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ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Combining decades of experience with a personal approach page 13

ALL DECKED OUT

Adding the right touches to help maximize your deck’s potential

WHERE FUNCTION MEETS FLAIR

Today’s closets get a stylish upgrade

How

Closets

PUBLISHER

Edward P. McCartney

EDITOR

Peter Proko

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Matt Cosentino

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kristen Dowd, Giana Scafide, Abigail Twiford

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Hank Alspach

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Brian Mikulski

DESIGNERS

Eileen Pullia, Lisa Zollinger

ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR

Darlene Versak

SALES DIRECTOR

Lindsay Gonzalez

SALES MANAGER

Jim Romano

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER

Chuck McKane

MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Nicole Corabi, Kristine Di Nardo, Rochelle Dodge, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Max Haggerty

DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

Leigh Stuart

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Bob Doran

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney

HOUSE & HOME

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HOUSE & HOME is a regional home improvement and design magazine focused on remodeling, renovation, design inspiration, and connecting homeowners with local home service professionals. H&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does H&H or its staff, editors or writers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publications. Readers are encouraged to notify H&H if they suspect false or misleading advertising.

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HOUSE & HOME has not independently tested any products or services advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. HOUSE & HOME. makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products. No reproduction of printed materials is permitted without the consent of the publisher of HOUSE & HOME. Copyright 2012 by HOUSE & HOME. Magazine, LLC, all rights reserved. Subscription available for home delivery at our website, www.HouseMagazine.com, at a cost of $19.95 per year.

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Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view digital versions of each of the above editions.

DECKING OUT THE DECK

With a newly built deck comes the time to outfit it to your needs and liking, ensuring that it is best equipped for function and recreation.

BY ABIGAIL TWIFORD

HAVING A DECK BUILT ONTO A HOUSE IS A MAJOR DECISION THAT ANY HOMEOWNER HAS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. ONCE THEY DECIDE TO HAVE ONE ADDED TO THEIR OUTDOOR SPACE, CHOICES ON HOW TO USE THE NEW LIVING AREA STILL HAVE TO BE MADE.

From furniture to lighting, shade features to recreational spaces, all of these need to be decided on and set up before the space can be used for relaxation, the entertainment of family and friends at get-togethers, or as an extension of gardening space.

Before anything else, what the deck space will be used for needs to be considered. This will guide what furnishings and features are most needed and will best add to the comfort, function and livability of the deck.

“I’m always looking to start with what’s their

why, and how are they trying to entertain, how they are trying to utilize it,” says Paul Squierdo, landscape designer for Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living. “I usually start from there, rather than just what’s the trend. … I get them to try and focus on their family. …

So before I go into asking this thing or the other, I start there. I let the function drive the design.”

Besides analyzing how to best utilize the space, before any major and permanent structures or large furniture, Squierdo also emphasizes that it is vital to

consider how the outdoor arrangement could impact indoor living, such as obstructing the view to the outdoors or blocking out natural light from reaching the interior of the home, as the goal of creating a livable outdoor space also involves not impacting the livability of the rest of the house.

“Thinking of those things in terms of placement is also very key, that not everybody always thinks about at times. I start having that conversation, but if they say, ‘Oh, that’s gonna block the natural light,’ then I’m like, ‘Yeah, maybe this isn’t the best spot,’” Squierdo says about how he approaches the topic with clients.

While ensuring they don’t negatively impact how the indoors are used, lighting and shading are two of the most important features a deck can have, significantly influencing the ability of the homeowners themselves and their guests to use the deck for its intended purposes.

Ambient lighting is usually incorporated into the deck itself. LED lighting systems, which are low voltage, offer a soft glow so as to offer necessary visibility without being overly bright or blinding.

“Warm, white low-voltage lighting is the dominant choice because it feels high-end and inviting,” says Robert Glasner of Deck Craft Plus.

Glasner also emphasizes that lighting projects are one of the highest return on investment upgrades a deck can receive.

The lighting is usually placed throughout the deck, especially on railings and stairs where the ability to see is particularly important for safety. Some of the most common lighting types for the outdoor space are stair rise lights, post cap lights, under-rail LED strips, recessed deck surface lights, overhead string lighting or spotlights accenting the home’s architecture and landscaping.

“I would say 90% of the decks we build come with an LED lighting system. It’s not solar, it’s computerized, and it gives a

nice glow in the evening that’s on the railing, the steps get lit up. Those are very, very important features if you plan on using the deck in the evening hours. It’s something we do a lot,” says Mike Jerminski, owner of Get Decked.

While lighting is crucial for using a deck in the evening, something that offers shade makes all the difference in being able to enjoy the exterior living during the warmest months of the year as the sun beats down.

“Shade increases usability dramatically, especially in Pennsylvania where summers get hot and bright,” says Glasner.

Adding a pergola, whether as a built-in, permanent structure or something removable or retractable that can be retired on days it’s not needed, is a helpful way to be able to continue comfortably utilizing the deck.

“To accent the deck area and your different usable living space, deck lighting is essential. Deck designs tend to be a little bit more utilitarian and usable, not extravagant shapes, but how you decorate, it can make up for all of that. So I would say lighting is essential. And I would say putting a shaded area like … a permanent roof is a must,” says Bill Wilson, owner of Amazing Decks.

Furniture is another core element of the deck that makes it a practical place to entertain and relax, with deep seating

being a popular choice for outdoor sectionals, sofas and love seats.

Outdoor dining tables and seating are also among the most common selections, allowing for shared meals during parties and get-togethers.

Fire tables or pits and storage benches that can both provide seating and hold anything from gardening supplies to sports equipment are also popular for furnishing decks, providing both comfort and functionality.

“Measure the space to see how they can accommodate the seating for the number of people, and how they need to arrange their seating to most comfortably visit with their friends and enjoy their outdoor space,” advises Carolyn Hetrick, one of the owners of Hetrick Gardens.

Bar and lounge areas are also highly sought after, as they give guests a space to interact, hang out and place drinks down while still being able to talk and spend time with the host.

“If you have 50 people over to your house, where do they all hang out? They all hang out with you in the kitchen, everybody hangs out there. And it doesn’t matter how big or small the house is, everybody hangs out in the kitchen. So you better put a little bar area where people can sit around with their stools, because they’re going to want to hang out with you, even though you have a

DECKING OUT THE DECK

little bit of work to do. You’re really missing out on the space and the usability of the space, if you don’t consider putting a little bar top area with bar stools, a place to eat, place to put an order so people can be with you while you grill,” says Wilson.

Planters, garden features and other greenery add a chance for homeowners to further personalize their decks, as well as expanding available gardening space for those who enjoy the hobby.

Some garden features are more regulated in certain municipalities around the region, with built-in planter boxes not being allowed in some places due to different building codes.

“The codes have gotten pretty strict about those nowadays. Children can actually climb up on a built-in bench or on a planner box.

So if we do a bench, it’s a movable bench. Same thing with a planter where the homeowner can move around, but you can’t build them nowadays,” explains Jerminski.

As built-in planters aren’t always an option, Hetrick Gardens sells plants that can be potted and placed on the deck, as well as plant shelves that can help customize the arrangement of the pots. Vertical gardens and railing planters are another option as well.

Other ways to customize and enhance the comfort of the space include heaters, ceiling fans if roofing is available, a weatherproof TV and speakers, and underdeck drainage systems.

What’s more, homeowners are utilizing the space to promote their overall health and well-being.

“We are seeing more clients request that therapeutic wellness spaces—such as spas, saunas and cold plunges—be included in their outdoor living areas. These

options are designed forrelaxation, stress relief and connection—a place to spend meaningful time with family and friends,” says Marcus Stoltzfus, marketing manager, Keystone Outdoor Living.

As for purely aesthetic enhancements, picture-frame borders, decorative railing infill and accent boards consistently increase satisfaction and long-term value, according to Glasner.

“Keep the design simple and spend your money on your decorating and usability. Usability is how you’re going to get your investment back out of the product,” Wilson says.

RESOURCES

Amazing Decks Ambler, Pa. (215) 654-1886

AnotherAmazingDeck.com

Deck Craft Plus

Honey Brook, Pa. (610) 273-3317

DeckCraftPlus.com

Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living Gap, Pa. (717) 455-3398

DutchiesStoneworks.com

Get Decked

Chester County, Pa., and New Castle County, Del. (302) 897-0302

GetDeckedInc.com

Hetrick Gardens Pottstown, Pa. (610) 327-9066

HetrickGardens.com

Keystone Outdoor Living East Earl, Pa. (717) 936-9590

KeystoneCustomDecks.com

most recent honors.

A CONTRACTOR FOR All Seasons

amassed a team of in-house professionals whose dedication to clients and a job welldone mirror his own, and whose talents come together to make the Delaware-based contractor a truly versatile, trustworthy indoor and outdoor service that can do it all.

Anyone who loves what they do will tell you that they don’t do it for the awards and accolades: They do it for the personal satisfaction, like knowing that they made a difference, finding the work rewarding and fostering strong relationships along the way.

“By the time a project’s over, our clients have become part of our family,” says Andrew Viohl of A. W. Viohl Contracting.

Viohl founded the company that bears his name in 2008 and, since then, has diligently

“The guys who work with me are good buddies, we’ve been working together for a long time. We’re like a family and we’re family-oriented,” Viohl explains. “We know what we’re doing, and we know how to work together. We’ve been doing this for 20-some years, so we’ve pretty much seen it all.”

And while Viohl appreciates the talent on his team and knows they’re absolute professionals who can navigate any challenges that may arise along the way, the awards are a nice confirmation that the A. W. Viohl team is on the right track. Having been recently recognized as one of House & Home magazine’s Best of the Best is one of the contractor’s

“We’re out there working as hard as we can, so it means a lot to all of us,” Viohl says.

But Viohl and his team are never content to rest on their laurels, whether it’s renovating a basement, creating an addition, updating a kitchen or bathroom with premium fixtures and quality materials, or repairing a deck, they aim for nothing less than the best for the homeowners who trust them with their interior and exterior remodeling goals.

“We’re not rushing from one project to the next,” Viohl promises. “Our focus is on you and your home, we will design your project to meet all of your needs and finish the job right.”

And there’s never an off-season for the year-round operation, which means they’re not only scheduling projects for the spring but also breaking ground on a few now. It often comes as a pleasant surprise for clients who are planning ahead for the warmer months—or aren’t about to let winter stand in the way of their renovation projects.

“I don’t think you should react to a customer by saying ‘Why do you want to do a deck now?’ and I don’t like turning down work: Whatever job people need done, we’ll do it regardless of season,” Viohl says. “We’re always doing projects, even in January and February. On the other hand, we also have calls now to get on the books to start work three months out. That gives us time to get the production going, to get all the permits we need so come March, April or May, we’re ready to go for them.”

Viohl adds that features like composite decking boards and vinyl railings will ultimately save homeowners some money. “You won’t have that extra yearly fee or every two years because you’re paying someone to stain it or pressure-wash it.”

Viohl diligently encourages open lines of communication, both with the homeowner and among his team. It ensures everyone is on the same page at every stage of the project while managing clients’ expectations—because it is, no matter the project, always about making sure a customer is completely satisfied.

“A lot of the jobs we do are for repeat customers, so they’ve been there and know what to expect,” he says. “They know that they’re getting the quality work their paying for. It’s an honor when they hire us for repeat work, and we want to make sure they’ll call us for their next job.”

year you your anniversary. What thoughts and emotions come to mind when you think about that?

Unlike other deck companies who build decks in the spring and summer, and fade into indoor work, we at Get Decked have been constant and dedicated to one trade. With 41 years of experience solely constructing decks, we feel proud to have been repeatedly voted Delaware’s Best Deck Builder over the past decade.

What made you start Get Decked?

Our name kind of picked us. We started out as carpenters building condos and when the homes were completed, I would stay back and finish the decks. I worked on hundreds upon hundreds of decks, and so I ran ads in the newspaper to get side work and my wife picked the catchy name—Get Decked.

Where did you draw inspiration in order to start and build this incredible business? In 1985, when I first started my deck business, my passion was building decks and I wanted to keep honing the craft in order to build each deck better than the last. At that time, there were many home improvement con-

Get Decked

tractors, but none that strictly built decks. More than four decades later, there are hundreds of companies who earn a living building decks—when it’s sunny and nice.

How has Get Decked earn its reputation for excellence with homeowners?

Customers today choose their contractor by comparing bids, with some of our customers gathering as many as 10 estimates. But at the end of the day, they are really looking for a few important things when choosing a deck builder: honesty, a fair price and a guarantee that the deck will be covered if any issues arise.

At Get Decked, there is a reason why we have stood the test of time for more

than four decades. Our customers know the company they can trust.

Where do you expect to go in the next 15 years? In what ways do you expect to continue to grow?

Moving forward, Get Decked is poised to be stronger than ever, thanks to Kayla, Michael and Jerry, who have been instilled with the same work ethic and integrity the company was founded on, and look forward to carry on its legacy for the next 40 years as Mike and Connie prepare to step aside soon. The younger generation’s passion and dedication make it evident that Get Decked’s future will be just as bright as its past.

Stylish Spaces

NO LONGER

THE FORGOTTEN PART OF A HOME,

the closet can include personal flair while also prioritizing organization and storage.

For years, the humble closet was treated as an afterthought—a hidden space reserved for overstuffed shelves, tangled hangers and the occasional avalanche of forgotten sweaters. Today, that mindset is changing. Modern homeowners are reimagining closets as highly personalized extensions of their living spaces, blending smart storage solutions with clean design, sustainability and everyday convenience. From boutique-inspired walk-ins to compact systems that maximize every inch, closet organization has become one of the fastestgrowing trends in home improvement.

The latest trends go far beyond simple decluttering. Adjustable modular systems, integrated lighting, hidden laundry

storage, eco-friendly materials and color-coordinated organization are reshaping how people use their homes. Social media and home design shows have also fueled demand for stylish, functional storage that feels both practical and luxurious. Whether families are trying to simplify busy routines or homeowners are investing in custom upgrades that add resale value, experts say the modern closet is now as much about lifestyle as it is about storage.

To better understand what’s driving the trend locally, we spoke with a few industry experts about what homeowners are asking for most, which mis-

takes they see repeatedly and the overriding benefits of becoming more organized.

What are some of the major benefits that closet organization provides beyond maximizing space?

A well-designed closet does so much more than give you extra storage. It can genuinely change the way your day begins. When everything has a place, mornings feel calmer, getting dressed is easier, and you’re not starting the day digging through clutter or making unnecessary decisions.

A custom closet also helps people enjoy what they already own. Clothing, shoes, handbags,

accessories and seasonal pieces are easier to see, easier to care for, and easier to use when the space is designed around your routine. It becomes less about simply “fitting more in” and more about creating a space that supports your lifestyle.

—Laura Bryan, vice president, Diplomat Closet Design

Custom closets impact our daily lives more than people often realize because they’re one of the few spaces in the home we use every single day. Being organized helps reduce stress and makes everyday tasks easier and more efficient. A well-designed closet is almost like a tool because while it looks beautiful and creates an attractive space, it also has an important function by helping everything stay ac-

cessible and easy to manage. Beyond the daily convenience, custom closets can also add value to your home, making a smart investment for future resale.

—Greg Ahart, owner and founder, Victory Closets

Are homeowners gravitating toward any particular trends these days? Are they prioritizing aesthetics, functionality or storage space more?

I’m seeing a color trend of people steering away from white. They now want beige or light wood colors. Homeowners are also getting more into adding accessories to the closet, like valet poles, belt racks, scarf racks and colored rods.

With pantries, homeowners want pull-out drawers, pull-out wire baskets, plate dividers and wine racks.

—Aaron Lewis, owner, Closets for Less of Bucks County

We’re seeing a growing trend toward adjustability in custom closet design. Homeowners want storage systems that can evolve with their lifestyle instead of fixed layouts that only work for their current needs. Adjustable shelving and hanging sections, being able to add or move drawers, and flexible configurations allow you to reorganize your space over time as your storage needs and routines change. People are looking for long-term functionality and convenience, not just a one-time design solution.

We are also seeing an increased interest in custom kitchen pantries. New customers and past closet customers are wanting to replace their wire shelving with a custom system. Standard wire shelving is just not practical or functional in a pantry space that is used consistently throughout every day. Busy families are looking for smarter ways to reduce clutter and get organized to make these spaces easier to manage. They want features like adjustable

shelving, rounded corners for easy access to every inch of space, and they want flexible layouts that they can change when they need to.

—Greg Ahart

Homeowners today really want all three: aesthetics, functionality and smart storage. The closet has become an extension of the home’s overall design, so people are paying much closer attention to finishes, hardware, lighting and the overall feel of the space.

Functionality is still the foundation. A closet has to work well first. But aesthetics are definitely playing a bigger role than they used to. Homeowners want closets that feel calm, finished and personal, not just a collection of shelves and hanging rods behind closed doors.

We’re also seeing more interest in specialized storage, like shoe walls, handbag displays, drawer banks, built-in hampers, valet rods, jewelry storage and adjustable shelving. The trend is not just more storage for the sake of storage. It’s smarter storage that looks beautiful and makes daily routines easier.

—Laura Bryan

How do elements like different finishes and hardware help a custom closet stand out?

Well, everybody has their own style, their own likes, their own wants, their own needs—they have a style and color schemes in their house, which we want to complement.

Part of what’s been going on in the industry over the last two decades is that it’s been the beneficiary of its own success. The more businesses that have taken off, more money has been invested in research and developing new products, new materials, new textures, new colors—there is a huge array of stuff out there. There’s wood grain that is melamine, but you would never know it’s not real wood. There are materials that look like leather and burlap. It just depends on the

Stylish Spaces

client and what they want it to look like.

—Drew Kirchner, owner, Closet Factory

What are some of the more popular areas of the home outside of the bedroom where people are looking for custom closet solutions?

We offer solutions for just about every room in the house—we do home offices, garages, mudrooms, pantries. … We offer wall beds, which is a convenient way of increasing the amount of people that can sleep in your house without having to see it all the time. It really does span just about every room and I think that in addition to our standard walk-in and reach-in closets, those spaces have become very popular.

—Drew Kirchner

What are some of the bigger closet design mistakes you see that homeowners may not be readily aware of?

Putting hanging sections in the corners. That makes it very difficult to see what’s in the back corner of the closet. It

should always be a shelf unit in my opinion. If you’re putting a hanging section into one corner, there should be a shelf unit on the other side because

the shelf unit has a lot less depth, which makes it a lot easier to see back into the corner of the closet.

—Aaron Lewis

How important is it to design a closet around a client’s lifestyle and what best suits their individual needs rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach?

It’s always better to build a closet toward their lifestyle, not a basic closet design. But homeowners need to understand that because they see something they like, it may not work for them.

A lot of times, a customer sees something on Pinterest or somewhere else, and they think their closet can be the same as what they’re looking at, and it doesn’t always match up. By looking at what they have in their closet and finding out what their basic lifestyle is, we are then able to design something suitable from there.

—Aaron Lewis

It’s extremely important to design the closet around the specific type of storage the customer needs and how they want to use their space. Not taking that into consideration can lead to

a lot of frustration and pain points in the future. You need a designer who really listens. You also want to give customers the flexibility to make adjustments to their layout when their needs change.

—Greg Ahart

Yes, especially in primary closets. Lighting is one of the biggest upgrades we’re seeing because it makes an immediate difference in both the look and function of the space. Integrated LED lighting can highlight favorite pieces, make it easier to see colors and details and give the closet more of a boutique feel. Smart-home features are also starting to make their way into closet design. Things like motorized closet r ods and thoughtful lighting solutions can help homeowners use the full height of the space and make the closet more convenient overall. We’re also seeing more homeowners think about how their closet lighting connects to

the rest of the home, including integrating it with systems like Lutron. That allows the closet to feel like part of the home’s overall lighting plan, with options for dimming, scenes and automated controls that make the space both beautiful and easy to use.

—Laura Bryan

Part of our process is to inventory all the things they’re looking to store. If they have 100 pair of shoes, you have to make sure that you can get 100 pair of shoes stored in an organized way. It’s also a tenet of our design team and approach that we need to do more listening than anything. Every client is different and they have their own vision of what they’re trying to achieve. It’s our job to capture that into a design that fits within their budget as best we can and make their dream a reality. That’s the business we are in, we are problem solvers.

—Drew Kirchner

RESOURCES

Closets By Design

Serving Del., Pa. and N.J. (866) 278-8881 (Pa. and Del.) (888) 500-9215 (N.J.) ClosetsByDesign.com

Closet Factory Fanwood, N.J. | (908) 322-8270 ClosetFactory.com

Closets for Less of Bucks County Warminster, Pa. | (215) 660-3080 Closets4LessBucks.com

Diplomat Closet Design Downingtown, Pa. | (610) 431-3500 DiplomatClosetDesign.com

Victory Closets

Serving Del., Pa. and N.J. (484) 366-1836 VictoryClosets.com

Maximize Spaceand Storage

Closets by Design SE Pennsylvania and Delaware creates organized, clutter-free spaces that are tailored to your lifestyle and budget. by

Brittany Morrisey

With housing inventory near record lows and mortgage interest rates climbing, many area families are looking to stay in their current homes.

Charles Waterman, CEO of Closets By Design SE Pennsylvania and Delaware, a leader in home storage and design solutions, says right now homeowners are reinvesting in their homes to maximize their overall space and to better utilize their storage areas.

For some families, it’s become more common to work from home during some part of the week, or even full time. Finding extra room for a home office can be tricky.

Closets by Design has a number of clever solutions for this dilemma. For example, if you want a temporary workspace, knowing that you might not need it after a certain amount of time, Closets by Design can construct a free-standing home office for you that can easily be moved or disassembled at a later date. “We can put in pullout trays and sliding shelves,” Waterman says. “We can make provisions for different types of monitors. There’s a lot that we can do.”

Need some privacy for video conference calls? Closets by Design can also create areas of seclusion within your workspace so you can conduct business with minimal interruption.

Whatever your needs, the company can create a space that is tailored to your home and your budget.

Reorganizing the garage is another project many homeowners are undertaking right now, Waterman says. Unlike competitors, Closets by Design’s garage systems takes into account what needs to be accessible and what should be stored and ready when needed.

“Other companies generally offer garage systems where everything is stored openly, and so you get a very overwhelming, cluttered feeling from those designs.” With Closets by Design, a designer will

work with you to understand what items in your garage need to be behind doors and what you’ll want within reach. This approach results in a space that is less cluttered and safer for children because items that are hazardous or have sharp edges can be put out of reach.

Additionally, Closets by Design can install ventilated flooring in your garage, which can cover up imperfections in the concrete, provide anti-fatigue cushioning and make it a safer space for little ones.

As homeowners make the transition from indoors to outdoors this spring, there’s no better time than now to gather the clutter, throw away the old and subtly restructure the living space for a refreshed look. “We love the idea of spring cleaning because it allows for us to show our clients the true potential of their space—whether it’s a wall unit, walk-in closet or mudroom,” says Waterman.

Closets by Design operates from a stateof-the-art fabrication facility in Malvern where it makes all of its custom furniture. This is in contrast to many other storage and design companies that claim to provide custom pieces but actually order their products from a third party. Closets by Design does not employ subcontractors either. All of its employees are background-checked and held to the highest standards.

Waterman says it’s astonishing the impact that an organized home can have on people. In fact, the company often receives thankyou notes from customers who say their newly organized spaces have changed their homes and their lives for the better.

“What we do, it’s not just about beautification,” Waterman says. “It’s about the organization. It’s about the calmness it brings to the home. And in a world right now that’s a little topsy-turvy, that’s something that is needed. And we’re happy to provide it.”

Beat the Summer Heat

By Giana Scafide

CHOOSING SUITABLE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE

When driving through neighborhoods, one component that can always catch our eye is the beautiful flowers and shrubs homeowners place throughout their landscape. Vibrant marigolds, multicolor petunias, boxwood shrubs, hydrangeas and many other planting options are all popular picks to spruce up the exterior of the home. But where do you start when looking for the perfect ones to choose from?

Richard Cording, owner of CLC Landscape Design, says options like perennials are a great place to start. “Right now, the availability of perennials is just starting to come in,” he says. “Something like catmint, which is one of those iron-clad perennials, blooms for months. Choreopsis is another great one that can grow in sunny locations and bloom for a lengthy period at a time.”

If your area tends to get more direct sunlight, Cording recommends the new variety of Russian sage, which blooms for about two months. If you want something that blooms almost the entire length of the summer, he recommends roses and geraniums.

Chris DeMato, owner of Rock Bottom Landscaping & Fencing, says adding interest to your landscape is a must when it comes to plants. “Add a flowering tree, such as dogwood, redbud, serviceberry or flower and cherry,” he says. “You can even expand with evergreen shrubbery, like boxwood, laurel, gold, cypress or juniper.”

AVOIDING PLANTING PROBLEMS

When it comes to planting, there are a couple of common mistakes that may occur. Underwatering and overwatering, not having the proper amount of soil to cover the roots and positioning plants in areas with little to no sunlight are among these problems, but are easily avoidable.

When it comes to keeping plants healthy and hydrated, some homeowners may have an

irrigation system such as an irrigation controller, valves, drip tubing or sprinklers, which is usually the top option for plant care.

“If you have an irrigation system, that’s the optimal way to keep plants hydrated,” Cording explains. “Those without an irrigation system can mulch plants, keeping them hydrated as an alternative. With or without an irrigation system, mulching the plants is very beneficial—2 to 3 inches of mulch will help hold in moisture. It protects the roots from the summer heat, and prevents them from not only drying out, but it also keeps them at a more even temperature, ensuring the roots don’t burn.”

DeMato emphasizes how watering properly is very important, considering that most plants require close to 1 inch of water per week to thrive. “Deep watering, opposed to spraying, is better for plants, encouraging stronger root growth. With newer plants, they typically need a little bit more water during their first season,”

DeMato says. “Watering early in the morning is the best to reduce evaporation and fungal risks.”

BATTLING WEEDS AND PESTS

Weeds and insects will inevitably appear in your outdoor spaces, but there are ways to control the amount of both that emerge.

“For controlling insects, the best thing to do is get a professional company to come in to diagnose,” Cording says. “If people don’t want to hire a professional company, then they should go to their local garden center or hardware store, read the labels and get informed on when to apply it.”

DeMato adds, “Avoid overfertilizing. Too much fertilizer can weaken plant roots or grass, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases.”

For weed control, you want to make sure you are removing any unwanted plants to decrease their impact on the surrounding area. “You have to know when to do it at the right time—that’s key,” Cording states. “It’s the

same thing when you switch to garden beds. We do something called a spring cleanup where we prune all shrubs, weed all beds, edge and shape, then put down a granular weed preventative underneath the mulch.”

“Regularly edge planting beds and hand-weed to keep roots healthy as well as maintaining a clean appearance,” DeMato says.

Incorporate Structure and Function into Your Yard

Hardscaping isn’t just about looks—it’s about creating usable spaces and reducing maintenance.

“Adding hardscape to landscaping can provide interest while adding texture and functionality. Consider features like retaining or sitting walls, Belgian block for driveways or bed edging and other elements to introduce variety and structure,” DeMato suggests.

Cording says, “The biggest hardscaping is always patios. Although a patio is the most popular we do, which also includes walls and walks, we feel strongly

that a patio, which is an outdoor living space, should be designed.”

A well-maintained landscape doesn’t have to be all high-maintenance. By watering wisely, choosing the right plants, staying on top of weeds and pests and incorporating smart hardscaping, you can create a yard that’s beautiful, functional and sustainable all summer long.