Storage Solutions

Outdoor Storage Solution Fulfills New Year’s Resolution

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Rancher Storage Shed - 8 x 10

New Year’s resolution:  get organized!  Now is the time to take advantage of that motivating impulse to clean out those closets, clear out the basement, and donate all that miscellaneous stuff that you are saving “just in case.”  Don’t forget about your outdoor spaces, though.  Is your garage frustratingly cluttered with lawn equipment, bicycles and other sports gear, tools, garden supplies, and boxes of mysterious doo dads?Storage Shed

One of the best ways to organize your outdoor supplies, tools, and other gear is with a storage shed.  Storage sheds come in a variety of styles and sizes, so finding the right one for your needs is simply a matter of knowing how much space you require.  It’s a good idea to think ahead to future storage needs, too, and choose a storage shed that can accommodate some growth.  If looks matter, you should consider a cedar storage shed.  Cedar storage sheds make an attractive addition to any property, and they smell great.  Cedar is naturally resistant to insect infestation and decay, but a little basic care over the years will ensure a long life.

Organizing your home doesn’t need to be overwhelming.  Do a little at a time, and you will soon enjoy a less cluttered living space, inside and outdoors.

Backyard Fun, Outdoor Entertaining

BackyardCity.com Rates A+ with BBB!

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Many of our loyal readers know first hand that BackyardCity.com offers outstanding products at competitive prices, but do you also know that BackyardCity.com has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau? This is the highest grade possible for the BBB and is a stamp of approval that customers respect and trust this website to offer quality products and service. Everything from wooden swing sets for your children to greenhouse kits and storage sheds are made of top of the line materials and the customer service is second to none. The Better Business Bureau is designed to help you feel secure in making a purchase so be sure to check a company’s rating while weighing your options!

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Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Garden Tools & Tips

3 Money Saving Gardening Practices

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Garden Rain Barrel - 60 Gallon  Earthmaker Aerobic Composter Is The Fast Green Way To Deal With Organic Waste  Square Cedar Planter Box

Gardens enhance the beauty of any home, but more and more homeowners choose to garden as a way to save money on grocery expenses.  Home-grown vegetables, herbs, and fruits not only taste better and provide greater nutrition than store-bought varieties, they cost less.

Keeping costs low when maintaining a garden, no matter what kind of garden you have, can be as easy as adopting three easy money-saving practices:

  1. Collect Rainwater — There’s no point in paying the local water department when you water your gardens if you can simply use the free stuff that falls from the sky.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average homeowner “uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation,” and some studies suggest that “more than 50 percent of landscape water used goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering.” Collecting rainwater in rain barrels and using it to water gardens is one way to save big on your water bill, and it plays an important part in water conservation.
  2. Make Your Own Compost — Compost enriches the soil and makes for happy, healthy plants.  Sure, you can buy compost from your local garden center or nursery, but you can also make it yourself for free in the backyard.  With the right compost bin, making compost can be easy and somewhat hands-off.  In addition to saving money by making your own compost, you also reduce the amount of lawn and kitchen wastes that go into local landfills.  Not everything can be composted, though.  For a handy listing of what you can and cannot put into your compost bin, take a look at this brief article on Composting Basics.
  3. Use Raised Containers — If you frequently lose your plants to nibbling rabbits, deer, or other garden-invading critters, you should consider planting your more delicious plants in a raised container.  Raised containers allow gardeners to keep plants safe from animals, thereby saving money that would have to be spent replacing those plants.  Raised containers also make it easy to relocate the plants as necessary, and they prevent sore backs and joints that sometimes come with tending a garden at ground level.
Backyard Fun, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Infrared Patio Heaters Warm YOU, Not the Air!

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Infrared Patio Heater
If you are looking for a powerful way to heat up your deck or patio, I have got a solution for you! Noone enjoys being cooped up indoors during the winter months, but sometimes the cold makes outdoor activities unbearable. Infrared patio heaters will solve this dilemma! Infrared heaters use infrared waves to heat the object or material in the path of the heater. This means that instead of heating the surrounding air like traditional heat sources, infrared heaters warm objects (including you) directly. You can find varieties that are permanently mounted onto your porch or moveable and portable options. Infrared heaters are safe because there is no gas or open flames to worry about. This is the only form of heat that doesn’t blow away so they are perfect for windy areas. You are guaranteed to stay warm during those chilly nights.

Outdoor Lighting Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

Before & After: Design Details Make the Difference

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Any living space can be turned from bland and unappealing to comfortable and inviting, and it rarely requires expensive choices like remodeling or a complete decorating makeover.  In most cases, a fresh and beautiful look can be achieved with the addition of a few simple and inexpensive details.  Here is a good example:

Before Outdoor Curtains

The photo above shows a fairly standard wall that serves as a boundary between properties.  The homeowner has attempted to soften the appearance of the wall by adding some beautiful potted ferns, but the plants don’t successfully break up the wide, visual expanse of stone.

With the addition of outdoor curtains and mounted light fixtures, though, a dramatic improvement can be seen:

After Outdoor Curtains

The vast and unappealing wall becomes a softer and more elegant focal point.  Even the potted plants, which before looked washed out and ragged against the drab stone backdrop, pop out in front of the outdoor curtains and add more visual texture and interest to the scene.

Many times, all that a living space requires to improve its appearance is the addition or alteration of a few details.  Before investing in an expensive remodel or decorating overhaul, it’s worth the time and money to first think on a smaller scale.  A very little change, as seen here, can often go a long way to improve a living space.