Date:Posted By:Category:Creative, Garden Ideas

How to Turn Your Garden Into an Adventure Playground

It is every child’s dream to have an adventure playground in their back garden, where they will be able to have fun and spend hours outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Whether you put together something using only old, miscellaneous objects that you find around the house or in the shed, or you build a treehouse or playground from scratch, either way, you’re bound to end up with something fun. You don’t have to have a lot of money to invest in expensive toys or park sets and treehouses to be able to create an adventure playground. Hours can be spent playing in the garden and it doesn’t just have to be children who get enjoyment from it, especially if the weather is nice and sunny. This not only gets you outside in the fresh air but the process of turning your garden into an adventure playground is bound to be a great exercise activity as well as a chance to bond with your family and friends. Turn it into a party by inviting over your kids’ friends and their parents to enjoy your adventure playground together. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to turn your garden into an adventure playground, look no further, as here are some simple ideas and tips for doing just that, whether on a budget or if you have the cash to spare.

On a Budget

If you want to keep your adventure playground simple and don’t have a lot of cash to spare, there are many cheap yet fun ideas for transforming your garden. If you have any old junk lying around such as boxes, spare pieces of wood or old tires, these are all perfect for putting together a simple yet fun adventure playground. Experts suggest that if you are going to spend money on anything, invest in simple wooden planks, as although to you they might seem boring, to a child wooden planks can turn into a slide or a bridge. Even doing a bit of gardening and planting some bushes or colorful flowers can add to the magic of a child’s imagination. If you want to keep your kids from doing too much climbing, incorporating water into the fun with something simple like a bucket will keep them busy, especially in warm weather. You can even phone around any local companies if they have spare materials such as piping, wood or bricks to create steppingstones and platforms on the ground. Another great idea is to buy some cheap fairy lights to string up, whether on a tree or on your fence, it not only will add a bit of magic but also allows the fun to keep going past sunset.

What makes an adventure playground so special is that it doesn’t require a lot of money to make it fun, a large part of the enjoyment is the opportunity for kids to use their imagination when playing. All it takes is a bit of DIY and imagination to create something impressive and it can even turn into a bonding activity with your family if you all join in on the effort. If you need some guidance on how to do DIY, or for some ideas and tips for working in your garden, turning it into an adventure playground and making the most out of your outdoor space, there are many companies and websites available, such as PursuingOutdoors to help you with this.

With Cash to Spare

If you have the time and money to invest in turning your garden into an adventure playground, there are a lot of opportunities and ideas on how to do something incredible that your children are bound to love and enjoy. Building a treehouse or hiring someone to put it together for you is always a good way to impress, as they provide a spot in the garden for a child to imagine themselves as a king or queen in a castle as well as providing a teenager or adult somewhere away from the house for some peace and quiet if required. Another good and popular option with kids is buying a swing set, something so simple can allow for so much fun as long as it is properly secured in the ground and has enough room around it, you could swing for hours without rest. Sandpits are classic and must-have for the adventure playground in your garden as well as water features such as a slip ‘n’ slide or a mini fountain to splash around in on a hot day. Perhaps more obvious but just as fun is an obstacle course. Whether this is made through a combination of different purchases or a pre-made set, you can turn it into a fun competition and challenge each other to complete it in the fastest time.

 

Although going out to an adventure playground can be a lot of fun, it doesn’t have to take a lot of money or effort to turn your own garden into one. Doing this not only reduces the necessity to travel but also provides hours of entertainment for you and your kids right outside your door. Whether you have a large budget or can only afford to use old junk and assorted objects that you already own, what makes an adventure playground special is the fun that kids get to have with their imagination and the bonding that it allows between family.

Date:Posted By:Category:Home Improvement

The 8 Most Common Electrical Problems You’ll Face as a Home Owner

Canada is a land of luscious landscape, thriving and friendly communities and bountiful wildlife. It is no doubt hundreds flock here to settle down. But, as with any home, you will be faced with a number of problems, including electrical. Finding an electrician in Ottawa or anywhere in Canada shouldn’t be a problem. So below are some of the most common problems you will face.

Short Fuse

Perhaps the most common problem you will face is your electrics short fusing. This could be a random accident but most likely the cause will be you have overloaded a socket with too many appliances. This can simply be fixed by going to your fuse box and resetting the fuses.

Faulty Wiring

This could be a problem with the installed electrics of the house or caused by installing some new tech. If the wiring within the building is off it can have a direct impact on the rest of your electronics. This issue will require a much more professional hand to do as it will involve working with complex wiring.

Snowstorms

This is an issue that will present itself in a snowy area. Rolling snowstorms can knock out power grids for a considerable amount of time with no quick fix. If this happens there is very little you can personally do to change it. In an environment where this is possible it is wise to make sure you have emergency torches and candles in safe locations to deal with the dark.

Rodents

This is one of the more unlikely, yet still possible occurrences. If rodents get into your walls or near some wire lines, they can gnaw through them and cause massive problems with your home electrics. These issues are fixable, but you can stop them before they occur by setting traps for rodents and keeping good hygiene standards.

Rolling Blackouts

Different from a normal blackout, rolling blackouts are sometimes implemented during heavy storm seasons or times when the grid is facing a lot of strain. This is when blackouts happen on a schedule across a certain area. This can cause a lot of problems to your day to day lifestyle and you will need to make sure you are prepared for it by stocking up on supplies.

Electrical Interference

A common occurrence for new homeowners is to get a bunch of new gadgets and fill your home with them. But this can cause electrical interference which is a constant annoyance. It can cause a constant ringing noise that hangs around your house, but it can also cause issues with your other appliances around your house. A lot of the time these issues can manifest as issues that are caused by internal issues, which means you can end up spending money fixing a device that isn’t broken but simply being affected by the interference.

Shoddy Installations

Cowboy installers can cause several issues in your home when it comes to electrical issues. This is why it is vital you find a company that will do a decent job that will not leave you with more issues than you started with. A lot of the more intricate technical installations you will have will require an electrician so you will have to hire someone in to do this. For example, installing new plug sockets or installing new ethernet ports is a full job that requires expertise. And if these jobs are done shoddily you will end up paying more out of pocket.

Shoddy Signal

This is an issue that should be looked into before you decide on where to live. Signalling issues can be caused by any number of things. Electrical interference or physical interference. This can cause massive issues when you want to make mobile calls or utilize wi-fi to its full potential. So when you are purchasing your new home it could be an idea to try making a few calls around the house to make sure the signal is solid. If you find the wi-fi signal in your new home isn’t as strong as it could be you can invest in a wi-fi booster to make it stronger.

Date:Posted By:Category:Uncategorized

Common Issues you Will Face as a New Homeowner

So, you’ve just bought your first house, or maybe you’re thinking now is the time to fly the nest. Whatever your reason is, it’s a massive responsibility. If you’re feeling like your parents are suffocating you or you’re wanting your own space to do whatever you want, getting a new house may seem like a tempting option. But, it’s important to be aware that owning your own house isn’t quite as straightforward as it may seem in movies. There are a lot of things you’ll need to consider when you relinquish the help of your parents, here are some common issues you’ll face as a new homeowner.

 

Neighbors Aren’t Always Perfect

Contrary to popular belief, we won’t all be lucky enough to move in beside the perfect neighbors in our first house. Nobody’s perfect and it can be a surprise realizing your neighbors probably won’t be either. The easiest way to deal with difficult neighbors is by striking up a conversation and establishing a relationship with them. They’ll be far more likely to appreciate your concerns if you aren’t known as ‘that rude new person’, word travels.

Furniture is Expensive

Decorating your new house may be one of the things you’re most excited about but, I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, furniture is expensive. It’s important to do some searching online to see what sort of things you want in your house and even more searching to find where you can find the closest thing for the least amount of money.

There’s a Bill for Everything

Living alone for the first time is expensive. Whether WiFi, electricity, rent or anything else people can think to charge for, you’ll find yourself struggling financially for the first few months. But don’t worry, if you’re looking for help with your personal finances or if you’re looking for ways to save, there are plenty of resources online to help. Many are even targeted for new homeowners.

Things Break

Pretty self-explanatory, but it’s still something we tend to forget. Things break and often they can end up being expensive to fix or replace. Yet another cost to add.

Doing Everything Yourself Sucks

You will never be more thankful your parents than when you first move out on your own. Independence sounds great, but when you’re staring at a massive pile of dirty clothes and another pile of dirty dishes and you’re hovering above your oven unsure what setting is ‘fan’, you’ll be running for the phone for some advice.

Date:Posted By:Category:Uncategorized

3 Cost Effective Ways to Spruce up your Home

Your home is your safe space and where you arguably spend most of your time. Because of this, it should be a place that makes you feel good to spend a lot of time at. There is no better way to feel comfortable than being in beautiful surroundings that you can be proud of, here are 3 cost effective ways to Spruce up your Home.

Lighting

Lighting can really add ambience to a room and can be a really inexpensive way to make any room look better. Check out local shops and online to find some cheap lighting tools. Amazon and eBay are great sources for hanging fairy lights and quirky lamps, just keep your eyes peeled and you’ll be able to come across plenty of bargains. If you’re looking at any online sites you can come across bargains, as well as discount coupons to bring the price down even further. If you’re looking at finding some coupons, it may be worth looking at sites like https://www.yourbestdeals.com/store/autonomous-coupon-codes/, where you’ll find lots of options.

Thrift

Thrifting has made a come back in recent years and because of this, thrift shops have been receiving new and trendy donations all of the time. You can find some really good pieces of furniture in thrift shops like tables or ornaments for a fraction of the original price. A lot of the furniture that you can find are in perfect condition.

Pillows and throws

Pillow, Sofa, Cozy, Furniture, Seat Cushions, Couch

The power of pillows and throws is very underappreciated. Adding a colourful and quirky pillow to an item of furniture will really Spruce it up and give it new life. The same can be said for throws. If you feel like your sofa or couch could use with an upgrade but don’t have the funds for it, adding a colourful and comfy throw to it can make it feel like a whole new piece of furniture.

Date:Posted By:Category:Uncategorized

A Guide to Septic Tank Maintenance for Home Owners

So, you’ve just went and bought yourself a house. If you’ve had the chance to explore all of the nooks and crannies you may discover that your house has a septic tank. What is a septic tank, I hear you ask? Well, a septic tank is a type of chamber, most often found underground. It’s typically used to collect domestic sewage and it allows it to decompose naturally before it’s drained by means of soakaway. That may all sound terribly complicated, and to be honest – it is. But, never fear. If you know these simple tips to keep your septic tank in tip top shape then you’ll be back to getting your feet up in no time.

Get Some help

In order to maintain successful function of your septic tank, it is important to get your septic tank maintained and inspected roughly every three to five years – any longer and you run the risk of your septic tank becoming damaged. It may be quite expensive to hire a professional but think of it as an investment as the alternative could rack up massive bills for damages caused if your septic tank were to overflow or burst – plus it saves you getting your hands dirty. You may need to get your tank checked more frequently depending on the size of your tank and the amount of wastewater being piped into it.

If you think your septic tank may be in need of a check and you’re unsure of the cost, check out septictankpumping.directory to get a quote and find someone near you.

Stop Wasting Water

Many of us have gotten complacent with our water usage. For the average household in the United States, a typical small family with 2 or 3 children can end up using as much as around 60-80 gallons of water per day! All that water is going straight down the drain, and straight into your septic tank. Small changes like turning off the tap while we brush our teeth or doing fewer washes can make a massive difference to your septic tank.

Be Careful with Your Drains

What many people don’t know is that septic tanks work due to certain types of bacteria living within the tank that are used to eventually break down the waste – much like our own digestive systems. Therefore, crazy as it may sound, in order to maintain the function of your septic tank, you should be more conscious of these bacteria and limit your use of harsh chemicals within your drains. Also be mindful of potential blockages, never put oil or solid food down your drain.

It should be obvious, but if you don’t want your septic tank to get clogged up, make sure you’re aware of what you’re sending down the drain – or it might end up coming out of your wallet too. The easiest way to make sure you’re not sending anything harmful down the toilet is to never flush anything that isn’t human waste or toilet paper – remember, your toilet isn’t a trash can!

Date:Posted By:Category:Uncategorized

Creative Landscaping Ideas for your Garden

They say a mans life is only as green as his garden, and with these landscaping ideas you will transform your space and brighten up your life.

Small Space Garden Design

When you have a small space garden it is important that you make the most of this space. You need to have features that will really stick out, so think bright plants like geraniums or primulas. This will make the most of your space and help your garden really stand out to any visitors.

Water Features

Nothing quite says wow like a good water feature. With water features the bigger is truly better. Try being as grandiose as possible with your feature, this is your gardens statement piece after all. It is also important to allow the local shrubbery to fit in with your feature. The most common form of water feature is made out of a darker stone; therefore you should try match this with earthy colours so less flowers and more grass.

Wildlife Friendly Garden

If you want your garden to become not only a sanctuary to you but the local critters here is some steps you can take to make your garden as wildlife friendly as possible. The most obvious inclusion would be a bird box, this will attract some of the cutest little guys like robins and nuthatches. Be aware though if you own a cat to make sure you place your bird box in a high location. The next inclusion for a wildlife friendly garden might be a little more complex, but a pond is a real boost to your gardens eco system. This will attract a countless amount of wildlife, and they are really unique in any garden.

Japanese Garden design

This next style has become extremely popular over recent years. There are a number of inclusions you can consider here. For shrubbery I would consider a cherry tree, which will give you the iconic Japanese red Spring bloom. I would also highly recommend investing in some bamboo for the Japanese aesthetic. To help improve this aesthetic the inclusion of faithful statues and ornaments is a must. The purpose of a Japanese garden is for it to be peaceful. So the inclusion of a small sand based zen garden is a must. This will allow you to let go of all your stresses after a hard day, giving you the opportunity to express yourself with sand. To complete the aesthetic the inclusion of a small pond with traditional Japanese fish is a must.

If you find the process of landscaping your own garden a bit too confusing, then it may be an idea to hire a professional landscaper. It is important you hire a landscaper that understands the local eco-system. So, if you are in Arizona per-say you should try find a landscaper in buckeye, AZ. This goes for everywhere in America as a local landscaper will hold an understanding of what plants will manage to live or die in your garden.

Date:Posted By:Category:UncategorizedTag:

7 Painting Ideas for Your New Home

New paint on your walls can surge new life into an ever-changing home. It can create a range of feelings when paint is changed, or new patterns are established, such as the intimacy of a cozy room, or the breadth of a large living space. If you’re looking to redecorate, change your color palette or if you’re moving into a new home and want to make it breath your style, here’s some basic ideas to unleash your inner creativity!

  1. Walls don’t all have to be the same color. Try a two-tone wall with warms colors, such as orange and cream to create a sense of relaxation and coziness. This is perfect to create a sense of comfy and quaint. You could even add a dusky red behind the fireplace to add a feeling of even more warmth from the fire. Or grey if you want to create a spacious looking room. InteriorPainter in Calgary are the experts that can design or bring your own ideas to life, using the best paint and extremely skilled workers to get the best home out your home!
  2. Another is using patterns, which are usually most popular with bedrooms. Vertical stripes, diagonal lines or horizontal lines can add a bit of flair on the walls to add more character to a room. You could have an accent wall with stripes and leave the other sides solid color. Other patterns could be abstract lines flowing through the room or rainbow colored Chevron patterns or solid colored blocks.
  3. Strié (or streaking) can add texture to walls to create the look of linen, it’ll add a vast amount of warmth, coziness and rustic feel. It’s perfect on all four walls in a room or as an accent wall to add a bit of spice to the room how it is. It’ll give it the sense of quaint on the inside, a good, up-to-date replication of days before smooth wallpaper.
  4. Sponge painting can add a psychedelic feel to your room, reminiscent of nineteen sixties art that came from the hippy scene. It can also create an earthly, lazy-but-cool feel to the room. It would be brilliant as on one wall, behind the television in the living room, or a desk in a study. It means you can be adventurous in picking colors as well, making a brilliant pattern and a unique color palette in the room.
  5. Polka dots is a great idea to add a bit of eccentricity to a wall. You can mix and match different color palettes to your heart’s desire. You could have red polka dots with a cream background or vice versa. Or even different colored dots. Polka dots would suit a bedroom more than the living room.
  6. Balancing dark colors with bold prints is a great way to add a statement. You could have a dark grey color scheme, with a wall having a turquoise leopard print, this will have a touch of class with an excitement gesture. Or a print of the stars on the ceiling, with dark grey walls for a bedroom for space enthusiasts.
  7. Contrast with the ceiling. Often overlooked, the ceiling can be painted to have a contrasting effect with the walls. If your ceilings are low, painting them lilac will give a look of added height. Create a more dynamic space by contrasting a dark color, such as dark grey walls with a beige ceiling, or the other way around.
Date:Posted By:Category:Creative, Home Improvement

Creative Ideas for a Beautiful Home

Anyone can achieve a beautiful home, it is some idea of Edwardian housing that hold so many back, we live in the modern age I do believe. Now there are two ideas of what a person would want from a beautiful home, it is how others conceive this home, but how you interpret your own home.

If you want your house to beautiful to the eyes of many it is important to make that its first impressions count, so you how you design your vestibule or entryway is so important. This is your entrance and exit, the best impressions are to made first or last, the in between, as laughable as that may sound, is rather insignificant. So I would highly suggest putting your best and prettiest pieces near your front door. This may be a nice piece of artwork or vase, all that matters impression created is positive.

It is unlikely you will have people around your home all the time, and every person’s home is their castle. So how do you keep your castle in perfect shape for you. It is all about keeping things fresh, if you awake in the same home, the same colours and the same feel every day you are going to find yourself simply bored. So to create a beautiful home you want to be constantly updating, new pillows for your couch, new colours for your walls and even the smallest things new soap for your bathroom. It is so important to remember beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, but equally important to remember how consistency creates boredom. So keep looking for fresh ways to update and keep your home not only beautiful, but fresh.

Those are my two true keys, I think it is a very creative idea to keep your vestibule looking lovely so no matter the impression of the rest of your home the introduction and exit is pleasant, and honestly it does not matter if you have the Mona Lisa in your bathroom you will eventually become bored, so try keep your house new and fresh to retain this idea of beauty.