On the Lake Homes Realty blog, we’ve covered a lot of landscaping topics. By now, you’re probably well versed in cultivating gardens that adhere to your USDA zone, as well as new low-irrigation techniques like xeriscaping. But have you heard of the latest trend — vertical gardening? Especially perfect for those with smaller backyards, vertical gardening makes the most use of the space you have. Think of it as the landscaping equivalent of New York City’s architectural strategy — when there’s limited space, build upwards with skyscrapers! Today, we’re diving into the basics of the vertical gardening trend and how you can implement it at your lake house.
In the broadest sense, vertical gardening is essentially vegetation growing on a non-horizontal surface such as a wall, trellis, or fence. Although it’s certainly a hot new trend, vertical gardening has been around since the beginning of recorded history. The history of vertical gardening begins in 3000 BCE with grapevines in the Mediterranean area. Whether for growing food or decorating homes, these vines were known for climbing up walls and trellises. Today, nearly any non-horizontal surface is perfect for growing vegetables, adding beautiful greenery to your landscape, or indoor herb gardening.
One of the most logistical benefits of vertical gardening is that it doesn’t take up too much space. If your backyard is small, or you’re living in a more urban lake area, you may need to conserve space on your property. The limits are your own property with horizontal gardening, but with vertical gardening, the sky’s the limit! From an environmental perspective, they also reduce your carbon footprint — a win-win for both you and the environment. Plus, your plants are more likely to thrive with added air circulation than on the moist ground.
There are also aesthetic benefits to vertical gardening. A wall of blooming greenery adds dimension to your backyard. In the same way that wall art rounds out an interior design, vertical gardening draws the eye upward and offers a holistic look. Plus, there’s no better way to disguise an unattractive wall than with a whole lot of ivy.
Have you ever wanted to incorporate greenery onto your boat dock but didn’t have enough room? Enter vertical gardening. For smaller spaces like boat docks, vertical gardening is the perfect solution. The same goes for your screened-in porch overlooking the lake. Further, vertical gardening is simply another way of showing off your biophilic design. This design trend embraces the natural world and also reflects the values of many lake homeowners who spend a lot of time appreciating nature.
There are tons of different ways to incorporate vertical gardens into your lake home. If you’re looking to get creative, try a DIY project. For example, you can simply re-pot your house plants into wooden crates and stack them on top of each other to create a farm-chic vertical garden. Less mainstream but delightfully creative strategies include succulent frames and monogrammed planters. If you’re not so crafty, look for an existing vertical surface to use. Perhaps you’re not so crazy about one wall of your lake house. Or maybe the fence dividing your home from the neighbor’s could use a makeover. Think outside the box with these vertical surfaces. We bet there’s a way to incorporate vertical gardening.
Whether you’re a gardening newbie or you have a green thumb, we hope you find some fun ways to use vertical gardening at your lake house!
In many of our Whiteboard Wednesday videos on the Lake Homes blog, CEO Glenn Phillips has covered why now, during a pandemic, is a great time to sell your lake house. But what if your lake home isn’t in perfect selling condition, and you want to take advantage of the market? In this case, you may be selling a fixer-upper — and there’s nothing wrong with that! If this is you, here are some helpful tips straight from top real estate experts across the country.
Focus on the Shell
If you’re selling a fixer-upper, don’t worry about the interior. Just make sure your home’s overall structure is sound so buyers will see the potential in your home. “When the shell is good, you care less about the interior finishes,” says real estate expert Steve Laret. “People come for the exterior. They are willing to chalk up deficiencies inside. What matters to people the most is that slice of water they can see from the cabin. How buyers value that is anybody’s guess.”
With lake properties specifically, one way to improve your home’s structure is by improving your home’s water access. For example, while you can’t change the water’s depth, you can install stairs and invest in a new boat dock. At the end of the day, buyers want to know whether they can store their boat at your home and how easily they can access the water.
Focus on the Market Now
The lake real estate market has undoubtedly changed since COVID began. On the one hand, people have been investing much more in lake houses because of the social distancing benefits, so it’s an excellent time for sellers. However, this trend may not last forever. Steve Laret warns, “Step on it before the fallout comes. This will likely be 18 months out from the start of COVID. Typically, that is how long it takes from something that’s shut down the economy to rear its ugly head.” If you’re looking to sell lakefront property, fixer-upper or not, it’s best to get it done right now before the eventual fallout. This trend is based on what happened in other devastating events such as stock market crashes and the aftermath of 9/11.
Know Your Price
Sometimes, as a seller, you can get into a state of disillusionment regarding the price of your home. We understand this. You’ve spent a lot of time at your lake house, you love it, and believe it should be worth a lot of money to any buyer. However, your bias may skew your perception. “If you’re selling a fixer-upper, have your realtor do a market analysis of your house as if it were already fixed up,” says Henry Washington, real estate investor who specializes in buying and renovating homes. That will give you a realistic value of the house after the home improvements. You’ll be able to include this in your listing.
Additionally, ask your realtor to give you information about rental prices per night on fixed-up properties. AirDNA is a good resource that provides analytics behind Airbnb to price your rental correctly.
A little bit of perspective-taking goes a long way. Ask yourself, “If I were a buyer and had to fix up this house, what would I be looking for?” In doing this, you should focus on the future. After all, you are not selling your current home — you are selling a vision for your current home’s potential. One way to cater to the buyer is to make small changes that will make your home more marketable. For example, Washington recommends replacing old light fixtures with more modern choices. “It can have a huge impact on the place,” he says. “It’s a pretty inexpensive fix that might help bring more offers in or sell for a higher price.” He also recommends updating the mirrors on bathroom walls to modernize the space. These are little ways to say to the buyer: “Look what this home can be!”
For more information about selling your lake home, connect with one of our many Lake Agents at Lake Homes Realty!
During the pandemic, outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular additions to lake houses. To start with, lake houses themselves are becoming a better investment. Their remote location, larger spaces, and natural surroundings make them an ideal place for social distancing. When hosting guests at your lake house, outdoor dining is a safer alternative than indoor dining. As such, outdoor kitchens are a perfect solution. You can socialize with guests while cooking, and guests can grab their own food and drink without entering the house. Not to mention the closer proximity to an incredible lake view. With the rise of outdoor kitchens in mind, we’re taking a look at 2021’s newest trends for outdoor kitchen designs.
One surveyhas deemed 2020 as the “Year of the Comfort Food Comeback.” So, it’s no wonder that people are making and ordering pizza, among other favorite comfort foods. In keeping with this, Heloise Blause, kitchen blogger at Home Kitchen Land and private chef, mentions that outdoor pizza ovens are becoming a popular trend among her clients. She notes, “Outdoor ovens make such a great focal point for a backyard kitchen, and some of the newer models that are coming out are truly amazing.” She adds that a high-end gas-powered oven cooks almost just as well as a traditional wood-burning pizza oven. Once lockdowns eventually lift this summer, homemade pizza will be a great addition to backyard parties.
When the outdoor kitchen trend first rose in the late 2000s, outdoor kitchens were designed to be as compact as possible. Today, the trend is to make these spaces larger with a more open concept to integrate cooking and dining areas into the entire outdoor kitchen space. For example, L-shaped kitchens create more countertop space. They also allow your guests to be able to sit on counter stools while you’re cooking.
A good countertop can make or break your outdoor kitchen designs. James Upton from DIY Tile Guy says that the biggest trend he’s seen in outdoor kitchen designs is tile panels used for kitchen countertops. He notes, “These thin panel sheets are denser and more stain-resistant than granite or quartz. Plus, they are UV-light resistant, making them a great choice for outdoors.”
Aside from tile, natural countertops have also been a popular choice. Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn Los Angeles Lawn Care, mentions that materials such as reclaimed wood, granite, slate, and other natural materials are popular as countertops. Instead of brushed metal looks favored for interior designs, the natural look blends with the outdoors. Their durability allows them to hold up in various climate conditions, although they are trickier to maintain. Bailey advises that you’ll need proper sealants for any wood (such as water or oil-based lacquer). Additionally, your outdoor space should be covered to protect your kitchen from the elements. The overall look aligns with a trend we’ve seen over the past few years of intentionally incorporating nature into designs.
Similar to designing weather-resistant tile panels, covered patios are now a new trend for 2021. Since we’re all spending more time outside, our outdoor kitchen patios need to be fit for all weather conditions. Open-air patio structures allow protection from the sun, rain, and other elements while enjoying outdoor dining. It also benefits your outdoor refrigerator, protecting it from the summer heat. Since outdoor refrigerators use up more energy when exposed to sunlight, a covered patio will keep electricity bills from skyrocketing.
Fire pits have been trending at lake homes for quite some time. However, the newest element of this feature is its multifunctionality. Bailey says that one recent trend is utilizing fire pits not only as a “central feature for entertaining but also for cooking.” He mentions this might be a “flash in the pan trend” since fire pits are more difficult for amateur cooks to work with. However, if this is something you can utilize, it’s perfect as a dual source of comforting warmth and heat for cooking.
What home-cooked meals have you made in your outdoor kitchen this year?
If you’re thinking of selling your lake house now or in the distant future, you’re probably wondering what renovations might provide the best return on investment. After all, you don’t want to invest thousands of dollars in renovations that won’t pay off in the end. Some upgrades can backfire on sellers, such as downsizing bedrooms. However, there are some guaranteed ways to add value to your home. Many of these solutions can be DIY rather than professional, lowering the cost. Check out these top four home renovations that add the most value to your lake home.
According to HGTV, a kitchen and bath remodel is a “sure-fire investment.” This is because these spaces are often the messiest once they’ve been lived in, so seeing them polished and refurbished is a huge plus. Erik Kobielnik, a project manager of Marquis Fine Cabinetry, a company that specializes in kitchen and bath renovations, recommends kitchen renovations as the top way to increase your home’s value. He describes the kitchen as the “heart of the home” and says that he has worked on several projects in which a beautiful kitchen design is a primary factor that sold the house.
To create a more open kitchen, remodel it by knocking down walls and adding an island. April Morse from Weber Company notes that although kitchens are usually the most expensive renovation ($30-50K for an average-sized kitchen), they’re well worth it for the ROI. She says, “Lake homeowners should stick to a natural wood theme in the house with painted touches throughout. This will keep your home in style for a longer period of time.”
Besides the kitchen, the bathroom is a key home renovation that will provide a solid return on investment for your lake home. It’s also a room that will meet any buyer’s scrutiny if it takes on a fresh, updated look. A broken faucet or a rusty bathtub can change a buyer’s mind quickly, so upkeep is paramount for future selling. However, you don’t have to break the bank doing this. You can take specific shortcuts, such as replacing the toilet seat lid without replacing the entire toilet and replacing cracked floor tiles instead of installing a brand new tile. Think of it as a “spot cleaning” for your home. Even simple design changes such as adjusting the lighting or buying a new mirror can make a huge difference.
Although landscaping is an essential renovation in most traditional homes, it’s even more critical at the lake. Cristina Miguelez, remodeling specialist at Fixr.com says, “This, combined with your home’s exterior, is what makes up your curb appeal.” She mentions a couple of possible renovation directions depending on the state of your landscape. If your landscape is overgrown, cut it back to showcase your home. If your landscape is sparse, consider updating your walkways or adding more plants to the outdoor space. Try adding native plants specifically, as they’ll require less maintenance and are more likely to flourish. Also relevant to landscaping is updating your boat dock, if you have one. If your boat dock is unkempt or looks like you’d be uncomfortable hosting friends on it, it needs to be redone.
This one might go unnoticed, but paint provides a high return on investment. Kevin McGuire, the owner of Metro Precision Painting, says, “Interior and exterior painting provides a great ROI because the color and the quality of the paint on your home is typically the first thing a buyer is going to notice. On the contrary, if you have ugly colors, peeling or fading paint, most people will not be able to look past that; thus, it can significantly decrease the value of your home.” Plus, it’s also cheaper than other renovations like remodeling kitchens and bathrooms. In contrast to these rooms, paint is a smaller investment that can yield big returns. For example, an exterior paint job on a 2000 square foot home would usually cost $2.00 for every square foot. You also have the opportunity to customize the paint to your lake house. “Most clients want a beachy feel and would like to bring the outdoors in,” he says. “This is something that you can create if you use the right color scheme.”
If you’re looking to sell your lake home, now is a great time. Be sure to consider these renovation projects to increase your home’s value before putting it on the market!
Over the past year, vacation homes—particularly lake homes—have become much more than just a place to escape for a relaxing weekend. Since the pandemic took hold, more and more homeowners have decided to give up city living and retreat to a lake home full-time or make their existing lakeside vacation property their co-primary residence.
Tranquil, comforting, and connected to nature, these soothing lake-based sanctuaries offer a peaceful alternative where families and empty-nesters alike can safely work, learn, entertain, and embrace life to the fullest during these challenging times. In turn, this new movement has inspired lake-home owners to re-invent their spaces to meet the functionality demands of our “new normal.”
What do we need now? Chicago interior designer Michelle Rohrer-Lauer, founder of Michelle’s Interiors and owner of her own lake home retreat in Wisconsin on Lake Camelot, shares her wisdom, innate sense of style, and conviction that every home should embrace the spirit of the people who live there.
Here are her tips on how you can amp up the functionality of your interior—and exterior—lake spaces:
“Our homes have always been our safe places away from the stresses of the day, but COVID has eroded some of that sanctuary feeling,” says Michelle. “More than ever, our homes are where we work, which brings that stress in through the front door. Yes, we need home offices—and learning spaces for our children—and those must be carefully designed to make long sessions comfortable, organized, and productive,” she notes.
Aesthetically, your home office style and its furnishings should always reflect the design incorporated throughout your home. For instance, if your home embodies a rustic farmhouse vibe, consider implementing knotty and imperfect repurposed wood flooring and dramatic ceiling beams. Pair this look with the rich patina of elegantly finished custom cabinetry, desks, and storage units for a visually satisfying contrast.
Next, make sure your office is Zoom-ready with the right equipment and lighting. Since video conferencing is now our primary connection to clients and co-workers, we—as well as our home offices—need to be dressed for success.
Beyond a great camera, microphone, and a comfortable chair, we want our workspace to look appealing, professional, and uncluttered. “Task lighting is important for reading, and your computer monitor should be positioned to avoid glare from a window or overhead light,” Michelle recommends.
Soundproofing, storage, and concealing all your cords are other factors to consider when planning your personal home office. For more tips and home office eye candy, visit Michelle’s Interiors.
With all the time we spend sheltering in place these days, working out at home has become necessary for burning off stress and staying fit. While we love to exercise outdoors, a home gym is often the easiest option when we’re super busy, or the weather is bad.
What are the must-haves for an aesthetically pleasing and inspiring home gym? “Bright lighting is number one,” says Michelle. “Evenly spaced recessed lighting and lots of natural light can make us feel more energetic—which equals a better workout.”
Other key essentials include a wall of mirrors to magnify the light and make a space look larger, an interlocking rubber floor, mats, or other cushioned surface for comfortable floor workouts and noise suppression, plus acoustical tiles and sound-proofed walls to create a quieter workout.
A TV monitor creates a great distraction while you burn calories and brings an element of luxury and value to your home gym. You can listen to your favorite music, binge-watch a Netflix series, or live-stream a motivating fitness program.
Plenty of smart storage solutions will ensure exercise equipment and towels are conveniently stowed away yet still within easy reach. “An eco-friendly water dispenser is also handy and cuts down on plastic bottles,” notes Michelle. “Everyone can fill up their reusable bottles—and you know how important that is to me! I am always thinking of ways to help people live greener lives at home.”
Take It Outside! — Design Your Alfresco Dream Kitchen
We all love to cook and dine outdoors these days—especially while enjoying the beautiful scenery surrounding our lake homes. After spending more time in open-air environments than ever before, we now crave the same luxuries and amenities outside as we do indoors. “An outdoor kitchen extends your food prep and dining space substantially—and it requires careful planning,” says Michelle.
Key considerations to discuss before launching a project include lifestyle, location, the traffic pattern between your indoor and outdoor kitchen, layout, and the type of appliances desired and placement.
When designing outdoor spaces for her clients, Michelle approaches it the same way she would for the interiors. How will you use the space, and what is your preferred aesthetic? Do you want to incorporate comfy seating and cozy focal points such as a built-in fireplace or firepit? “Regardless of your style and how you use your backyard, the exterior should be a natural extension of your interior style so that it flows effortlessly in both directions,” she sums.
For more stylish outdoor kitchen inspiration, visit houzz.com.
Not surprisingly, pet adoption has been on the rise since COVID-19, as many of us are feeling isolated and in need of a comforting companion. Integrating pet-friendly design into your lake house not only benefits our furry friends but also makes care and maintenance easier and less time-consuming—which ultimately makes us happier, right?
“Pet design, particularly organizational solutions, makes your home more functional and enjoyable for you and your new best friend—or friends,” says Michelle. “The way you plan a house influences a dog’s behavior and spirit, and good design makes pets feel cared for and content,” she adds.
Some of her go-to solutions? Multi-purpose pet showers are perfect for your laundry area or mudroom. Having your dog wash near an exterior door is the ideal location—no more muddy or snowy paws tracking all over the house! Whether you choose a floor-level or counter-level shower, a flexible goose-neck faucet will help direct the flow of water wherever you need it.
Plenty of storage is also key. Pull-out bins for pet food, treats, and built-in bowls are easy to access—and hide—and other essentials such as leashes, medications, and brushes can be stashed inside designated drawers in the same area.
“Pet doors are a great way to give your cat or dog the freedom to go outside for business or pleasure, or to access a litter box in the basement,” shares Michelle. “Some can be monitored remotely via a smartphone, and others work in sync with a sensor attached to your pet’s collar so they only open for your pet—not the neighborhood skunk or raccoon,” she laughs.
Want to dive into some lake home updates of your own? Start by reimagining your rooms, considering your individual lifestyle, family needs, and how you want to live in your space. After all, your surroundings are the backdrop of your life—and your home is a personal expression of who you are and the place where you feel your best.
One of the most crucial challenges of owning a lake house in the winter is staying warm. While your heating system at home may be a breeze, secondary homes are a different ballgame. Just by spending less time at a vacation home, it’s harder to maintain. How can you know which heating system is right for you? We’re here to help you become knowledgeable about this fundamental piece of homeownership. We talked with experts in the HVAC field (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) about these various options.
According to Smarter House, most households in North America rely on a central furnace for heat. It works by blowing air through ducts that transmit the warm air to various rooms in the house. To conduct heat, they typically use natural gas or propane. While they generally take up more space than other heating systems, one advantage is that it’s centralized. You can operate the entire home’s heat from a single control. They also last a long time. According to Kerry Sherin, Home Value Expert at Ownerly, “A furnace’s energy efficiency can range from 59%–98.5%, and you will have to replace it within 15–30 years.”
Like furnaces, boilers are classified under the “central heating systems” family, and they’re also another common choice in the U.S. While furnaces distribute heat in warm air, boilers do the same with hot water. The boiler circulates hot water or steam through pipes, and the water is pumped to a home’s radiators. However, steam boilers are less common today, and hot water is the most common. Kerry Sherin adds that while boilers can easily heat specific rooms, the expensive installation and risk of frozen pipes are some downsides to consider.
A heat pump looks similar to an air conditioner and functions similarly. It works by running a compressor and fan to generate heat with electricity. They’re also called “reverse air cycle conditioners” because the process is just like refrigeration, only backward. Instead of generating cold air to keep food at a cooler temperature, it creates warmer air for your home.
Ductless mini-splits are also a popular heat pump system that’s configured differently. “While traditional heat pumps and furnaces provide central heat, a ductless system is decentralized,” says Bob Wiseman, president of Canoga Park Heating and Air Conditioning. A plus side of this system is that each room in your home with a ductless mini-split has individual temperature control, improving efficiency and comfort. “Plus,” he adds, “they do not require ducting, and the individual rooms can have their temperature-controlled separately.”
According to Liam Kear, owner of Elevated Lead Gen Solutions, there are two functions of home heating systems: heating you or heating the room. While the previously mentioned heating systems serve the latter role, electric space heaters help warm you quickly. This type of system works by converting electricity into heat. Many times, electric heaters are portable, cheap options. For instance, Liam Kear says, “radiant heaters are usually portable, so you can get them out when you’re cold and hide them away when you don’t need them.”
Perhaps the most energy-saving option, active solar heating systems use the sun to warm liquid or air for heating. According to Kerry Sherin, Its life expectancy is 20+ years, making it a quality, long-lasting option. While this choice helps you save money on energy bills at your lake house, keep in mind that the initial purchase can be expensive. Plus, you will likely require a second heating source to keep thoroughly warm in the winter.
From our lake house to yours, we hope this knowledge about home heating systems helps you stay warm this winter!
At the end of October, we’re finally in the thick of autumn. It’s the perfect time to relax on your back porch, gaze out at the lake, and enjoy a warm beverage. In preparation for this season characterized by hygge, many lake home residents decorate their houses with the latest fall trends to ring in the season. But this doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to the store or hiring an interior decorator. There’s plenty of ways to create these trends with DIY projects. From vintage decor to pumpkin centerpieces, we’re here with some advice on DIY design trends for this season!
Incorporate Natural Decor
To complement the scenery around your lake home, try incorporating natural decor into your interior designs. This style is especially popular during autumn when the colorful shades outdoors are incredibly vibrant. “From the lakeside, any decor you choose should be complementary to the area as well as to the season,” says Sarabeth Asaff, home design expert at Fixr. who lives on the lake. “That means a lot of natural decors – mums, pumpkins, corn stalks – things that fit in well with the natural feeling of the space, while still highlighting the season.”
If there’s a local farmer’s market near your lake house, it’s a great place to pick up pumpkins, flowers, and other decorative items. For a specific DIY project that incorporates natural elements, check out these homemade fall decor crafts. Sarabeth also advises looking directly to your backyard for the best DIY inspiration. She urges, “Don’t be afraid to bring the outdoors inside. If the leaves are changing color, why not snip off several twigs with leaves in vibrant colors to create a centerpiece that’s natural and colorful at once.”
Embrace Hygge
Hygge, the Danish concept of being comfortable and cozy, is completely aligned with the lake lifestyle. And this fall, this life philosophy is trending. “Both inside and outdoors, put an emphasis on the cozy this year”, Sarabeth says. “It’s about comfort, so line your outdoor chairs and benches with soft pillows in fall hues. Swap out your window treatments for something a little heavier, and make sure to include plenty of candles and throws throughout your living spaces.” If you don’t have candles at home, candle making is a quick, simple hobby you can take up. It’s also a fun science lesson about how wax burns and consolidates!
Another component of hygge is embracing warmth and familiarity. As such, a related trend is vintage, nostalgic items. Jen Stark, the founder of Happy DIY Home, recommends mixing vintage plates, frames, or vases with fall decor like pumpkin displays. She says to use these items as a “throwback on your mantle or coffee table with brown-hued bottles surrounded by faux fall flowers.” Get inspired by these fall centerpiece ideas to create your vintage table spread.
While pastels and floral prints characterize springtime, dark tones are in season this fall. Think mustard yellow, a “mulled wine” shade of reddish-purple, and copper. Jen Stark comments, “This year, we’re seeing pops of dark accent colors being really popular for fall decor. Bring in evergreen foliage in deep green with navy tones that mimic the crisp, night sky.”
If you’ve adopted a sewing hobby during quarantine, this would be a great opportunity to sew window curtains or a pillow cover with a dark purple or burnt orange fabric. You could also try reupholstering a chair with a velvet fabric to add a sense of warmth and texture. These DIY sewing projects will certainly capture the essence of fall at your lake home.
Fire pit kits, a recent DIY trend, are part of a long history of fire pits in general. For the past several years, fire pits have been a popular feature at lake houses. It’s not hard to see why. Especially during the fall, fire pits add a much-needed sense of light and warmth to your outdoor space’s ambiance. Roasting marshmallows, drinking wine, and staying cozy beside a fire describe the season’s essence.
However, when it comes to choosing a fire pit, there’s a lot to consider. They can be expensive to install, difficult to set up, and a headache to operate. If you’re running into these issues when choosing a fire pit, DIY might be the solution.
Many manufacturers have created fire pit kits — designed for convenient installation and easy maintenance. If you dream of a nice fire pit but love the convenience of DIY, these user-friendly products are perfect!
This circular stone fire pit kit from Lowe’s is a simple DIY design. The tumbled stone evokes a polished, contemporary look. With a retaining wall product surrounding the stones’ interior, it won’t crack at high temperatures like a brick fire pit would.
This product is available in six color blends to match your existing lake house’s hardscape for aesthetics. Suppose you don’t have all day to install, no worries.
This fire pit kit’s build time is only an hour because it comes with instructions and ready-to-assemble pieces.
After this square fire pit kit is shipped to your door, it can be assembled in one afternoon. If you’re having trouble, check out one of RTA’s installation videos for outdoor kitchens (the same process applies for fire features).
Once you’ve installed it, its durable features ensure that you’ll enjoy it for years to come. For instance, it comes with a weatherproof on/off switch, the ability to withstand freeze/thaw cycles and coastal climates, and a lifetime warranty on the structure.
Available in natural gas or propane, the stainless steel burner is the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen. You’ll also love using the plate and drink counter space for your lake house guests.
For a hint of classic elegance in your backyard, check out this propane fire pit kit from Park Canyon. The product is made of resin with a circular steel frame. It doubles as both a patio heater as well as a table.
When it’s heated, it has a power of 50,000 BTU and an automatic shut off to keep everyone safe. Up to 4 people can enjoy its warmth on a crisp fall evening. Plus, you can control the temperature just by pressing a button for maximum comfort.
With a mesh guard that contains fire sparks and an attractive cover to conceal the propane, it’s one of the more sophisticated fire pit kits you’ll find.
This Cape Cod Fire Pit has been a bestseller at Stonewood Products every year, and the reasons are obvious.
First, it’s designed to install quickly and easily so you can spend more time enjoying your fire pit than creating it. It’s also incredibly versatile.
When ordering, you can customize height and color so that it blends seamlessly into your backyard.
You can also tailor this fire pit kit to your needs by adding a smokeless fire ring, a spark screen, or a grill surface. This circular, stone fire pit is a timeless look that easily integrates with surrounding nature.
Varying shapes of wet cast concrete bring out a balance of modern and rustic looks. Especially paired with a stone hardscape, this look is perfect for a lake property.
For your convenience, it comes with a block key and pattern for quick installation. And depending on your preference, you can choose between a wood-burning or gas-powered fire pit.
At your lake house, fire pit kits are a great way to achieve a low maintenance landscape. They’re easy to install, and the designs are elegant and straightforward.
This fall, you can assemble a fire pit kit in one afternoon and invite guests over for s’ mores by evening. From our lake house to yours, stay warm outside and enjoy the season!
Indoor plants add a sense of life to any room. A dull furniture set immediately becomes more colorful with hanging plants or potted flowers on a side table. Especially at a lake house, bringing the outdoors in is a relevant trend. It allows natural lakeside scenery to integrate into your home decor seamlessly. Plus, the beauty of indoor plants is that you aren’t bound by gardening zones.
Indoors, you can engineer the environment for them to grow. However, it would be best if you still considered seasonality for house plant care. As the seasons change, so do plants’ needs. For this season, check out these fall indoor plants to maintain your lake house’s bright, happy atmosphere.
Red aglaonema is one of the most colorful house plants with a green base. Its varying shades of red and pink add color variation to fall’s typical orangey-brown tones. Plus, it’s simple to care for this slow-growing plant that only requires indirect sunlight. That ability to use lower light environments makes it perfect for a home office.
If you’re working from your lake home during COVID-19, keep in mind that office plants have tons of psychological benefits from stress reduction to increased creativity. If you’re new to plant care, this is the perfect, low-maintenance addition to your lake home.
Of all fall indoor plants, this one might be the easiest to grow. As a succulent, it tolerates low light and is quite forgiving towards forgetful owners. It’s considered a plant of steel due to its hardiness. This trait makes it perfect for a second home like a lake house, where you won’t be readily available for plant maintenance.
Snake plants are also strikingly beautiful with a combination of yellow, light green, and dark green. Additionally, it’s an unintrusive floor plant because its thick leaves grow upright. Like aglaonemas, they require indirect sunlight so you can place them in most rooms of your lake home — provided it’s not a pitch dark basement.
When it’s cold outside, and trees are bare, the amaryllis’s red, white, and pink shades add a rare vibrancy to your selection of fall indoor plants. Its colors also bring out a festive, decorative flare during cold-weather holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.
To grow them, pot the bulbs yourself and keep the soil damp but not wet. However, growing the bulb in water is also an option. Whichever you choose, remember to plant your amaryllis in a heavy pot. If the pot is too lightweight, the flower will keel over once it grows to full size.
Native to Mexico, Brazil, and Costa Rica, this house plant comes in 25 different types. Its name comes from the bright orange blooms that resemble goldfish among tiny dark leaves. These colorful blooms are most vibrant in the summertime. However, they’ll keep their fiery tone in the fall, as long as you care for it properly.
To keep your goldfish plant alive, place it in bright but not direct sunlight with some humidity. Because of its curved leaves, it looks attractive as a hanging plant.
You may think of aloe vera only in relation to sun protection. However, its status as one of the best fall indoor plants shouldn’t be ignored.
As a succulent, it’s tough and requires little water to stay alive. Mostly, it just needs indirect sunlight, making this plant perfect for your lake house’s kitchen or den.
Although its juices can aid in healing cuts and burns, be sure not to ingest this plant as its toxicity can cause nausea and indigestion.
As indicated by its name, the Christmas cactus’ beautiful colors will help you start celebrating the winter holidays. These tubular, bright blooms will be a perfect addition to your windowsill this fall.
Unlike typical cacti, this plant isn’t native to arid environments. It’s native to the rainforests in Brazil. Since they’re accustomed to humid environments like this, you’ll need to water more regularly.
Croton Plant
Photo courtesy of KOMARGALLERY/GETTY IMAGES via mydomaine.com.
When it comes to fall indoor plants, the Croton plant is a particularly fun choice. Usually grown outdoors in tropical climates, it also makes a great houseplant. The shades of dark gray, orange, and yellow create a whimsical yet striking look.
Because it’s native to a tropical environment, it dislikes humidity. Keeping the plant on a pebble tray and regularly misting it should do the trick! Also, it’s crucial to avoid moving the Croton plant if possible. It doesn’t like being transferred to new environments, and doing so will result in leaf loss.
If you’re in search of a tall, sturdy house plant, a rubber tree is perfect. When it’s young, it can fit comfortably on a desk. However, it can reach extraordinary heights. In the rubber tree’s native home of southeast Asia, it can grow up to 100 feet tall, and domestically, it stretches between six and ten feet. It prefers indirect light, so a placement by a sheer curtained window is perfect.
In addition to preparing your existing house plants for fall, we hope you add one of these new fall indoor plants to your collection. No matter which you choose, they’ll help evoke a peaceful atmosphere in your lake home.
