Concrete patios are durable and affordable; however, they lack some of the attractive design elements of other types of stone patios. Fortunately, if you’re looking for ways to make a concrete patio more attractive, there are many methods you can implement. Keep reading for several tips on designing and decorating your backyard patio.

Update the Edges

By changing the edges of your concrete patio, you can create a more uniquely shaped space. For example, rounding the edges of your stone patio creates a circular or ovular patio shape instead of a square or rectangular slab. This can add instant charm and appeal to even the most basic concrete installations.

Add a Wall or Border

Another way to improve your concrete patio’s appearance is to add a surrounding wall. Consider installing a low wall that frames your patio but doesn’t obstruct the view of your backyard or beyond. Adding a stone wall can also help section off areas of your backyard. This addition organizes the space, directs foot traffic, and contributes to a more luxurious feel for your patio.

Invest in Stamped Concrete

If you haven’t already poured your concrete slab for your patio or walkways, consider investing in a concrete service that offers stamped decorative concrete. This type of concrete installation involves the contractors pressing decorative stamps into the wet concrete to create a specific design. Contractors can decorate concrete to look like individual stones and bricks or even wood finishes. This can be a smart option if you’re looking for an affordable and durable patio option.

Add an Outdoor Rug

Finally, if you’re seeking an affordable option or don’t want to add another construction project to your list, you can accessorize your concrete patio with an outdoor rug. Choose from outdoor rugs in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, and pick an option that matches your personal design preferences and patio space. Pairing your rug choice with your patio furniture and other accessories helps you achieve a cohesive design and feel.

If you want to create a more appealing backyard space, implement these tips for making a concrete patio more attractive. You’ll find that you can turn even the most basic of concrete slabs into a stylish space.

Every home has a unique smell that distinguishes it from other places. As most people consider smell "human's most powerful sense," it often tells you a lot about your environment.

When it comes to residential properties, a fresh-smelling home is usually a great sign and what most homeowners strive for. On the other hand, odors from moisture, trash receptacles, and pets tend to transform an abode for the worse.

Luckily, here you’ll discover a simple guide to having an amazing smelling home that could help you freshen the air around you. Continue reading on to learn more!

Consider Baking Soda Your Best Friend

Not-so-fresh scents are infamous for taking over the atmosphere and sending your nose on an undesirable roller coaster. However, you can combat odors from becoming a nuisance by using baking soda throughout your home.

Most people know of the baking soda technique as an efficient strategy for absorbing smells in their fridge. Fortunately, you can place a few bowls around the house to deter odors in their tracks when cooking; you’ll want to replace them weekly.

Assess Your Home’s Moisture Levels

Sadly, moisture is one of the leading causes of household odors. In this case, you’ll want to consider using a hygrometer to assess humidity levels in each room. If you come across a reading that indicates over 60 percent humidity, you may want to acquire a dehumidifier to regulate levels.

It’s worth noting that dehumidifiers can be expensive, so you may want to start with one unit and incorporate more based on its performance.

Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Your kitchen sink is home to many food remnants that can get caught in your drains or garbage disposal. The more time food particles spend in your garbage disposal, the more your sink develops unpleasant odors.

You'll want to use a dollop of lemon-scented soap down the chute to clean drains, run your water, and turn on the disposal.

For a more natural approach, you may want to grind lemon or lime peels through the disposal, followed with running water. As a reinforcement, you can pour ½ cup baking soda into the disposal and run warm water.

Change Your Air Filters

A contaminated air filter is a significant red flag that affects your home in more ways than its smell. A clogged air filter may have difficulty trapping contaminants and fumes into your residence, allowing these invisible menaces to affect your air quality.

As part of the indoor air quality home checklist, you want to change your air filters every three to six months to promote a consistently good-smelling home.

Simmer Herbs and Fruits

Who doesn't love the sweet yet citrusy smell of fruits? This strategy uses a large pot, some citrus slices, and a few herbs like mint or lavender. After filling up your stock pot and placing it on the stove, add your lemon rinds, orange slices, and lime peels.

Afterward, let them simmer on low heat for a couple of hours. The steam will then carry sweet citrus notes throughout your home and kick out those bad smells for good.

No matter how often you clean your residence, odors develop naturally and affect your quality of life. However, this simple guide can help you achieve an amazing smelling home and fix those malodors.

Marla Stone, MSW REALTOR® License ID: 01823712 Nora Gallogly Group Beverly & Co. DRE#02078273 i-deal-lifestyle.com | Direct (949) 709-7000 |

Connect with Marla on Instagram & Facebook! Marla is the Author of The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff

Are your electric bills unusually high? Your home may be energy inefficient. If that’s the case, it’s time to make a change. You don’t have to suffer from high energy bills. Instead, learn how to make your home more energy efficient. We’ll show you how below.

Remember Your Insulation

Insulation is a key part of making your home more energy efficient. Ensure your windows, attic, walls, and doors are properly sealed. If you feel any drafts, you can caulk them yourself or call in a professional. Regardless, insulation is usually one of the first things to consider. You can use different insulation mediums, such as foam and fiberglass. The insulation company will tell you what is best for your needs. This is a great way to ensure your home is more energy efficient. 

Go Solar

Solar panels have a high ROI. Depending on where you live, they can save you a ton of energy. Some electric companies will even pay you for the excess energy that your solar panels produce. In addition to this, you’re harnessing clean energy. Going solar is a great step when trying to do your part and save the environment. As long as you possess a solar battery—which has many benefits—you’ll be able to get power daily, at night, or even during power outages.

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Your appliances could be the culprit behind your high energy bills. Because of this, Energy Star appliances are your friend. They give you great energy bill savings and contribute to fewer greenhouse gas emissions overall. Poor energy use is the main cause of these emissions. Check out your utilities as well. This goes back to the point about insulation, but your HVAC system could be why your bills are so high. Anything from an older boiler and furnace system to leaking air ducts can be a serious problem for homeowners. If you find that that’s an issue, it might be time for a replacement.

In short, it’ll be easy making your home more energy efficient. You have to identify the problem areas and replace or mitigate them. Any of the previous tips will help you do just that. They are a force multiplier when it comes to being more energy efficient. We hope you enjoyed them!

Marla Stone, MSW REALTOR® License ID: 01823712 Nora Gallogly Group Beverly & Co. DRE#02078273 i-deal-lifestyle.com | Direct (949) 709-7000 |Connect with Marla on Instagram & Facebook! Marla is the Author of The Clutter Remedy: A Guide To Getting Organized For Those Who Love Their Stuff

Businesses that wish to experience continual growth rely on the foundational members of their teams to carry out their tasks and meet expectations. The best way to achieve this end goal is to create a team that is both fluid and efficient with its tasks. When your workers are too independent, members of your team become more likely to stumble over each other. These are some strategies to improve communication in the workplace.

End of the Week Meet-Ups

A team with members who are comfortable with each other and know one another on a more personal level is more likely to operate with success. While it is important to focus on business goals and quotas, it’s also important to remember that your workers are still human at the end of the day. By setting up regular end-of-the-week meetings for a casual break from the rest of the day, you’ll help your employees gradually become more comfortable.

Efficient Communication Channels

It is not enough to have a team that is comfortable with each other; members should also be capable of efficiently transferring information to one another. While emails and office programs are great, more active jobsites are not able to rely on those methods. This is especially true for dangerous situations. It’s wise to train your employees to use a two-way radio in an emergency on the off chance that something goes wrong.

One-on-One Chats

Sometimes, people do not work well in group settings. This is not the end of the world for that employee. Team leads who routinely communicate with members individually are better able to act as professional social anchors for those members. So long as the worker is comfortable enough with one person, they can contribute in their way while being kept up to date on the progress of their peers.

Managing a workplace is tough, but luckily, you’re not doing it alone. Having naturally sociable members and understanding leaders creates a comfortable work environment where people can flourish. These strategies to improve communication in the workplace are a great place to start for newer businesses working to create a steady foundation for interpersonal communication.

Want the look of a nice bathroom without the high price tag? Bathroom remodels can cost anywhere from 6,000–15,000 dollars. While you can cut these prices down quite a bit by doing most of the work yourself, some materials and renovations cost a lot of money. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for your next bathroom remodel.

Look Into Alternative Flooring Options

Tile is expensive and labor intensive, so consider other options. If you love the look of hardwood, consider engineered wood; it looks like hardwood, but it’s much less expensive. It’s also better suited for the bathroom than hardwood—engineered wood is water-resistant, while hardwood isn’t. Plus, you can install it with gorilla glue or a nail gun.

Do you have your heart set on tile? Consider peel and stick tile. You’ll get the look of tile without the price, and it’s also much less labor intensive and easier to remove.

Laminate flooring is the least labor-intensive option of these three. That’s because it snaps into place over your existing floor. You’ll also size it to your room, so measure your bathroom’s dimensions before purchasing it.

Replace the Vanity, Keep the Counter

While it’s more expensive than repainting, replacing your vanity base is another budget-friendly idea for your next bathroom remodel. If you love the look of your countertop or replacing it is over budget, this is the DIY project for you.

Buy a topless bathroom vanity and confirm that it’s the right size for your current countertop. If your countertop isn’t cutting it, choose a vinyl film or laminate countertop to lay over the existing surface.

Recalibrate Your Space

One of the best ways to get an airier bathroom is to clean up excess clutter. And better yet, this step is free! Once you’ve pared down your lotion collection, put an organization system in place to help keep it clutter-free. Add baskets to cabinets or the back of the toilet, install shelving and drawer dividers, and place hardware on the back of your door for easy hanging.

Swapping out small details can also make a big impact. Replace your towels or shower curtain to change the feel of the space. Paint or reframe your mirror to refresh it without replacing it entirely. You can thrift many small items like these, or you may find them at garage sales; baskets, bins, décor, and glassware are all great items to buy at thrift stores.

No matter your style, the art you choose to hang on your wall should reflect your lifestyle, interests, and décor. A frame for your piece is just as important. The time you spend searching for the perfect artwork is as important as the time you spend searching for the frame. With these considerations, you’ll know how to choose the perfect frame for your artwork to show off your pieces.

Where Will You Place Your Artwork?

When choosing a frame, you’ll want to know how the artwork will look once you place it on the wall. It also helps to know where your piece will hang before frame shopping. Selecting the best frame is easier when you know how your artwork works with other items already on the wall. When placing fine art on your wall, you’ll want a more specific approach to hanging your piece and choosing a frame. Fine art pieces require special care to ensure proper hanging.

What Size Is the Piece You Will Frame?

Many frames come in standard sizes. Measure your piece to determine if it aligns with the opening of the frame. If your piece isn’t a standard size, you might consider a frame you can build yourself or a specialty frame. A frame mat could be a good option if you want a larger frame to fit a particular space.

What Colors Do You Notice?

A frame that complements and highlights the overall color palette of the piece makes a good choice. When an artwork’s colors and matting blend well with the frame, the piece becomes one cohesive work of art. Take note of the wall color of the room that will display the art. When deciding how to choose the perfect frame for your artwork and its colors, choosing a frame that neither clashes nor matches the wall color helps the piece look natural.

What Style Do You Like?

Whether the artwork is classic and clean or ornate and opulent, the style of the piece and frame should match. Consider the style of the room where the artwork will hang. You might want your frame to mirror a simpler style for a more casual space. Decide how your frame will work with the ones already displayed. Frames come in a myriad of types, so hunting for the right frame style can be an exciting adventure.

The frame you choose makes a difference since it showcases your artwork. Like a lovely vase enhances a flower bouquet, the frame you select enhances the beauty of your piece.

Decorating your fireplace is a fantastic way to enhance your interior space and get your home ready for the autumn season. There are several tips and tricks for achieving the fall-inspired fireplace of your dreams. Here are a few fun ways to decorate your fireplace for fall.

Spice Up Your Mantel

The first way to decorate your fireplace for fall is to spice up your mantel. If you don’t already have a mantel but would like one, you can find a guide to installing a fireplace mantel to help you get started. The mantel is a major feature of a fireplace that allows you to showcase your personal belongings. So spice it up a bit with some fun fall decorations. You can take a fall family portrait, frame it, and display it on the mantel, along with some other fun items. For example, include fall-inspired figurines, cornucopias, pinecones, little scarecrows, fall leaves, and more.

Include Fall Candles

Including fall candles is another creative way to decorate your fireplace for the upcoming season. Fall scents are popular, and including them as you decorate your fireplace is a wonderful way to fully achieve that autumn ambience we all know and love. You can add fall candles to your mantel décor, or you can even add a beautiful display of candles inside your fireplace. However, you’ll want to be sure to remove the candles if you decide to turn your fireplace on. Candlelight adds a cozy, warm charm to any interior space and helps to ring in the fall season.

Add Holiday Décor

The third fireplace decorating tip for this fall is adding seasonal holiday décor. The major holidays that occur during the autumn months are Halloween and Thanksgiving, so you can use these occasions as inspiration for your décor. If you have a family with children, the kids will adore some fun and spooky Halloween decorations around the fireplace, like ghosts, bats, witches, brooms, mummies, and the like. Pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns are also a lovely touch for the season. You can carve some pumpkins with the kids, or you can opt for artificial ones if you want to avoid the mess of pumpkin seeds getting everywhere.

Now that you know some fun fireplace decorating ideas for the fall, you can use these tips and tricks to turn your home into an autumn-inspired haven. Get creative with your choices and have some fun with the process, then you’ll be ready for all the exciting fall festivities.

Being a homeowner has its own set of challenges. Some of them you can see and feel, such as basic repairs or upkeep. However, not every issue is identifiable, especially to the untrained eye. Check out these most common hidden dangers in a home to stay safe.

Lead

If you live in an older home, it may very well have lead paint on its walls. Before the 1970s and 1980s, it was typical to use lead paint in homes. However, it was soon found to be extremely toxic to humans and was subsequently banned. Anyone living in older homes can purchase a lead paint sample test to detect its presence. Call a professional to remove any lead paint if you find any.

Mold

Mold is another often hidden peril. Lurking in bathrooms, basements, and other moist areas, mold is hazardous to your health. It causes respiratory issues and allergy symptoms and weakens the home’s foundation. Fortunately, there are many ways to detect mold growth in your home. Most often, you can smell it. However, you’ll want to check under rugs, bathroom corners, closets, and other areas with high moisture content.

Asbestos

Asbestos is another one of the most common dangers in a home. Asbestos, like lead, is often found in older homes built before the 1980s. Originally used as a flame-retardant insulation material, the EPA banned its use in 1989. Still, asbestos has been found to cause a variety of respiratory ailments. Exposure can lead to asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer. It has also been shown to lead to cancer in the stomach, ovaries, and larynx.

Pests

Finally, look out for pests. Mice and cockroaches are nocturnal creatures. As you sleep, they wreak havoc on your home. Not only are pests annoying to deal with, but they also carry their own set of health-related concerns. Mice, for instance, carry various diseases. Meanwhile, t Do yourself a favor and call pest control if you feel you’re under invasion from unwanted critters.