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As the weather warms up and new blooms fill our yards, it’s time to enjoy an outdoor project or two. We’re sharing 10 easy landscaping ideas in today’s post, complete with photos to give you a burst of inspiring DIY energy! From important maintenance tasks to purely fun additions, these projects will breathe new life into your yard this season, giving it a refreshing update that’s as invigorating as the first warm breeze of spring…

A Flowering Vine

Flowering vines add color and interest to your yard, and there are many possibilities to consider. Before making your selection, do a little bit of research and be honest with yourself about your expectations for the vine. Do you want it to grow quickly up a trellis? How much maintenance are willing to put in?

RELATED: 5 Modern Landscaping Essentials for a Stylish Yard

For example, trumpet vine (pictured above) grows quickly, but you really have to keep it in check! The vine will also die back in the winter, taking its greenery and blooms off your radar during the coldest months of the year. However, the jasmine pictured below stays green all year long!

Yet it can take years before it produces the lush, thick carpet of greenery you’re hoping for. Talk to an expert at your nursery to determine which vine is the best fit for your yard, and how to plant it. It won’t be long before you’re enjoying some beautiful spring flowers of the vine variety!

A Sculptural Plant

If you’re a fan of modern landscaping, you just might appreciate a plant that adds height, drama, and a sculptural quality to your yard. One of our favorites is the snake plant, pictured below. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue (can you see why?!), this selection is perfect for placing in front of a wall, or on either side of the front door for a big statement.

As with all of the suggestions in today’s post, do your research so you can be sure that your plant of choice matches the growing conditions of your yard. For example, the snake plant does best somewhere between the 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit range. Placing it in a planter will allow you to move it to another area if temperatures become extreme.

A Cascading Ground Cover

Just as sculptural plants can add height, cascading plants add another level of landscaping beauty to your yard. Silver Falls dichondra (also known as silver ponyfoot) has a silvery blue-green sheen, and it does well in drought-tolerant areas.

Cascading plants work well when planted directly into the ground, or you can feature them in your favorite pots and planters (even in combination with other plants).

It won’t be long before your cascading plant takes root in the soil, pours over the sides of planters and walls, and add an abundant look to your yard this spring and summer!

Tidy Trees

This next task isn’t nearly as much fun as the plant suggestions above. Yet it’s a necessity. Yes, we’re talking about trimming your trees! Have trees and bushes obstructed the walkways in your yard? Are they getting dangerously close to the side of your house (or your roof)?!

For the health of your plants, the beauty of your yard, and the safety of your home (rodents love accessing the house with the help of overgrown trees), it may be time to call in the experts. Don’t attempt to trim trees on your own without doing your research. After all, there are certain times of the year when it’s not ideal to trim. It will all depend on the types of trees you have, as well as the urgency of the issue. This spring, get the ball rolling. It’s time, folks!

Statement Shrubs

The rose bush pictured below is in full bloom. It must be spring! As you take in the beauty of nature, does it inspire you to add even more natural beauty to your yard? Shrubs add height, texture and variety to your yard. Plus, they can fill in those problem areas, even hiding unsightly features, such as the junk in your neighbors’ yard!

RELATED: Easy Yard Makeover Ideas for a Fresh Start

If you’re looking for low-maintenance shrubbery, choose a selection that will thrive in your climate. Boxwood and dwarf yaupon holly are two popular greenery options, and if you want to take them to the next level, you can prune them for a manicured look.

Native Plants

For a true low-maintenance landscaping option, go with native plants. They require little care, often eliminating the need for regular watering or extra protection in the winter. A quick internet search should provide you with plenty of native options for your region.

Even if you don’t live in a temperate, rain-filled climate, there will be at least a handful of options that catch your eye. For example, blue agave (pictured above) does well in hot, sunny and dry areas. It’s hard not to notice these striking plants, which are often selected for modern landscaping.

Potted Greenery

With the larger plants in place, you can now focus on icing the cake that is your yard! Potted plants are the perfect choice, as you can use them to fill in any landscaping gaps that your yard may have. Plus, it’s fun to add a few ornamental touches to a well-landscaped yard, and no potted plant is too small to make a statement.

From potted cactus that creates a clean look to flowering plants that can be changed out with each new season, go with a selection that adds a pop of personality to your yard. You can get as colorful as you like with both the plants and the planter. Then again, sometimes less is more, as shown above and below!

For flowering plants that can live in your pot during every season, opt for succulents that produce a flowering stalk each spring. You can enjoy weeks of interesting blooms, plus year-long sculptural style when the flowers finally fall.

Remember to water your potted plants, and fertilize/re-pot them as necessary. Then again, some may require very little care, making them perfect for the low-maintenance gardener.

A Rock Wall

A larger landscaping task involves adding a rocky feature to your yard, such as steps, a border, or a wall. Whether the wall is purely decorative or serves as a retaining wall, the beautiful spring weather is the perfect backdrop for tackling a project of this nature.

Since this is a project that will require you to roll up your sleeves, take some time to make a plan before you hit the ground running. Whether this plan involves hiring someone to do the job well or tackling it yourself, put in the effort required for a safe, eye-catching landscaping solution!

Outdoor Artwork

If your outdoor area needs a little bit of embellishment, consider an ornament or some artwork. A stone garden sphere, a set of interesting wind chimes, or a yard sculpture will get the job done, adding another level of creativity to your landscaping.

You may even choose to hang a piece of outdoor artwork on a wall of your home, especially if it borders your patio. Learn more about the DIY project above by reading this Decoist post.

Illuminating Accents

Last but not least, you’ll want to shed some light on your yard and showcase all of your hard work! Not only will a little bit of illumination allow you to enjoy your outdoor space in the evening hours, it will add a festive touch when you entertain.

It’s hard to go wrong with classic string lights. Not to mention, there are many different types of outdoor lighting to consider, including spotlights and wall lights. You can also opt for easy-to-install solar lights that can be placed in the ground (and require no wiring)! While you may need to replace them more often, they are also very affordable. A great option if you’re looking for a quick lighting fix!

Which outdoor projects are on your spring to-do list?!

You're reading 10 Easy Landscaping Ideas for Your Spring Yard, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Copper has always had an antique appeal that gives the room a time-tested vintage character. The rough bronze look will make it a centerpiece in a bathroom of any style! It has the charm that easily impresses everyone, but lovers of all-things-rustic will be able to appreciate it even more. If you are dreaming of soaking in a vintage bathtub that takes you into another era, copper bathtubs are the perfect thing for you!

A Striking Vintage Upgrade

Maybe your bathroom already looks rustic and old-fashioned, but maybe it’s more on the modern side. Either way, a copper tub is a good choice! It will either perfectly match the rest of the rustic interior or be that one vintage element that feels like a soul of the room!

RELATED: Hot Bathroom Trends: Freestanding Bathtubs Bring Home The Spa Retreat

A big and bright bathroom with a copper bathtub in the center is a sight for sore eyes! The bronze color of copper goes fantastically with polished wooden floors!

This copper bathtub has a matte shade of bronze and is therefore a great darker piece for a bathroom with a mystical, dim vibe!

Bathe like royalty in a shiny copper bathtub that will make you feel luxurious every time you use it! If you are styling a bathroom that needs to look noble and glamorous, this tub is a necessary piece!

For more versatility, go with a bathtub that only has a copper exterior. Such combining of materials will make the bathroom appear more compelling and unique!

If stretching out in a bathtub isn’t a priority for you and you are more of a jacuzzi type of person, go with a round copper bathtub that will feel like a personal hot tub right in your home!

If diversity is your top priority, this bathtub meets you halfway. It’s rustic on the outside and sleek on the inside, creating a very balanced piece fit for anyone who doesn’t like to commit to only one style of interior!

A copper bathtub really has the potential to thrive even in the darkest bathroom. It has a polished and shiny look and the power to captivate anyone who lays eyes on it, completely making them forget about the lack of lighting.

A copper bathtub will quickly become the most striking piece of your entire home and one that you are always happy to show off! No need to fill the bathroom with flashy decorative elements – your tub alone will definitely take the cake.

The raw look of a copper bathtub is perfect for a bathroom that heavily relies on natural components. It will fit right in with the wooden elements and a bare brick wall!

If there are more copper pieces in the bathroom, you’ll quickly find yourself in a bronze paradise full of very strong antique vibes and your bathroom might just become your favorite room of the house!

Rustic Perfection for Every Setting

A copper bathtub is an amazing rustic element to add to your bathroom. It’s a way of bringing something raw and rural into a space that normally feels very clean and sterile. Copper has a lot of flexibility, so it never feels out of place or like it doesn’t belong; somehow it alway fits in!

RELATED: Metallic Magic: 13 Ways to Bring Home Polished Copper and Nickel

When you are inside the bathtub you feel the elegance and simplicity, but as you step outside you see the shiny rustic look! The entire piece feels very harmonious and well-coordinated!

A vast bathroom needs a focal point, a striking piece that you can focus on. Without it, a big space can feel too empty. A copper bathtub is easily the best choice – it immediately catches one’s attention with its unique appearance!

This is a lovely example of how a minimalist, modern bathroom can get a quick makeover if you place a rustic copper tub inside of it! The bathroom feels cozy, balanced and stable!

If you have a big bathroom with a light and bright interior, a darker shade of copper is a great idea for a bathtub. It will make the tub stand out while simultaneously still feel like it belongs with the rest of the interior!

When you want your living space to feel the coziest, you opt for rustic decor. Nothing beats a good old cabin feeling! Create the perfect old-fashioned atmosphere by adding a copper tub to your rustic home!

With a glistening copper tub, every day will feel like you are living in a glamorous retreat! The look sure is antique, but the ambiance is noble and aristocratic!

Here’s an old-fashioned bathroom done right! Classic checkerboard flooring, wooden doors, copper vessel sinks and best of all, a big shiny copper bathtub in the center of it all!

For an intimate feeling, bring the copper tub right into your living space and enjoy the unconventional tub in a cozy, warm living room!

The Ultimate Antique Dream

When you make a copper bathtub a part of your bathroom you understand the value it has when it comes to channeling the special antique look and all it has to offer. It’s exceptional and extraordinary, instantly turning your bathroom into something out of a dream!

RELATED: Dark Indulgence: 18 Black Bathtubs for a Stylish, Dashing Bathroom!

A smaller, round bathtub is a great option for a bathroom that needs to save on space. This is a smart way to have a fabulous copper soaking tub and save up on room in your small, chic bathroom!

One of the best environments for a copper bathtub is a bathroom that channels the rough outdoors! The abundance of raw natural elements, such as stone and wood, makes the copper fit right in!

Due to its distinct color, copper always looks special and slightly different depending on how it’s being lit up. Place your copper bathtub in a big bathroom with a lot of daylight and watch how it changes shades under the sun rays!

The natural materials in this bathroom are breathtaking! The wood, stone and metal all represent a different shade of brown which creates a near poetic interior in a very cohesive, natural bathroom!

A simple copper bathtub is a great element for a simplistic, minimalist bathroom that is in need of a compelling piece!

This big and luxurious bathroom almost feels like you can get lost in it! If it wasn’t for the copper bathtub in the center, you wouldn’t even know where to look! We love how it brings all the attention to itself and is a great contrast to the dark wood interior!

The thing about a copper bathtub … when you look at it from afar, it almost seems like it’s a part of an altar, just waiting there to be worshiped. Build your bathroom around the tub and treat every bathing time like a ritual!

This bathtub has a strong antique charm and will definitely appeal to those who like worn-out elements! The shabby look and copper’s vintage presence are absolutely marvelous!

The natural impulse is to put a very rustic looking copper bathtub into a bathroom full of raw materials, but you can switch it up a little and bring in a matte copper bathtub that will blow everyone away with its neat and elegant look!

The greatness of this spacious bathroom will only be amplified by the addition of a copper bathtub! Instead of placing the tub in the center, put it near the walls to keep the bathroom very open!

This shabby copper bathtub is definitely a magnificent piece that almost looks like an art installation! If you have always wanted an artsy bathroom, this type of bathtub will fit right in!

You're reading Copper Bathtubs: Turning Your Bathroom into an Antique Paradise, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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