The holiday season is in full swing. Need help decorating your outdoor space? Follow these tips for decorations that wow.
Create a theme
Choose a theme for your Christmas decor to avoid style clashes and a haphazard appearance. Yours could be based on your favorite Christmas movie, or traditional vs. kids themed. The choices for a theme are only limited to your imagination. This theme will then influence your decisions on all of the details to follow.
Colors
Chose a pallet of colors that will unify your decorations. One option is to choose different shades of the same color, such as white, pink, red, and burgundy. Another option is to choose several colors that go well together, such as green and red, or you could even go with a multicolored approach if it fits with your theme.
Select A Style
Another way to unify your landscape decorations is to select a style of decorating. Do you want big, fun decorations like inflatable snowmen, Santas, and elves? Or do you prefer elegant and refined without all of the characters in your yard. Of course, you can have different styles in the front yard and the back yard but try to stick to one style per area, so your decorations look deliberate instead of random.
Doorway & Porch Decor
Your front door area is the first area most people see up close when visiting your home. Use a Christmas-themed wreath such as holly branches dotted with candy canes or ornaments that can welcome people. Pair the wreath with a pair of planters or large standing ornaments on either side of the door, framing it and channeling people to the entrance of your home. You can replace your regular doormat with a festive holiday one.
If you have columns on your porch, wreath them with festive lights or garlands wrapping around them from floor to ceiling. Porch rails look festive with garlands wrapped around them, as well. Colored fairy lights hanging from the roof or porch ceiling complete the scene.
Christmas Lawn Decorations
Lawn decorations can be a fun way to show your Christmas spirit. Inflatable decorations like a nativity scene, snowmen, elves, and Santa look joyful and maybe a little silly. Use small clusters of inflatables with space between them so the decorations do not look too busy. Large candy canes that serve as lights can line the sidewalk from the street to your front door.
If you are going for a more elegant look, line the walkway with solar-powered columns of light. A natural-looking nativity scene can remind your guests of the birth of Jesus. Using silver and blue as your colors can add elegance to your display.
Evergreens & Poinsettias
Evergreen plants, with their dark green color, can be used to create a more natural display. Line your walkway with pots of poinsettias (artificial if outdoors in our climate) interspersed with potted evergreen trees. Evergreen holly in large pots with pine combs, red ribbons, and red bows make nice containers to use for this.
It gets quite cold in December, so choose plants that can take the cold. Bringing the plants indoors after the party can keep them looking nice for the next event. In most cases you will not want to leave the potted plants outside overnight if the temperature is very low or the roots will be injured.
Potted plants dry out faster than plants that are in the ground. Water the plants when the soil feels dry to the touch. Keeping the soil moist will help the plant’s roots absorb the water they need to survive the cold. Poinsettias will bloom again next Christmas if you follow a strict schedule of 14 hours of darkness and 10 hours of bright light next fall.
String Lights
Strings of fairy lights or larger holiday lights are fun to decorate with. LED lights are the most energy-efficient. Many of them can change colors to match a theme. Be safe when stringing the lights, and make sure any lights you use are in good condition.
Wrapping rails or draping the lights over the fence can look festive and illuminate your landscape. Some LED lights can be programmed to change colors in a pattern to blink on and off, adding motion and energy to the display.
Lanterns & Candle Holders
Lanterns and candles are elegant fixtures to illuminate the landscape. These classic lights put off a warm glow. You can get LED lights in lanterns and as candles, so you do not have an open flame but can safely accent a table or a walkway. If you use candles and lanterns with real open flames, do not leave them unattended. Put the candles and lanterns out before going to bed to avoid causing a house fire.
Christmas-Themed Cushions & Throws
Festive cushions with winter and Christmas scenes can accent your landscape decor. Place them on sofas and chairs throughout your outdoor living area. Throws with Christmas scenes can be draped over the back of chairs and sofas. Guests can use them to stay warm if the air is a bit nippy for their tastes.
Pre-Party Clean Up
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can clean up your outdoor landscape before your big holiday party. Just give us a call at (816) 825-2524 to get on our schedule before it’s too late.
Tis the season to decorate your home for Christmas and show the neighborhood your jolly spirit. It also happens to be a season when emergency services see surges in accidents and home fires. To make sure you are not part of this dangerous trend, follow these guidelines for safely decorating the outside of your home using Christmas lights.
Untangle and Inspect
If you are going to use lights that have been stored, be sure to inspect them closely. Don’t leave tangles in the wires. If you find breaks or cracks in the coating of the wires, you should repair the coating or replace the lights. Bare wires are a shock and fire hazard. Older, pre-LED lights can put off significant heat, so replacing them with new LED lights can avoid problems. LED lights are also more energy efficient.
Use caution when hanging Christmas lights.
Buy Safe Lights
When buying new lights, look for lights that have been inspected by an independent safety laboratory. Counterfeit lights can use cheaper components that are not rated for the load on them. They can short out and start fires or shock the unwary. In general, the lights at major big box stores are safe. Some discount stores or online sites may sell unsafe lights. Make sure that any decorations are intended for outdoor use. Indoor lights are not intended to get wet or really cold and can malfunction or start a fire.
Avoid Trip Hazards
Never run electrical cords across sidewalks or driveways. It’s especially dangerous during inclement weather when the surfaces can be very slippery. No one wants to see a family member take a trip to the emergency room during the holidays. If you have to cross a path tuck the wires near a step riser or place an outdoor mat over the top to keep the cord down and avoid those nasty falls.
Keep cords off walking paths to avoid TRIP HAZARDS.
Plug In Safely
Plug your outdoor lights into a weatherproof outdoor socket. These outlets contain ground-fault circuit interrupters, which turn off the circuit if they detect a ground fault. This is the same type of protection included in plugs near the sink in your kitchen. These safety outlets also include weatherproof covers that snap shut to keep the water out. You don’t want to get shocked because you touch a string of lights when it is damp outside. Do not plug outdoor lights into indoor plugs at all, but especially not by running an extension cord through a door or window. Do not link more than three strings of lights together, either.
Use the Buddy System
Bring a friend or other responsible person outside while you hang your Christmas decorations. In addition to being more fun, your buddy can call for help in the event of a mishap. If you do not have a buddy, at least make sure someone knows you are working outside and can come check on you if you are gone too long.
Ladder safety is crucial to avoid injury.
Ladder Safety
Ladders can be a major hazard. Inspect the ladder and observe the weight limit for it. Stay off the top two rungs of the ladder. Use a longer ladder if necessary to avoid those rungs. For every four feet of height, the base of the ladder should be one foot farther from the wall. Make sure the base is set on firm ground and won’t slip. It is best if your buddy holds onto the ladder while you climb it.
Ladderless Hanging Tips
Some people do not do well with ladders. Telescoping painter’s poles can be used to hang hooks off the gutters around the outside of your house. You can then use the pole to hang the lights from the hooks. You never have to leave the ground. This also avoids damage to the wires that stapling or nailing them to the house causes.
Lights Out at Bedtime
Turn your lights out when you leave the home or go to bed. You don’t want to wake up to a fire in the middle of the night. The easiest way to automate this is to use an outdoor rated timer where you can have it come on at dark and shut off 4, 6, or 8 hours later.
Happy Holidays
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping wishes you and yours a very happy holiday season. If you need help getting your property cleaned up and ready for Christmas, don’t hesitate to let us know. Give us a call at (816) 825-2524 or schedule a consultation today.
Ah, fall in Kansas City. The air is crisp, the leaves are about to turn into a beautiful tapestry of reds and gold, and your outdoor space is begging for a little TLC. With the holidays right around the corner, let’s get your outdoor living area looking spectacular. Here are some fun and exciting activities you can dive into this season.
Let us plant bulbs for you.
Planting Bulbs: Spring Surprises Await
Want to be the envy of your neighborhood come spring? It all starts now! Planting bulbs is like burying little treasures that will bloom into vibrant flowers, signaling that winter is on its way out. Just remember: pointy tip up for the best blooms! We’ve got a few hundred bulbs ready for planting, and if you’d like to leave the dirty work to us, we’re here to help.
Leaf Clean Up: Your Yard’s Fall Makeover
Ah, the beauty of fallen leaves… and the chore they bring! A tidy outdoor space not only looks good but also keeps pests at bay. Plus, those pesky leaves can stain your hardscapes. Make leaf clean-up a breeze by letting our leaf removal service save you time and energy, so you can enjoy those colorful autumn views.
One way to use planters to welcome people into your home.
Use planters to decorate your porch, too.
You can layer planters for a different effect.
Holiday Decorating: Set the Stage for Festivities Fall and winter are the ultimate seasons for hosting. Wow your guests with stunning seasonal planters at your doorstep. If your planter is looking a little sad, don’t fret. Enroll in our garden planter program, and we’ll fill it with fresh soil and delightful arrangements. From spooky Halloween to merry Christmas, we’ll make sure your planters are ready to impress all season long.
Cooking For Friends: Tailgate with Taste Is it just us, or does everything taste better in the fall? With the Chiefs playing, why not throw a watch party? Gather your friends and fire up the grill! Here’s a quick and tasty Simple Pasta Salad recipe that pairs perfectly with your BBQ spread:
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked rotini pasta
1 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 ½ cups fall vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and bell peppers cut into bite sized pieces (can substitute whatever you have on hand)
¼ cup of your favorite salad dressing
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta is cooking, mix vegetables, chicken, and salad dressing in a bowl.
Drain pasta and add to the bowl.
Stir well.
Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Your friends will love it!
Invest In Your Landscape: Build Your Dream Outdoor Space Thinking ahead? Winter is the perfect time to plan for your dream outdoor space. We specialize in designing and installing stunning hardscapes, and as long as we get the foundation dug before the ground freezes, the possibilities are endless! Imagine a beautiful patio or deck ready for you to enjoy come springtime.
Let Us Get Your Garden Ready for the Holidays At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping we’re all about making your holidays bright! From bulb planting to leaf removal and gorgeous planter designs, we’ve got you covered. And don’t forget, we can help you build hardscapes all winter long. If you’re ready to enroll in one of our maintenance subscriptions or schedule a consultation for a new build, give us a call at (816) 825-2524.
Research over a range of states has shown that well landscaped properties increase in value 10-12 percent over just having a lawn. We talked to our BNI realtor partner Veronica Jaster, with ReeceNichols on the Koehler-Borthnick Team, to find out what that means for Kansas City homeowners.
Curb Appeal
Landscaping increases curb appeal. When a person first sees a home, the landscaping is what they see before the inside. Poor landscaping can make it very difficult to sell a house.
For example, Jaster and her partner had been following a house that was listed on the market in May of 2021 and didn’t sell when priced at 350K. The owner asked Jaster and her partner to sell the home.
Before her partner and she listed the house, they met with the homeowner and pointed out several landscaping problems like overgrown shrubs, an overhang that was too short and would hit a tall person, and some other things.
The homeowner corrected the problems and the home sold for 377K after just a few days.
Curb Appeal Transformation
Before
Demo Started
Blue Crew In Action
Planting Complete
Stone Work Finished
Entry Planter Filled
Sophisticated Designs
Several researchers have found that sophisticated landscape designs cause the value of the home to increase. Simple lawn and foundation plantings by themselves are not good enough. It takes multiple landscape beds with well planted and maintained landscapes and mature trees to really increase the value. Neighborhoods that have sophisticated landscape designs likewise increase the value of a person’s property.
Jaster says that before the pandemic, a house with a pool was a neutral feature or it could actually lower the price of the home. Since the pandemic, a pool that is meticulously landscaped can increase the value of a home from 100-200k.
Right now people are looking for houses with beautiful outdoor living areas so they can entertain properly. Outdoor structures with kitchens, shade, and other amenities make that more enjoyable.
Meticulously Landscaped
The key to improving the value of your home is meticulously maintaining the landscape. Poorly maintained landscaping with overgrown and dying shrubbery, as with the previous example, can make the house hard to sell. Recently, Jaster sold a home on a 1-acre lot in a subdivision that showcased some excellent landscaping. The property was listed for one day with an asking price of 1.35 million. It sold in a bidding war for 1.5 million. The buyers stated that the home’s curb appeal and first impression are what really stood out to them.
Schedule Your Landscape Upgrade
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can not only install outdoor living areas of all kinds, but we can maintain them as well. In fact, one of our clients just won home of the month after our garden care visit. For more information on how we can increase the value of your home, call (816) 825-2524 or schedule a consultation.
