Home Patio Furniture Accessories: Container Gardening Tips

Planters make for great home patio furniture accessories, providing a way  for your outdoor space to incorporate  added  character,  texture and color. Container gardening comes with specific requirements that should be considered so you can achieve the results that you want while creating optimal growing conditions. Below are some quick gardening tips for getting your plants to a great start.

• When shopping for garden planters, consider the size of your container plants at maturity. Plants should be planted at the same depth as the original pot they came in. The planters that you select should come with at least 2 inches of space under the plant’s root ball to give space for growth.
• Before you transfer your plants in the garden planter, look for the most appealing arrangement by playing with the placement of the nursery pots. Determine the most pleasing texture, height and color combination.
• After deciding on the arrangement, plant the largest plants first, followed by the medium-sized plants, and then the smallest sized ones. Planters sitting against a wall should have the largest plants at one side, progressively planting smaller plants in front. If your planter sits away from any wall, start in the center of the pot with the largest plant, followed by the medium ones in a circle around it, and the smallest plants in the outside circle.
• Leave 1 to 2 inches of space between the surface of the soil and the rim of the garden planter to give room for water to not overflow.
• When planting in terracotta planters, soak them in water for at least a couple of hours before planting. Clay is porous and will rob moisture from potting soil if it is dry.
• Lessen the planted weight of a large planter by putting a plastic nursery pot upside down in the bottom of a large container before you add soil. You will use less soil with this technique as well. To ensure good drainage, put the pot on top of a few small stones or pottery shards.
• Before you start planting, ease the shock of transplanting by gently dipping the root ball into a mixture of water and root stimulator, and then plant in the garden planter.

Now that you are armed with the most important tips on container gardening, it is not time to find good planters. Here are some of today’s most popular picks.

• Graffiato Square Planter - Earthstone by Alfresco Home. Durable and lightweight, this planter is made with fiberglass and composites. It has a contemporary square design with hand-applied finishes, giving each planter a unique look.
  
  
  
• All Things Cedar 22" Window Planter Box by All Things Cedar. Ideal for balconies, railings and ledges, this planter comes in an attractive Western Red Cedar window box. You can use this indoors or outdoors to house your plants come winter.
  
  
  
• Vifah Yellow Fern Illuminated Planter by Vifah Modern Patio. Bring the vital glow of plants a little more with this illuminated fiberglass planter. Add a dose of nature to your space, and some mood lighting while you are at it.
  
  
  

10 Ways to Make Your Home Appear Larger with Modern Mirrors

Most of us might have a fairly good idea on where to hang modern mirrors in our homes, but they are usually actually more versatile than we initially might think. They can prove to be one of the best tools in a small space owner’s back pocket. Indeed, you can never have too many of them.

Group them together. Large mirrors can be quite pricey, and most of us do not have the budget for such things. Smaller mirrors like the Oval Mirror by Howard Elliott come with a smaller price tag. Paint their frames the same color and group them in the same place on the wall.

Behind the stove. They might get dirty or greasy eventually, but you could  easily clean them. Behind your stove top is a dark area in your kitchen, and a mirror should bounce light around, making it easier to see the meal that you are preparing.

Turn them on their side. This trick will work especially when using longer skinny mirrors like the Claire Mirror by Cooper Classics. Try turning the mirror on its side. This works best on long skinny mirrors, and will make any wall look longer instantly.

Cabinet fronts. You can use this trick in other places of the home, but the kitchen is the ideal location for this DIY project. Glue mirrored tiles on your cabinet fronts to reflect the space  around you. Be free to just do the tops or just the bottoms.

Next to your dining table. Like you see in many restaurants around the world, this allows for softer lighting to be used, while still keeping the area bright and well lit. Think of this as mood lighting that still allows you to see your dinner plate.

Floor length. Floor length mirrors like the White Croc Leaning Floor Mirror by Powell are great ways to make any space feel taller. Their long shape draws the eye up and carries it around the room. This should make the space feel brighter and lighter.

Layer them. Use several mirrors and make an entire wall mirrored and then adding smaller and defined mirrors on top. Aside from creating a bigger and more open space, you will also give depth to the space without weighing things down.

Fake a window. If you want a space packed with windows, you know this is not really a reality for many. Instead, try using small square mirrors that are tiled out to look like a window to give the illusion of what you wish was there, instead of what really is.

Beautiful backsplashes. The backsplash is the perfect place for a little reflection in your kitchen. It will make any under counter lighting extra bright, allowing you to go without such things and use natural light throughout your room.

Fake mirrored furniture. Just like covering your cabinets above, you can fake expensive designer pieces and use a glass cutter and mirrored tile found at your hardware store. It might be a more labor intensive option, but the results are quite amazing.

Contemporary Bedroom Furniture: Alternative Nightstand Ideas

The conventional nightstand has become a staple in contemporary bedroom furniture. Aside from having a functional purpose of having a space to keep belongings and necessary items; they also have a great stylish value and use them as decorative accents for your bedroom. Below are some great examples of stunning bedroom nightstands.

• Ludlow Nightstand in Wenge - Pair of 2 by Mod Loft. Featuring floor and top shelf levels, these versatile cubes can be used as end tables, or be turned into multiple directions to create unique arrangements. It is made with solid hardwood construction.
  
  
  
  Bonita 2-Drawer Night Stand in Zebrawood by Allan Copley Designs. Bringing regal elegance to your bedroom environment, this nightstand comes in Zebrawood finish with graceful lines that lead to its tapered leg supports. It is finished in a deep Mocha in oak.
  
  
• The City Night Stand Dark Brown by Zuo Modern. Stately and sturdy, this nightstand is made from solid Elmwood. It has a large drawer with plenty of storage space, along with a large top for ample bedside space.
  
  
  

But if you are looking for something out-of-the-box, something that will match your quirky take on things, then maybe you are looking for something else. Below are some options to consider. Others require some assembly, while others just might be under your nose.

A stack of old hardback books. Give your bedroom an intellectual touch with a stack of books. But rather than stacking them on shelves, treat them with shellac. Pile them up in different directions, and glue them together. Complete it with a piece of glass or slab of wood on top. Now you have one classic nightstand

An ottoman. A nightstand does not have to be complicated and filled with drawers, shelves and knobs. Ottomans make for wonderfully casual nightstands, especially for those with low-rise platform beds, or those who like having their mattresses on the floor. You can balance the items on a silver platter or flat dining tray.

Miniature bookcase. Find a small book shelf and give a complete makeover. Rather than storing books on it, use it for decorative trinkets for your pump, and other nighttime items on top. Using a bookshelf is a great way to punctuate the style of your bedroom without taking up too much room. You can also install shelves on the wall next to your bed, and still serve the same purpose minus the floor space.

Outdoor folding bistro table. If you are going for a tropical, breezy look, go with outdoor furniture to give this effect. A folding outdoor bistro table is not only versatile and sturdy; it gives off a casual vibe. Cap off the look by adding a beachy-looking canopy.

Rolling liquor cart. Those little liquor cards in your home are decorative, and come in various shapes and sizes. This makes them a great candidate for a nightstand. Many of these carts come with locking canisters so they will not roll away. Plus, they should come in handy if you are looking for a little nightcap before sleeping.