Latest Home & Garden

Building an accessory dwelling unit is one of the most practical home improvements you can make. An accessory dwelling unit can be a separate structure on your home’s property, or it can be attached to the house itself.

But the most important factor is that it provides a completely separate living space from your main home. And building an ADU can provide tons of unique benefits.

Wondering why you should build an ADU on your property? Want to know what the best accessory dwelling unit is for your goals? Keep reading to find out now.

1. Accessory Dwelling Unit for Family Visits Read More

If you’ve never tackled landscaping before, you might be feeling a little lost. Depending on the size of your yard, you might have quite the job on your hands. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Listed below are 5 landscaping tips that will point you in the right direction with your yard. With this guide, you’ll be able to bring the outdoor space of your dreams to life, even if you’ve never designed a yard before. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

1. Plan Now, Plant Later

Before you break out the landscaping equipment, you need to work with a pen and paper (or a computer program that allows you to draw). If possible, it’s a good idea to take pictures of your yard and draw your landscaping ideas on top of them so that you get an idea of exactly what the finished product will look like.

Your home landscaping should be tailored to you and your tastes, but should also mesh well with the exterior of your house. What colors will complement the color of your siding? Do you want a neat and organized garden or a more bohemian feel with your landscape? Are there any specific plants or elements you have your heart set on?

Have all of these questions answered before you begin. It will make the actual landscaping process easier to manage.

2. Keep Maintenance in Mind Read More

Americans spend $4 billion on bird feed, making bird watching a popular activity. Birds provide an excellent source of nature, and many people want to study them closer. Still, to learn the most about birds, you need to know how to attract them to you.

But if you’re new to getting birds to come into your yard, you might wonder how to do it. Fortunately, there’s some great advice to follow.

We’ve compiled the 7 best tips on how to attract birds to your yard. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Craft a Bird Feeding Station

If you want to make sure you get birds in your yard, create a feeding station.

Many people put at least one bird feeder in their yard. This gets them quite a few birds in their yard. Still, if you want to truly know how to attract birds to your yard, you should consider making a bird feeding station.

These stations should consist of several different bird feeders. They allow more birds to eat at your feeder, maximizing your ability to attract many winged friends.

You should also consider getting a suet bird feeder. These feeders haven’t been designed for seed. Rather, they use suet to attract birds. Suet consists of high-calorie nutrition that keeps birds healthy and strong. You can even make your own bird suet at home!

Many people put their feeding stations in their gardens or in the shrubbery next to their homes.

2. Use Bright Colors Read More

The truth is most of us dread the prospect of moving. There are a million little details you need to take care of, and the stress can add up. However, it’s still possible to make this process much easier.

The key lies in proper preparation. In this post, we guide you on how to prepare for a move, so you don’t get overwhelmed along the way.

Get Organized

The first and most important step when preparing for a move is to get organized as early as possible. There’s going to be a lot of scheduling, filing, and coordinating, and it’s easy to get confused. Here are a few tips to get organized.

Create a Moving Checklist

A checklist helps guide you on what you need to do. You can tick items on your checklist as you accomplish them. The idea is to stay on track.

Ensure that your checklist has a timeline. Break down your move into smaller projects that are easy to tackle. Plan the move in weekly increments, such as two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks.

Take Inventory

Taking a comprehensive inventory of your belongings helps you approximate the cost of your move. Account for all of your belongings, and use this inventory list when you hire a moving company or shop for insurance.

Set a Moving Budget

Find out all moving costs, as well as post-move expenses. Post move expenses include any repairs you may need to do in case some of your belongings got damaged during the move.

Pack Like a Pro

Knowing how to pack can help make things easier when planning a move. You need to know what you’re going to do with your jewelry, how to organize electronic cables, and so on. Here are some tips on packing for a move.

Get the Appropriate Packing Supplies

You’ll need the right type of boxes to fit most of your personal items, including clothes and books. Purchase as many boxes as you think you’ll need, and make sure they’re the right sizes and shapes.

Pack Tricky Items the Right Way

As you probably already know, some of your items are more difficult compared to others. Wrapping and packing fragile items, for instance, is more challenging than packing clothes.

Know how each item needs to be packed to avoid damages. For instance, pack jewelry in plastic wraps. Pack all food items like a grocer would.

Pare Down

If there’s stuff you own that you don’t really need, it’s best not to pack it. Find ways to get rid of it prior to your move. You can hold a yard sale or donate it.

Find a Moving Company

One of the most important moving tips is using the help of moving professionals. Here are some tips on how to find the right moving company for you.

Interview Several Companies

Chances are there are several local movers you are aware of but probably haven’t worked with in the past. Choosing the right mover can help make your move a stress-free one.

Interview at least three of them to have a good idea of what to expect from them. Generally, you want to know about their history and licensing information. It also helps to know how much they’re going to charge you.

You may also want to read online reviews to see what previous clients have to say about a moving company. You want to work with a reputable mover.

Know What Professional Moving Requires

If this is your first time using a moving company, you may not know some important rules of moving companies. For instance, flammable items are not allowed in the truck. Also, you’ll need to keep your important documents and certificates instead of throwing them in the truck with other items.

Rent Self Storage 

Renting a self storage unit located close to your new home will help you expedite the moving process. Take your belongings to the unit as you pack them, starting with those that you don’t use daily. This will make moving day a lot less complicated, and you can keep most of your stuff in storage until the new home is ready. A 10’x20’ storage unit is a good size for people moving, as it fits plenty of furniture, appliances, and moving boxes. Read More

Approximately 40 million Americans move each year. Check out our list of five steps you should take prior to moving to a new state.

1. Do Your Research

Research is the first step you take before deciding to move to a new state. You need to know what the job opportunities are like in your new area.

Depending on where you are moving, your current position could be non-existent or in demand. Start the job search now to see what the market is for your skills and expertise.

Additionally, you should research the cost of living before moving to a new town. For example, housing and property taxes are much lower in a smaller town compared to a larger city and can play a determining factor in where you decide to move.

2. Make a Plan and Stick to It Read More