Don’t Get Caught in the Dark

Strong winds and heavy snow often lead to downed power lines. Winter preparedness means having flashlights, batteries, candles and matches or lighters on hand at all times.

Stock Up to Stay In

Before the storm hits, you’ll want stock up on the things you’ll need to eat, drink, stay comfortable and remain informed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having enough supplies to get you through 72 hours. Here are some fundamental things to think about during your winter preparation:

Food: Loss of power can prevent you from cooking and using the water in your home. As part of your winter preparation, stock up on bottled water and foods that can be consumed without cooking. Make sure you have enough food and water for pets, as well. If you take a daily prescription, check your remaining doses to ensure they will last you through the storm.

Warmth: Gather supplies to ensure you can keep warm in the event that heat becomes unavailable. Your winter preparedness checklist should include blankets and changes of clothing. If you have a wood-burning fire place or stove, collect enough wood for a few days of constant burning.

Communication: Telephone communication via landline may not be reliable during a storm, and if the power goes out, charging your cell phone will not be an option. Consider purchasing a back-up battery for at least one cell phone in your home. You should also have a radio with enough batteries to keep it running for a few days. This will help you stay updated on current weather conditions (and may also provide some entertainment in the event the electricity is out).

Prepare to Dig Out

Make sure you have the items you need to clear the snow outside your home. To make this job as easy as possible, you should have a shovel, salt or another ice-melting product and a snow blower. MTD snow blowers are designed to help you clear snow quickly and easily. As part of your winter preparation, make sure your snow blower is tuned up and ready to go. To maximize the performance of your machine, replace any worn or damaged snow blower parts before winter arrives.

1. Bleed Your Radiator

To ensure your heating is working properly, why not bleed your radiator? It might sound complicated, but it’s actually very simple so there’s no need phone a professional. All you have to do is turn off the central heating and slip the bleed key into the bleed valve. Turn it anticlockwise and let any trapped air come hissing out. Once water starts dribbling, tighten the valve once again and switch the heating back on – simple.

2. Insulate Water Pipes

Cold weather can cause water pipes to freeze, so it’s important to protect them with lagging. Insulating your plumbing will lock in heat and stop extensive water damage occurring. Cold water tanks and hot water cylinders can be fitted with special insulation jackets and you’ll find these are pretty cheap to buy. A burst pipe can severely damage your home, so you might want to take out water supply pipe cover– just in case.

3. Insulate Your Loft

The government states that every loft should have between 10 – 11 inches of insulation, so you might need to top it up. If you’re confident at DIY you could always do this yourself. Make sure everything is cleared out of the loft before you start and make sure you wear protective gear. Always take accurate measurements and buy enough loft roll to complete the job properly.

4. Put Up Heavy Curtains

Before the cold weather really hits invest in a pair of heavy curtains and put them up in your front room. They’ll stop nasty drafts from blowing through your windows and will help lock in heat. If you’re buying them from a home store, opt for a pair with an insulated backing as they’ll offer more protection from the cold.

5. Seal Up Drafts

Chilly drafts not only make you freezing but they create huge electric bills and waste precious energy. Therefore it’s essential to replace old windows before the cold weather hits and to seal around doors. A draft excluder can also stop nippy winds from entering your home and double glazing offers extra protection. If you’ve a chimney always close the flue when the fire’s not in use and perhaps invest in a draft stopper.

Winter’s just around the corner, so make sure your house is warm and snug.

Keeping your energy costs low takes more than just running around your house and turning off the lights every time someone leaves a room. Here are some other things you can do to keep your energy bills at a minimum.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

How many times have you left your central air or your furnace running all day while you are at work so your home can be just right when you open the front door? It is a good feeling to walk in from a hard day at work and instantly be comfortable, but it’s a bad feeling once you get your energy bill at the end of the month. 

Instead of paying to heat and cool your home for 10 or more hours each day when nobody is in it, install a programmable thermostat. You can program it to turn your furnace or central air on about a half hour before you typically get home from work which will give it enough time to bring your home to the perfect temperature before you walk in the door without wasting all that energy while you are away. You can save between 20 and 30 percent on your monthly bill with this simple and affordable feature.

Dry Your Clothes Outside

Dryers are nice when you are in a hurry, but have you ever experienced the fresh scent of your clothes after letting them dry on a line outside? Not only do your clothes smell spring fresh after an afternoon in the open breeze, but you will save a good chunk of money each month by minimizing the use of your dryer.

Purchase Energy Star Products

Your large appliances are sucking up the energy like a sponge and adding to your electricity bill every month. The ones you don’t typically think about are the ones that are the worst culprits, such as your refrigerator and washing machine.

Did you know your refrigerator accounts for about 10 percent of your entire energy bill? Many utility companies are offering rebates to customers when they replace their energy guzzlers for Energy Star appliances, which can save you money instantly and in the end. Look online for a full list of Energy Star products that you can buy to replace your old and energy-sucking appliances.

Install Ceiling Fans

Many people think they can just turn on their air conditioner and that is all they need to do to cool off their home on those hot summer days. However, did you know running your ceiling fan could cool your house off efficiently, too?

Ceiling fans help get the air moving around your home, which makes it feel much cooler. This lets you set your thermostat a few degrees higher while still feeling the cool air hit you in the face. As a result, you save money on your monthly energy bills without suffering through the sweat.

Jessy is an eco-friendly and green blogger for Square Deal, the top source of Snapfish coupon codes (no fees, no registration required).

1. Check Your Heating

This is the most important thing to do before winter is in full swing. Once the cold hits you’ll be using your HVAC in full

Photo by Ardyiii

force. Ask around for the best heating repair Indianapolis has and find a professional to do a full service check. Have the representative inspect your furnace before you turn it on for the first time. The technician should check for carbon monoxide, clean filters, a clean fan/motor and inspect the gas piping and blower operation. Have your heating ducts inspected while they’re there. A lot of money could be leaking out of your pocket with even the smallest escapes in your ducts. The heating repair representative can check for any leaks and seal them properly.

2. Trim Your Trees

Tree branches are ice magnets here in Indianapolis, the more limbs a tree has, the more snow and ice can accumulate on those branches. It is prudent to completely chop off large limbs that hang over your roof, windows or driveway. Really, trimming any branches will help and one really can’t be too careful about this. Once the snow starts coming it’s too late. The last thing someone or their heating wants is a large hole in their house in the dead of winter.

3. Wrap Your Pipes

Insulating pipes reduces the amount of heat lost and can raise hot water temperatures. This allows you to reduce the heat on your boiler and means you don’t have to wait as long for hot water. Wrapping your pipes will aid in preventing your pipes from freezing during long, cold nights. The biggest benefit can be found in your utility bill. Conserving water and heating energy is sure to cut costs. Pre-slit pipe foam is available at hardware stores and installation is simple: cut the foam to the length you need, wrap it around the pipe, and fasten it in place with duct tape.

4. Block Your Leaks

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30 percent of your energy use. Don’t wait until you feel a draft, go looking for leaks. They can be found with a thermal draft sensor, or you can just run your bare hand around every window frame, door, etc. You’re likely to find drafts underneath doors, near windows and between pipes/wires. If you find a leak underneath your door put a draft snake across the bottom of it. Caulk can help with leaks around windows; make sure to use weather resistant caulk. And do not forget to caulk from the outside too.

5. Reverse Your Fans

Ceiling fans can be used in the winter. A lot of people think ceiling fans create cold air but they do not, they just circulate air. Warm air rises and normally a fan spins to help suck that warm air up. Reversing them (most have a switch at the top to reverse) will have the blades spin clockwise. This pushes air down. The warm air around your fan will be circulated down into the room.

While children and some adults love to see the snow fall, there is no doubt of the effect it can have on our lives.  With many schools closed last year due to health and safety, it was difficult for parents to get to work and this had a major blow on the economy.  Another problem was that many of us were forced to have our heating on for much longer periods which obviously costs more money.  And for those using home heating oil, buying oil during these periods of high demand, can be hugely expensive.  For that reason, many heating oil users will be looking for ways in which they can save some money on their heating bills this year.  The following are a few ideas:

Ensure Your Home is Adequately Insulated

A big cause of us spending more than we need to on heating is that our homes are not insulated properly.  This means that heat is lost and we end up having the heating on for longer.  A lot of people are unaware that poor insulation in their attic causes heat to be lost and they cannot fathom why their home takes so long to heat up.  Draughts around windows and doors is another problem.  It would be well worth having someone come in to check your home to see if there is anything you can do to improve its energy rating.  You may have to pay for this but you will save money on your heating bills if you get your home insulated properly.

Close all Vents

Most of the rooms in our homes will have vents in the walls or above the windows and while these are great for letting in fresh air in the summer, they can also allow cold air to come in during the winter.  By closing these vents, you can keep the warm air inside and this means your home will stay cosy and warm.  If you can trap the heat inside the home, you will not have to have it on for so long, thus saving you money.

Lower the Temperature on Your Thermostat

Photo by C Jill Reed

You may not notice the difference in heat if you lower your thermostat by one or two degrees but you will definitely notice the difference in price.  A lot of people have their heating so high, that it can become quite uncomfortable.  Yet taking the temperature down by a degree will not make a huge difference and you may not even notice it at all.

The above are just some of the ways that you can save some money on your heating oil bills this winter.

Musa is a freelance writer and internet marketer, and enjoys writing about many diverse and wonderful topics. His current project involves writing about heating oil prices UK.

Transforming an outdoor space begins with an assessment of what you already have. You can most often utilize what you already own in a new way. Instead of plunking down a picnic table in the middle of the yard, consider incorporating it as part of an outdoor living space.

Tips

There are three requirements for creating a garden space that will attract the family. It must be pretty, comfortable, and convenient. Here are nine tips to help you design an area that is high in style and usable.

• Choose a spot that offers some shade. No one wants to relax in the hot sun, so shade should be an important consideration. If there are no shady spots in your yard, and you don’t have a covered patio, then consider building a gazebo or arbor.
• Garden seating and tables can be refurbished. You don’t have a fortune buying high-end furniture. Arrange what you already have to ensure that there is adequate space for eating and conversation. Make or buy colorful cushions to add more comfort factor. Seating doesn’t have to be limited to the table. Scatter a few chairs around and add side tables to hold drinks and refreshments. Arrange the furniture the same way as you would if it were in your home.
• Think about the ground. There is nothing wrong with just plain grass, except that it may start to wear thin under regular foot traffic. Patio spaces can be easily created using decomposed rock granite. Brick, tile, or stone can be used for a more sophisticated look.
• Walkways can be made of the same materials mentioned above. They are extremely useful for covering up grass patches that have been worn out by kid and pets.
• Exterior lighting can add a lot of ambience to outdoor gatherings. An alternative to hiring an electrician is to use solar lights. They are inexpensive, widely available, and look very nice.
• Include a fun factor for the children. While kids love to eat outdoors, they also love to be able to play. Install a swing set, tree house, clubhouse, or other play areas within eyesight of your space.
• Add a fire pit to make better use of your garden seating. This is a great way to bring some romance into the atmosphere. They are available in an array of sizes. Be aware of local fire codes. Some places require that a fire pit have an ash arrester in place to prevent fires.
• An outdoor kitchen provides the convenience factor. It can be an elaborate space, complete with a refrigerator, granite countertops, and sleek appliances. An economical option is to add a long table beside the grill. This can serve as a place to prepare food and serve meals.
• Decorate your space to make it pretty. Much as you would decorate the interior of your house, garden seating is much more attractive when it follows a theme. Adding outdoor rugs, throw pillows, and accessories that reflect personal style are very important.

Keith Barrett enjoys hosting garden parties. He believes that picnic tables can be used to allow guests to sit in the garden and enjoy a great meal.

Now you can have that same experience conveniently in your backyard or on your patio.

Fire pits provide a simple and safe way to have a fire, with style options to match any design layout that includes hanging baskets, planters, flower boxes, and more. Any modern outdoor patio can benefit from incorporating these design elements, creating a unique environment for entertaining and relaxing.

This is a growing trend for patios and backyards used for outdoor entertainment, and a fire pit allows you to add natural light with a unique experience of relaxing next to a fire.

Why Fire Pits Are Catching On

Fire pits provide a stylish, easy-to-use solution for outdoor activities around the fireplace. The variety of materials and design features allows your fire pit to integrate seamlessly into your existing patio or outdoor design plan.

There are roughly three styles of pits to choose from, with each carrying additional customization options:

•  Portable Pits

•  Dug Pits

•  Fixed Pits

Portable fire pits are made of metal or ceramic and are light enough to move between different areas. These are the most flexible pits, as they can be used, cleaned, and transported very easily.

Dug pits are – as the name implies – dug into the ground and surrounded with stonework or metallic enclosures. These are usually placed in a backyard.

Fixed pits are permanent; they are typically larger than portable pits and used for cookouts and entertaining. They also require significant time and money to construct.

Hanging Baskets, Planters, & Other Accessories to Enhance a Design

As part of an overall patio design or outdoor layout, fire pits blend perfectly with hanging baskets and other planters with similar designs, such as flower boxes and deck planters. Utilizing these other décor items to complement your fire pit gives your backyard a glow and atmosphere that is perfect for quiet nights with the family or get-togethers with groups of friends.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve gathered around a fire, you may have forgotten how relaxing it can be. With a portable fire pit as the centerpiece of your outdoor design layout, you can quickly and easily recapture that feeling and share the experience with others. This season, transform your patio or backyard with hanging baskets, fire pits, planters, and much more.

After reading about fire pits, you’re probably interested in learning more about deck planters.  Guest post written by Stefan Becket.

It is therefore wise not to just prepare for our summer holidays and fun under the sun but also be aware of how to keep our energy cost down at this trying season. Not only would you be glad you’ll have that extra dollars with you after summer but also be glad that you did your part to help the planet.

1. Set Your Thermostat

With almost 43% of your utility bill catering to cooling and heating your home, doing something on this matter will surely help cut the cost. One of the easiest way to do this is to set  your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer days. This is the recommended temperature which is comfortable for both you and the budget. Your home need not be too cold to keep you and a degree warmer means a savings of 1% of your energy cost.

Also do not forget to turn up the thermostat when you are not home. Program your thermostat as much as possible to keep the home at the most efficient temperature at specific times like when you are most likely to be home. Turning it off when you know that the weather will be really hot and turning it on only when you get home will be more costly as the air conditioner will work harder cooling the house that is hot.

2. Insulate

Making sure that your house is insulated not only for summer but also for winter is the best way to conserve energy as the house is more likely to maintain the temperature set for longer. Check that all windows and doors are sealed properly to keep the hot air out. Consider weather stripping and caulking. Use window solutions such as curtains and blinds and heat control films to further insulate your home.

3. Use Alternative Cooling Machines

Do not make it a habit to turn on the air conditioner the moment you feel warm. Grab a stand fan or turn on the ceiling fan instead as these options use less energy and can still keep you relatively cool. Ceiling fans alone use 25% less power than air conditioners so you can save heaps.

They are effective and can actually able to cool the room temperature by up to 10 degrees by circulating air downward.

4. Make Sure Your Coolers Are Running Efficiently

If the forecast for the summer is unbearable heat then make sure your coolers are in their best working condition. Have it serviced prior to summer and get the filter checked and replaced when needed. You would not want your cooler to break down when the heat waves come.

5. Cut down on Other Energy Guzzling Activities for Now

This is to compensate for the energy you use to cool your family down. Avoid doing chores that will bring heat in the house such as turning up the dishwasher which uses hot water. Do this instead when the temperature is relatively low like at night or very early in the morning to help the cooler maintain the right temperature in the house. Use the toaster instead of the oven to heat food up.

And try to outdoor cooking as much as possible. And of course this is the time to give the laundry dryer a break. Hang your clothes outside instead and make use of the power of the sun.

Annie is a frugal blogger writing for Home Loan Finder, the free money-saving tool based in Australia.

However, there are numerous ways you can help make yourself feel more at home in a temporary living space, even if you plan on living at the location for a few months or even a few weeks.

Here are a few tips on how to decorate a temporary home:

Print Personal Photos

One cheap and easy way to decorate the walls in your new home is to print off some personal photographs of your pets, family and friends and then tack them onto a wall with sticky tack. Try to avoid using any pins or tacks to pin photos on the wall as they will leave permanent holes.

Purchase Plastic Containers

Instead of leaving all of your items in a suitcase or a box, try to purchase some cheap plastic containers and organizers to put all of your stuff in. If you don’t have a shelf or any furniture to put the small containers on, then look around for some tall storage containers that are colorful and decorative and simply place them on the floor in your bathroom, kitchen or living room, or next to your bed in your bedroom.

Buy Cheap Plants

Bathroom Window Plants

If you have some extra fund available, then why not purchase some cheap plants or flowers to fill up any empty spaces in your new home? Adding some more “green” to your living area will help bring more life to your temporary home, even if it’s a small bamboo plant.

Take Advantage of Discounted Items

If you truly want to decorate your home to make it feel like your own, then you’re going to have to spend some cash in order to do so. One of the best ways to save some money on decorating a temporary home is to take advantage of items that are on sale, or shop around at your local dollar store, thrift stores, or even farmer’s markets and garage sales. This way you can help fill up an empty room for a fraction of the cost, yet still make your home more friendly, colorful and inviting at the same time.

Ship Personal Belongings to Your New Home

If you happened to move to a different location but still live in the same city, then why not ship all of your personal belongings to your new address? If you moved to a different city or even a different state, you can still ship some of your small personal items for a cheap cost by using FedEx or even snail mail. If you moved to another country, however, this may prove to be more difficult; but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where recently she’s written about secondary teaching careers along with a piece examining the advantages of online education. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, playing piano, and working with origami.

Here are a few simple ways to summer-up your home, and bring back that feeling you had as a kid:

• Fix Up the Pool- If you own a pool, it will probably be one of the first things on your mind once things start
  

  Image: EA / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  warming up. Now is the time to make sure that the water is clean and that all chemical levels are safe for swimming. Or if you want to upgrade you may consider adding a slide or diving board to your existing pool. Both options create a fun attraction that can make your pool feel new again.

• Tint Those Windows- Extreme temperatures can bring extreme electric bills. Don’t let the warm weather affect your pocket book to the point where you can’t enjoy yourself because you’re stressed about paying for air conditioning. Several companies offer window tinting that can drastically reduce the amount of heat that your windows allow in, and lower your electric bill. You also should consider putting up light-proof window treatment which can block over 90% of incoming light.
• Create Outdoor Living- Summer is a time to be outside and enjoy the sun. Make sure you have some good patio furniture that you can entertain with and relax on.
• Get a Hammock- Nothing says summer vacation like a hammock and some lemonade. Most hammocks are very simple to hang and once it’s up you can sit back, relax, and watch the clouds go by.
• Plant a New Garden- Summer time calls for new plants in the garden. When you go shopping for new plants ask the salesperson which type of plants will do well in your area’s climate.
• BBQ- A new grill is an excellent way to renew your enthusiasm for summer. Invite the friends over for some fresh grilled food and you’ll be the life of the party.
• Make a Fire Pit- Fire Pits are pretty easy to do yourself and make for fantastic evening events. You can enjoy roasting marshmallows, making smore’s, or just relaxing by the open flame. A fire pit will be sure to keep the good times rolling.

You could easily pick 2-3 items on the list and “summer-up” your home.  As well if you are planning on selling or renting your home in the future, by upgrading some of the existing features you can add value to your property. Even planning to make changes for summer can be fun. If you have a children give them some options and see what they might like. With some planning and consideration you could end up with something the whole family loves.

Micah Castro is a freelance writer for Real Property Management East Valley. RPM East Valley is a premier Tempe property management company that offers turnkey property management.

• Not enough water. Your lawn will have a blue, gray hue. The grass will be turning on itself and strolling along the lawn will cause you to leave foot imprints since the grass will lose its elasticity. Remedy this problem by giving the lawn at least an inch of water. Place a container in the path of the water ejection. Stop watering your lawn once the container fills up with an inch of water.

Photo by Robert S. Donovan

• Too much water. Too much water can appear in a lot of different ways. Insufficient oxygen and nutrient deprivation will make your lawn appear yellow. Soils with heavy clay, poor drainage, or a location at the bottom of a slope are prone to poor drainage. You can improve soil structure and water movement in the soil by adding compost to the lawn.

• Grubs. If you see moles hanging out in your yard munching on something delicious, it is a good probability those are grubs. Grubs are the larval stage of the life cycle of many insects. Japanese beetles pose a big risk to lawns when they are in their grub stage. The most effective way to rid the lawn of grubs is to treat with milky spore, a beneficial bacteria. A one-time application can shield your lawn for ten years. Milky spore is available at most lawn and garden centers.

Photo by Omaniblog

• Imbalanced pH. The pH of the soil affects many different aspects of soil and lawn health, one of which is nutrient uptake. The first indication that the pH level isn’t correct is the lack of nutrients absorbed by the plants. To find out your soil’s pH, have a professional implement a soil test. Then, you can raise the pH by adding lime or lower the pH by adding sulfur. It is imperative that a soil test be administered before trying to balance the pH level of your soil.Locate the source of your lawn woes in order to utilize the right lawn care strategies.  These basic lawn care tips will get you on your way to a beautiful, green lawn.

The Realities of “Fresh” Food

More than 1,000 recalls take place each year. Many of them have to do with fresh produce. It is not grown necessarily wrongly, but is in fact tainted as it is picked or shipped. Making your own garden and taking care of our own produce is one sure way to know that we’ve got healthy and wholesome products that are not in any way tainted or may cause health issues.

This year alone healthy produce has been a real issue. More than twenty products, including lettuce, tomatoes, green onions and several kinds of beef have been recalled for tainted products. Wouldn’t it be more fun and more healthy to rely on your own fresh healthy products to use in your family meals? Add to that the incidence of irradiation and other things which are currently taking place and the garden in your own small back yard looks better and better.

A summer vegetable garden doesn’t have to be a big project. It can be something as simple as a few pots in a container garden or a raised bed gardening project if you don’t have a large area to raise a garden. Learn how to plan your garden in four easy steps!

Quality Family Time

Your family and you can get into the gardening together. Little children particularly will enjoy the chance to plant the produce and to watch it grow from seed that they plant in the dirt in your family’s vegetable garden. It will be not only a learning experience, as far as biology and life science, but one that will teach them a great deal about family and about working together.

A garden is more than a place to get great vegetables. You and your family will interact, will learn and grow together just as your veggies grow. Getting everyone to work on them together may take a little ingenuity. It may not necessarily be what your children want to do to spend a day away from school, but once everyone gets into the swing of things, once it becomes fun for everyone, they will enter into it with the same spirit that you do.

The main reasons for growing a summer vegetable garden will be the healthy and great produce that you get. The side benefits of growing a garden will be the togetherness that you get and the sense of family that it inspires.

Joyce Brister is a loving parent and blogger for the My Baby Blog.  Joyce loves writing about situations that parents are often faced with.  She would like for you to take a look at her JoJo Designs Bedding at My Baby Bedding Shop.

Photo by Haldane Martin

Unfortunately, even those who make the effort to add ergonomic chairs to their homes usually do not go far enough. It is true that some ergonomic seating is far better than none. Even if you only use these chairs occasionally, your posture and spinal health will be improved every time that you sit down in a health-optimized seat.

However, in order to truly ensure that your spine is healthy and fit, you must replace as many seats in your home as possible with ergonomically designed pieces. While it is not always possible to ensure that every piece of furniture in your home is optimized for spinal health, you should at least make an effort to replace all seats that you use frequently with ergonomic pieces.

You should consider utilizing ergonomic chairs in your:

Photo by willspot

• office
• backyard
• main living space
• dining room
• work

Relaxing Outdoors with Ergonomic Chairs for the Patio

Ergonomic chairs for the patio are more vital than you would ever expect. During the warm months, many people spend an enormous amount of time outdoors. There is nothing more pleasant than a warm summer evening spent reposing on the patio with family and friends.

However, many people will wake up in the morning after such an evening with sharp pains in their back, neck, and legs. This is because the majority of patio furnishings are designed for weather resistance and visual appeal, not for proper support.

Photo by Garden Winds

Many consumers tend to overlook the value of ergonomic chairs when shopping for patio furniture because they are too focused on the outdoors appeal of the pieces. However, in order to preserve the well being of your spine, ergonomic patio chairs are vital if you plan on spending a considerable amount of time outdoors.

Why Use Ergonomic Chairs?

In fact, it can be argued that ergonomic patio chairs are even more important than ergonomic office chairs or armchairs. When people are relaxing on the patio, they usually do not think too strongly about proper posture. Can you imagine a person sitting with ramrod-straight posture in a patio chair by the pool? Patio furniture is used to relax the body and the mind, and when you seat yourself in such pieces, you likely assume whatever posture is the most comfortable to you. This oftentimes means that the well-being of your spine falls by the wayside.

Photo by Kaitlyn Rose

Ergonomic chairs for the patio are able to solve this problem by providing your back with the support that it needs, no matter what position you happen to be in. These pieces ensure that pressure is distributed throughout your joints and muscles in healthy proportions, preventing the damage of your body’s vital tissues. This can make a world of difference in terms of your spinal health.

It is natural to want to relax when you take a seat in a patio chair. When the weather outside is beautiful and warm, the last thing you want to think about it proper posture. However, you can never forget about the welfare of your spine if you want to remain pain-free for many years to come. Ergonomic patio furniture allows you to take your mind off of your everyday life while still supporting your spinal health.

Photo by San Antonio and the Hill Country

Lighting Options

When looking at adding outdoor sparkle to your deck area, there are a variety of options to consider.

Post caps: These kinds of lights are a great way to illuminate the perimeter of your deck, as they can be custom made to fit any of the posts or fences which surround it. They can be made to blend in or to stand out as an ornamental focal point.

Stair lights: If you’ve got stairs built into your wooden decking then not only will they add additional safety measures to the area when using it at night, but they’ll light up the stairs in a visually appealing way too. Not only can you opt for coloured lights or alternate lights from step to step, you can also get lighting installed that turns off one step at a time as you walk on them.

Photo by dangerismycat

Rope lights: You can either wrap these around the perimeter of the deck or stairs, or strategically place them on the roof to add a soft glow from a

bove. Incandescent rope lights can work wonders to create a relaxing ambiance in your outdoor living area.

Benefits of Solar Lighting

The benefits of choosing solar lighting for your wooden decking area include:

• They are easy to move around – without the added hassle of wiring and plugs you can change the look and feel of your outdoor area anytime you want.
• They’ll save you money – not only will this kind of lighting give you years of use, it’ll also help you cut down on your electrical bill.
• They’re energy efficient – because they run off the power of the sun, you don’t need to do any of the work – no need to flip a switch, pay for it or even feel guilty when you leave them on all night!

Photo by San Antonio and the Hill Country

All of the above lighting options are available in solar powered versions these days – if you already have electrical lighting outside, it couldn’t hurt to mix in solar powered lighting with the existing beams. Another great way to accentuate your outdoor area is to put lighting in a pond or a fountain if you have one.

The right lighting will not only increase the value of your property, it will add the benefit of more safety, and most importantly, it will be aesthetically pleasing and make the space somewhere you can’t wait to spend time in. Imagine solar glass bricks radiating light around your pool or rope lights strung in the trees around your wooden deck, all waiting to come alive when the sun goes down.

Jason Acar is a professional writer who has written on a wide range of subjects from plastic decking and decking accessories. He has a passion for writing helpful articles for people working in their respective industries.

Conservatory Furniture

One of the trickiest issues is finding the right furniture for your sun lounge.

The unique structure of this room means that the air can be particularly humid. And while it benefits from the warmth on a sunny day, it can drop to much cooler temperatures come wintertime.

And of course, the backdrop to any design you create, is your glorious garden. You’ll need furniture that complements, not competes with, your outdoor space.

Chairs and tables made from natural fibres such as rattan are particularly effective. There are also synthetic variants that are less susceptible to temperature changes. Glass can be used on table tops, but it can become hot to the touch. Traditional furnishing materials such as wood, plastic and metal tend to suffer more in the heat, and our generally less comfortable to sit on.

Interior Accessories

You’ll want to keep accessories to a minimum when thinking about your sun lounge. After all, the reason for the glass walls is to enjoy your garden, even if it’s too cold to sit outside.

However, if you do need a few extra touches to finish off your room, you may want to use your garden as inspiration.

Textiles are a good way to accessories conservatories as they don’t suffer from temperature changes in the same way as other materials. Add cushions, rugs and throws for comfort and a touch of class. Choose fabrics in colors that will complement your garden come rain or shine.

And you may want to even bring a little taste of the outdoors in with indoor plants. Not only can these provide color to your space and continuity between outside and in, but also they’ll give vibrancy to the room even when it’s gray outside.

Window Treatments for Sun Rooms

The conservatory is particularly unusual in that, instead of looking for wall treatments, you’ll need to look for the right window treatments.

You don’t want anything too elaborate that might block the view of your garden, but equally you will need a way to shade yourself from the midday sun.

Venetian blinds are a common choice due to their versatility and the wide range of finishes. If you really need curtains, you can complement blinds with swathes of lightweight fabrics like chiffon.

Conservatories are the perfect place to relax in the sun, so keep designs simple for a stylish interior.

Gardens and Homes Direct sell conservatory furniture and a wide range of accessories for both home and garden.

Winter

1. All heating systems should be checked in the home. From the fireplace to the hot water system, each source of heat

should be prepared for the winter. Ventilators, filters and gas meters should be free of ice and fog to promote circulation throughout the home.

2. The attic must be frost free to avoid damaging the roof and ceilings once the winter is over.

3. The plumbing should be unblocked to prevent them from seizing once the cold sets in.

4. Every power outlet should be safe to use since during the winter there is a greater reliance on artificial heating via electricity.

Spring

1. All drainage systems should be in good condition to allow for thawing processes and debris to be washed away. Humidifiers should also be shut off and drained if necessary.

2. The steps or decks outside the home that may have been damaged by frost should be fixed. The walls, roof, and windows should also be inspected for any frost damage.

3. Any potential entry point for small animals and birds should be sealed off completely. Animals such as squirrels, mice and bats seek shelter and breeding spots during the spring so the home should be safe from them.

4. Every electrical outlet should be checked for safety to reduce chances of electrocution as the level of dampness increases due to thawing.

Summer

1. Air conditioners, filters, dehumidifiers, and other ventilation systems should be cleaned and repaired. These will help maintain a cool temperature inside the home and reduce the humidity during the summer.

2. The roof must be inspected for any signs of damage from the winter and fall, such as sagging, leakage, cracking, and other points of weakness. These may need repair and replacement due to the effects of direct heat on the roof.

3. All doors in the home, from the front door to the garage, as well as window hinges and any other moving parts in the property, should be lubricated. There is likely to be more activity in the home during summer than in other seasons, so all entrances should be working properly.

4. Carpets and rugs should be deep cleaned to clear any dirt or insects that may have accumulated during the colder months. Bedding should also be removed and aired outdoors to remove any dampness.

Fall

1. Chimneys should be free of bird nests or other obstructions.

2. You may wish to install storm windows as a precaution against strong winds and rains, or at a minimum ensure that

your windows shut tightly for safety during turbulent weather.

3. Leaves and debris should be removed from the roof and gutters as frequently as possible to prevent damage from dampness or water accumulation.

4. Outdoor furniture should be stored inside the home to prevent exposure to the elements. Use all-weather protective coverings to keep away rain, insects and leaves.

Although this may seem like a lot of work at first glance, in reality most of these jobs are limited to inspection only. You only need to repair a problem if one exists. The trick here is in making sure that you have good understanding of the condition of your property, so that you can tackle any little maintenance requirements before they snowball into bigger problems.

This article was written by Housework Heroes. Get in touch to learn about their house cleaning services and their cleaning franchise opportunities.

The Accent Wall

Nothing refreshes a room like a fresh coat of paint, but think first about the goodies you want to bake, the Christmas movies to watch, the special school programs and concerts to attend, and the many more extra commitments for this time of year.

You might not have time to paint a whole room right before Christmas.

But don’t fret! Painting one wall takes a lot less time but provides a large return. Reinvigorate a room with a fresh color that complements both your decor and the holidays. Warm colors, like a carefully chosen red, can add warmth and drama.

Snuggle Up

The temperatures have taken a dive, and it’s time to gather together in the warmth of the Christmas spirit. New bedding, however, will help warm everyone up as well. If you have guests coming to stay with you for the holidays, a new set of warm, cozy bedding can add to their comfort and won’t strain your budget.

If a new bedding set – usually including comforter, pillow shams, and a set of sheets – is too much for the guest room, invest in a set of flannel or fleece sheets. Try a couple of new accent pillows that go with the current decor, as well as a two or three cozy new throws that your guests can use in any room in your home.

Set Out the Decorations

Christmas decorations automatically bring a cheerful and festive feel to your home. The warm colors, extra lighting and kindhearted sentiments will help friends and family relax in the joy of the Christmas spirit. If you don’t already have a stash of Christmas decorations to pull from storage, head to your local thrift or discount stores. There will be a large supply of various kinds of Christmas decor at low prices.

Strategically placed candles can also add warmth, contrasting nicely to the snow falling outside your windows.To avoid having to repeatedly light real ones, grab a couple of battery-operated LED flickering candles for side tables, night stands and your mantle. The flickering lights will help brighten up dreary afternoons.

Scents of the Season

The Christmas season is not the same without our favorite scents associated with this time of year. Your home may be filled with the smells of yummy treats during the month of December, but you can also add lovely fragrances to your home without the effort of baking. If you prefer scented candles to unscented, choose special scents like pine, gingerbread, cranberry and peppermint to lighten the air. If candles aren’t your preference, there are many different kinds of air fresheners that come with scents that are specially formulated and sold during this time of year.

A Festive Bathroom

Since this is the season for guests, your bathrooms will probably be getting more use than usual during the holidays. If your guest bathroom needs some updating, a new light fixture is a simple fix and easy on the budget. Add a new set of plush towels, along with a couple of holiday towels for a festive air. Include Christmas decorations on the countertop and walls, along with a candle or Christmas nightlight.

These frugal fixes can help you add a lot of style without straining your budget during this holiday season, helping you make the most of your celebrations with family and friends.

With Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up you’ll want to decorate for the season.

Whether you’re looking for ideas on fall colors in the home, designing an autumn wreath, how to carve a Halloween pumpkin, set your table for the holidays or create a fall floral display in your home, you’ll find plenty of fall decorating photos and ideas in our Fall Home Decorating Photo Gallery.

Lighting has a intrinsic connection to the Halloween holiday. A season dedicated to the night and the dead, so lighting not only is essential but also provides the spooky atmosphere.

People decorate their houses in mini-light displays to give an eerie glow, and the age-old tradition of Jack o lantern carving can be seen glowing along the street. With all the competition its hard to stand out from the crowd.

We’ve put together some Halloween lighting ideas that provide some fresh ideas for lighting at Halloween. All can be made easily with items from around the home.

Halloween Luminaries

Luminaries are an easy and dramatic way to light your driveway or walkway on Halloween evening for your parade of trick-or-treaters.

This is so easy to do. You simply need some brown unprinted paper bags, cardboard or foam board, sand and small candles and some craft tools to put them together:

How to Make Your Own Halloween Luminary Using Paper Bags

1. Any brown paper bag will work fine as long as it is unprinted. First, fold down the top of the bag about 2 inches to give the luminary a nice neat rim and to help the bag keep its shape.
2. Choose which side will be the front and lightly draw your design on in pencil. You could trace a Halloween motif from another source or just freehand the design. Lettering works really well and will show up clearly. A great idea is to use the bags to form a message that must be read in sequence down the driveway such as: “be” “wary” “it’s” “scary” “in the” “night”.
3. Put your piece of cardboard or foam board inside the bag to separate the bag from the front while you use a craft knife to cut out your design. Be sure not to cut the back! Take the cardboard out and tape a piece of tracing paper against the inside of the front to diffuse the candlelight and provide an extra glowing effect.
4. Last step, simply place a scoop of sand in the bottom of the bag; this will make the luminary sit flatly and give the candle a sturdy base. Be wary to position the candle in the middle of the sand, well away from the sides of the bag and your luminaries will give a spooky glow on a lovely still fall night.

Soda Can Votives

Recycle your leftover soda cans and make these adorable candleholders. It is a great rainy-day project, since very few materials (and very little time) is required. These holders can also be used as napkin rings for a Halloween dinner party:

1. Start with a thoroughly clean and dry soda can. Cut off its top with a sharp pair of scissors. Be careful of those sharp edges!
2. Next, cut along the seam of the aluminum can, and use your palm to press the can flat. Wash and dry the metal here if need be.
3. Trace or sketch the jack o lantern design onto the clear side with pencil then cut out with a craft knife the inside portions of the design first. (Depending on the design, a paper edger or hole puncher may prove useful).
4. Next, carefully cut around the outside of the pumpkin with scissors. Cut a band around the bottom of the can, and shape the band into a circle.
5. Secure the band in place with a stapler or duct tape. Make sure the circle is wide enough for a votive candle which now you simply need to position inside it.

Gourd String Lights

1. A string of colorful ghosts and jack o lanterns makes a playful adornment for a porch railing or entranceway. Ornamental gourds have a thin shell that is easily cut with a craft knife or a wood-burning tool. For this project you need some miniature gourds about 2 to 4 inches in diameter in bottle shapes and round shapes, white and orange watered down acrylic paint, and general craft supplies.
2. Cured gourds are widely available year-round at farmers’ market and floral supply stores. Ornamental gourds are among the most common gourd varieties and best for this project.
3. Draw a jagged line around the bottom of each gourd and cut the bottom out with a craft knife. Drill a hole in the top of the gourd large enough for the light bulb.
4. Soak the bottle-shaped gourds (that are going to be your ghosts!) in water for 15 minutes, then use a craft knife to cut two armlike slits in each gourd. Use your fingers to gently pull the arms away from the body of the gourd, and wedge toothpicks between the arms and body. Allow it to dry with toothpick in place, then remove toothpicks.
5. Sketch eyes and mouth on the ghost gourds, and cut these out. (Wood-burning tools are better for detail work).
6. Sketch jack o lantern faces on the pumpkin gourds, and cut these out.
7. Paint the ghost gourds in white watered down acrylic paint (or you could use leather dye) and allow it to dry thoroughly. Do the same in orange on the pumpkin gourds.
8. Now for the final step, if you take a sting of colored lights, white or orange are best for the Halloween theme but orange gives off more color. You can secure the gourd to the light by: Cutting one small doughnut-shapes washer our of cardboard or plastic for each gourd. Remove the light bulb from the socket, and gently push the cardboard washer over the threaded end of the bulb; and with the light bulb and cardboard washer on the inside of the gourd, screw the bulb back into the socket.
9. Use some floral tape or craft clay on the outside of the gourd to hold the socket in the correct position.

Halloween is such a great holiday, a night when goblins rule and the timid better be wary!

It’s guaranteed you’ll get all the trick-or-treaters at your place on fright-night if you create a sparkling bat-windowed Spook Haven.

Make a fun haunted house for your kids by decorating your back yard shed, complete with a creaking off-the-hinges door (of course this is temporary), or follow the same theme for the whole house.

Add a finishing touch of the Gothic with a lighted metal topiary ball that we include easy-to-follow instructions for below.

Plan Your Halloween Lighting Display

Halloween is a holiday with so much decorating to do but very tight on time before the trick-or-treaters come knocking. When doing a large installation like this, it’s essential that you take the time to plan.

Measure how much of the structure you want to cover with your lights and match it to the light lengths of the cords, which you will find listed on the package of the lights. Factor in the length of the cords’ unlighted leads so you don’t have any gaps in coverage. Always have more light than you’ll think you’ll need, just in case.

Outdoor icicle lights (the same kind that are so popular for winter lighting) in white or orange, and strings of orange lights, also designed for outdoor use.

In case you were expecting fancy guests (Count Dracula, perhaps?) you could exchange some of the orange bulbs with gold and give the ghouls a touch of glitter.

Depending on the weather, and how long you want the lights to stay up, attach the cords with mini-light clips, hooks, nails, or thumbtacks.

Freak out the Windows with Spooky Halloween Lighting

• To give dimension to the windows, cover them with strips of purple cellophane, which will contrast eerily with the orange lights.
• Make bats by drawing bat shapes on black construction paper, cutting them out and taping them to the window. You could also create ghouls or fang-toothed monsters in the same way.
• When you hang the lights, focus on lining the windows, the orange glow will make a super spooky atmosphere. Also dangle short and squiggly strings around the guttering of your roof. You’ll have no trouble finding Halloween-themed lights too.
• Manufacturers love coming up with all kinds of creepy-crawly light forms and shades. Would you like a giant jack-o-lantern? Or how about skeletons on string or a huge spider?

Great Balls of Fire Halloween Topiary Display

This style of topiary can add a touch of humor to the Halloween House, but in a different setting can be an elegant and versatile seasonal garden accent. You can easily change the mood by simply choosing bulb colors that reflect the time of year: orange for autumn, white for winter, green for spring, and red for summer.

With your Halloween House, or any garden setting, you can make a pair of these topiaries and have them flank a walkway or stand sentinel in a night garden.

The topiary form can be placed directly in the ground but you may need to steady it with a stone or brick. For a more permanent installation, anchor the form in a decorative terracotta pot filled with soil and planted with annuals.

Directions to Make Lighted Halloween Topiary

1. Floral tape is a great aid to wrapping strands of lights around topiaries and other garden structures. Especially on round shapes with many sections, you’ll use lots of tape.
2. Apart from this, you need a wire globe topiary form (try a garden shop or you can even make one yourself), 1 to 2 strands of mini lights (orange for the Halloween theme), and an extension cord.
3. Decide the best arrangement for the mini-lights before starting to place them on the topiary form. Consider how tightly you want to string the lights and determine whether or not you need more than one strand.
4. Wind the plug end of the mini-light strand at the base of the form, using the floral tape to secure it.
5. Place the lights evenly around the ball, securing the strand with floral tape. To keep the lights evenly spaced, you may need to change the direction in which you wind the mini-light strand. If so, use the floral tape to reinforce the strand in places you change directions.
6. Plug the strand into an extension cord. If you want to camouflage it, wrap it with floral tape.

Other than having to climb up and down a ladder to hang lights up high, outdoor Halloween house lighting should be really easy, and best of all fun. The hard part is always trying not to eat all the Halloween candy! Happy Halloween.

Photo by Suzy Pierce Design

Rain showers come and go, leaving the air crisp and clean. Autumn displays her earthy browns, brilliant reds, liquid amber and orange, pear gold and muted yellow.

Bringing the feel of autumn into your home creates natural warmth and echoes the changing season. As with any seasonal theme, you can go the subtle route by switching out accents, adding a fall floral display and putting up an autumn wreath.

Or, you can really embrace the season and go a little further … read on to learn some fun and inexpensive ways to usher in the fall season.

Fall Colors Have Impact!

Fall is a time of dramatic, vibrant color and pattern. Harvest colors, falling leaves, nuts, seeds, berries, dried grasses, fall fruits and grapes are just a few of the endless possibilities to create a fall display inside or in your garden.

Now I would never suggest you paint interior walls just to decorate for a season, but so many of our favorite colors come in fall anyway. You can safely paint almost any room in warm tones and it works all year round.

Orange is a bold color, but look at the contrast you get when you paint just a single wall in a room in a very bold primary color and leave the rest of the room white? It’s striking and, again, will work well all year. Other ‘bold’ fall colors that work well as wall paint colors include cinnamon, cranberry and burgundy.

Remember to think contrast; a cranberry wall with white chair rail looks great but four cranberry walls and no trim will seem too stark. Blend or contrast colors, generally using no more than 2 or 3 colors in a room, although you can get away with adding small accents to greatly affect the overall look of a room. So, you can add red, yellow or orange to a room that otherwise has none of these colors, creating a focal point in one area or splashing the accent color in several places throughout the room.

Autumn Home Interior Accessories

Pillows, quilts, throws and other textiles are traditionally used to give the home a warmer feel for fall; as the weather gets chilly, we naturally get out the wool and fleece.

Lucky are the crafters who can make their own, but you can also find wonderful blankets, pillows and throw rugs with fall designs in local crafts stores or shop online. Retailers like Pottery Barn have great selection. Black Forest has some really cool fall pieces you can check out too.

Colored glass containers and potpourri dishes make good accents on the fireplace mantel, countertop or window sill. Here’s a great idea we found; fill an apothecary jar with candy corn or M&Ms for a colorful (and tasty) accent piece for your coffee table.

Candles and Vases

Candles are always a nice fall touch. Use copper or brass candle holders for a rustic autumn accent. And of course you’ll want a few pumpkins, gourds, or fruit on a long woven basket or wooden tray. Add berry clusters, seeds and nuts, fall fruits, autumn leaves and flowers to make a colorful fall garnish.

The great thing about candles is the wonderful variety of colors, scents and shapes you can find. Add a subtle scent of pear, grape, or other smells of fall to reach beyond just your sense of sight; you can add a whole new dimension to your room with the right scents.

Cut fresh flowers from your garden to take advantage of that last flourish of the season. Pick up pine cones and pine needles, wild flowers and dried grasses to give your room a rustic fall feel. Put them in a woven basket with some mini pumpkins or gourds to spice up the dining table or a display shelf or countertop.

Throw Rugs and Fabrics Warm Your Home

When the seasons change and winter approaches, we want to soften and warm our home. This is where fabrics become so important in giving a room the right seasonal cues. Fabric is the essence of fall decorating. Use it to introduce a pattern or repeat as well as to warm and soften your interior.

A tapestry softens a large wall in a living room or hallway, deadening sound and warming the room. A handmade quilt draped over the back of a sofa invites guests to come in sit down and relax. A knit blanket at the foot of a bed makes you feel comfortable when you get into bed. A shag throw rug softens the natural stone bathroom floor.

Halloween has become a holiday that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Children contemplate their costumes and look forward to scoring lots of candy. We adults get to release our inner child by decorating the home and stocking up on treats.

It’s a rare decorating opportunity to ignore functionality or sophistication. So let yourself go wild and all out with some great devilish decorating ideas for both inside and outside of the home.

Outdoor Gravestone Halloween Decorations

If you’ve always yearned to turn your yard into an eerie graveyard for Halloween, then you’re in luck; all you need to make remarkably convincing gravestones in polystyrene (or insulating) board, paint and a few simple tools:

1. The size and shape of your gravestones will depend, to some degree, on the polystyrene or insulating board you have available. If the board is not thick enough to stand alone (most will not be), glue the pieces together with wood glue and let them dry. (A hot-glue gun will burn through the board).
2. For each gravestone you need to build a foundation by gluing together several pieces of board. Anchor the gravestone to the foundation with wire if necessary. Use a steak knife and a rasp to shape the board. Experiment with the sizes and shapes to vary the look of each gravestone.
3. Paint your gravestones with watered-down acrylic paint or you can transfer the paint into a spray bottle to give a speckled, weathered effect. For best results, use combinations of black, gray and white paint. Make sure it is thoroughly dry before you use a blunt tool to make the lettering on the gravestone. You might want to research for some suitably spooky styles.
4. To anchor the gravestones into the ground, stick 5-inch bamboo stakes (easy to find at floral supply stores) into the board, then into the ground. Two per piece should be enough, but additional stakes may be needed for larger gravestones.

Spooky Spoon Centerpiece

Follow these steps to create your own unusual decorative Halloween arrangement:

1. Create your centerpiece using twigs fastened in a pumpkin base that are then adorned with mismatched vintage spoons which can be found in plentiful supply (and for very little money) at thrift stores.
2. You could wrap the twigs and branches with small white lights for a particularly frightening effect. The painted spoons also make fun Halloween necklaces; slip the bent spoon on a ribbon or a chain.
3. Hold each spoon with the beveled side (or back of spoon) facing you, and gently bend the handle toward you so that both the decorative side of the handle and the beveled side are facing outward. Coat the back of each spoon with gesso to create a base to paint on.
4. Paint the pumpkin shape on each spoon first with orange acrylic paint and let it dry thoroughly before adding the Jack-O-Lantern face details with green and black fabric paint.
5. Carve the top off a pumpkin clean out the seeds and pulp just as you would when preparing a jack o lantern.
6. Cut a polystyrene block to fit inside the pumpkin, and press the ends of the jagged twigs and vines you have chosen. The more crooked the better. A dab of hot glue will hold this all in place.
7. Arrange Spanish moss or dried leaves around the base of the arrangement and then hang the spoons with black ribbon from the twigs and vines.

Glow-in-the-Dark Window Decorations

Greet your guests with spooky glow-in-the-dark window decorations. Don’t worry about the mess, these designs are actually executed on wax paper (not your window) ahead of time; experimenting with colors and styles is half the fun. You simple need some glow-in-the-dark fabric paints in yellow, blue, and ordinary black and some wax paper.

1. First, sketch your design on a piece of white typing paper with a pencil, and then a heavy black marker.
2. Lay your wax paper over this and trace over the design with fabric paint. (They can be found in squeeze bottles which are perfectly easy to use).
3. When using several colors, paint first with the color that uses the largest area, let it dry thoroughly, then apply the remaining colors for accenting. A tip: the thinner the coat of paint, the more easily the decorations will stick to the window.
4. To mount the decoration, simply wet the front of the design with a small amount of hot water (a small paintbrush works well for this purpose) and press the decoration against clean window surface. Apply pressure for a few seconds. The design will stay in place on the window but is easy to remove.

Vampire ‘Velcome’ Mat

We are using a Dracula design I made as an example but this idea can be created with any design to extend a memorable greeting to your trick-or-treaters with this painted doormat:

1. You need a coir doormat, acrylic paints and acrylic sealant. It is easy to do but has a great devilish effect.
2. You should plan out your design then transfer it to the doormat with a black marker. Mine had a vampire face against a moon with the letter VELCOME printed across the bottom.
3. Pour the paint of the bottom layers out and apply them to their section with a natural sea sponge. Define the lines first, then fill between the lines with generous amounts of paint.
4. Continues to paint following the order of the bottom sections first so that the final layers will be reserved for the defining details.
5. Use black paint in a squeeze bottle to paint the final details in thin lines such as the facial expressions. Let all the surfaces dry thoroughly.
6. If you have lettering such as in my doormat, use stencil letters on poster board to make stencils that you can fill in easily to make a crisp effect.
7. Once all the layers have dried thoroughly, cover the entire doormat surface with an acrylic sealant to savoir your creation for Halloween seasons to come.

Fall really is a family season; the time of year when the holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and New Year’s are looming and family get-togethers are frequent.

Autumn is a time when we put away fruits, nuts, vegetables and other natural stores for winter and celebrate the season’s harvest bounty.

The weather begins to chill outside, and so everyone huddles warm together indoors. With so many family gatherings fall naturally is time for the age old American tradition of the wreath display.

Mounted either as a door, wall or table ornament, wreaths symbolize the welcome we extend to others and are part of a tradition that goes back more than 2,500 years.

While the weather is cooling and the plants are welting, bring a fresh, natural and welcoming touch back into your home with a creative and easy fall wreath design.

Fall Wreath Basics

If you keep the foundations simple you can spend more time on the fun creative part. Purchase either a straw wreath base or a wire wreath frame with clamps, floral wire, tape, glue and other basic floral supplies you can purchase at your local crafts store.

You will find floral wire to be an invaluable tool for subtly and securely attaching your arrangement. A glue gun can also come in handy for holding the design securely. Quirky and cute accessories can effectively add a humorous personal touch, and lavishes of ribbon are always helpful.

Finally, try to remember to keep your wreath out of direct sunlight and to mist it frequently with water, it will endure for longer.
Pick design aspects that appeal to you but don’t be afraid to add your own touch or substitute any materials for something you prefer. After all it is the personality that wreaths express that makes them so charming.

Sages and Mints Wreath

Make use of herbs to bring back fresh floral scents into you home. This fall wreath highlights herbs of one botanical family. Vary the proportions based of the herbs you have easiest at hand. This wreath is so easy to make but also so pretty, you could make a matching series in a fairly short sitting.

Pick out an assortment of dried sages or mints. Consider the color scheme of your chosen material. For example, a sage wreath you could chose blue, gray and clary sage for the base with scarlet sage for decoration. A mint wreath could utilize mountain mint and spearmint for the base and lion’s ear and lemon mint for decoration.

On your wreath base, simply first wrap the base herbs in clusters of roughly three to five stems, with the clusters facing in the same direction. Use a hot glue gun to fasten the decorative herbs around the wreath in a pleasing pattern.

Wuthering Heights Fall Wreath

Roadside crews will go to the countryside and mow down wide swaths of wildflowers and grasses. However, you can consider any roadside beauties to be free pickings and stay ahead of the mowers. They have potential for a beautiful fall wreath design.

Collect bunches of air-dried wildflowers and berries. Think along the lines of Joe-Pye weed, black-eyed Susans, ironweed, wild black raspberries, staghorn sumac, goldenrod, butterfly weed, yarrow, viper’s bugloss and peppergrass.

You will want to lay this wreath design out in advance to check its appeal. Alternating a base material like Joe-Pye weed with clusters of other materials is effective; save the most vibrant to work as an accent.

Cut the stems of your wildflowers and berries to 8 to 10 inches to work with and then simply pin each cluster as you have planned facing in the same direction all the way around the wreath base. Just whimsical!

Highland Fling Fall Wreath

With purple heather, Scottish broom, and thistles, this wreath certainly conjures up the fall atmosphere with its visions of the Scottish Highlands.

You can work with either fresh or dried materials with this wreath. You’ll need to find some purple heather, Scottish broom, flower heads of Scottish thistle, globe thistle and globe centaurea.

Make the base pieces of the wreath, the purple heather, slightly longer than the broom. Wrap these base materials with spool wire to the bottom of the wreath. If you use a wire base, perhaps make it’s a triangle shape to emphasis a Scottish theme.

With this you can simply glue the remaining materials all in a single bottom corner and add a plaid ribbon and heather tweed bow to complete the Scottish theme.

Modest Materials Fossil Wreath

In fall your collection of plants is usually small, you can use this wreath to make a theme out of the limited collection. It is demonstrated with preserved ferns, dried fern spore pods and some pieces of fern fossil but you can use another collection of your own.

Glue fern fronds around the base of the wreath. Optionally, you could glue a bundle of dried horsetail to the side to break from conventional wreath shaping. Otherwise simply glue on top of the base your collection of fossils, minerals, then flowers and pods.

The trick is to nestle these treasures amongst the fern which together a small limited collection of materials will appear more luscious and full in the fall season.

Thanksgiving Harvest Wreath

Fall is the season that welcomes in Thanksgiving, a great family holiday to conjure memories of in your wreath design.

A collection of fruits, nuts and berries will create the harvest feel. This wreath looks beautiful with its restricted palette of brown, red and orange with touches of green for contrast and freshness.

Find four sticks roughly 15 inches long and 1inch thick. Collect an assortment of dried berries, fruits, nuts and flowers.

Some ideas include: natural canella berry, small pomegranates, nuts, smooth sumac, safflowers, flower heads cut from lion’s ear stem, and love-lies-bleeding.

Lay out two of the sticks parallel to each other then put the other two sticks across them to form a square for your wreath base to rest in the middle. Nail through these where the stick join and bind the corners with spool wire.

Then you can simply use a glue gun to glue on the assortments of berries, nuts and fruits with the heaviest on the bottom and the lighter attractive accents on top.

Get creative and use any of these ideas to create a unique fall wreath to warm your the home and welcome guests.

The days are shortening and the nights grow cooler. Autumn is soon arrived in all her natural splendor, and with the crispness of fall the foliage explodes with color.

This is a time to warm the inside of your home with all the brilliant golds, amber oranges and deep reds she has to offer.

Seasonal décor is a wonderful opportunity to play up the change of seasons and set a mood for holiday activities and spending time together with family and friends at home.

Switch out some of your home accent pieces, add a couple of new accessories and put out a couple of nice fall flower arrangements to give any room in your home the look of the season.

Welcome Autumn with Flower Arrangements

Fall is a time to bring color into your home and you certainly have plenty of choices, whether you choose fresh cut flowers from your garden or design a decorative tablescape using pumpkins, floral foam and silk or other floral arrangement supplies that will last through Thanksgiving.

For fall decorating, choose flowers with yellows, reds, and oranges. Roses and Chrysanthemums are always popular. Or, pick lilies in yellow or orange and long-stemmed Gladiolas. Go outdoors and find dried grasses and leaves to give your arrangement the finishing touch.

Mix things up, trying one idea or theme for a fall wreath on your front door, another in the garden and yet others for tablescapes and fall accents inside the home. The variety of plants, flowers, fall foliage and other autumn decorations gives you endless possibilities.

Preparing Your Fall Floral Arrangements

To make your tablescape or floral arrangement last, it’s worth taking time to prepare your materials properly. Fresh flowers should be hardened by re-cutting the stems and placing them in fresh water for at least an hour before placing into your vase or floral foam base.

Stems also need attention. If you use flowers or foliage with thick stems, split them so that needles and wire used to hold things in place can easily penetrate the woody stems. Thin stems can be re-enforced by binding thicker stems to them with floral tape or wire.

And of course, once you have your fresh fall floral arrangement completed, be sure to add water to the container every day and mist with water to keep them fresh; if you plan wisely, you can simply replace flowers in your arrangement to extend the lifespan of your fall arrangements.

Creative Fall Flower Arrangements

Choosing materials and fresh foliage for your floral arrangements and tablescapes can become a fun adventure as you go outdoors to gather grasses, leaves, seed pods, interesting gourds and squashes, pine cones, cattails, goldenrod, berry branches and other fall plants in bloom or turning color.

Seasonal decorating touches like tablescapes and flower arrangements present a perfect opportunity to experiment and get creative; you can always start over if something doesn’t turn out the way you want or just chalk your mistakes up to learning by experience; next year you’ll do even better!

Fall Flower Arrangement Tips

• Display your fall flower arrangements prominently where family, friends and guests can enjoy their natural beauty and get into the spirit of fall and upcoming holidays and festivities.
• A fall tablescape or floral arrangement makes the perfect centerpiece for your dining table. Be sure to keep your floral design low so that people aren’t ‘separated’ by it; this is one of the most common mistakes people make when designing floral arrangements for the dining table.
• Fall bouquets are great for decorating a table in your entry or foyer, end tables and coffee tables in your family and living room spaces, giving your guest bedroom and bathrooms a fresh look for the autumn season or adding a focal point on display shelves in any room in your home.
• A fall wreath will give your home’s front door entrance a nice touch of autumn, greeting guests with color and warmth.
• Pumpkins are a fall favorite and make a great base for flower arrangements; you can cut the top to create a vessel inside which you can place floral foam to support your flowers, using sunflowers, orange or red roses, berry branches, dried grasses, etc. to design your arrangement.
• Fall fruits such as grapes, apples, mini pumpkins, etc. can also make great fall tablescapes and floral arrangements. Use candles or votives to give your fall tablescape an added touch of color and warmth.
• Wicker baskets are also great for fall floral designs; try using chrysanthemums, sunflowers, tiny pumpkins, white gourds, gerberas, acorns, dry ferns and other natural fall plants to create a decorative fall basket.
• Use a mat of moss on a table or fireplace mantel to create a nice base to arrange orange and white pumpkins in various sizes and shapes, using one larger pumpkin as a focal point, with smaller sugar pumpkins, fruits, etc. arranged around it.
• Remember to decorate outdoors also; find a corner on the porch, a bench, pedestal or table in the garden, etc. that you can use to display some pumpkins and fall foliage arranged to fill in the garden as flowers and other plants begin to die out during autumn.
• You can place a pumpkin on any pedestal, urn or container in your garden. Put some rocks or bark underneath to keep if from rotting too quickly from heavy morning dew and fall rain storms.

Autumn Wreath on Front Door

There’s no reason that this beauty needs to stay outdoors. It’s easy and inexpensive to bring the warmth and splendor of Autumn into your home.

Take in the colors

Shades of brown, red, orange and yellow tend to be associated with the Fall season. However, there are many colors that also appear during these months that can be used as focal or accent colors.

Especially as the leaves change, there are many different shades of green to highlight. Pumpkins are a variety of colors besides orange, including a light green, white and even a delicate shade of blue. Speaking of blue, a darker accent color can be found in the particularly beautiful color of an Autumn sky. Use all of these colors in a variety of frugal ways to help decorate your home for Fall!

Welcome Home

With an eye specifically for decorating, start with your front door. Pretend you’re coming to visit, and ask yourself what you would like to see, or what would make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

To help create this welcoming scene, pick up a few hay bales, which help display potted mums or can serve as temporary benches on your front porch. Set out large baskets of a variety of gourds and dried flowers, along with different sizes, shapes and colors of pumpkins.

Perfect Pumpkins

Fall Wreath with White Pumpkins

For a traditionally festive mood, create a family of jack-o-lanterns with unusual designs. Use battery-operated flickering lights to bring them to life.

Apple Simplicity

Apples come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and flavors. Plus, this is the season where apples are at their least expensive. Buy large quantities of various kinds to display in decorative bowls or baskets. They can also be used to make applesauce, breads, muffins, crisps, pies and cider.

The Scents of the Season

Fall Tablescape with Sunflowers

The baking doesn’t have to be limited to apples. Bake sweetmeat pumpkins to use in pumpkin pies and breads – the scent will be irresistible. If you’re not in the baking mood, stock up on a variety of candles in apple or pumpkin themed scents or your favorite fall fragrances.

Tasty Autumn Snacks

If you’ve done any pumpkin carving or baking, don’t forget to clean and roast the seeds for a wonderful Autumn snack. Cover some of those display apple with caramel, and set out a variety of candy or nuts in bowls around your home. Your guests will appreciate it!

Kelly Wilson is a freelance writer and author of Live Cheap and Free! Strategies to Thrive in Tough Economic Times. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.