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Have you been dreaming of spending your days relaxing outdoors on your backyard patio? You'll be surprised how easy it is to make this dream a reality! While you might expect installing a patio to be a major project, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can create a beautiful gravel patio in your backyard in as little as a day or two.

This simple, economical project will give you years of enjoyment, so don’t let another summer go by without creating the backyard you've always wanted. Here’s everything you need to know so you can get started on installing your own gravel patio right away.   

Why Build a Gravel Patio?

There are many advantages to choosing gravel for your backyard patio. Not only is it a very inexpensive option, but installing a gravel patio is a beginner-level project that you can easily do without any help.

Pea gravel is an excellent material because of its small size. This allows you to create a variety of unique designs using edging and borders for exciting gravel patio ideas for every outdoor style. The stones also drain naturally and won’t crack during winter freezes and thaws. Many homeowners also prefer the attractive, natural look the stones create.

A gravel patio will make your backyard look beautiful and provide you with a functional space where you and your guests can dine, socialize, and relax. Even better, long-term maintenance is a breeze. This will allow you to enjoy a beautiful backyard patio that looks like new for many years. 

How to Build an Outdoor Picnic Shelter for Your Vacation Home

Being able to enjoy the outdoors is one of the best things about having a vacation home or cabin. If you’re ready to take your vacations to the next level, it’s time to start thinking about building a custom picnic shelter.

An outdoor picnic area can range from a simple covered table to an upscale structure with fun features like a fire pit and a pizza oven. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you’re in the right place! Take a look at these top tips for creating the perfect picnic shelter.

Choose the Location of Your Outdoor Picnic Area

First, you’ll need to think about where you would like to place your outdoor picnic area. This will depend on the size and shape of your property, your personal preferences, and how you plan to use your picnic shelter. For example, if you’re planning to build a full outdoor kitchen, you may want to attach it to your home or place it conveniently nearby. However, if you have a large outdoor space, you may find it’s much more interesting to locate your picnic shelter on the outer edges of the property.

Do you have a beautiful garden or a forested area? You may want to consider placing your picnic shelter nearby as this will give it more visual interest. Just make sure you pay attention to the grade of the land. If you choose an area that is relatively flat, you won’t have to put as much effort into leveling the space. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the area’s drainage and determine if you’ll need to make some adjustments before you lay your foundation.

Outdoor upgrades are one of this year’s most popular home improvements. In fact, according to a recent survey, 90% of Americans agree that their outdoor living space is “more valuable than ever before.” Sadly, the survey also found that 88% of people are currently dissatisfied with their outdoor spaces.  

If you’re part of this majority, don’t fret. A backyard makeover is easier and less time-consuming than you might think. Whether you want to increase your curb appeal or create a completely new outdoor living space, there are many simple projects that will help you reach your goal. Best of all, you can complete most backyard projects in just a few days. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Refresh Your Deck or Patio

If your home’s deck or patio has seen better days, a simple refresh will go a long way. You can easily restore your deck by making repairs, cleaning the surface, and adding a fresh coat of stain. Not only will this improve the look of your deck, but it will also seal the wood, incre

We all need to plan time off from work to spend quality time alone or with family and friends and recharge our minds. However, taking paid vacation time is something not every American worker is doing. According to the U.S. Travel Association, American workers left an average of 33% of their paid time on the table last year.

National Plan a Vacation Day, which is the last Tuesday in January (this year, it’s January 26), reminds us to plan our vacation at the start of the year for the rest of the year. The earlier you plan a vacation, the more ready and relaxed you’ll be when your vacation time gets here.