HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE SPRING 2022
Choose the right interior lighting for your home METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICES
Lighting in a home serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. It’s easy to maneuver around a well-lit home, reducing the risk of slips and falls, and the right lighting can help homeowners create their desired ambiance, which typically changes depending on which room you’re in. When choosing lighting for their homes, homeowners must walk a fine line between appearance and functionality. A fixture in the foyer that instantly impresses visitors likely won’t prove as awe-inspiring if it’s installed in the living room. When choosing lighting for a home, some general rules about what works in each room can help homeowners make the most informed decision. Please see LIGHTING, Page G2
How to add shade to a deck or patio METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICES
Homeowners eagerly await the arrival of the warm weather so they can cast off the remnants of cabin fever and bask in the sunshine. However, as summer nears its dog days, the same sun homeowners once coveted can contribute to uncomfortable conditions in outdoor entertaining spaces. Meteorologists at WHAS11 in Kentucky took to their neighborhoods in July 2020 to test just how hot surfaces can get in the sun during peak daytime temperatures. Concrete sitting in the sun almost all day reached a temperature of 134.7 F, while the same concrete in the shade clocked in at just under 80 F. When air temperatures are around 90 F, unshaded concrete and asphalt can be 125 F and 140 F, respectively. While wood decking may not be as hot as asphalt and concrete, it still can get steamy underfoot. Homeowners who want to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces in an array of temperatures can think about investing in shade solutions. Sun-blocking ideas like awnings, shade trees and large umbrellas can help people enjoy their yards all day long. Canopy: A patio canopy is typically a freestanding unit that can be installed over a patio or a deck. Some people prefer to bolt it down so it will not be knocked over in windy conditions. The fabric on the canopy can be removed during the offseason, helping to improve its longevity. Awning: Awnings may be stationary or retractable. Many are installed directly onto a home and
can cast shade on specific areas of outdoor entertaining spaces. Shade sail: Similar to an awning but a bit less structurally rigid, shade sails are large pieces of triangular fabric installed over areas of a patio, pool or landscape, according to The Family Handyman. Shade sails are light and airy and can be customized. Trees: A natural way to increase shade in a yard is to plant more shade
trees. If sun glare is an issue all year long, and it’s not just the heat of the sun that is troublesome, think about planting evergreen trees. Deciduous cousins will drop their leaves in fall and only be effective during the warm weather. Patio umbrellas: Many umbrellas start at around $25. Umbrellas can be paired with patio tables, while stationary cantilever umbrellas sit out of the way on their own heavy-
duty stands. A cantilever umbrella tends to provide more shade than patio table umbrellas. Curtains: Homeowners can block sunlight outdoors the way they do inside, offers MSN. Hang curtains from the sides of canopies or between posts on a deck to provide shade and cozy spaces. Shade is in high demand when the sun is hot. Options abound for making outdoor areas more comfortable.
Low-cost ways to revamp living areas METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICES
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Certain care is needed to help perennials thrive, and that starts with the soil.
How to care for perennials perennials are short-lived, Perennials can add color meaning they will come back and vibrancy to any garden. a few consecutive years; othOne of the more desirable ers will last for decades. components of perennials Though planted perennials is that they come back year require less maintenance than after year, meaning home- annuals, they are not comowners do not pletely mainhave to invest When including tenance-free. in a gardenful perennials in the Certain care of new flowis needed to pereners every year. garden, make sure help That can add you wait for the nials thrive, up to considand that starts erable savings. right time to plant with the soil. In fact, soil is Perennials of- them. The ideal ten form the the single most foundation of time is during the important facbeautiful gar- spring or fall. tor for growing dens. healthy plants. Annuals only grow for one Penn State Extension says season, produce seeds and most perennials grow idethen die. However, peren- ally in well drained, fertile nials die back to the ground soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. In every autumn and their addition, organic matter can roots survive the winter. So improve soil texture and wathe plants reemerge in the ter-holding ability. spring, according to The Farmer’s Almanac. Some Please see PERENNIALS, Page G2 METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICES
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Shade is in high demand when the sun is hot. Options abound for making outdoor areas more comfortable.
Home improvement projects require substantial financial investment. But just because a homeowner wants to bring a fresh look indoors doesn’t mean he or she has to break the bank along the way. Living rooms are some of the most frequently used spaces in a home, and they can use an update from time to time to stay on trend or to make the area more functional for a changing family dynamic. Here are some budget-friendly ideas for breathing new life into living room designs. Establish the budget. Homeowners should figure out how many dollars they can designate to a living room makeover before purchasing supplies or hiring out the work. Figure out the scope of the remodel, visit stores or suppliers to price out materials, get estimates from contractors, and then plan for some unforseen circumstances along the way to determine if this type of renovation is affordable. If not, scale things back until the project more closely aligns with your budget. Change the paint color. Lighter and brighter colors are on trend. A can or two of paint can do wonders for updating a space without a large financial commitment. Pair that new paint color with new window coverings and complementary throw pillows to pull the theme together with minimal expense. Update the flooring. Tired, outdated carpeting or other flooring can use an overhaul. While solid hardwood flooring may be preferable, there are many types of laminate flooring that mimic the looks of popular wood colors and styles for a fraction of the cost. Plus, many are sold at home improvement retailers and even at warehouse clubs or online for reasonable prices. Laminate flooring also may be a potential DIY job for a skilled homeowner, saving even more money. Introduce a fireplace. Fireplaces were once hot commodities, but that popularity waned in the 1970s and 1980s. Homeowners with chimneys may discover a fireplace was boarded over and the bare bones still exist that can be renovated to bring back character. There also are ventless freestanding units that are quite affordable that can mimic the look of a built-in fireplace. Reupholster instead of replace furniture. There’s no need to throw away quality furniture if the fabric is
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Living room spaces in need of an update often can benefit from improvements that go easy on the wallet. the only thing impeding design. New upholstery or even a slipcover can update designs. Conquer clutter. Rather than adding something to the living room, remove clutter to give the room a more airy feel. This can instantly change the look of the room. Use cord covers to tame plugs for electronics and remove unnecessary furniture from the room.
Improve lighting. Another easy and often inexpensive fix is to change lighting fixtures, including using brighter, more energy efficient LED bulbs, and to assess lighting needs to eliminate dark corners of rooms that can make the space seem drab. Living room spaces in need of an update often can benefit from improvements that go easy on the wallet.