistant, fire-resistant, extremely durable, and safe in even the most extreme weather.

4. ENERGY STAR Rated Windows

Your windows can cost you quite a bit if they aren’t ENERGY STAR rated. A regular window which is poorly insulated will let warm air escape in the winter while letting cool air out during the summer. Such drafts will cost you because you’ll be forced to keep your heating and cooling system on more frequently, and for longer periods of time. Depending on your climate, an ENERGY STAR rated set of windows will help prevent this.

5. Energy-Efficient Lights

Switching out old bulbs for LED lights and adding dimmer switches to your home is a great, cheap way to cut energy costs. This is probably the first place you’ll want to start if you’re serious about cutting your energy costs. Dimmers allow you to adjust the lighting so that your bulbs aren’t burning as bright as possible whenever they’re on. Currently, the best LED bulbs cut electricity costs by 85% when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

Cutting Energy Costs in a Modern Home Design is Simple

In today’s day and age, cutting energy costs through remodeling has never been easier. Whether you use energy-efficient lights, house wraps, polyiso insulation, ICFs, soffit, or HVAC repair, you’re sure to reap the benefits at the end of the month.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.

So how do you get the new space of your dreams at a reasonable price? It comes down to two unglamorous but necessary words: planning and budgeting. For a detailed breakdown of individual costs by project and by room, HomeAdvisor.com is a great source, but here we provide you with our top high-level tips to think about when planning a remodel and need to hire a pro.

Define Your Needs: Build up, Build out, or Bump out

Of these three options, a bump out is generally the least costly, mainly because it does not involve changing the roof or foundation. A bump out typically extends a space to align it with an existing roof, adding square footage while avoiding major upheaval.

A build-out goes further than a bump-out, but often requires costly foundation and roofing extensions. Though it provides more interior square footage, the downside is that it also increases the exterior footprint of the home, which can drastically reduce outdoor/garden space.

Building up is a great way to retain the existing footprint of your home, but it can require significant roofing adjustments (some or all of your roof will have to be replaced), as well as bolstering of the foundation and weight-bearing beams.

Select Your Contractor

• First step: get recommendations. It’s always good to work with someone who has been vetted, and about whom you can get the inside scoop. Ask friends, colleagues, and neighbors for referrals.
• Next, examine their credentials and licenses. Make sure their paperwork is up to snuff. After that, narrow your potential hires down, and interview the ones who have made your shortlist.
• Finally: get bids. No matter how the initial interviews went, make sure you receive proposals from more than one contractor. Don’t base your selection on price alone. What appears to be the cheapest bid can sometimes end up costing you more in the long run.

Account for the Uncountable

Most remodeling projects go off the rails because of unforeseen expenses that are not captured in the budget. These are the top three:

1. Indecision: While a level of flexibility is necessary, too much flexibility – constantly changing your mind – can lead to budget overruns, as well as bad relationships with your architect, contractor, and vendors. Worse yet, it can result in an incomplete project.
2. When the Walls Finally Talk: It happens almost without fail: just as the project is starting to sail along, your contractor finds something unexpected, or even borderline disastrous. Issues like rotted wiring, termite-ridden studs, cracked foundations, moldy basements, faulty plumbing…the list goes on. Standard remodeling budgets include a 10% contingency allocation, which is meant to provide funding to address issues like these. Do not make the mistake of not including a contingency fund. Something always comes up, and it is best to be financially prepared.
3. The Cost of Comfort: Most homeowners remember to include all the construction-related costs in their budget, but they often forget to plan for how to keep themselves and their family comfortable during the remodel. Depending on the scale of the project, you need to set aside funds for storage, moving, alternative accommodation, eat-out/order-in dinners, child care, boarding pets, commuting costs, and income lost due to time off from work. Your contingency fund is typically earmarked for costs directly related to the rebuild. We suggest adding an extra 5% or more to your contingency fund to cover any additional unforeseen expenses.

If you love your home and neighborhood, but just want a bit of a change, remodeling can be a viable option vs. purchasing a new home. At 305 Florida Contractors, we can guide you through the process, and help you achieve the home of your dreams at a reasonable price. Just contact us to learn more.

Last-Minute Showings

One of the most stressful parts of selling a home is the last-minute showing. Someone calls, you have 10 minutes to an hour before a potential buyer is coming to the house, you are disheveled, the kids are playing and have toys everywhere, the sink is full of dishes, the washing machine is running, and you still need to clean. While this may seem like the worst-case scenario, you can do several things to make tidying up easy and ensure that you have the home ready to show off:

• Keep baskets handy to throw in laundry, paper, toys, and clothes.
• Make it a rule to make beds in the morning and fold all blankets after each use.
• Set up a designated space for all people who enter your home to place shoes and bags.
• Put the dishes in the dishwasher after each use.
• Create a checklist for small tasks.

Letting the Light Shine

The perfect lighting in a home achieves that warm and bright atmosphere buyers are looking for.  It’s important not to overlook the importance that natural and artificial lights bring to the space.  Open all blinds and curtains. Turn on all lights, including lamps and overhead lights. Add some mirrors, which will help give the illusion of open spaces. Make it a game for your kids to spot dark areas in your home and add lamps or wall sconces in those areas. To make sure the lights are on prior to a showing, assign everyone one room that they are responsible for.

Tidying Up

The most important thing you can do to help sell your home is to get rid of the clutter. Too much stuff will prevent potential buyers from being able to picture the house as their home. To prep your home for showings, have each family member sort their belongings into four piles:

1. What they need for the short term
2. What can be stored
3. What can be donated
4. What can be trashed

For the items you’ll be storing, try to find storage out of the house, such as at a friend’s or relative’s house or a storage unit. Get the whole family involved in this task, and in the end, reward the whole family with a fun dinner or family-fun activity like bowling or mini golf.

Appealing to the Senses

To sell your home, you must appeal to the senses of the buyer. You can help entice their visual senses by focusing on lighting, de-cluttering, and cleaning. While you may have adapted to noises in your home, potential buyers have not. So, it’s important to get rid of creaky floorboards, leaky faucets, or loud appliances.

Eliminate offensive odors caused by pets, plants, standing water, and musty basements, then add in pleasant smells, such as cinnamon, freshly baked cookies, lavender, pine, or fresh linen. Again, make this a time for your family to bond, and get everyone involved by seeing what everyone’s different senses picks up.

Being a busy parent is a job in and of itself, so the thought of selling your house may cause stress. You’re not alone, and many potential buyers will likely be in the same boat. Your home cannot always be picture perfect, but there are steps you can take to make it sale-ready. Involve your whole family every step of the way as you set a plan for last-minute showings, bring light into your home, tidy up every room, and make sure to appeal to all the potential buyer’s senses. In no time, this season of your life will have passed and you will be in a new home.

Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to figure out how to get started with your project. When it comes to plumbing, electrical work, or structural work, it’s best to call in a pro. Not only will this help keep you safe, but it will also ensure that your home doesn’t suffer any needless damage, which will save you money in the long run.

Keep reading for great tips on how to figure out the details of major or minor home repairs.

Figure Out What Type of Repair It Is

The first step is to figure out what kind of repair you have on your hands and what it will entail. Do some research online to find out more about the project you’re taking on. Repairs that involve plumbing, electrical work, or structural work always need a pro, which will drive up your costs but will be necessary in order for the job to be done safely and correctly. Common repairs that require a pro might include replacing a toilet, hot water heater, or electrical wiring.

Break Down the Cost

Breaking down the cost of your home repair project is imperative because it will allow you to create a budget from the beginning. Many minor home repairs can be done in a cost-effective way if you know how to get started; for instance, even if you call in a pro, you can buy the materials yourself, which will allow you to shop around for the best deals. Bigger repairs can get costly, however; the average national cost for a major home repair is around $10,429.

Establish a Timeline

Every home project requires a timeline from the jump. Not only will this help to save you money as you keep your contractor on task, but it will also keep your family comfortable because you won’t have to worry about having your home torn up for weeks or months. Without a set date for completion, you may face issues with the people you hire to get the job done. Keep in mind, however, that with major renovations often come setbacks. Get a written agreement from your contractor that includes the estimate they gave you for both the timeline and the cost.

Keep Permits in Mind

While many home repairs don’t require permission from the city, some do, and it’s important to educate yourself on how to go about getting cleared for your project. Any changes to the blueprint of your home — adding rooms, cutting holes for windows or skylights, or installing new plumbing or electrical work — will require a permit. Typically, these aren’t too expensive, but if you fail to get the right kind, you’ll be facing fines that could increase your budget.

Making changes to your home can be stressful and costly, so it’s imperative that you plan ahead before making any decisions. Do some research online and, if possible, talk to someone who has been through a similar project so you can get tips and advice.

At 305 Florida Contractors, travel is how we reconnect with our magic, and with each other. For our contracting business, traveling helps us refine our aesthetic, expand our mental boundaries, and stay innovative; so it will come as no surprise that to close out 2018, we took a trip. Our getaway city of choice? New Orleans.

N’awlins did not disappoint. (Sidenote: only tourists call it by that name. Not locals.) The city does not believe in doing things by halves. In fact I’m pretty sure that its mantra is “More is More.” From the food to the architecture to the music (and again: the food!!) we experienced sensory overload in the best possible way.

Taste

The Big Easy is famous for its cuisine – and rightfully so. From crawfish etouffée and jambalaya to po’ boys and pralines, there is a dish (actually, there are several dishes) to please every palate. Our personal favorite? The beignets from the iconic Café Du Monde. I’m not sure what alchemy makes these simple doughnuts so utterly irresistible, but irresistible they are. The super-fine powdered sugar that they’re covered in definitely helps. We enjoyed ours with a hot cup of the chicory-flavored coffee that the city is known for.

Sight

For architecture buffs (which, of course, we are), New Orleans offers a variety of styles on which to feast the eyes. Because it was owned by the  French and Spanish before being acquired by the U.S., structures in the city reflect that mixed heritage. Building styles range from creole cottages and simple shotgun homes to center-hall houses and grand antebellum-era plantations, and the colors, features, proportions, and decorative elements that typify each style provide a rich source of inspiration. With so many beautiful buildings to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but one that really spoke to us was the double-gallery townhouse (pictured below) located in the heart of the French Quarter.

Hearing

Something else that New Orleans has in abundance is nicknames, and “The Birthplace of Jazz” is one of the most famous –  and apt – ones. Music permeates the city. Wherever you go, the sounds of jazz float across the air, embodying the vibe of “laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll). On Bourbon Street, we took in the sounds of the street performers, and we also slipped into a few of the lesser-known jazz clubs and piano bars to be entertained by supremely talented combos and vocalists.

Smell

Like any city whose cuisine is its calling card, New Orleans is full of mouthwatering scents emanating from restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. Every few feet there’s another aroma to tempt you: cajun spices, fresh seafood, boiled crawfish, gumbo, jambalaya, French-style bread, fresh-roasted pralines, and just-brewed coffee. NOLA is also known for its flora — after all, there is an entire section called The Garden District. So the scents of magnolias, jasmine, Angel’s Trumpets, sweet olive, and fresh-mown grass abound as well.

Touch

So many textures, so little time. One of the places where it’s easiest to indulge your sense of touch is the French Market. There are rows upon rows of vendors selling trinkets and delicacies of all types, and from myriad cultures. There were also gator heads (Small ones. Not quite as scary as it sounds.) on display. Not something I would have ever thought that I would touch, but…when in New Orleans…However, I digress. In terms of architecture, we were in heaven. Ancient wrought iron, crumbling masonry, intricate tiling, plaster, red bricks… the list goes on.

It was great to be able to ring in the New Year in such an eclectic and energetic city. We’re looking forward to weaving some of our inspirations into our projects in 2019.

Psychologist Deborah Serani explains, “Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone. For a lot of us, Christmas is a magical time, it’s a time of innocence, and it’s a time of joy.”

And what an excuse to decorate your home without having a high remodeling cost. So get ready, bring out your Christmas lights and make this weekend a happy and memorable moment.

Incorporate Decluttering Into Your Daily Routine

It may sound obvious, but it’s hard to stay organized in a small space when you have a lot of stuff. Making decluttering a part of your daily cleaning routine is vital if you want to stay tidy. Kickstart your organizational journey with a massive decluttering effort. After that, institute some rules for yourself. For example, one item in, one item out. Any time you bring something new into your home, you must get rid of something else. Also, spend at least 10 minutes every day getting unneeded items out of your home. The best part is that it doesn’t cost you a thing to start decluttering and making your space more breathable.

Think Vertically

Architecturally, how does a big city pack so much stuff into a relatively smaller surface area? By going vertically, of course. This concept can also help you in your small space. Apartment Therapy suggests “filling the space on top of the refrigerator with wire bins, mounting baskets on the wall, or placing a shelf with baskets in a corner.” You can also install cheap shelves from floor to ceiling wherever you want. Stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond have stylish bins, shelving, and baskets. As a bonus, you can regularly find coupons, sales, and cashback deals to minimize the investment.

Prioritize Built-In Storage Space

In a small space, any piece of furniture that doesn’t also offer some sort of storage is a waste. For example, a TV stand/entertainment center should have drawers and cabinets aplenty. Your bed should have pull-out drawers underneath. Your coffee table or ottoman should open up to reveal extra storage space for blankets or pillows. Look for discounts and savings at stores like Crate & Barrel when looking for smart furniture for your small space.

Load Up on Baskets

If clutter is contained, is it even really clutter anymore? Not really, according to most. A home will look and feel more organized if every item has a place — even if that place is just a wicker basket or wooden bin. Bins and baskets are both cheap and stylish if you know where to look. Whether you want plastic, wood, clear, white, or metal — there is something for you.

Invest in Hooks for Inside and Outside Your Closets

Combining the general principles of making sure everything has its own storage space and thinking vertically will lead you to one elegant, extremely low-cost solution: hooks. Wallspace — both inside and outside of your closets and shelving — is mostly unused real estate. While a framed photo next to your front door looks nice, some cool brass hooks to hang your coats, bags, and umbrella are more practical. Check out some decorative door hooks that can go anywhere. If you’re smart, you can be practical, savvy and stylish at the same time.

The smaller the home the more valuable every single square inch is when it comes to storage, organization, and living space. By investing in some inexpensive storage aides and being smart when selecting furniture and decorative items (emphasizing function just as much as form), you can truly maximize any space. But before you do that, remember this: there are no tricks or tips to make a super-cluttered home organized. You must first declutter, downsize, and make some tough but necessary choices about what you choose to hold on to.

Learn how to save on home remodeling with proper planning and these problems won’t stand a chance. Without a plan, chances of getting stranded or lost in the wilderness of home remodeling will soar.

One problem that many homeowners looking to remodel their homes often face is high budget costs. It’s not uncommon for renovation budgets to spiral out of control, especially without proper planning.

In 2016, homeowners aged 55 years and over spent an average of $73,100 on renovations, according to this report.  Now, that’s a tidy sum of money!

Fortunately, there are ways that can ensure you keep more cash in your pocket. Dave from State Property Management, a property management company in Orlando, shared some of them with us:

1.  USE LESS EXPENSIVE MATERIAL THAT LOOKS RICH

You can give your home a luxury look without spending huge sums of money. For example, instead of solid wood cupboards in the kitchen and bath, select painted lower cost particleboard cupboards.

For your flooring, instead of solid hardwood flooring, select engineered wood. Or, rather than buy an expensive carpet, select a carpet in the middle-price range, then add an underpad for more cushioning.

2.  REPAINT AND REPURPOSE

Who says that remodeling or renovating requires everything to be new?

To keep your remodeling budget under control, you want to save every penny you can. While it is tempting to replace old items with brand new ones, repurposing them can save you plenty of cash.

Repainting and repurposing is a good option especially for things that are outdated but still in good quality and condition.

This works best for things like bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinetry.

3.  AVOID COSTLY DESIGN CHANGES

Major design changes can quickly spiral the cost of your home remodeling project. So, avoid them as much as you can. Moving the gas lines, electrical, and/or the plumbing can quickly lead to additional costs due to the additional supplies and labor.

For instance, if your kitchen has a functional layout that is in sync with the workflow of the stove, fridge, and sink, don’t change it. By doing this, you’ll avoid the added cost of rerouting plumbing lines.

4.  BUY USED BUILDING AND RENOVATION MATERIALS

Many people have heard about used furniture and appliances, but few know that used building and renovation materials also exist.

You can find gently used flooring, windows, lumber, and other materials online. Habitat.org should get you started in this regard. You might find good prices on interior doors, windows, vanities, toilets, sinks, and kitchen and bath cabinetry.

Usually, contractors will donate the leftover supplies on subdivisions or custom jobs. As such, the materials will often be of high quality.

Aside from Habitat.org, you could also look online at sites like Greendemolitions.com. Here, you stand a chance of buying items at half the price of retail. Generally, you’ll find items like kitchen and bath cabinetry.

But, bear in mind that determining the quality of items you buy online can be a bit harder.

5.  REPURPOSE YOUR OLD FURNITURE INTO NEW BUILT-INS

Here, creativity is vital. In addition, the more creative you are, the more savings you’ll get. You can repurpose your old kitchen into new built-ins to be used in various rooms around your home.

For instance, you can create a built-in family breakfast area by using the solid pine base of a round kitchen to anchor an extension on your kitchen counter. You could also refinish and repurpose an old desk into a front hall table for your entryway.

6.  SHOP FOR THE RETURNED PAINT

A lick of paint, if it’s the right paint, can do wonders. It’s an inexpensive way to revitalize your home’s look. But your costs may add up quickly, especially with paint prices ranging between $17 and $105 per gallon.

To save some money, consider purchasing “mistint” – the returned paint. This is the paint that a buyer bought but had second thoughts on. Or, one where there was an error in mixing.

However, bear in mind that returned paint or mistints come in limited quantities. As such, it may not be suitable for large spaces.

7.  HIRE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

First up, outsource any big jobs. From a financial and legal perspective, hiring a professional makes the most sense. This is especially true if the work involves structural, electrical and plumbing work.

In addition, you’ll avoid any unexpected and unnecessary outgoings caused by DIY catastrophes.

Before you lock anyone in, it pays to do your research. Check up their certifications and professional experience. Do they measure up? Next, get several quotes per work to assist you to weigh up timeline and cost options.  

 If you are on a tight budget, these cost-cutting tips will help you stay one step ahead and still ensure a good ROI on your investment. Not all home remodels have to be expensive just like not all have to be dramatic.

1. Clear the Clutter

You’ll be surprised what a big difference you’ll see just by throwing out what you don’t use.  Or you may just find that some items just don’t belong in that space.  Once you are done with this process you’ll probably notice your backyard space looks just a little bigger too.

2. Container Gardening

The idea of using container gardening creates an all year round colorful design. Dress up your garden with gorgeous potted plants.

3. Add a Swing

Think swings are just for kids? Think again. A swing will not only add a beautiful touch to your patio but it will add health benefits as well. Swinging is good for your mental health, balance, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and it helps to burn calories. So have that glass of wine and swing away.

4. Paint the Fence

Add curb appeal to your backyard by painting the fence. Shades of blues look beautiful all year round.

5. A Bird Feeder

Adding a bird feeder to your backyard has a lot more benefits than just feeding birds, it’s relaxing.  Choose a bird feeder that best fits your style and remember the food you purchase is the birds you’ll attract.

6. Lights

Don’t forget that lighting is the magic to the show. Adding string lights or a simple chandelier will add the last sparkle your backyard needs to welcome your guests and start the show.