 (BPT) - Homeowners today are reimagining their outdoor spaces, moving beyond a basic patio and grill to create thoughtfully designed areas that blend style, comfort, and functionality. According to the latest Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, one in three homeowners are upgrading their outdoor areas as functional, beautiful extensions of their homes with an emphasis on convenience, style and sustainability. If you're among those looking to transform your outdoor space this year, following are five top trends to consider:
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 (BPT) - Spring is just around the corner! As you make your list of spring cleaning chores, don't forget to add lawn care to the to-do list.
"The key to a healthy, robust lawn is preparation. Don't wait until the weather warms up! Early spring is a great time to revive and revitalize your lawn so you can enjoy it the rest of the year," says Matthew Koch, Ph.D., director of biotechnology, genetics, lawn fertilizer, and grass seed at The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company. To help fellow lawn-owners, Dr. Koch and Scotts, a leader in lawn care, offer the following three expert lawn care tips to grow lush and healthy natural turfgrass throughout the season and beyond.  (BPT) - In the company of loved ones, the holidays transform into a meaningful celebration marked by decadent foods, delightful presents and joyous gatherings. As a pet parent, you want to share in this joy with your feline family members. This means enjoying the holiday season with your pets but also keeping them safe and comfortable so all can be merry.
Extra house guests, new foods and even innocent-looking ribbons decorating presents can be tempting to cats. The best way to keep your feline happy and healthy this holiday season is to take a proactive approach and follow these tips.  (BPT) - Booked summer plans? Check. New bathing suits for the family? Check. Swim lesson enrollment? Priority check!
Water safety is essential, yet many people get confused by misinformation that puts kids at risk. Step Into Swim provides need-to-know information to ensure swimming activities are safe and fun for all involved. The program is led by Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Vice President of Partnerships and Development at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. With a passion for creating more swimmers and expanding access to swim education, Gaines wants to keep everyone safer this summer by debunking some of the most widespread myths about water safety.  (BPT) - Ready to take that long-awaited summer vacay? Before heading out for fun in the sun, make sure you'll be able to fully relax and enjoy your break by taking a few steps to help keep your home secure - including deliveries that might be made while you're gone.
Here are some tips and tools to help increase your peace of mind while you're away from home.  (BPT) - Ignited by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, alternative housing options continue to trend upward - even while the overall housing market has cooled. Remote work has opened possibilities for living almost anywhere, even working while traveling, which has led to increased interest in options like tiny houses.
A recent survey by Fidelity National Financial subsidiary IPX1031 found that over half (56%) of survey respondents would consider living in a tiny house. Even more surprising, 86% of people who were not homeowners said they would consider a tiny house as their first home purchase, and 84% said a tiny home was an option they would consider for retirement. Other alternatives like modular homes, trailers and converted vans have emerged as potential options for anyone alarmed by exorbitant home prices, rising mortgage rates and soaring utility costs - and for those seeking a greener lifestyle. Nontraditional homes offer benefits including economy, mobility (tiny houses with wheels or vans, for example), simplicity and sustainability. But they also present challenges. Beyond learning to de-clutter and simplify, you also have to learn how to meet essential needs, including most importantly: plumbing. Any living situation requiring above-floor plumbing solutions demands extra thought, so whatever space you call home is livable, practical - and comfortable. Fortunately, implementing plumbing in a nontraditional home or even a portable setting is easier than ever, thanks to the development of user-friendly products that make workable bathrooms, kitchens and laundries possible for almost any setting.  (BPT) - After months of snow and dreary rain, warm weather is an opportunity for new beginnings, new growth and deep cleaning. It seems every year that our houses are back to square one when it comes to summer cleaning, leaving us with the task of taking a year's worth of accumulated stuff and deciding what stays and what goes. Take our word for it: there's no better feeling than stepping into the warmer seasons with a fresh, decluttered house.
So in an effort to decrease the burden we face every year around this time, we have some ideas and recommendations on how to keep your space feeling fresh all year round, as well as some design additions you can make to ensure your house is as good as new come next summer.  (BPT) - Are you ready for a home refresh? The new year is an ideal time to set goals and optimize your home, whether you're tackling important maintenance tasks, adding comforting elements to cozy up your space, or getting organized.
This year, home improvements that provide long-term benefits are top of mind for homeowners. Here are a few ways to keep your home in tip-top shape and bring you peace of mind.  (BPT) - As you turn up the heat during colder months, help reduce your risk of CO poisoning at home with the following steps:
1) Check your appliances and furnace Make it routine to have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or fuel-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician. CO can be produced from fuel-burning devices such as your home's furnace, dryer vent in a drying machine, and fireplace or chimney, so it's important to regularly check them to ensure they are clear of debris and snow, especially after a snowstorm. "CO safety is important year-round, but especially in the colder months when the number of incidents typically increases," said Ashley Gocken, home safety expert with First Alert, a manufacturer of residential fire and CO detection devices. "It's important to take the proper steps to ensure your home and family are protected from CO."  (BPT) - Gardening has become a very popular pastime over the past two years, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down. According to last year's Axiom Gardening Insights Survey, 62% of their respondents said they will plant even more in 2022. Whether you're one of the many who plan to expand your garden or it's your first attempt, there are plenty of tools and resources available to help you succeed.
Winter is the perfect time to dream of warmer days - and gardening. Developing a concrete plan can help you focus on how to make your dream become a reality. Here are steps to help determine what you want from your garden before the planting season is underway.
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