backyard Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

How to Turn Your Yard into a Home Soccer Field

June 30, 2016 By Casey Danton

Excited to spend summer days outside with your family? Upgrade your fun in the sun with a home soccer field right in your backyard. As the official real estate company of U.S. Soccer, Century 21^® Real Estate knows that the sport has the ability to unify communities. Give your family the best experience possible with their own place to practice with these four easy steps.

Prep Your Yard

Understandably, you might not have a backyard capable of fitting a full-sized field at 75-by-120 yards. Instead, create a rectangular field with smaller dimensions such as 15-by-20 yards or 40-by-50 yards. Remove any debris, then mow your lawn to create an even, trim field.

Level the Ground

Unexpected ditches or holes in your yard can be dangerous to those running around. If you find any low spots in your yard, fill them in with a mixture of two parts topsoil, two parts sand, and one part compost. Pack this filler into holes and add water to make sure it’s compact. Wait at least one week before walking on it to make sure that it has properly settled. Then, continue to perfect your green field by planting grass on the top layer of the newly leveled area.

Mark the Field

Use stakes to mark off the four corners of your soccer field. You may find it helpful to use a tape measure to ensure the lengths are symmetrical to one another. Tie a string from one stake to another and pull it taut. Double check that the shape you’ve created with the string and stakes is a rectangle with four 90 degree angles. Once you’re sure, spray paint over the string to create the field. Remember to add a midline in the center.

Add Goals

Depending on you and your family’s needs, you can choose between various sized goals made from different materials. A four by six-foot goal is optimal for children as young as six years old, with larger sized goals increasing with age. In terms of materials, plastic is recommended for low-impact play, since it is lightweight and portable. However, if your family is more serious about the sport, metal frames prove to be more durable. Whichever one you choose, make sure to anchor it into the ground properly.

Get started today and give your family a fun space to play one of their favorite sports all summer long. Who knows, you may have a professional soccer player in the making!

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4 Essential Outdoor Oases

August 10, 2015 By Casey Danton

Listen to crickets, feel the cool breeze, bask in the warm sun, and enjoy the scenery. It’s summertime, and there are countless reasons to spend time outdoors. Transform your outdoor space into your go-to spot. Here are five creative ways to create functional outdoor oases.

Outdoor Living Room: Add comfortable patio couches and chairs. Set out end tables and a coffee table so people can prop up their feet or put down their drink. Buy outdoor lighting fixtures in case you want to read outside under the stars. If you are revamping your backyard, consider adding an outdoor fireplace. It’s the perfect place to gather around for a night of spooky stories and s’mores. Worried about bugs? Place a few insect repellant candles in your yard.

Outdoor Dining Room: Dine alfresco! Set up a patio table and chairs. It’s important to choose patio furniture because it is weather-resistant. Add a string of lights for a romantic (and practical) touch that will literally light up the room.

Outdoor Kitchen: If you are remodeling your outdoor area, add a small island counter with a fridge and cabinet space so you can prep your meals outdoors. Now all you need is a grill and, in a dream outdoor kitchen, a brick pizza oven.

Outdoor Bedroom: Buy a bed frame and set it up in a flat section of your yard. Keep a bookshelf with your favorite reads nearby. Add a nightstand, lots of pillows, and a light. Just make sure that this room is covered so rain doesn’t interrupt your reading!

We have a hunch that these hideaways will be your new favorite spots for spring and summer.

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5 Must-Read Tips for Swimming Pool Maintenance

July 27, 2015 By Casey Danton

There is something so relaxing and rejuvenating about sitting by the swimming pool, sipping lemonade, reading a good book, or cooling off by swimming laps. Having a pool at home may make you feel like you’re on vacation — but maintaining it may feel like work. Following these tips may take the guesswork out of maintaining your summer oasis without feeling like you’re about to fail a chemistry test. There are chemicals involved with maintaining a swimming pool, so you should always follow your recommended pool chemical safety rules. A general rule of thumb is that you clean your pool weekly.

Skim and scrub: Remove any leaves and debris that may be floating on the top of your pool. Scrub the sides and bottom of the pool. You may want to invest in a robot vacuum that will scrub for you. Scrubbing is important because it may decrease and/or prevent algae build-up.

Pay attention to your filter: Your filter helps to remove impurities like leaves and dirt from the water. According to the Fresh Home editorial team, you should clean out your filter basket at least once a week. They also recommend that you clean out the filter’s pipes once a month.

Test your chemical levels: Examine your pool’s chemical levels at least once a week. Test the following levels: cyanuric acid, free chlorine, acidity/alkalinity, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Learn more at The Center for Disease Control (CDC) website. Don’t worry, there won’t be a test after your chemistry lesson!

Shock your swimming pool: When you shock your pool you raise the chlorine level for a short time frame to kill bacteria. According to the team at Fresh Home, “It’s done by diluting three to five times the normal amount of chlorine or other chemical sanitizer with water, slowly pouring it into the pool’s return line, letting it filter throughout the pool, and then slowly refilling the pool with water over time.” Pool owners are advised to shock their pools at least once a week during the peak swimming season (AKA summertime.) But this number really depends on the number of people swimming in your pool and the weather. After a pool party or particularly long periods of rain or sunshine, you should think about giving your pool a shock.

Keep an eye on water levels: The water level of your pool will naturally fluctuate throughout the summer, but the last thing you want is an overflowing pool! Aim for a level that is halfway up the opening of your skimmer. If you notice your water level might be too low, use a garden hose to fill it up as much as necessary. And if it’s getting too high, rent a waterproof pump to get rid of any excess water. Level pool, level mind!

There you have it! Pool maintenance doesn’t have to be stressful — these tips from Fresh Home may put you on the right track to having some good, clean fun this summer!

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10 Fun Family Lawn Games for Summer

July 23, 2015 By Casey Danton

Why limit your family fun this summer to board games when you have a backyard to put to use? Save Scrabble and Monopoly for rainy nights — these games may help you and the family make the most of the summertime!

Lawn Scrabble: Don’t get us wrong; we still love Scrabble. Make it a little more interesting and play a life-size Scrabble game. Cut cardboard into large square pieces, and write the letters on with a marker. Run around the yard making your moves. (via Constantly Lovestruck)

Bean Bag Toss: A classic game that will keep the whole family entertained. Simply toss bean bags through the board. Decorate your boards together as a fun family DIY project.

Jenga: Another board game come to life. Use plywood and make Jenga pieces. See who can keep the tower from toppling!

Ring Toss: Make a DIY ring toss set. Spend time testing your hand eye coordination! Warning: this game can be strangely addictive!

Mini Golf: Buy a mini golf set so you can practice your putt! Maybe take your skills to an actual mini golf course with the family after. Here’s hoping for a hole in one.

Outdoor Bowling: Set up an outdoor bowling lane and see who can get a strike!

Tag: You don’t need any accessories for a game of tag. You’ll get exercise while running around, and your kids may actually be looking forward to nap time!

Kickball: Kickball may bring back PE class flashbacks, but it’s a game the entire family will enjoy. Kick the kickball and run as fast as you can!

Water Balloon Fight: Water balloons make everything more exciting. Beat the heat with a water balloon fight!

Basketball: Can’t go wrong with the classics. If you don’t have a hoop, attach a basketball net on your garage door. Your family can play countless games of horse or just shoot hoops. Or make it a bit more interesting: Split up into teams, and have the loser prepare dinner!

We want to know your favorite family lawn games! Let us know on our Facebook page or mention us on Twitter. Enjoy summer fun as a family!

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5 Swoon-worthy Hammock Hangouts

July 20, 2015 By Casey Danton

Spend the summer swinging and snoozing in these swoon-worthy hammocks. Hammocks aren’t just for the backyard. There are countless places to set up a hammock. We’ve rounded up some serene spots. ThinkstockPhotos-481486264

The Pool Hammock: Set up a hammock beside a pool. Seamlessly switch from snoozing to swimming.

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The Ocean Hammock: Let your concerns drift away in a beautiful ocean hammock. Lay out in the sun, cool off, and curl up with a good book.

The Indoor Hammock: Hammocks aren’t just for outside. Set up an indoor hammock so that you can read, relax, and snooze even when the weather is dreary.

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The Backyard Hammock: Set up a hammock between two trees in the backyard and swing under the stars. Add some snacks at arm’s reach, pillows, and blankets, and you may never want to go back inside!

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The Beach Hammock: Read and recline on the beach without getting sandy. Bring light blue pillows, blankets, and towels to stay in line with the beach theme.

Set up your hammock, then visit our Pinterest page for more home decor inspiration!

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How to Make Your Lawn Look Like a Baseball Field

July 10, 2015 By Casey Danton

It’s time to take throwing the ball around with your kids to the next level. Advance to the big leagues by getting creative with backyard landscaping. Here are our tips for how to make your lawn look more like a baseball field.

It’s all in the stripes: Professional stadiums have those clean, beautiful stripes in the grass. This pattern is created by bending the blades of grass: blades that are bent toward you look dark and blades that are turned away look light.

Refine your mowing technique: Pay careful attention to your mowing and make sure to stay in a straight line. Always look a good few feet ahead of you while you mow. Try to cut the grass long, as long grass bends more. The longer the grass, the better the stripe.

Roll it out: After you’ve mowed, you’ll need to intensify the stripes by going over them with a roller. This will really bend the grass. If you have a gas-powered rotary lawn mower, you can attach a roller to the back (found at your local garden care center or home improvement store). You can also go the DIY route and either attach weights to the rubber tail on the back of the mower, attach a heavy welcome mat to the back, or build a roller yourself.

Choose your grass: Different varietals bend differently. Northern grass may bend best. And of course, make sure to fertilize well to increase the likelihood of a full, healthy, green lawn.

Pick your pattern: You have three standard stadium patterns to choose from: the basic stripe, the checkerboard, and the diagonal. To get the basic stripe look, first mow around the perimeter of your lawn, then mow in alternating directions to create the stripes, and finish by mowing over the perimeter again. For the checkerboard, do the same as the basic stripe, but add in a step traveling in the opposite direction to create perpendicular stripes. The diagonal look is achieved by creating a checkerboard pattern but in diagonal directions.

There you have it, a few ways to make your yard look more like a field of dreams. Batter up!

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How to Decorate Your Backyard for a 4th of July Celebration

July 1, 2015 By CENTURY 21

The 4th of July is fast approaching, so it’s time to break out the sparklers and all things red, white, and blue! If you’ve agreed to be the host for this year’s 4th of July bash, we’ve got you covered. Here are some quick and easy some tips that will help turn your backyard into the a place to celebrate Independence Day. Time to get decorating!

Spice up your table with patriotic centerpieces: Running out of time to decorate? No sweat. Fill some mason jars with red, white, and blue gumballs and put a small American flag in the middle for an extra patriotic touch. Who needs bouquets as centerpieces when you can have flags?

Create a candy bar: It’s a surefire way to keep the kids happy and entertained, and it doubles as decoration. Keep it red, white, and blue themed; fill mason jars or vases with gumballs, jelly beans, and all the other colored candy you can find!

Provide extra lighting with 4th of July themed lanterns: Having an evening party? Decorate luminaries with cardboard paper and ribbon for an easy and festive decoration. You can even enlist the kids’ help in this one!

Get your game on: Fill your backyard with games that both adults and kids will enjoy! Cornhole is a classic, and you can look for a set with red, white, and blue beanbags if you really want to stick to the theme. Three-legged races, frisbee, and outdoor badminton are some more games that will ensure your guests will be entertained at all times!

Get fired up: If your celebration is extending into the night, a bonfire is the perfect addition to the party. After all, nothing says summer like a campfire and some s’mores! Plus, it’s one less dessert for you to prepare!

There you have it—five quick and easy ways to get your backyard 4th of July ready. These ideas can work for any other outdoor summer party as well—just change the decoration theme according to your preference. Happy celebrating!

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How to Set Up an Outdoor Movie Theater at Home

June 26, 2015 By Casey Danton

If you’re nostalgic for the drive-in days of the past, you may be able to easily recreate the experience right at home. These warm nights are perfect for enjoying a movie screening under the stars with family and friends.

Get permission: Before you start setting up, check to make sure that your brilliant idea is actually permittable. Run the idea by your neighbors to find out if they have concerns about noise levels at night (and if they’d like to attend the screening). The last thing you want is the police knocking on your door right when you’ve gotten to the good part of the movie.

Consider the space: Where will you be projecting the show? Your driveway is a great option because it provides a level surface for equipment and is likely close to a power source in the garage. Otherwise, look for a flat surface anywhere around your home. If you’re putting the screen in the backyard, you’ll likely need a lengthy, heavy-duty extension cord, and a power strip.

Arrange the seats: Seating options vary based on location. If you’re setting up on the driveway, you’ll need lawn chairs (or perhaps a comfy old couch). If you’re in the backyard, you can simply spread out a few picnic blankets and throw pillows.

Gather your equipment: The essentials are: a screen, a projector, and speakers. When choosing a projector, focus on brightness and throw distance rating. For audio, go with an all-weather, two-channel system. If your theater is far from the house, make sure you have some form of lighting.

Bring on the refreshments: No movie experience is complete without snacks. And nothing beats an old-fashioned popcorn machine! But of course, since you’re running the show, anything goes: ice cream floats, s’mores, popsicles (or healthier options). The options are limitless.

Now just call up some friends, family, and neighbors and plan a star-studded evening under the stars.

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Keeping Up with the Joneses How to Make the Most of Your Small Backyard

October 13, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Keep up with the Joneses. Make your backyard feel much larger and turn it into a place where you and your family want to spend time. From BBQs and family dinners to gardening and playing hide-and-go seek, you’ll love living large in your “bigger” backyard.

1. Decrease clutter: Decreasing clutter will make your backyard feel larger. One way to decrease clutter is to purchase pieces that serve multiple purposes. Keep toys, gardening tools, and more in a shed or in the garage instead of outside.

2. Evaluate what you need: Think about how you want to use your backyard, and only buy what you will use. Don’t put something in your backyard because you feel like you should. If you know you won’t be entertaining outdoors, don’t buy a large table.

3. Add elevation: Create levels in your yard to give the illusion of a larger space. Add a few steps or platforms to create different sections. Go the extra mile and change the flooring on the different sections to create visual separation.

4. Create a focal point: Even the smallest of spaces needs a focal point. Whether it’s a sculpture, fire pit, or table, creating a focal point will bring the entire landscape together. Choose your focal point early in the design process so that you can decorate the rest of the yard around it.

5. Delight in the details: While it is best to keep small areas minimally cluttered, you can still have fun with the details! Add accessories like a chic lantern, outdoor lighting, and painted terra cotta flower pots.

Follow these tips to infuse personality into your yard, make it feel larger, and turn it into a place where you and your family want to relax, play, and entertain. Now just call the Joneses and invite them over for dinner!

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