Home & Garden

Asking yourself how do I sell my house fast at a higher price?

What’s outside your home can be just as important was what’s inside when you’re looking to sell, especially when you’re looking to sell fast for the best price. It’s important to minimise anything that could be a quick turn off for prospective purchasers.

The garden is often thought of as an extra outside room. To help sell your house faster at a higher price, it is one of the most important aspects to consider to maximize everything your home has to offer.

Potential buyers will want to see your garden as a place to entertain friends or just relax. Remember when you’ve looked at houses to buy, how much did a nice garden make a difference to your impressions of the house.

If you’re wondering where to start and what to do to maximise value start by thinking back to when friends have invited you for a barbecue, what most impressed you about their gardens?

A patio or decking area will add value to your home and increase the chance of a quick sale. With careful forethought, these can be very impressive at the same time as being excellent value for money. Much of the work can be done cheaply by roping in friends to help and offering to repay them with a garden party when the work is finished.

Be sure to tidy the flower beds, trees and lawn. If the flowers are past their best, buy some bright bedding plants from the garden centre to cheer up the borders.

Of course, your house may be on the market at a time of year when the garden is not looking its best. But you can always use colourful pots on the patio or decking or placed around the gardens, and fill them with evergreens.

If you have a shed or outbuilding, make sure that it is free from clutter. Clear away children’s bikes or toys and tidy the shed or workshop. Hanging tools, chairs, etc, from the walls will clear up the floor area and give an impression of more space.

These simple tips to tidy up your garden and present it in the best possible light could help you sell your house faster at a higher price.

Wood has always toped people choice when it comes to garden furniture. Wooden furniture is just perfect to add beauty to any lawn or garden and add a factor of elegance to it. A range of different wood types are used to make furniture that can put life into your garden. You can choose from maple, pinewood, teakwood, oak, rose, redwood, cedar etc. to get your furniture carved. These woods are available in a variety of colors ranging from grassy greens to earthy browns and pale yellows. You can make your choice from a wide range of styles and designs and choose the one that fits to the appeal of the garden the same time caters to your taste.

Wood has always been a perfect choice for garden furniture since it can take any shape that is given to it very easily and it also has the property of remaining quite firm even if a lot of pressure is applied on it. Wood is the medium that contains all that a furniture maker and a garden owner can fantasize about.

Woods such as redwood, yew, mahogany, rosewood and ebony are known to have distinctive colors as a possession. You can get a delightful work done using different wood types of different colors and churn out a highly individualistic pattern to add to your garden decor. Modern designs of wood patio furniture are available in a range of options and you can see some splendid work where quality wood has been blended with glass and metal to add sheen and look. Blending of wood with different other materials allows creation of creative and daring shapes that can give a distinctive look to your garden.

The best wood material that can be used for garden furniture is said to be teak wood. Sometimes wooden furniture has to suffer some harsh elements and teak wood has a high withstanding capacity and it is also natural resistant to sunlight. The wood garden furniture also has very little chance of getting splintered or chipped. Teak’s natural content being silica makes it more resistant to water, wood swelling and wood rot. Moreover, its resistance against fungal attacks makes it the costliest kind of wood that can be used for Garden Furniture.

Painting your wooden garden furniture with the pain that is heat – resistant, termite resistant and waterproof can make these assets go a long way continuing to add beauty and grace to your garden.

It was in the 1800s that many people began spending a lot of quality time with their friends and families in their gardens which are also referred to as patios, by taking their regular classic furniture outdoors. The only problem was that when the weather became inclement, all the furniture had to be again brought back indoors. To keep the garden furniture in the outdoors safe and weather resistant, the need to create a solution resulted in arrange of exclusive furniture.

Most ideal for your garden:

Thomas Lee decided to come up with a solution for this. When he with his family had gone for a vacation to Westport, in New York, he needed something on which he could comfortably relax and which would also suit the surrounding ground which sloped around his cottage. With a saw and a single plank of wood he then set to work, and created the popular Adirondack chair which was made out of around eleven wood pieces. One of the feature characteristics that are most distinguishing about this chair is that it had wide armrests, and a back that was fan shaped and slightly reclined, so that the uneven ground got compensated.

A side table and a footstool that matched well with the rest of the classic garden furniture and of course the Adirondack styled chairs still make for a great setting which is most ideal for any inland or coastal garden. Primary vivid colored paints can be used to paint chairs that can look great on a patio or even the deck. Besides this you can even have a few pieces of furniture made from oak in the garden to create a seating nook which is very cozy. Oak furniture is well known for its durability as well as beauty.

In a cottage garden which is equally traditional, you can place Rattan garden furniture which fits perfectly. A picnic table made of wood, or some chairs made of maple or pine can help you dine with friends and family on the weekends. Those families with kids can have some furniture made of wood designed specially for the little ones. To avoid the glare of the sun, it is important to remember to add one or two parasols in the garden along with Rattan garden furniture.

Prevent from deterioration:

Proper protective finishing should be given to the wooden garden furniture on a regular basis, once you choose and purchase wooden furniture for the outdoor space. When exposed to the heat as well as the rain, this will prevent them from deterioration. Preservatives that are water repellent, exterior wood stain, an acrylic latex paint are some of the protective finishes which you can easily get in the market. For many years you can enjoy the pleasure of a beautiful garden and lawn. According to the ambience of the home’ exterior façade and your exclusive taste you can select from a wide range of styles and designs in outdoor wooden garden furniture. Redwood, pinewood, cedar, oak and teakwood as well as many other varieties of wood can be used to make wooden furniture for the outdoors.

The garden is a significant part of your home, often easily transformed into an area for entertaining friends or relaxing in the sun, as well as helping to keep your property safe and secure. By selecting your fencing carefully you can either keep your home private and safe from intrusion or alternatively you may instead opt for decorative fencing that will mark your property boundaries yet still allow you to look out into the surrounding neighbourhood.

Garden landscaping can create a haven away from the stresses of everyday life, where you can relax in the haven of your garden. Many people enjoy a corner of the garden where they can entertain or dine al fresco, such as a patio or decking area that is easily transformed in the evenings with lighting and outdoor heating. This is an easy way to extend your home into the garden, making use of the extra space, especially on those long summer evenings.

There are plenty of uses for a garden area. Nature lovers may want to create a haven for birds and other wildlife such as hedgehogs and squirrels, providing an interesting pastime as you spot the different creatures in your garden. In today’s climate where everyone has to try to make cutbacks in spending, creating a vegetable patch where you can grow your own vegetables can be immensely satisfying as you can enjoy your very own produce from your own garden, at a fraction of the cost. The equipment required is minimal and most can be bought cheaply at DIY stores.

Here at Wickes we stock all you require for all garden landscaping and garden projects from plant food to fencing, and all at reasonable prices so you can create the garden of your dreams at an affordable price. We also have knowledgeable staff who are able to offer advice for your garden project so you can keep costs within your budget.

Garden landscaping can give you an outdoor area that is both safe and secure, whether you live alone or have children and pets that need some outdoor space. If you do have children and pets you may want to consider a hard wearing lawn as well as hardy plants that won’t be easily damaged by a football or outdoor toys. The area you create may require a little maintenance, such as a protective paint for decking and fences, which is also available in a variety of colours, again adding a personal feature to your garden.

It is essential to have a few basic garden tools to maintain the outdoor area such as a lawn mower, spade and garden fork. There are other tools available that you may want to purchase depending upon the size of your garden area and fencing. Power tools are especially useful for projects such as hedges, conifers and trees and shrubs that require hard pruning.

Using a reputable store such as Wickes where you can purchase all the necessary equipment for your garden landscaping and fencing project will ensure quality as well as reliability at an affordable price.

Many people see spring as the beginning of the gardening year, and it’s the perfect time for a garden makeover. Any improvements you make now will get the new season off to a great start.

Here are a few ideas that can give a tired garden a quick facelift:

De-clutter: Resolve to get rid of anything you no longer want or need, but think green and recycle as much as possible. You might be able to sell or give away play equipment that your children have outgrown, building materials left over from DIY projects, even that wheelbarrow with a wonky wheel … Your junk could be someone else’s treasure and just think of the extra space you’ll have!

Make a new lawn: Most lawns can withstand a lotof wear and tear but eventually the damage takes its toll. If your ‘lawn’ has become a rutted patch of weeds replace it with fresh, top quality turf for an instant green carpet.

Coordinate your containers: Most keen gardeners have a collection of assorted plant containers that they have acquired over the years. Pots, tubs, boxes and troughs in a variety of different shapes, sizes, colours, styles and materials can all be useful, but when clustered together on the patio they might not give the overall effect you were hoping for. There is a place for a pink plastic flowerpot in the garden, but it probably isn’t next to an antique stone urn. If you don’t want to buy a complete set of new containers try rearranging the ones you already have into groups that do look good together. You can paint wooden planters in the same or toning colours, and instead of trying to hide a single ‘odd’ pot you could make a feature of it.

Be ruthless: Unfortunately, plants don’t last forever. If some of yours are past their prime they might not be worth cosseting for another year. Try taking cuttings from a favourite plant so you can replace it with a vigorous new offspring. Otherwise, get rid of mediocre plants that are taking up valuable space and treat yourself to something different that you’ll really be proud of.

Add a focal point:  If the first word that springs to mind when looking at part of your garden is ‘boring’ give it some interest in the shape of a statue, sundial or water feature.

When you start improving your garden one idea will often lead to another, but tackling all those jobs is a different matter. If you need advice and help with some of the bigger projects, ask for a free, no obligation consultation from a professional landscape gardener who can turn those ideas into reality.

You may have spent years dreaming of getting a home with a garden, but what do you do if your much longed for area of green isn’t very green after all? Drought and severe weather conditions can have a drastic effect on the state of your lawn, making it hard to keep the grass green and the space tempting. On the other hand, the weather may be right but the spare time may not be, if you don’t have the free time needed to tend your garden, you could soon find that your grass becomes straggly and inundated with weeds – hardly a tempting sight.

If you’re struggling to get a lawn that looks the way you want it to, you could find that artificial grass is the perfect solution. Needing very little maintenance and happy whatever the weather, artificial grass is an ideal way to achieve a glossy green lawn without all the effort. It’ll make you popular during water bans, when your grass will stay green despite the hosepipe staying in the garage and you’ll love the extra few hours you spend sunbathing rather than cutting, weeding or watering the lawn.

By the same token, artificial grass is a great choice if you have an outdoor swimming pool as it won’t suffer from wet feet and splashes and can be a good solution if you’re garden is built on particularly muddy and unmanageable soil. If you have a roof garden which would never support the weight of grass, you can simulate the feeling of being close to nature with the help of artificial grass.

There are a number of different types of artificial grass, with different lengths, thicknesses and softness levels – meaning you’re sure to be able to find the grass that suits your home and style. If you’ve got children, you’ll want to choose soft artificial grass that’s perfect for play areas. There are also grass styles that are well suited to other outdoor uses. For example, shorter blades are ideal when you’re looking to turf areas you’re likely to be sitting and drinking of eating – such as a patio.

Artificial grass looks extremely realistic these days, but if you’re looking for something a little unusual you could choose grass in fun and funky colours that will add a burst of fun to your garden. If you’re thinking about putting down artificial grass but are having trouble imagining what it will be like, you can easily request samples from good suppliers.

Any plant growing where it is not wanted can be defined as a weed. Some weeds can be as decorative as cultivated flowers but weeds are vigorous and competitive and most gardens provide ideal conditions for them to flourish. Gardens can become ruined by weeds if proper control is not exercised.

Weeds are classified as either annual or perennial. Annuals reproduce from seed. It is important to kill annual weeds before they seed as they can produce vast numbers of seeds which can remain in soil for years to come.

The other type of weed is perennial. These are also seeds but also have well developed root systems which spread rapidly underground and it is this which makes them more difficult to eradicate. You must remove all the roots – even a small part left behind can regenerate in the soil.

Weed Control Methods

Hoeing
The hoe is a very useful tool for dealing with annual weeds before they seed, although the hoe is less successful on perennials with deep, established roots. For best results, hoe on a dry day where the weeds will quickly dry out and die. Ensure the hoe is kept sharp for maximum impact.

Digging and forking
You can easily clear annual weeds with a spade simply by burying them at a depth from which they cannot surface. However in lighter or stony soil this will not be so effective. In this case the area should be forked over.

Weedkillers
These are great timesavers in the garden, although some gardeners are against the use of chemicals. Garden weedkillers though are safe to humans and pets if used as directed. Some weedkillers will kill everything, while others are selective and will kill only certain sorts of plant. You must therefore make sure that the weedkiller you purchase is suitable for the area it is to be used.

Mulching
Covering an area with straw, chipped bark, grass clippings for even black polythene sheeting is a simple and effective method of weed control, though not always successful with some stronger perennials. Don’t worry too much about weeds growing underneath the mulch layer – the lack of light will soon kill off any seedlings.

Mowing and cutting
Mowing cutting and hand weeding may provide a “quick fix” but in most cases roots are left behind and the weed will quickly grow back.

Weed situations

Lawns
Weeds are most visible on a lawn and can really stand out on the flat, uniform area. The best option here is a selective weedkiller designed specifically for lawns. This is best applied on a dry day when the lawn is growing at its fastest usually late spring or early summer.

Flower beds
The hoe is the best tool for controlling weeds in these locations, although in larger or complex areas, careful use of a weedkiller chemical will be better.

Fruit and vegetable plots
Mulching is a good method in these situations, and can be easily applied.

Paths and patios
On hard surfaces like these, the absence of any garden plants makes chemical weedkiller the best option and can be easily applied without worry. You should however look out for any trees or shrubs that may have roots underneath the hard area, and take care on sloping areas that the liquid weedkiller may run down.

A look at Plants and the colorful flowers on it at the garden or backyard calls for creativity. The plants to live for a long time require beautiful planter boxes with concrete structure or wooden structure.  Planter boxes are available in different styles and shapes and colors. Planter box is a functional exterior décor that adores the patio.  Planter boxes are portable.   Different kinds of materials are used to make Planter boxes such as terra cotta, plastic, teak or cedar wood and concrete blocks.  Planter boxes can be filled with beautiful flowers according to the choice of individual. Planter boxes help to make the patio as paradise.

Even people who do not have much space for a vast garden can create small flower garden or vegetable garden in the balcony area or roof top with the help of planter boxes. Small trees can also be raised in planter boxes to keep them indoor. Recycled plastic is also used to make planter boxes.

So, if you live in the city and think that it is impossible to bring a little green into your outdoor space that is made of concrete, think again. All you have to do is purchase some lovely planter boxes. An ideal option for planting almost anything, they are exactly what you have been looking for and would be a wonderful addition to any outdoor area. Remember, that includes that twelfth story balcony.

When choosing the planter boxes, the principal of feng shui i.e., simplicity must be kept in mind.  Planter boxes made up of natural materials like terra cotta or wood is better than plastic material.  These add good appearance to the garden or patio.

The boring front porch area can be converted into a beautiful place by placing planter boxes with bunch of flowers. Planter boxes made up of redwood or cedar will please anybody in the porch area.  These planter boxes are very strong and durable Planter boxes are available in rectangle, hexagon and square shapes also.  Planter Boxes provide safety, beauty and security to the street or entrance and can also serve as safety barriers.  There is also drainage facility inside the planter box.   Road side lawns, parks, corporate lawns also use planter boxes.   Planter boxes are also used indoor and outdoor for waste water management.

In many countries separate programs are charted for  beautifying the cities  by using  planter boxes filled  with beautiful  plants and small trees around the cities.  Planter boxes are the best way to display the beautiful flowers and plants and create interest among who visit the garden.  

Planter boxes made up of teak or cedar wood is an ideal investment for a long time.   Wooden planter boxes  is perfect fit to  all weather and act as insulators and also protects the plants from winter and summer.  Wooden planter boxes painted or varnished with natural colors appears fantastic.   Wooden Planter boxes definitely makes the porch area very decorative and  attracts those who  walk through the area.

Imagine a garden without garden furniture! It lacks aesthetic appeal and comfort. After strolling amidst the beautiful daisies and lilies along the pathway, you might want to sit on a comfy bench in the garden and watch the soothing fountain. You would love your guests to soak in the charm of your lush garden. For all that and more, you need appropriate furniture to make your garden an inviting place for people. How And Where To Place Furniture In The Garden The good news is that you have a wide choice of furniture to accessorize your garden and make it alluring. Are you now wondering how to pick the right kind of furniture and where to place it in the garden. To answer this, first determine whether you intend to use your garden for formal meetings or informal get-togethers. This influences your choice of garden furniture. Some people love to throw parties, some like the tranquility of trees and the sound of birds. Each preference creates the need of a particular type of furniture. For party animals, the deck or patio can serve as the best place for entertainment. If you have kids, you can convert a corner of your garden into the play area. For entertainment, you can place several seats or benches in the garden for comfortable seating. Garden benches, folding chairs, deck chairs, and others are ideal garden furniture pieces. Does the weather in your area allow outdoor dining? If yes, that’s great news! You can buy a fine garden table, along with artistic chairs, and serve hot, piping meals in the garden. It would mean a fantastic setting for a memorable get-together or even a formal meeting with business associates. During the hot, sweltering summer months, you might need a parasol to the table to avoid direct sunlight. That would also take care of a sudden drizzle in fact, dining under a parasol in a drizzle is a fabulous experience! Love to soak in the sun? Well, get some gorgeous sun loungers on your deck or patio. You can easily perk up your boringly plain patio with various attractive garden furniture sets. An empty patio looks unappealing and uninviting. The ideal furniture for this part of your home is plastic, wood, or metal sets. Getting a patio heater makes it functional even during the freezing winter months. Do not forget to place a couple of artistic benches at various corners of the garden. You may want to admire the bonsai or soak your eyes in the dancing fountain waves. Popular Furniture Choice Wooden garden furniture is the hot choice these days. Wood adds to the natural beauty of the garden. Various wood types liven up the lawn, patio, or pathway of your garden. The ideal choices of wood include teakwood, maple, pinewood, oak, redwood, rose, cedar, and others. Wood can be carved into artsy designs to create amazing garden furniture sets. Woods like mahogany, ebony, rosewood, redwood, and others provide interesting colors in furniture. The pale yellows, earthy reds, fresh greens, and subtle browns will make your garden a colorful and great place to unwind. Invest in good garden furniture and watch the place come alive!

Garden furniture can enhance the whole appearance of your garden. Not only can it be practical in its uses, it can become the centre piece to all the hard work and endeavour in getting your garden into tip top shape.

Whether your garden is low maintenance and practical, or a lush pasture surrounded by beds that are a riot of colour, some well chosen garden furniture can be the crowning glory.

Garden Bench

A nice garden bench where you can sit and relax, taking in the fresh air. A quiet, much deserved breather from the rat race that can be daily life.

Garden benches are still some off the most common pieces of garden furniture. Usually wooden in construction, and coming in various designs, the most popular type being the park bench type design.

Wrought iron benches are also popular, with the majority coming with wooden slats. Though all iron benches are available, you best be careful when sitting on them in the mid day sun. Especially if it’s been sat in direct sunlight. Otherwise you may burn somewhere that could put you off the idea of sitting for a while.

Patio Furniture

Patio furniture is an ideal accompliment to your garden. Particularly if you have a nice wooden decked, slabbed or other hard surface area on which to place it.

Before purchasing a patio set is worth bearing a couple of points in mind. Firstly the size of the area the patio set is to go. To small and it could look a little lost in a large area. To large and you may not be able to comfortably move around it.

The other thing to consider is storage. If you live in a part of the world that has harsh winters then a suitable place to store your furniture would be ideal. Alternatively covers can usually be purchased from you local garden centre or DIY store.

Parasol

If your patio is in an area that catches the sun, then a large parasol should be considered. Many patio sets will come with a parasol, but if not, again they can be purchased from your local garden furniture store. 

Sun Lounger

My personal favourite piece of outdoor furniture is the sun lounger. What can be better after cutting the lawn, and weeding the beds, than spending a couple of hours soaking up the rays with a good book and a glass of your favourite tipple.

Sun loungers come in a variety of materials, from fabric on an aluminium frame, to all wood. The light weight versions can easily be folded away and stored, to be brought out in times of sunny periods. If, of course you are lucky enough to live in a more temperate climate, then a more sturdy wooden sun bed, that can be left outside all year round would be ideal.

You may prefer the poolside type of sun lounger. Typically made of a hard wearing resin or plastic they are easy to maintain, and can easily be just wiped down. Beware though that the material may fade with time.

All in all garden furniture is a great way to not only enhance your garden, but to enjoy the relaxing fresh air in the calming atmosphere of your own little piece of paradise.