Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

01 November 2017

When you think about landscaping, you probably think about visiting a nursery to pick out plants or planting flowers to create a beautiful accent garden. Flowers, plants, and trees are only one part of the equation, however. You also need to think about how your landscape will look after the sun goes down. Residential landscape lighting can enhance the look of your home after dark, drawing attention to key architectural details of your house and highlighting the beautiful plants that surround it. Use these tips to boost your home’s curb appeal today.

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Lighting up your landscape involves far more than just sticking a few solar lights along the edge of your sidewalk and calling it good. Instead, it is about creating a specific feeling in your yard after the sun goes down. When done correctly, landscape lighting can transform your outdoor space, turning it into a beautiful accent for your home. This type of lighting is not only meant to be functional but also to enhance the look and feel of your home.

Decide what you hope to achieve

Before you start picking out lights and deciding where to place them, come up with an overall plan for what you hope to achieve. Are you trying to make your yard safer by lighting up your sidewalk or patio area? Do you want to create a well-lit area where you can entertain? Do you want to draw attention to certain areas of your home, highlighting its unique architecture? Are you trying to improve the security of your property? By identifying your objectives before you begin, you can do a much better job of designing a lighting setup that will help you achieve your goals.

Take care of an essential lighting first

There are certain parts of your yard that should definitely be lit. Here are some of the key components that you should include in your overall design:

- Pathway lights. Any sidewalks, pathways, or entrances should be well lit to make it easy for people to see.
- Driveway lighting. You should incorporate plenty of light in your driveway area so that you can get to and from your car with ease.
- Stairs. If you have stairs leading up to your home, make sure that they are well illuminated so that people don’t trip and fall.
- Patios or decks. Any outdoor gathering area should incorporate lighting so that it can be used after dark.
- Trees. If you have any trees that you want to highlight, you can easily do it with lighting.
- Key architectural features. You can use lighting to enhance the architecture of your home. If you have any water features on your property, you should also consider lighting them.

Choose LED lights

Rather than going with halogen bulbs, opt for LED lighting. Not only do these bulbs last a long time but they are extremely energy-efficient.

A single bulb can last as long as 100,000 hours. That means that you won’t have to replace them often – an important consideration since outdoor lighting fixtures are not always easily accessible.

LED lights can also stand up to the elements, making them perfect for use outdoors. No matter how bad the weather gets, you shouldn’t have to worry about your lighting.

Another advantage of LED lights is that they are extremely versatile. You can change everything from the color of the light to its intensity. This can allow you to create a completely customized look for your outdoor space.

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Your residential landscape lighting design should include ambient lighting, which is lighting that shines over the entire space. It should also incorporate task lighting, which is used to provide illumination for tasks like cooking. Finally, it should also include accent lighting, which is used to draw attention to certain features of your yard. For instance, you could put a spotlight on a tree to draw attention to it. Incorporating all three types of lighting will help create a balanced, professional look that will set your yard apart from others in your neighborhood.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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The 5 Best Brita Alternatives For Water Filter Pitchers

A water filter pitcher is something everyone should have in their home. It’s one of the simplest ways to guarantee that the water you’re drinking is clean, safe, and deliciously chilled. Unfortunately, getting a great water filter pitcher isn’t as easy as you might think. Popular brands like Brita do a great job of filtering out substances like chlorine thanks to their activated carbon filters; however, they’re far from comprehensive. The fact is, mass-produced, store-bought water filtration systems are a far cry from true filtration options. They’re limited by their simple filter media and only work when it comes to high-turbidity contamination—lots of suspended solids. These filters do almost nothing to neutralize VOCs or microbiological threats. If you’re on the lookout for a water filter pitcher, you can do better than Brita. Here are a few of the best Brita alternatives for water filter pitchers and why they’re worth the investment. 1. Aquaspace® Carafe® Pitchers You might not even need to finish this list, because we’ve put the very best Brita alternative front and center, right at the top. There’s simply no beating the performance of Aquaspace® Carafe® Pitchers! Not only are there options for specific filtration such as fluoride, but there are also alkaline options for those who prefer the benefits of water with a slightly higher pH. The specifications of these filters are second-to-none when it comes to filtration capabilities. First, there’s an amazing 500-gallon capacity on Aquaspace® filters—as opposed to a meager 40 gallons on most Brita systems. On top of this, there’s filtration power to consider. The Aquaspace® filter goes above and beyond any activated carbon filter, to deliver comprehensive filtration that spans both organic and inorganic compounds. Need more proof that Aquaspace® comes out on top? Look at the pour-through funnel to the filter media, which ensures powerful filtration, instead of pass-through sieve filtration. If you’re going to spend the money on a water filter pitcher, there are few better options than Aquaspace®. 2. Pūr Classic 11-Cup Pitcher One of the competitors to Brita that you’re likely to find in stores is Pūr. This brand is mass produced, but its filter media is a step above others on the market. It doesn’t just rely on activated carbon media; its MAXION® filter technology also addresses pharmaceuticals and industrial pollutants to provide a more encompassing level of cleanliness to water. Like other store-bought filters, Pūr has some bells and whistles that make it worth looking at—including the LED filter indicator. While the filter lifespan is only a meager 40 gallons, an LED reminder will let you know when it’s time to swap in new media. Moreover, the filters themselves are relatively inexpensive. One of the best things about this water filter pitcher is its convenience. It has a relatively low cost of ownership and is easy to fill, pour and clean. It’s also BPA-free. If you’re shopping in-store, it’s hard to do better than Pūr. 3. Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter If price isn’t an option, the Travel Berkey Water Filter is worth a look. We’re not kidding when we say it’s pricey, though—you’re looking at a $250 purchase price and $120 replacement filters. If you’re reading this aghast, take a moment to consider the benefits. First off, the Travel Berkey Water Filter and its filtration media will cleanse up to 6,000 gallons before you need to replace the filters. This is enough to justify the cost of the filters themselves. As for the cost of the unit, it’s probably the most well-made on this list and features stainless steel that’ll last you a lifetime. The system itself is also a gravity-fed setup, which means you can expect superb filtration and extremely clean drinking water. Outfitted with the right filters, it’ll eliminate just about any contaminants in your water, including arsenic. The downfall of this system? Well, it’s not exactly a pitcher and you can’t keep it in the fridge. It’s meant as a countertop option that holds 1.5 gallons, which makes it equally as convenient. 4. ZeroWater 6-Cup Pitcher If you live in an area with heavy lead content in the water supply, this pitcher is an upgrade over Brita filters. While it only boasts a 6-cup capacity, the filtration power of the ZeroWater filter pitcher is well-worth the extremely affordable $20 price tag. Thanks to its five-stage filtration capabilities, this pitcher does what only activated carbon filters can’t. Aside from the usual hard water culprits, this system also filters out compounds like fluoride, nitrates and other inorganics. This, in conjunction with its ability to filter out most unwanted organic compounds like arsenic and mercury. It’s one of the best filtration systems for the cost. The unfortunate aspect of the ZeroWater filter pitcher is its 20-gallon filter lifespan. If you’re relying on it frequently, you could end up spending a fortune in filter replacement costs. This is an option best left for those who also have some point-of-use filtration system. 5. Clearly Filtered 10-Cup Pitcher While its claim of being “the most powerful water pitcher on the market,” might be a little dubious, the Clearly Filtered pitcher is certainly a leader in its class. Sure, you’re going to spend more than the off-the-shelf filters on this list, but you’ll also get better performance. First, you’ll love the 100-gallon filter capacity on this model. This, in combination with its powerful filtration capabilities, makes it a great everyday option. Its 10-cup capacity means you’ll need to replace the filter roughly every 10 times you refill it. When it comes to filtration quality, expect this system to remove more than 230 unwanted organics and inorganics, including fluoride, lead, plastics, hormones, and more. It’s a truly encompassing filtration option. The only real downfall of this pitcher is that it’s a bit bulky and can be difficult to fit into a small fridge. Replacement filters aren’t cheap, either ($50), but they do offer good value thanks to their longevity. Pay Attention to Pitcher Performance When selecting a water filter pitcher, the best way to understand what you’re getting for your money is to look at the specifications of the product. What type of filter media does it use? How quickly does it filter? What’s the filter lifespan? These factors all matter when it comes to the clarity and safety of your water. At the end of the day, a water filter pitcher is all about convenience—and health. When you pull that pitcher out of the fridge and pour yourself a refreshing glass of crisp, cool water, you should be able to enjoy every sip. It starts by having confidence in the filter pitcher you’ve chosen. Looking for the best water filter pitcher available on the market? Look to Aquaspace for all your filtration needs! Read Also: How Many Jobs Are Available In Real Estate Investment Trusts? 2021 0123Putlockers And Servers – Watch Movies Online

Best Games To Play On Artificial Grasses

The best part of summer is finally getting to spend time with your family. Lawn games are a perfect way to bond and stay in shape at the same time. And playing on artificial grasses makes it even more fun, as you don’t have to worry about damaging it. More and more people are deciding to use artificial grasses for back gardens. You might ask - why? Well, apart from the fact that it is durable, it is also very cheap and requires low maintenance (mainly because you don’t have to mow it). Because of these reasons, people are slowly changing from natural grass to fake one - they don’t have to care for it, they can just leave it be. Want to know what are the best games in which you can play on an artificial lawn? If you do, you just have to keep reading. Best Games To Play On Artificial Grasses: 1. Cornhole: Cornhole is one of the most popular lawn games - its popularity has been growing mainly in the last few years. In this game, two teams stand across from each other, trying to toss small bags into holes that are on the planks in front of them. You can either make the set by yourself, or you can buy one is a local shopping center. Artificial grasses is perfect for this game, as the surface on which you are playing must be flat. It makes the game fair, as no team has an advantage over another. Another thing is that you can play this game even after heavy rain as artificial grasses dries very quickly, in contrast to natural grass that gets too sloppy for it. Cornhole is a game that everyone can enjoy, no matter the age or physical condition - you don’t need to be an athlete to have fun. With almost no risk of injury, it’s a safe and enjoyable game. 2. Water Balloon Fight: A water balloon fight is an ideal game to play during the summer when the days are hot. Furthermore, artificial grasses is a perfect surface for playing it. Firstly, if you have kids, you can make sure that they don’t get hurt by adding extra cushions beneath the lawn. Also, cleaning empty balloons is an easier task if you have artificial turf. Another thing is that thanks to the lawn’s drainage system, the grass won’t get soggy or slippery as the water will be quickly removed from it. Lastly, since you don’t water your lawn, you don’t have to worry about it getting too much water - it will be removed anyways. 3. Bocce Ball: Even though this game is more than a thousand years old, it has been gaining popularity again in the last few years. And lawn made out of artificial grasses is one of the best places to play it. Especially since for a game to be fair, there needs to be a flat surface - the height of the grass and the slope of the lawn can have an impact on the motion of the ball. Since artificial grasses is very durable, it won’t allow any dips or holes to appear. Since it’s a simple game, you can easily play it with your children. You can buy a bocce ball set at any shopping centre, and if you’re looking for something more professional, you can try installing a bocce ball court in your backyard, so that you can play whenever you want. 4. Football: Football is a big part of the culture in many countries. Families gather together to cheer on their favourite teams. It’s also a sport that people of any age can enjoy - it’s not unusual to play it on family parties. If your family loves to play friendly football matches against each other, you should think about installing an artificial lawn. Natural grass can very easily get damaged if the game gets too intense, contrary to fake grass which is very durable. There’s also a smaller chance of you getting hurt if you play on the artificial lawn, as you can install a turf padding underneath. Interestingly, football teams were among the first people to embrace fake grass. 5. Ring Toss Games: Ring toss games are an excellent option for those who want to play a fun game that doesn’t require any major skills. When you play it on the artificial lawn, you don’t have to worry about causing damage to it. Remember, however, that when buying the game, you should buy one that doesn’t require you to insert a metal stake into the ground. You can also build it by yourself. All you need is a couple of wood boards that will support the stake. Drill or hammer the stake into the board and voilà - you’re all set to play. Conclusion: The artificial lawn is a perfect place to play many games, mainly because it’s very hard to damage it. It doesn’t matter what kind of game it is that you’re playing - the most important thing is that you have fun doing so and spend some quality time with your family by making them join you in it. Have fun! Read Also: Edmonton Landscape Maintenance Tips 7 Secrets To Keeping Your Lawn Tidy And Green 4 Essential Tools Needed To Maintain Your Garden In The Winter

Different Types of Conversions to Make the Most of Spare space

In the olden days, when land and construction prices were not as high as this time and age, it was common for people to build large homes, regardless of their needs and requirements. As the time went by, and land became scarce, while the construction prices kept rising, making the most of lesser space and building small yet efficient houses is becoming a norm for people living in metropolitan. Using the available space in a smart and efficient manner is not only an option for people looking to build a house from scratch. Even if you are living in an old home, you can look around and convert some spare area into usable space. Following are some rooms or areas, which are often ignored, and how you can convert them into living space. Loft Conversion: Starting from loft conversions i.e. converting your loft or attic into a living space, but remember that not all lofts or attics can be converted into living rooms. However, majority of homes in the UK and its adjoining areas have the construction style that allows for a loft conversion. You can get your loft surveyed or look out for professional advice to see if you can convert your loft. In case the answer is in yes, you can easily add a bedroom, study area, home office, or recreational room to your home. Loft conversion will cost a little more than simply converting a store or basement into a living space (because it involves quite some construction and installations), however, you will add quite some value from loft conversions to your property, making it worth investing your money. Garage Conversion: Many homes have internal garages, which are seldom used for cars. In case you have an internal garage and you are not regularly using it for car parking, you have got some excellent space to be used for just about any purpose, from kitchen to gaming room, depending on the available space and your budget. Not to forget that internal garage can be an ideal space, if you are looking for a home office, where you will be having visitors every now and then. Basement Conversion: Basements use to be a dark and dingy area that was very rarely used as a living space in the recent past. Now, basements can provide you with ample space, a lot more than what you will be getting from garage or loft conversion. Again, you can use your basement for just about any purpose, in fact more than one purpose, because you can get multiple rooms by converting your basement into living space. Again, it will help if you can get advice from a professional basement conversion professional or a company specializing in basement conversions. Store Room Conversion: Many homes have small rooms or storage space that is used for nothing but keeping useless items (that can very easily be disposed of). True that you need to have some storage space, however, if you are using that room for keeping junk that you don’t see being of any use in near future, you can clear that room and use it for other purposes, especially if you are looking for some small and secluded space to set up a home office or study room. Moving Into New House Conversion: When a family relocate a new place, the most stressed conversation begins where to place the belongings this time you need to look for the plan you have designed while you were planning all your house removals things. It will help in choosing the best approach for placing all the things.

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Decide what you hope to achieve

Take care of an essential lighting first

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Tips for Selecting a Window Frame Color

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Tags

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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The 5 Best Brita Alternatives For Water Filter Pitchers

Best Games To Play On Artificial Grasses

Different Types of Conversions to Make the Most of Spare space

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Decide what you hope to achieve

Take care of an essential lighting first

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Share this Article

Tips for Selecting a Window Frame Color

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Tags

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related