Over time, wooden fences can begin to look worn and faded by the weather. Sometimes people do not update their fences because they think it will cost too much money. However, you do not need to replace your entire fence to make it look great. An unattractive, dull fence can be a prominent concern about the appearance of your home and property. If you take the time to accurately restore your fence, it can look as good as new.

1) The restoration of your fence can definitely be a great deal less expensive than replacing the entire thing. Even if your fence is broken in some areas, don't worry, you can do some simple repairs. If you get a quote in a complete replacement of your fence, it may cost a couple thousand dollars, depending on the size. If you give your own fence makeover, you only need to spend a couple hundred dollars, again depending on the size of your fence. Mold, mildew, and peeling paint can be washed off in no time.

2) Remember to power wash the fence prior to applying any stain to it. This will remove the years of wear and tear from your fence. It will give you a good base to work from as you move your way through the restoration process. You don't even have to purchase your own pressure washer in order to get the job done. Some home improvement stores allow you to rent one for a day, which will be enough time to clean your fence.

3) When you are going to stain your fence, do not use a hand brushes or a roller. If you attempt to do this by hand, you can wind up spending way too much money on stain because you do not have the proper and professional spray gun that will do the job in way less time. Your best bet is to hire a professional to come over and spray stain your fence. This will take less than one day and look far more attractive than if you were to try and hand stain the fence yourself.

4) Use good quality stains when you are upgrading your fence. Do some research and find a highly recommended stain that is made to withstand years of weather of all kinds. If you use a poor quality stain, then you run the risk of having to repair your fence again in a short amount of time. Your goal is to get your fence to look its best, for the longest amount of time. That way, you do not have to continuously put money into it and you can simply enjoy its appearance.

Many people decide to install a smaller pool as opposed to a larger swimming pool. There are several reasons in which they opt to have these smaller pools. A main reason is that they just do not have enough room in their yard for a bigger pool area. If you do not have a huge yard to develop an adequate space for a pool and still have some grass area, then you are clearly limited in how big or small your pool can be. However, simply because you cannot have a larger pool, that does not mean you have to sacrifice on style and attraction. Simply use your creative senses and upfront expenses and your small pool will pay off in more ways than one.

Most homeowners who have a limited amount of space in their backyards generally do not consider it practical to install a pool. They may believe that a pool with use up all of their yard space or a smaller pool will just look out of place. Nonetheless, when you use your sense of creativity, you can find great designs to suit your yard space just fine. Here are a few techniques to take into consideration when you are trying to design your small pool.

1) Place the pool in such a way that at least one edge of the pool runs along the side of a fence or natural border. Generally speaking, a conventional in ground pool can be accessed from every side. As a result, you have to build a pool deck or patio that fully encircles the pool. It also has to allow an adequate amount of room on all sides so that people can walk around it comfortably. A great space-saving method is to build the pool immediately adjacent to a fence, your house or even any other natural barriers, such as a row of trees or bushes. Even though you will have to give up at least one side of a pool deck, you can still have the luxury of having a pool and an ample amount of space for your yard.

2) Consider creating a unique pool shape. Most pools are generally rectangular, oval or circular in shape. However, you can design a pool in just about any shape you desire. When you use a free form design for your pool, you can take into account the space and shape of your back yard. If you are placing the pool alongside your house and a fence, you can create a design that fits in that space without being too obtrusive into the rest of the yard. You can have a truly unique design and be the envy of your friends and neighborhood.

3) Try to include elements that are found in nature when you are designing your small pool. You can create a pool to resemble a natural pond-like area. With the use of a free and flowing shape, your pool will look even more naturalistic in appearance. You can also incorporate items found in nature around your pool area, such as rocks and plants. If you want to further your unique style, you can even design a small waterfall on one side of the pool that is up against a barrier.

Architecturally, many of the typical home designs are less than striking. Pair that with a tendency toward monochromatic conformity in home construction, and you have a lot of company if you live in a drab home. Most people are happy to redesign the interior, and spruce up the outside with some good landscape design, but we view the exterior as a finished product at the time of construction.  In fact, exterior design is a powerful tool for established homes as well as new construction.

If your home was built some time ago and its exterior has lost much of its appeal, consider a redesign as part of a needed remodeling. After all, no home can go on indefinitely without some exterior work. Depending on its original construction, it may need exterior paint, or there may be some cracks in the brick facade that need investigating. Or perhaps the roof needs replacing. Any project that gets you working on the exterior of your home should involve a comprehensive look at how you might incorporate some striking exterior redesign.
In the post-World War II era in the United States, home construction boomed as veterans returned and needed places to live with their families. The baby boom that began around 1947 fueled the home construction business further. The move into suburbia began, and the homes that were built were fairly uniform in their construction. One of the most popular designs at the time for new construction became the ranch-style home, as it is a simple style without many decorative elements – simple to build quickly on relatively cheap and large lots, often on former farmland on the outskirts of developing cities.

Since then, the move to suburbia has continued, sparking ever more home construction boom lets. These have often been marked in more recent years by monochromatic homes with neutral vinyl siding and architectural features that might be called ‘triangle upon triangle.’ Whether it was achieved through multiple gables or simply decorative applications, the triangle may have been the exterior design shape of the decade for several recent decades – a good shape, but at times overused.

Throughout our whole lives, we have all been educated on the importance that what is on the inside is what counts. However, when you are speaking of your home, the exterior is just as relevant is the interior. After all, the outside of your home is the first thing people see as they come to visit you. A boring and dull exterior may make your wince whenever you walk up to your front door. Whereas as carefully thought out exterior can change your entire experience into a rather pleasant one.

One of the best parts to this is that you do not have to spend a ton of money in order to improve the exterior appearance of your home. There are many tricks and techniques you can employ, which will save you money in the end. You don't even need to hire any professionals to do the work. You can do it all on your own.

1) Install Shutters – If you already have shutters on your windows, then great! You can easily clean them up with a fresh coat of paint. If you do not have shutters, you can simply make your own. When you add shutters, your home will have a brand new look. They are a great adornment to your home and rather easy to craft.

2) Redesign Your House Numbers – There are so many ways in which you can update your house numbers. It is one of the most basic ways in which you can add curb appeal to your home. Create something truly unique. Use your imagination and think outside the box. You don't have to go with the same old stick-on numbers that you see on every other house. This task is one of the least expensive ways in which to make your home more attractive.

3) Build a Container Garden – Even if you lack the space in your front yard to incorporate a garden, you still have the ability to grown plants and beautiful flowers in containers. You can place them in a pleasing manner on your front porch or deck. They are easier to care for than gardens planted directly in the ground. You can even change around the design and layout if you get tired of where the containers have been placed.

4) Lawn Maintenance – If your lawn is not looking its finest, there are several ways to increase its appearance. Start off by reseeding your lawn. This will allow grass to grow in places that are spotty. It will make your lawn look even more lush. If there are areas that simply will not grow grass, you can use your imagination in finding ways to cover up those eyesores. Place a lovely, large planter over that spot. Or mulch that area and put several containers with lovely flowers on top. Also keep in mind that in order for your lawn to look its best, you have to mow it on a regular schedule. Do not let it grow out of control.

Container gardens provide the special touch that brings life to your exteriors. They can be used in any type of exteriors from apartment terraces to patios and areas where not much space is available. The containers can be suspended from the ceiling or simply placed on the ground near the door or on either side of the walkway to your door. They add a very warm touch to your entry area and are a welcoming sight to visitors. The following factors should be considered when planning an outdoor container garden:

1.    Selecting an appropriate container

Several types of containers are available today. Ready-made containers can be purchased or you can fashionyour own container from old buckets and water recipients.Clay pots can also be used as well as plastic pots and ceramic ones. However, it has been observed that porous pots like clay and wood deteriorate fast when exposed to dire weather condition. Non-porous containers, on the other hand, can be used outdoors during harsh winter conditions.

2.    Drainage

It is important to note that plants do not thrive in a container that retains water. The water inhibits the proper growth of the root of the plant. So, it is advisable to punch a few holes at the bottom of the container to drain the excess water. These are especially applied to plastic or ceramic pots which are made of hard materials. Porous materials have the characteristics of evacuating the water rapidly.

3.    The size of the container