In the warm weather months is there anything better than enjoying your backyard with friends and family? If placing a bid on a home that is almost perfect but lacking an up to par backyard create room in your budget to design the space into a place worth coming home to. Create a complete experience for guests and become everybody's favorite host with these four must-have upscale upgrades for your home.

Landscaping may not seem like it would be the most important aspect of creating a luxe patio experience however it is what completes the area. Properly designed landscaping brings the different zones of your backyard together into one cohesive space. When you’re ready to begin seeking out a company to design your home's landscaping look for those with plenty of experience working on luxury homes and have examples of work that align with your style preferences.

Most landscaping companies also offer hardscaping services as well. Create a one of a kind patio with unique stone pattern designs that flow with the landscaping of your yard. Add visual interest and style with raised flower beds, stone walls, and walkways. A well-versed expert will know how to take your lifestyle and typical gathering size into account to create the perfect design for you.

A must for any host is an outdoor cooking area. Go beyond the typical grill and patio table set up for a full kitchen setup with an island for guest seating. This another area of expertise for an experienced landscape designer and an extension of your hardscaping design. Many will also have appliances on offer for you to choose from as a part of your package. Create a seamless outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, full sink and plenty of counter space for food prep. Another popular edition is a small fridge to keep necessities at hand eliminating the need to trek back to the kitchen.

Create a private pool area to relax and enjoy without being in full view from your neighbor's kitchen window. A current favorite luxe option for many homeowners at the moment is installing a natural stone waterfall. This features benefits are twofold - it can create both visual and noise privacy. Another option with dual benefits is adding tall shrubs and/or trees. These can allow for visual privacy and create shade for hot, sunny days.   

Investing the time and resources into developing a one of a kind backyard and patio will bring you years of vacation-worthy relaxation and a welcoming space to entertain friends and family. Look for a landscaping contractor with the skill and know-how to create a stunning, well-designed space. Many also offer maintenance services to keep your gorgeous new landscaping well maintained.

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Generally, baby essentials can be quite expensive. Therefore, new parents should adopt saving techniques when purchasing baby gear. Baby gear is any item that is used to take care of all the needs of a baby. It consists of different kind of things such as clothing, diapers, strollers, play yards, and much more. Here are nine tricks that will help you save money when it comes to getting your baby gear:

1. Avoid buying unnecessary baby items. Unnecessary baby gear is anything that is not so essential, or you can replace with an equally good alternative. For example, a dishwasher can serve the same purpose as a bottle sterilizer. 

2. Structure your baby shopping. Buying your baby's layette is the first thing you should do. Your aim should be to obtain the basics, i.e., onesies, blankets, socks, hats, etc. before adding other things that are also important.

3. Free baby stuff and registry. It is crucial that you do plenty of research to know where to get the bargain quality baby items. There are numerous places a pregnant woman and mothers can get freebies, i.e., a registry is relevant because it ensures that you get help buying things you need for your baby.

4. Choose to use cloth diaper. Cloth diapers are cheap and have a high absorption rate. They are also quite durable. You can obtain cloth diapers samples from diaper companies and organizations such as Giving Hope and Giving Diapers.

5. Baby Formula. When buying baby formula, ensure to look out for the ones that are affordable and of high-quality. Some companies offer free baby formula to customers and new parents. If you're a nursing mother, you can also visit nearby hospitals for free formula samples. 

6. Classified and online swaps. You can locate a local swap group on Yahoo or Facebook. These groups create an excellent platform for mothers to sell baby items that they no longer use. Often, the price of such things is meager. An example of a website that offers such service is Craiglist’s baby + kid’s section.

7. Hit the sales and buy in bulk. You can always save up to 20 to 30 percent when you shop sale sections or use coupons. You can also buy diapers, baby formula, and other baby essentials in bulk from stores like Costco, Wal-Mart or Babies R Us.

8. Read Reviews. It is advisable to research reviews before you buy any baby gear. For instance, you can always ask a friend that uses similar items for opinions when buying goods like baby stroller and cribs.

9. Buy things that are versatile. These are items that are multi-use. Examples are breastfeeding pillows, three-in-one convertible car seats, and many others.

Prepping for your little one’s arrival should be an exciting experience; use these tricks to ensure you stay as stress-free as possible.

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