Exteriors Archives - Inspired Home Ideas

Outdoor Playground Equipment For Children

Backyard kids playing areas are not a very common sight anymore. Who remembers back to being a kid and having a big back yard to play in? If you do, you’re one of the fortunate few.

Many kids these days are growing up in developments and complexes where there is very little if any outside playing space. And many more are actually confined to apartment living and the only playing areas many of these kids get to see is on an iPad or gaming machine.

Encouraging kids to get outside and run around and exercise is great for their long-term well-being and to help develop them as all-round human beings. If there is no backyard or play area in your own home, go to a local community park and let them run around to their heart’s content there.

This inflatable shipwreck and octopus give kids lots of fun and enjoyment.

These types of playthings are great at kids parties, and yes, you do need some extra space for them, but with a band of young children eager and keen to explore, your child’s party will be a great success.

This is a simple playground offering a sandpit, a seesaw, swings and a slide in a safe environment

This luxury back yard play area is a well-constructed timber playhouse with climbing wall and two swings at the rear of a luxury home. This will keep a couple of kids entertained for hours

A modern playground in a public park offering a playhouse, slides, a climbing wall, and a couple of swings.

Another well-equipped piece of outdoor playground equipment for children with playhouse with a full range of kids play activities included

An inflatable clamber toy complete with basketball hoop

There’s nothing quite like an old tire tied around a solid tree branch. Here you can have hours of fun.

Children’s playground at the public park.

Home-based fixed kids outdoor play equipment playground area alongside the landscaped rear yard

Large wooden play hut and playground for kids at a private home, set on an expanse of lawn.

Kids playground area with trampoline, swing, slide and climbing house set in a fenced private backyard

Backyard children’s playground equipment including slide, climbing rope, swing, and hut

Kids playground in modern Australian backyard

Large-scale neighborhood playground

Big bright and bold plastic kids colorful public playground.

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3 Tree Removal Tips Before Starting A Landscape Project

Here Are 3 Important Tree Removal Tips Before Starting A Landscape Project.

If you are considering a landscaping overhaul of your yard, there are a couple of pre-planning steps you will need to take especially if there are trees to be removed.

Here are the 3 valuable tips you need to do before starting a landscaping project and when you do this, you can be happy knowing that your new landscaping will be successful and it will be the envy of the neighborhood.

One thing you may not consider when planning your landscaping project would be, the amount of sun and shade there is in your yard. If you have too much of either it may not be good for your lawn and plants.

If you decide to plant new sod, you will need a lot of sunlight.

There are also some plants which will only thrive in direct sunlight a good portion of the day.

Of course, there are also some plants which thrive in the shade or partial sunlight.

The best way to control the sunlight in your yard would be to have your trees pruned, given medication if they are not healthy or cut down if they are dead.

It is important to note that you should never attempt to cut down or prune large trees yourself.

If you were to attempt to do this, you may end up killing the tree or injuring yourself.

You should always leave these tasks in the capable hands of professionals as they have the needed experienced to do the job right.

The First Tip To Consider Before You Start Your Project Is Your Budget.

Each family is different and has their own disposable income for their landscaping project.

When you think about your budget, think about what you want to spend as a whole and not on individual projects.

This is important because if you do not know your budget ahead of time it could result in you spending more than you anticipated.

It is also important to note that you should never choose a tree company based on the prices they offer alone.

If you were to choose one who has the lowest prices you may end up spending more money in the long run.

This can be due to them making mistakes and not doing the job properly and this will result in you having to pay for another tree company to come out and finish the job.

Or if they do not have full insurance coverage and they broke something or hurt themselves it would be up to you or your homeowner’s insurance to cover the damages.

If your homeowner’s insurance covers the damages this could cause your premiums to rise and if they do not cover it then it will be up to you to pay it in full.

So, it is important that you take the time to carefully research the tree service companies before hiring one.

When you do this, you can feel confident they will do a good job at a price that you agree upon.

Once you know how much your tree service will cost you, then you will know how much you have left for the landscaping.

The Second Tip You Need To Consider Would Be: What Scale You Want Your Project To Be

Of course, this largely depends on the size of your yard but there are other factors to think about including:

• Do you have a lot of trees in your yard? If you have a lot of trees in your yard, you will need to have them pruned back or cut down to ensure that your new landscaping will have ample sunlight.
• Do you have weeds or grass? If you do not have actual grass, do you want to plant seeds or remove it and put down sod? The least expensive option would be to plant seeds but sometimes only sod will correct the problem.
• Do you want any hardscape and how much? If you decide to make a larger island, it will reduce the amount of grass or sod you will need. You will also need to consider if you want to put down pine straw, mulch or rocks in the island.
• Do you want to plant a lot of plants and bushes? When you plant bushes and plants, you will need to factor in the cost of the plants as well as the labor used to install it.

Once you know the answers to these questions, you can contact your landscaper to tell them your thoughts.

They will then go over your options to ensure it meets your expectations as to the scale of the project you want.

Finally, The Third Tip: Have A Certified International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Evaluate Your Trees

These arborists are knowledgeable tree care professionals who knows all there is to know about trees.

They have completed an intensive study of all trees and how to keep them healthy as well as ascertain whether they are dying and need to be taken down.

After completing their studies, they are then given an examination to ensure they have retained all they have learned.

They are then given the designation of ISA Certified Arborist. Learn more about what ISA Certified Arborists have to offer by visiting their website.

The arborist will also be able to assess if the trees have an insect problem and what needs to be done to get rid of them to help maintain the health of the trees.

When it comes to insects who love trees there are several types of them out there.

The Main 3 Types Include The Following:

• Boring insects – These are some of the most destructive types as they bore holes into the trees which causes them to die. These insects are usually attracted to trees which are not healthy and are in a weakened state as it makes it easier to drill into them.

• Chewing insects – These insects chew on the leaves of the trees thus not allowing them to get proper nutrients and becoming weak and then dying. See examples of chewing insects by clicking here.

• Sucking insects – These insects damage the tree by sucking out the liquid from the leaves and tree itself. They then excrete a sticky substance all over the tree. While they are sucking these nutrients from the tree they are immobile and will stay in the same place for a while.

After they have assessed all your trees they will be able to identify which limbs need to be trimmed or pruned.

They will also be able to identify which trees may have an insect problem and do what needs to be done to get rid of them while maintaining the health of the tree.

Sometimes a tree is in poor health and they can inject its roots with a medication to make it healthier.

The last resort for an arborist would be to remove the tree.

It is important to hire an ISA Certified Arborist before you begin your landscaping project to ensure everything is safe and secure.

If you do not do this then after all your work is done, then an unhealthy tree may fall resulting in damaging all the new landscaping in your yard.

Thus, if you follow these three steps you will know that your yard will be prepared for any landscaping project you want and you will be on your way to having a yard that your neighbors will envy.

Author Bio:

Over the many years, we’ve been in operation, Advance Tree Pros has built a solid reputation in the tree removal space.

We have a very committed and professional workforce that’s results-oriented and dedicated to solving any tree clearing problems you may have.

To learn more about landscaping projects visit our website or feel free to shoot us an email. We always look forward to answering queries within our industry. Otherwise feel free to connect with us on Facebook.

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Small Backyard Ideas To Make Your Backyard Look Bigger

Making A Small Back Yard Look Bigger

A lot of people that own small City gardens or properties with limited space always ask what can they do to make a small backyard look bigger?

When it comes to gardening, perhaps you’re a passionate gardener with an avid green thumb for growing all sorts of items, from plants to flowers to crops.

Maybe you had a wide, spacious backyard for doing all of that but as of recent times, you had to leave it behind to move somewhere else, to a house with a backyard that is, unfortunately, significantly smaller than your old one.

That said, you might wish to be able to go back to your old garden, just because you had more liberty with planning and planting whatever you wanted there.

However, if it is too late, and you have to make do with what you have in your smaller backyard, then we have some guidance to put your heart at rest.

You might find it difficult to make it look nice, maybe even feel frustrated by the lack of space in there.

However, there is no need to be anxious; We are here to help!

Read on to learn more from this article on small backyard ideas to make your backyard look bigger.

We will give you a step-by-step tutorial to guide you along and soon enough, you will have a lovely backyard to call your own.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

Things You Will Need For This Tutorial

First things first, you will need to consider investing in a couple of items to make sure that you can maximize the amount of space you have in your backyard, let alone make it look bigger than it actually is.

Most of these items are readily available at your local hardware and gardening stores, and can be very budget-friendly if you do it yourself (DIY), rather than shelling out tons of money for a professional.

Besides, it gives you the liberty to be creative, as well as plan exactly what you want your garden to look like.

That said, here are the items you will need for this project:

#1. Pavers

Whether referring to concrete, tiles, asphalt or wood, pavers are those which, literally, are used to pave the ground, as a superficial surface to keep the place in pristine condition.

#2. Multi-color Paint

From red to orange to all the other colors of the rainbow, having a different-colored paint can make your garden come to life, being eye-catching and all the works.

#3. Brush Cutter

Even if you are working with a small amount of space, your garden will still need some trimming and cutting grass to keep it in good shape.

Investing in a sharp, durable brush cutter will do the trick, in this case.

#4. Large-Leaf Plants

From tropical to pine to redwood, planting large-leafed trees in your small backyard can actually make it look larger, since having the tree there can draw more focus to that rather than the actual space itself.

#5. Trellis

This refers to a wooden or metal framework that is used to support vines, fruit, and other plants and crops in a limited amount of space.

They are usually propped against a wall to conserve the area, which can be useful for your small backyard.

#6. Hang Mirrors

Literally, what their name implies, hang mirrors can be hung up in the backyard to create an illusion that it is bigger than it actually is. Plus, it gives a certain kind of beauty to it, with its glass material.

Step-By-Step Tutorial: Small Backyard Ideas To Make Your Backyard Look Bigger

Now that you have all the items needed, it is time to get started right away! Here, we highlight just a few steps you can take in order to create a larger-looking backyard.

Granted, these are more like tips to help you out; you can choose to take them or not, but in the end, it is up to you as to what you would like to do in your given space and style.

Here are the steps as follows:

#1. Create A Focus Object

Also known as a “focal point,” this refers to either a plant, a monument, even a patio that can be where guests’ eyes first lay upon when entering the garden.

Considering that your garden is small, to begin with, it can help to have a focal point to distract people from the actual smallness of the area, by making it appear larger than usual.

A rule of thumb is to place it in the center of the garden so that it is the very first thing to notice upon walking outside.

#2. Paint The Entrance

Believe it or not, certain colors can give off the impression of a space appearing bigger or smaller than it actually is: for instance, blue and white tend to make things look larger, whereas colors like red or orange make it seem smaller.

Besides painting the entrance to give some color to the area, painting the walls and other parts of the garden in colors which offer a “wider” look to the space is not a bad option to consider.

Plus, who doesn’t like to get a little down and dirty with painting? It is a true artist at work, anyway!

#3. Form Levels

Similar to point #1, you can use pavers to construct multi-tiered areas in your garden, so as to make it seem as if there is more space than in reality.

From patios to small steps from level to level, it will give off the impression that there is a lot more to it than just a plain, single-level backyard. It might take a bit more effort, but in the end, it should yield some great results!

#4. Plant Large Trees Or Plants

You might think that planting large trees or plants might obstruct from making your backyard bigger, but on the contrary, it actually helps make it appear larger than it seems!

Again, it does so by serving as the focal point of the area, and especially if you get a tree with large leaves, it offers a more wide-looking, expansive place, which can be sure to help your garden look nice and spacious.

#5. Frame Using A Trellis

Especially if you do not have a ton of space to work with, investing in a trellis will be the best way to go.

Not only does it save space, but also it adds depth to your garden which, in the end, makes it appear bigger than it actually is. From growing curly vines to brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, the trellis is both a practical and aesthetically-pleasing object to have.

#6. Incorporate Accessories

Whether it is Christmas lights or a couple of marble sculptures, having accessories in your backyard not only creates an impressive look but also gives it character.

You can choose to place whatever you want in the small backyard, but the trick is to make sure that you do not go overboard because then it can start to look cluttered.

Conclusion

Overall, having a small backyard should not discourage you from trying to use the space.

In fact, by carefully researching and planning out how you want your garden to look, you can take advantage of and maximize the area to your liking, ultimately creating a place as beautiful as a larger one.

Please feel free to share and comment if you enjoyed this post.

We wish you a happy gardening!

This article was contributed by Shary Saunders, a blogger at sharycherry.com. Gardening and landscaping have been her passion for years. You can find Shary on Twitter at @SharySaunders

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Custom Front Doors To Make Your Home Entrance Unique

Make Your Home Entrance Unique With A Custom Front Door

If you want to make your front door unique, then it all comes down to first impressions and what people think about your home is very important.

After all, our home is a reflection of us, and that’s not a bad thing! And the first thing that people notice when coming to your home is, of course – your front door.

Now, you can leave it plain, with a simple name tag, but do you really want your neighbors and guests to think that you are that bland?

Of course not!

So here is a list of things that you can do to make your front door look more inviting and reflect what the inside looks like.

The Base

We’ve all seen wreaths, pretty name tags, and doormats, but let’s look at what is underneath all that: the door itself.

A highly polished dark wood will make your door look very classy, and a crisp, white one will give you a modern look.

It all depends on what you’re going for, of course.

If you want a wacky, funny look, you can paint it cheerful colors, or even paint on some cartoon characters.

This would be a great way to decorate the front door of a kindergarten or daycare center.

If you want your door to give off a sense of security, you should opt for a heavy looking wood, and make sure that your door is thick enough.

For a more artistic approach, you can paint some pretty designs or make a collage!

Just make sure that whatever you do fits well with your facade – and your neighborhood rules!

The Doorknob

It might look like it’s plain and there’s nothing you can do with it, but a doorknob is an essential part of your door and shouldn’t be excluded from the decoration.

There’s an infinite number of choices of shape, material, and color, so you can make sure that your doorknob fits the rest of the image.

The Frame

Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to just your door, decorate the frame and use the wall around it.

This will not only give you extra surface to make any vision you have come to life, but it’s also a great way to make whatever design you have in mind blend well with its surroundings.

For example, if you’re painting your door green, planting (or painting) a few plants and vines planted around the door will make it look that much better and give a whole new layer to the entrance to your home.

The Doormat

A doormat is the easiest and the most convenient way to decorate your front door.

You can choose between so many designs available in stores or, better yet, make one yourself!

You can choose something with a welcoming message or perhaps something funny to make your door stand out!

Go for bold colors, or keep it the neutral brown with accents.

The best part of this is that you can swap it out without any trouble if you get bored of it or you want to change the message.

But don’t buy a new one every time! It’s so easy to redecorate an old doormat yourself, so get your creative brain going and DIY yourself a new mat!

Add-Ons

The classic one, of course, is the nameplate.

You can have something simple that just displays your family name, but you can also jazz it up!

Get a good looking name tag, or make one yourself!

Another creative way to display this is to get everybody’s handprint and let them write their names in it, then hang it on the door for a more personalized look.

If you’re decorating the front door to your business, then make sure that the purpose of your firm is clearly displayed and perhaps get a plate that matches what you do – for example, a mechanic’s shop can get some large and flat gears and write out the company name on that!

Who doesn’t like seeing green around them?

Add plants around your front door to make it look more welcoming and unique. Make sure that it’s something sturdy because it has to withstand a lot of weather.

You can place a large potted plant, or for a more unique look you can get a small potted plant and hang it on your door as decoration.

You can also make the pot something unique by repurposing an old watering pot, boot, umbrella or basket!

Just make sure you don’t forget them just because they’re on the other side of the door!

Seasonal

A lot of people put up Christmas wreaths or fairy lights up during the holidays, but this doesn’t have to be restricted to that period!

Choose a theme for every month and swap out the decorations regularly.

Hang up some hearts in February, fresh flowers in May or a pair of flip-flops in the summer!

Regularly changing your decorations means that you can always be happy with whatever you’ve chosen and never grow bored of it!

Security

Let’s face it, the main purpose of a front door is to let the right people in and keep the wrong people out.

So, while making your door look pretty, you have to make sure that they are safe.

Household burglary is one of the most frequent crimes in Australia; so, if you live in Sydney area and haven’t changed your locks in a while, visit a locksmith in Parramatta or another suburb to get that checked out and get tips on how to make your front door as safe as they can get.

They will probably not recommend keeping a spare key somewhere around the front door, but if that is something that you like to rely on, you can hide it in one of your decorations!

Now you’re fully equipped to have the most amazing door on the block that everyone will be jealous of!

Remember – you don’t have to have a plain white door just because everyone else has one and you’re not crazy for wanting your home to look as welcoming and expressive as possible!

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Swimming Pool Service And Maintenance

Home Swimming Pool Service And Maintenance Tips

Installing a swimming pool can be really expensive and undertaking DIY home pool maintenance is essential to get the most out of your pool.

Just the construction will cost you an arm and a leg. However, that is not all.

Many people neglect the fact that by having a pool, you create a long-term commitment.

This is the main reason why homeowners tend to neglect their pool after a while and leave it as it is.

Although you cannot do anything when it comes to required maintenance, you are definitely able to reduce the cost of upkeep.

Simply put, you can do it yourself!

Here are 8 simple tips that will help you to maintain your pool and reduce all the costs that go with it.

Pool Cleaning Should Become A Routine

Similar to your home, pools require a lot of cleaning.

There are several things you have to do among which skimming is the most important.

Each and every day, leaves and debris will fall into your pool.

Now, if you do not use the pool on a daily basis, this will not be much of an issue.

However, homeowners who use it constantly (especially families with small kids) will have to skim it each day.

Additionally, you will have to scrub the sides of the pool once a week.

There is a high chance of algae buildup and this is the best way to go.

Chlorine can be really helpful here too.

Taking Care Of The Pump

The pump will be your best friend during the cleaning process.

Basically, this product helps to filter water.

Even if you skim all the time, some of the filth will find its way to the bottom of the pool.

This is where the pump takes over.

Unfortunately, pumps aren’t completely automated.

All this dirt ends in the pump basket. In order for your pump to work properly, you as a homeowner have to empty the basket every week.

However, make sure not to turn it on/off too often.

This will increase the chance of malfunction. Instead, let your pump work for 6 hours each day.

Removing The Clutter

As mentioned, pools are a big investment.

Due to this fact, homeowners have to have a good reason for getting one.

In most cases, parents will build it for their kids.

As a result, most of the backyard pools have an enormous amount of clutter (usually toys) surrounding them.

Parents often neglect this and do not bother removing the toys.

But, there are three good reasons to do so.

The first thing to be considered is aesthetics.

But, that isn’t the biggest issue.

A much bigger problem is the fact that someone can slip on a toy and hurt themselves.

Finally, these toys are lying in the dirt all day long.

When your kids put them into the pool, they actually transfer the dirt into the pool which makes the pool maintenance much harder.

Protecting Your Pool

Cleaning is just a small part of a much bigger story.

Proper swimming pool service and maintenance also includes pool protection.

In most of the cases, any damage to the pool happens during the winter.

The ice can easily cause your pipes to burst. Before covering it, make sure to flush the water from all the outlets.

Protect them with covers and then, make sure to regulate the water’s chemical level.

Finally, add a pool cover. This can ensure infallible protection during the cold season.

Make sure to remove leaves and debris that accumulate on top of the pool cover. You can use a leaf blower for this.

Regulating Chemical Levels

Microorganisms quickly start multiplying within a pool. They can lead to skin and mucous membrane irritations and even diseases.

As a pool owner, you need to regulate the chemical levels at least once per week.

Check alkalinity, free chlorine, calcium hardness, acidity, and cyanuric acid.

There are a lot of different testers on the market so this won’t be a big problem.

Chemical levels can easily be adjusted if needed. If the water is clean, without any murkiness, then you know it’s safe to swim in it.

You Can Skip Pool Chemicals

A lot of people hate pools due to the consistency of required service and maintenance and the high amount of chemicals that go into it.

Previously, we mentioned that it is necessary to constantly regulate the pool’s chemical level.

Unfortunately, these products can also be rather expensive especially if you use them all the time.

However, there is a different option.

It is possible to completely skip chemicals. Instead, you can opt for baking soda.

This home product can increase the level of alkalinity.

Removing The Oils

Even if you have a pool for a long time, you probably do not realize how much oil can be in it.

This is only to be expected.

During the summer, we use sunscreens and other skin products.

Subsequently, pool water can get saturated with this substance affecting its overall cleanliness.

The best and most effective way to tackle this issue is by tossing a tennis ball into the water.

Its material can easily absorb oils making the pool once again clean.

Besides the fact that this is a quick solution, it is also a cheap one.

Think About Getting A Glass Dome

A swimming pool gives us a certain freedom.

We use it primarily during the summer when we wish to get out of the house, enjoy the nature and have a swim to cool off on hot days.

Although a glass dome goes against these principles, it does provide an enormous protection to your pool. It is a one-time investment that will last for a lifetime.

Image source: Pinterest via rollacover.com

Perhaps you will lose some of that natural feel and fresh air but this also means that leaves and other debris will not fall into your swimming pool. Additionally, you will be able to use it during the winter.

Like home maintenance, pool maintenance comes down to protection and prevention. You can save a lot of resources just by being mindful.

There is no need to hire a professional company. Instead, you can perform everything by yourself.

Sometimes, cleaning can be much easier than it seems.

Simple objects such as baking soda and a tennis ball can go a long way when it comes to protecting your swimming pool. All you need is a little bit of will.

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