8 Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Inspire Your Spring Backyard Makeover

With warmer weather comes time spent outside. But to spend time outside you need to be able to see what you’re doing. During the day, the sun provides all the light you need, but when the sun goes down, other sources of light are necessary. Here are 8 outdoor lighting ideas to help you create the perfect nighttime entertaining space.

1. String Lighting

String lights are an easy and fairly inexpensive way to add light to your backyard or garden. Simply string them up, plug them in, and you’re ready for a cozy night outside.

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2. Lanterns

Using lanterns as a source of outdoor lighting is great because they’re easy to move, they set the mood, and they come in a wide range of styles. Depending on the look you’re going for and how much light you want from them, you can find lanterns that use either LED lights or candles.

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3. Strips of Hidden LED Lights

Placing LED strips along the base of your stairs or under furniture is a simple way to brighten up your backyard or garden and makes the space safer. It creates a super modern look and transforms the outdoor area into a place that can be enjoyed at all hours of the day and night.

     

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4. Uplighting

Make a statement in your backyard and garden by positioning lights under trees and plants as well as right up against a wall. It’ll brighten the space while also making it look more dramatic and cozy.

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5. Orbs & Spheres

Create an ethereal look by using spheres and orbs throughout your backyard, garden, or on your patio. You can hang them individually or cluster them in groups on the ground to set a mystical vibe and create a perfect little oasis.

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6. Pots & Planters

Chance are you’re going to want to have planters in your yard. Why not make them pull double duty as both planters and light sources. They come in a huge range of sizes so whether you’re planting a few flowers or a massive hedge, an illuminated planter is up for the job.

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7. Furniture

Adding glowing furniture to your backyard, garden, or patio is a fun way to brighten the space while also solving the problem of including furniture and decor.

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8. Pendant Lights

If you have a dedicated dining area in your backyard, pendant lights can be used to shed some light on mealtime conversation and let the outdoor festivities carry on late into the night.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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11 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy

Sunshine and warm temperatures invite you and your family to spend entire days outdoors, so it's important that you be able to enjoy endless hours in your backyard without worrying about too much exposure to the sun—or curious passersby. Try one of these 11 solutions for adding privacy and shade to your backyard oasis.

Construct a Classic

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Common in neighborhoods across the country, wood fences are practically an outdoor staple. With a variety of woods to choose from, ranging from light to dark, and just as many style choices, wood fencing does more than boost backyard privacy—it also boosts design. Compared with other fencing materials, wood is also relatively inexpensive and, with proper construction and routine maintenance, long lasting. So long as you have basic woodworking knowledge, a DIY wood privacy fence is well within reach.

Grow a Living Fence

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Hedges have been a privacy landscaping hallmark for centuries, particularly along property lines. One advantage is that, depending on your choice of plant material, a well-planned hedge can reach virtually any desired height. The downside? It takes either lots of money or lots of time to establish a long, high hedgerow. Plus, hedges need a fair amount of maintenance. But with the right placement, even a hedge of modest proportions can be very effective.

Fill in with Bamboo

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A built-in bonus of turning your backyard into an exotic tropical retreat? Natural privacy. That's because bamboo, an essential for any tropical space, grows tall enough to shield your cozy hideaway. Plant it on its own, or use it to fill in gaps around pergolas and fences. Take care, though: Bamboo is invasive and should be planted only in beds or in containers with strong barriers.

Fold Out a Private Enclave

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Wide open yards are great for a lot of reasons—but they're not ideal for private outdoor spaces. Build an intimate corner into an expansive backyard by bordering a patio with small trees and shrubs. Then, anchor your patio furniture with a simple structure like the one shown here. Unlike a traditional privacy screen, the open frame permits light and wind to pass through, resulting in a space that's both breezy and cozy.

Put Up a Pergola

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For a little privacy without worry of blocking a stunning backyard view, consider building a pergola. Even though it stands without walls, its wood columns and beams still offer some obstruction for neighbors who might be looking in. A pergola is an exceptional choice for placement atop an elevated deck, as seen in this lofty example.

Plant Your Pergola

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For a pergola with a little something extra—specifically, coziness and shade—fill in the structure's sides and open top with twining plants. The crossbeams and poles make the perfect base for climbing greenery, especially in a sunny site. The overall effect is serene and romantic as well as intensely private. It may take a while for the vines to make it to the top—but it's worth the wait! 

Hang Out with Your Greenery

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Here's another take on a living fence: a custom-made vertical garden. Fill it with vegetables and herbs or flowering plants ready to overflow. No matter your choice of greenery, the decision to garden in hanging planters will both screen your yard from outside view and free up space to use for lounging, grilling, and other outdoor activities.

Elevate Your Style

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If you're rethinking your backyard altogether, you may be able to build privacy from the ground up. Cascading landscapes achieve this in a discreet yet picturesque way. Here, the backyard’s multilevel design showcases bushes and trees planted at varying heights, creating a secluded retreat that still feels open and airy in the middle. These terraced setups can also increase backyard decor options by spacing out such elements as hanging baskets and birdbaths on different levels so that all are highlighted without crowding one another.

Go Modern

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Corrugated metal is one of the more modern fencing options on the market. Its industrial quality seriously shields your backyard from curious onlookers while contributing yet one more texture to the common palette of stone, gravel, and concrete. Found at home improvement stores and purchased in budget-friendly sheets, these metal fences are also extremely durable, ensuring a long-lasting privacy solution for your space.

Try a Trellis

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Whether simple or elaborate, store-bought or custom-built, a backyard trellis provides a direct yet self-effacing solution to the privacy problem. Even as the structure interrupts sight lines, it admits softened breezes and dappled sunlight. Plus, as the ideal support for any number of climbing plants or flowering vines, a trellis can become an attention-grabbing focal point in the design of your outdoor living area. 

Conceal with Curtains

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Just as valuable in your backyard as they are in the bedroom, a few opaque panel curtains will both block your view of neighbors and further establish the sense of an outdoor room. If you're able to mount them, curtain rods are the easiest way to keep your panels in place. Consider hanging curtains along the sides of a porch, pergola, or custom corner unit like this one.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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7 Decorating Ideas to Make Your Hallway More Than Just a Pass-Through Space

Practical hallways connect the spaces in your home, but they're also a canvas ready for decorating. Use these tips to create a hallway that's decorated as well as the rest of your home.

Hallways serve to connect rooms in a home, but they can also be stand-out spaces themselves. Though typically low on the priority list, these usually narrow areas that lead the way up stairways, between bedrooms, and through entryways can benefit from a few design updates. A thoughtfully arranged vignette or a bold wallpaper treatment can help distinguish your hallway and make it fit with the rest of your home's style. Liven up the areas in between rooms with these smart and stylish hallway decorating ideas.

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1. Create a Destination

Turn a vacant hallway space into a place to stop and take notice. Transform a blank wall into a family gallery.  Before you hang anything, trace the shape of your frames onto kraft paper, and tape the shapes to the wall to plan your arrangement until you're satisfied with the look. Complete the look with other cozy elements to add interest to your passageway. Incorporate a chair or bench, storage baskets, and pretty accessories to create a welcoming vignette. Or use a narrow table or bookcase to display a family collection, fresh flowers, or an assortment of pretty candles, knickknacks, and dish ware. When decorating a hallway, it's also important to keep safety in mind. Use rubber grippers under rugs, and choose narrow furniture that won't impede traffic.

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2. Decorate Hallways with Pattern

Like vibrant colors, punchy patterns also work well in a hallway. Achieve the look with a pretty wallpaper or stenciled paint pattern. For a longer hallway, try a large-scale pattern. A tiny pattern may be too busy in a long, narrow space. To create a less dramatic look, opt for a tone-on-tone pattern. Finish the space with a narrow storage piece or shelves to hold photos, accessories, artwork, or collectibles.

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3. Increase Function with Furniture

A slim hallway doesn't have to become a blank space that functions only for foot traffic. Add a skinny console table or dresser to create storage and surface area in a tight space. For tight hallway corners, employ a small side table to contain odds and ends.

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4. Design a Hallway Gallery

Display a few prized pieces of artwork in your hallway or in a stairway landing for a striking effect. Consider the size of your space when deciding what pieces to hang. A lofty, open stairway can support several large canvases, while a narrow, less open space is more conducive to a mix of small- to medium-size pieces.

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5. Add a Pop of Hallway Color

Decorate your hallway walls (or ceiling!) with an unexpected burst of color. These narrow, and usually confined, spaces can pull off bold hues without being overwhelming. It's the perfect excuse to use a favorite color that would be too much in a larger space. Use accessories in coordinating colors, as if you were decorating a room instead of a hallway.

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6. Keep Hallway Decor Simple

Hallway decorating doesn't need to be complex to be impactful. A few simple accessories and furniture pieces can create a gorgeous transitional space. This front hallway features a narrow bench lined with plush turquoise pillows and a basket of fresh blooms. The arrangement creates a unified vignette, giving passersby a reason to pause. If you have a floor you'd like to show off but are wary of wear and tear, consider a narrow runner. It protects the main walkway, while still keeping the floor on display.

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7. Color-Coordinate the Hallway

Hallways physically connect spaces. Complete the connection with a visual tie between spaces through the buffer of a hallway. Decorate the hallway with a color from one space, which then carries that color into the connected spaces beyond. Runner rugs, wall art, and paint colors can all help connect rooms with color. 

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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8 Ways to Pretty-Up an Above-Ground Pool

Give your splash pad a stylish spruce up — just in time for summer with these above ground pool ideas.

Do you love lounging around on hot, summer days in your above-ground pool, but hate the way it looks in your yard? You aren't alone. While above-ground pools boast a ton of positives (budget-friendly, easier to keep clean), they simply aren't as aesthetically-pleasing as their in-ground counterparts. But that doesn't mean they can't be! Whether you're searching for ways to spruce up your current pool's look or are on the hunt for inspiration before you buy, we've got you covered with eye-catching above ground pool ideas to fit any size budget or backyard.

Lovely Lounge Space

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A built-in wood bench lined with outdoor cushions adds style and extra seating to this plain, rectangular pool.

Add Style With Tile

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If your concrete pool is looking a little worse for wear, give it a sleek, modern update with a splash of black mosaic tile and eye-catching uplighting.

Above-Ground Concrete Pools

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Light It Up

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For peaceful evenings or small parties by the pool, soft lighting such as lanterns, candles, tiki torches, string lights and more are a lovely and inexpensive way to glam up your outdoor oasis. Just don't forget to extinguish all flames before you call it a night.

Thoughtful Landscaping

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DIY-friendly and easy on the eyes, it's no wonder lush garden landscaping is the most popular way to pretty-up an above-ground pool. To pull off this look like a pro, edge out your flower bed first, install easy-to-maintain plants like shrubs or tall grasses, then cover with mulch for a clean look and to boost plant life. (Don't forget to spray for ants and termites regularly!)

Pool Landscaping Ideas

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River Rock Landscape Edging

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No matter what type of above-ground pool you own (round, rectangular, s-shaped), edging around your pool with inexpensive river rocks or pea gravel is a gorgeous and quick alternative to traditional garden landscaping.

Japanese-Inspired Framework

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Would you believe that this pool used to be a dumpster? There were a few cues taken from traditional Japanese bath design to transform this former trash receptacle into a gorgeous backyard focal point.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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The Best Wall Decor Ideas to Fill Your Small Space

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If you’re trying to decorate a small home, it can sometimes feel like your options are limited. And while there’s not much you can do to add square footage, there are plenty of ways to make your tiny apartment feel perfectly put together. The key is taking advantage of the largest open spaces you have—your walls.

Those empty walls are filled with possibilities and a few additions can make a small apartment feel cozy and stylish, instead of stark and cramped. No matter your style, there are tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste. Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore.

In addition to adding to the walls, think about decorating the walls themselves. Try using a bright and bold paint color to create an accent wall, or bring in pattern with wallpaper, stenciling, and other decorative paint techniques. (Think about transforming your ceiling while you’re at it!) These decorative accents can have an even bigger impact in a small space.

If you’re ready to take your small space to the next level, we’ve gathered some inspiration to get you started. Browse these wall decor ideas that are sure to add style to your home.

1. Go for Large-Scale Art

An oversize painting or photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space. Try a black-and-white photo in a minimalist space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece.

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2. Create a Gallery Wall

Nothing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art, photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up!

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3. Showcase Fabric

A tapestry or wall hanging can add color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a space. Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles. Bonus: It’s a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.

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4. Hang Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light, helping a small space to feel bigger and brighter. Try hanging an oversize mirror, or display several smaller pieces salon-style.

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5. Paint a Mural

Let your walls transport you to another place by adding a mural. Whether you hand-paint it or choose a wall covering, the motif will make a big impact.

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6. Install Shelves

If you’ve run out of floor space for bookshelves, take your collection to the wall. Install floating shelves and display hardcovers, small sculptures, and other odds and ends.

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7. Hang Plates

Why hide your fine china in the cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters.

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8. Add Sculptural Sconces

Sconces add an extra source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table. Choose an eye-catching design that doubles as a wall sculpture to bring in light and style.

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9. Bring In Plants

Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Try hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of nature to your space and life to your walls.

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10. Add Texture with a Weaving

Those '70s macramé wall hangings have come back in a big way. The weavings add texture and warm up stark walls. Shop for them on Etsy, or try your hand at making your own!

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11. Use It as Storage

Short on closet space? Why not show off your finery and create a striking and practical display? Install hooks or a pegboard and hang hats in a cluster.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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                                                                 This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.