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5 Deck Ideas to Transform Your Backyard!

That time of year is coming again when barbeques, cookouts and outdoor fun will soon be in full swing! If you don’t have a deck built it might be a great investment to expand your living space. Here are 10 inspirational deck ideas that might get you building one soon!

Make Your Deck an Extension of Your Home

A deck can be an extension of your living space perfect for relaxation, dining, and entertaining. Consider making a deck that flows seamlessly from your indoor living spaces to the outdoor deck, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. You can choose materials like composite decking that can withstand the outdoor elements and require less upkeep. Consider the color scheme of your home and use materials that complement it. This will help create a harmonious transition from your indoor space to the deck!

Create a Deck on Multiple Levels

If your home has a very specific design and call for it, a multi-level outdoor deck is the perfect addition to your home. This type of deck is made up of two or more levels, creating a tiered structure that can accommodate different activities and purposes. The first level is usually connected to the main living area of the house, providing easy access to the deck and creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. The lower levels are typically used for various purposes such as dining, lounging, or even for a hot tub!

Turn Your Balcony into a Deck

If you don’t have a large backyard you can always turn a balcony into your own deck! A balcony deck is versatile and can be turned into a relaxing retreat, a dining area, a place for entertaining guests, or even as a mini garden for those with a green thumb! The possibilities are endless, and it all depends on how you choose to design and utilize your balcony deck. However, our friends at KP Contracting say it is important to note that building a balcony deck may require proper permits and approvals from building authorities, depending on the location and regulations.

Build a Covered Deck

If you live in a place that receives a lot of rain or wind, a covered outdoor deck will be a lifesaver! This beautiful deck even has a mini kitchen and barbecue area that is fully covered to protect you from outdoor elements. This kind of deck allows you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while still being protected from bad weather. Covered outdoor decks are also great for hosting parties and events. With the sheltered space, you can set up tables and chairs, a barbecue, and even outdoor heaters to keep your guests comfortable. It’s a perfect spot for summer barbecues, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations.

Build a Small Deck for a Small Backyard

Whether you have a small backyard or a limited budget, a small deck can be a perfect addition to your outdoor space! One of the biggest challenges when building a small deck for a small backyard is maximizing the available space. You can achieve this through clever design techniques and building things that are multi-use such as a planter that doubles for searing.

In conclusion, building a deck for your backyard is a great way to add value and functionality to your outdoor space! With careful planning and smart design choices, you can create a beautiful and functional deck that will enhance your outdoor living experience and allow you to make the most of your backyard!

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Decorating ideas Shop the Room!

Budget Ways to Entertain Your Guests at Home This Holiday Season

The holiday season almost in full swing, here are a few budget friendly ways you can keep your guests entertained at home!

Having guests over at your home doesn’t have to mean an overpriced dinner, expensive wine and fancy dinner table decorations! With creativity, it’s easy to create unique holiday experiences together that won’t take too much time or money. Whether it’s finding an inventive way of decorating your home, or cooking up traditional family meals, there are plenty of inexpensive ideas to host your guests this holiday season.

1. Make dinner at home with recipes that are easy to prepare.

There’s something special about cooking a dinner at home with family and loved ones. It allows you to spend quality time together in a cozy, intimate setting without the distractions of a busy restaurant. And the best part? You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to create a delicious and romantic meal. You can impress your guests with culinary skills by following tutorials on YouTube for easy-to-prepare recipes without breaking a sweat.

2. Make your home feel cozy and warm with incense and candles

To make your home feel cozy this holiday season you want to definitely light your fireplace if you have one, and set up lots of candles to create that intimate cozy cabin feel! Another great way is to put out candles that are scented or burn incense that smells like cinnamon to make your home extra inviting. If you don’t have adequate heating in your home, now is the time to call some like Confident Comfort Heating and Cooling to take care of this. You wouldn’t want your guests cold when coming over!

3. Play board games instead of watching Netflix

Looking for a way to bring some excitement into your evenings without breaking the bank? Why not open a pack of cards or grab your favorite board game? Games like Yahtzee and Uno are classic choices that never get old, and they’re perfect for both a chill night in or a lively get-together with friends. Plus, with prices ranging from just a few dollars to less than twenty, you can enjoy hours of entertainment without spending a fortune. So why not trade in your usual Netflix binge for a game night full of laughter and friendly competition? Your wallet (and your inner child) will thank you.

4. Hit up a local park and take a walk after dinner

Spending time in nature can be incredibly grounding, especially after a long day. So why not hit a local park and walk while you chat about your day? Not only will you get some fresh air and exercise, but you’ll also have the opportunity to catch up on old times with your friends and family! Whether venting about a frustrating project at work or gushing about an exciting new opportunity, sharing your thoughts and feelings in a peaceful setting can be incredibly therapeutic. And who knows, maybe the park’s beauty will even inspire some new ideas or solutions to whatever challenges you may be facing.

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Five Modern Trends for Downstairs Designs

The experience and ambience experienced by you, your family members, and indeed, any visitors to your home, begins as soon as you enter the property, and this is why the ground floor of the house is, arguably, considerably more important when it comes to interior design than the upper floors.

That being said, here are five modern trends for downstairs designs that are both fashionable right now and indeed are set to continue that way for the foreseeable future. 

1. Freestanding Kitchen Islands

Spend an hour or so wandering around your local furniture showroom and you’ll undoubtedly notice a plethora of freestanding kitchen islands, all in different materials and of various shapes and sizes. 

Freestanding kitchen islands increase the surface area that you have available for cooking, baking, and food preparation, as well as providing an additional dining space too and are one of the hottest interior design trends for the kitchen right now. 

2. Sophisticated Flooring Styles 

If you’re looking for a stylish and sophisticated downstairs design that will provide bucketloads of aesthetic impact, then look no further than mystonefloor.com, who specialise in stunning natural stone designs that are perfect for the hallway, kitchen, living room, and even the cloakroom. 

Aside from the fact that that stone flooring would be an on-trend design choice, there are a wide range of fantastic benefits, which include:

  • Each tile is entirely unique
  • Its strength and durability are unrivalled
  • It’s a sustainable and eco-friendly choice
  • It can add value to the property
  • It’s easy to maintain and very hygienic 

3. Rich & Muted Paintwork

Another trending interior design style for the ground floor of the smallest home or the largest building is a move towards rich and muted paint colours. 

Gone are the baby pinks and bright fuchsia of last season, it’s now all about plush velvet chairs with a burgundy covering, mustard feature accents in the living room, and sage green walls in the hallway. 

Just one of the many benefits in adhering to this particular colour trend is that such colours, shades, and tones evoke a feeling of warmth and cosiness throughout the home. 

4. Upcycled Furniture 

Following this next home design trend is as easy as taking a look in your garage or garden shed for an old table or broken chair that, with a small amount of elbow grease and a large amount of love, you can turn into a statement piece that’s perfect for the entrance to the dining room. 

Upcycling is a current trend, but due to the move towards a more sustainable outlook, both in the minds of high-street and high-end interior designers alike, it’s set to remain this way for the foreseeable future. 

5. Showcased Personal Collections 

The fifth and final fashionable trend for the downstairs of homes this year is to showcase your own personal style and passions by displaying any collections you may have. 

From China cats, to intricate, handmade wooden items from your various trips to different African countries, nothing says personality through style than showing off the things that you hold dear. 

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