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Fourth of July celebrations come in many shapes and sizes, but one thing that seems to go without saying is that the Fourth is best enjoyed by gatherings outside - whether that be at the beach, a lake, a backyard, or a cul-de-sac. You may have a decades-long standing tradition, or you may be hosting for the first time, but either way, it’s always fun to throw in something new. Here are some ideas of “must-haves” to get you ready for the Fourth! Host(ess) with the Most(est) is in your future.

 

Lawn Excitement

No summer gathering is complete without a little play - and of course, some friendly competition can’t hurt either. The great thing about yard games is that it’s fun for all ages and all ability levels. The options for yard games are…

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You sign what feels like hundreds of papers to agree to a thirty-year relationship with a house … it may feel like signing your life away, but that’s just how buying a home feels - it’s not reality! In reality, you can sell. You can rent. You can move. However, what doesn’t change - is that for the time you do own your home, it is your very own. That means the maintenance and upkeep are all on you. Thankfully, you are not alone, and many of the problems new homeowners face are common - which means well-known solutions! Here is a round-up of some of the most common problems and solutions:

HVAC Issues 

If you’re a new homeowner you may think that the HVAC system takes care of itself. After all, it’s expensive, and more or less out of sight.…

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After the flurry of activity surrounding the purchase of a home, the long and luxurious process of making it one’s own may be the best way there is for a new homeowner to unwind. Today, we’re highlighting ten of the best ways to personalize your home!

No matter your budget, DIY skill level, or artistic ability, we hope these tips will guide and inspire you to have fun while you accomplish beautiful flourishes of self-expression throughout your home.

 

1.) Re-Make an Entrance

The entrance to your home is your first opportunity to set your home apart. A brightly-painted door, a quirky statue, a hand-shaped walkway, or bold landscaping: are any of these common approaches right for your new home?

If you’re moving into a home that has a Home…

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As the nation works together to face the threat of Covid-19, it’s become clear that, in many urban and suburban regions alike, staying home is the best defense. If you are one of the millions of US citizens currently under “stay at home” orders, everyone at Parks thanks you for doing your best to remain home.

If you’re like our upbeat team members here at Parks, you’re battling boredom and loneliness during these months of isolation. To help, we're sharing 5 ways to stay busy at home! Once you’ve prepared every meal in your favorite recipe book, scrubbed your home until it gleams, and organized the garage three times over, it’s time to work your way through our favorite fun, time-consuming activities.

1.) Upskill with the help of colleagues,…

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There’s something about bringing the outdoors in that really finishes off a space. Between the simple aesthetic upgrade (which also happens to be SO in right now), and the health benefits - adding some indoor plants to your place is always a great idea. While there are always the people that “can’t keep a plant alive for more than a day”, we’re here to tell you that with the right indoor plants chosen for this very purpose - you absolutely will be able to have a little thriving indoor oasis with minimal effort. Here are our top ten suggestions for indoor plants.

Snake Plant

Snake Plants gets its name from the rigid leaves that grow straight up with a little meandering around in different directions. Known for being able to survive droughts…

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When it comes to gardening, there are a few (if not many) end goals. There is the goal of planting gardens to be pretty for the landscaping aspect of it, as well as planting things to eat. Then there is planting to create a diverse, local habitat. That last one, while maybe newer in gardening trends, is one that is truly taking gardening back to its roots.

What exactly is bio-diverse gardening? It is essentially nature conservation in your own backyard. It means intentionally planting and creating a habitat for all our local small creatures to come find a home in. Some call it a “productive” garden. It may sound like a daunting task, but surprisingly, there are many simple things you can do to make your garden more bio-diverse in no time. Here's…

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It’s easy to see why a semi-outside, storage-like area that’s big enough to fit cars in there, DOES in fact, collect things. There are lots of daunting tasks when it comes to homeownership, but cleaning and organizing a garage seems to oftentimes be at the top of that list - and it’s easy to see why. 

Thankfully, as with anything - things get a whole lot easier with a plan. Here are our favorite tips on organizing your garage:

Set Aside a Weekend

To avoid exhaustion by trying to fit everything in within a single day, and to be sure you have time to actually finish the project - set aside a full two days of a weekend to truly dive into organizing your garage - and the right way at that. 

Remove, Sort & Decide

Before you can begin…

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Cleaning a house often feels like running towards a finish line that never quite shows up. The minute one part is cleaned, another needs attention. However, whether you’re the super-organized type who cleans on a schedule, or the “deep clean when the mood strikes” type - anything to save time cleaning is a win in our book. Here are our ten favorite house cleaning hacks:

1.) Microwaves 

Does anyone else feel like the splatters and grime in a microwave that constantly appear are one of a home’s greatest mysteries? The other part of that mystery is, why is it so hard to clean a microwave? Good news: there is something that makes this astonishingly easier. Simply put a bowl of equal parts water and vinegar with something wooden, like a wooden…

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Spring’s verdant foliage and fresh, sweet air brings cleansing and refreshing our homes to the forefront of our minds. Often the shift in weather provides just the kind of energy boost we need to get started! Spring isn’t just about cleaning, however; it's also the ideal time of year to give your home a thorough inspection and make sure everything is in good repair. 

This home maintenance checklist targets parts of your home that experience the most wear and tear during the winter. Take care of these tasks now so that you can relax all summer long! 

1.) Check for gaps in your building’s moisture barrier.

Winter can be extreme, wearing down your home’s moisture defenses. Crawl spaces, windows, attics, and anywhere your home meets the ground…

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Americans spent $72.5 billion on their pets’ care and keeping in 2018 alone, and nearly two out of three households are also home to a pet. If you are bringing a pet home, moving into a new home with your current pet, or refurnishing your home to better accommodate your furry or feathered friend, our Tips for a Pet-Friendly Home will have you picturing a den that is both durable and stylish.

1.) Protect Your Floors and Furniture

Whether this means laying down skid-proof rugs on hardwood, stain-proofing your carpet, or spreading a blanket down where your pooch naps, it’s the same principle: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If you’re choosing a new carpet, opt for low-pile, which holds on to less hair. Patterns hide fur well,…

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