Ahome surrounded by healthy, green trees can be a sight to behold. However, not all trees and landscapes are a perfect match. The Arbor Day Foundation notes the importance of planning your landscape to ensure the trees homeowners choose will grow well in their yard’s soil and moisture.
Careful consideration of certain variables can help homeowners determine which trees will make the best fit for their properties.
n HEIGHT
Homeowners must consider the projected height of a tree before planting it. Avoid trees that will bump into anything when fully grown, as that can adversely affect surrounding greenery
and pose a safety hazard. The ADF’s tree sizing guide can be accessed at www.arborday.org/ trees/rightTreeAndPlace/size.cfm.
n CANOPY SPREAD
Trees grow out as well as up, so it’s important to consider their potential width at maturity as well. The ADF sizing guide can help homeowners get an idea of how wide a tree is likely to be at maturity. Trees that spread out quite a bit don’t necessarily need to be avoided, but it’s important to plant them far enough apart so they don’t adversely affect surrounding plants. In addition, wide trees that are planted too close together can make the landscape appear crowded, taking something away from its aesthetic appeal.
n GROWTH RATE
Growth rate is an important variable because it can affect how quickly homeowners will see changes in their landscapes. Homeowners who want to plant for privacy can consider trees with quick growth rates or buy more mature trees that are already near full growth. Those who are not in need of instant transformation can try trees with slower growth rates, which the ADF notes typically live longer than fast-growing species.
n REQUIREMENTS
Different trees require different amounts of sun, moisture and soil components to thrive. Homeowners can have their soil tested to determine which trees will thrive in it.
Kitchens are often described as the most popular room in a home, and that’s not mere conjecture. A 2022 survey from House Digest asked participants to identify the room they consider most important in their homes – about 41% chose the kitchen. The 2022 U.S. Houzz & Home Study: Renovation Trends found kitchens to be the most popular interior room to upgrade. With so many people interested in kitchen renovations, the following are four expectations homeowners should have about an improvement project.
1
EXPECT TO SPEND MONEY. Most home improvement projects require a significant financial investment, but kitchen renovations are among the more expensive undertakings. The overall cost of a project will depend on a host of variables unique to each home, including homeowners’ preferences, but HomeAdvisor estimated the average kitchen remodel in 2023 cost
between $14,611 and $41,432. Homeowners considering an upscale kitchen remodel may receive six-figure estimates for such projects.
2
EXPECT A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT. If sticker shock settles in when receiving an initial kitchen remodel estimate, perhaps it will help homeowners to hear such a project can provide a strong return on investment (ROI). According to Remodeling magazine’s “2024 Cost vs. Value Report,” a minor kitchen remodel provides a 96% ROI. A major kitchen remodel mid-range (49%) and a major kitchen remodel upscale (38%) did not provide as notable a ROI.
3
EXPECT THE PROJECT TO TAKE SOME TIME. Kitchens are large rooms with a lot of components, so renovating these spaces can take time. Estimates vary depending on the size of the room, the scale of the remodel and the materials chosen,
but Angi reports a kitchen remodel for most homes takes six weeks to four months. That’s a sizable window, and it reflects that unforeseen issues such as supply chain interruptions or the discovery of mold can arise at some point during the renovation. Homeowners renovating their kitchens may want to plan for the project to take at least two months.
4
EXPECT TO USE YOUR KITCHEN DURING THE RENOVATION. If the timeline of a renovation is scary, homeowners should know they will likely be able to use their kitchen even after the project begins. Though the room might not remain a popular gathering space once the work starts, Angi notes kitchens are typically out of commission for around six weeks during a renovation. That still requires some pre-planning in relation to meals, but it also suggests homeowners won’t be without a kitchen for months on end.
Homeowners want a space that is welcoming and comfortable. Unfortunately, many conditions that are appealing to people also are appealing to pests. Pests may be more problematic at certain times of year, such as when weather is extreme, when animals like rodents or even raccoons seek refuge in a house. When temperatures are mild, certain insects may begin to hatch or swarm, becoming problematic around the home. Some signs of pests taking up residence may be readily apparent, while others may be less obvious. The following are nine signs of pest infestation in or around a home.
DROPPINGS: Small droppings may indicate that pests are nearby. Droppings will vary depending on the insect or rodent. It’s good to familiarize yourself with the appearance of various droppings, from mice to termites to bed bugs.
FOOTPRINTS: Footprints are another sign of pest infestation. Footprints left in dirt around a home, or in dusty areas in the attic or basement, may show that pests are tracking in and out of the house.
SAWDUST PILES OR TRAILS:
Sawdust could be indicative of termites or ants. Insects like carpenter bees also may burrow into areas of wood and leave sawdust behind.
SHED WINGS, SKINS AND CASINGS: Many insects molt and, during this process, will shed certain parts of their anatomy to grow larger. Roaches, bed bugs and beetles are among species that scatter sheds or egg casings in a home. Termite wings are discarded
once the swarmers choose a new location for the colony.
FOUL ODORS: Musty or foul smells, particularly in hidden areas, may indicate pests nesting nearby.
UNEXPLAINED NOISES:
Scratching or scurrying in walls or floors often indicates pests.
BITES: Waking up in the morning with welts or red areas on the skin might indicate the presence of bed bugs or other biting insects.
PRESENCE OF NESTS:
Those who can see nests in corners or undisturbed areas of the home likely have pests present. Rodents often use chewed cardboard, insulation, paper and other scavenged items to create nests, according to exterminators.
INCREASED NUMBER OF BENEFICIAL INSECTS: An influx of spiders and other predatory insects may indicate there are plenty of food sources in the home for them to feast on.
Al fresco entertaining has taken off in recent years. It’s more common today to find homeowners who want to extend living spaces to the outdoors in meaningful ways that go beyond lawn chairs and a stand-alone grill. Dream backyard living rooms mirror similar spaces indoors and contain features like cozy corners and lush furnitures. Homeowners have options when designing outdoor living spaces. Above all, spaces should be created with the goal of encouraging people to get together. Here are some ideas.
POOLSIDE RETREAT
Homeowners with pools and other water features likely want this area to be the star of the entertaining space. Furniture will be more of the lounging variety, with comfortable chaises and spots to catch the sun. If a swim-up bar isn’t possible, a rolling bar cart can be stocked with essentials for cocktails or mocktails for the kids. Furniture near the pool will be exposed to a lot of sun, so look for durable, sun-resistant fabrics.
FIRESIDE NOOK
Gathering around an outdoor fireplace or fire pit is a treat when the weather cools down. Mirror the look of the same setup indoors by arranging outdoor sofas so they flank the fireplace. Add some ottomans or side tables for stowing mulled cider or hot chocolate. A mantel above the fireplace can hold pots of greenery or candles that add to the ambiance.
CONSIDER A CUSTOM BANQUETTE
Unused corners on a patio or rooftop retreat can utilize a custommade banquette that provides the functionality of a sofa sectional outdoors. Have a contractor design it to the exact specifications of the area, and add a rug to ground the space.
VARY THE FLOORING
Depending on the entertaining space, a balance of soft grass, pavers or other hardscape will be necessary. Certain areas will need to be hard enough for chairs and other furniture, particularly for those who are including an outdoor dining table in the design.
CREATE SOME PRIVACY
Some homeowners are lucky enough to have natural barriers that offer privacy in their entertaining spaces. When there isn’t enough, tall shrubs, inexpensive bamboo fencing or trellis can provide a blind that makes an outdoor living area more cozy and private. Consider placing tall, potted plants on rolling casters to improve privacy as the need arises.
