Windows are like picture frames, showcasing the view beyond. But what if your window view isn’t quite as breathtaking as you’d hoped? Whether you're facing an unsightly backyard or an urban landscape that doesn’t match the charm of your home, there’s no need to worry. With the right strategies, you can transform the view and keep potential buyers focused on the beauty of your space, not the scenery outside.

Here are some clever ways to improve the impact of your windows and ensure the view becomes a subtle part of the room rather than its focal point.

1. Window Treatments: Your First Line of Defence

Window treatments are your go-to for softening an unappealing view. Sheer curtains allow natural light to filter in while gently obscuring the view outside. If you want to make a statement, opt for bold, colourful curtains that draw attention inward, creating a focal point that directs the eye away from the view.

2. Add a Window Box for a Lush Frame

A window box filled with vibrant flowers or lush greenery creates a beautiful natural frame that adds life to your window. Not only does it enhance the look of the space, but it also provides a pleasant distraction from the view. The colourful plants will serve as a living, vibrant picture frame.

3. Illuminate the Space

Proper lighting can make all the difference in drawing attention away from the view. Wall sconces, pendant lights, or even strategically placed mirrors can brighten the room, redirecting focus and making the space feel warm and inviting. The right lighting will elevate the entire room and make the window less of a focal point.

4. Frosted Glass or Window Films for Privacy and Style

If privacy is a concern, frosted glass or adhesive window films are a practical solution. Available in various patterns, they can mimic the elegance of etched or stained glass. Not only do they provide privacy, but they also add a stylish touch to your windows, helping to disguise an unattractive view.

5. Create a Gallery Wall Around the Window

Hang artwork or photographs around your window to draw attention to the walls instead of the view outside. By creating a gallery wall, you can turn the window into a part of the art collection, making it seem like just another element of the room rather than a portal to the outside world.

6. Stage High Shelves Near the Window

Consider staging high shelves with decorative items, books, or small plants near your window. This allows you to reclaim the line of sight, reducing the focus on the view. With the shelves in place, the window becomes a backdrop, and the items on the shelves add a layer of interest to the space.

When selling your home, the goal is to make every space feel welcoming and beautiful. Even if your window views aren’t ideal, there are plenty of ways to enhance the overall aesthetic without deceiving potential buyers. Whether through window treatments, creative staging, or lighting, these small changes can transform a less-than-ideal view into an attractive feature that supports the sale of your home.

Remember, the key is enhancing the space to showcase its potential!

3 Simple Winterization Steps for Your Lawn Tractor

Before putting your tractor away for the winter, take a few quick steps to avoid issues in the spring:

1. Prevent Engine Corrosion: Moisture in an idle engine can cause rust. To stop this, "fog" the engine by spraying an oily mist into each cylinder. Just remove the spark plugs, spray some aerosol fogging oil (available at auto parts stores), and reinstall the plugs.

2. Protect the Battery: A battery that isn’t fully charged can suffer permanent damage, especially in cold weather. Hook the battery up to a charger and charge it until the voltage reads 12.7 volts.

3. Stabilize the Fuel: Gas left sitting in the tank can clog the fuel system, leading to costly repairs. Add a fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL or Seafoam before storing the tractor. (It’s also a good idea to use a stabilizer year-round.) Stabilizers don’t work well with ethanol-blended gas, so if you’re unsure about the fuel, run the engine until the tank is empty.

Winterizing Your Gas Grill

If you don’t plan to grill during the winter, now’s the time to store your grill before it's buried under snow. After giving it a thorough cleaning to remove grease and food residue, follow these steps to ensure a hassle-free grilling season next spring:

1. Shut off the gas at the LP tank, detach the burner, remove the gas tubes, and take out the unit. Apply a layer of cooking oil to the burners and other metal parts to protect them from moisture and rust. Wrap the burner unit in a plastic bag to prevent spiders and insects from nesting in the gas tubes—a common issue that can cause poor starts, uneven flames, or even fires.

2. If you're storing your grill outdoors, leave the propane tank connected (but turned off) and cover the grill with a protective cover once cleaned. If storing indoors, disconnect the propane tank and leave it outside, upright, away from vents or play areas. Never store the tank indoors, as even a small leak can lead to a dangerous explosion. Finally, cover the grill’s gas line opening with a plastic bag to keep bugs out.

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

You can either hire a professional to blow out your sprinkler system each year or tackle it yourself with an air compressor. The key is ensuring no water remains in the lines, as any leftover moisture can freeze and cause pipes to burst. Keep in mind that even the largest home compressors can’t handle the entire system at once, so you’ll need to blow it out zone by zone.

If you have your original irrigation layout, you can calculate the cubic feet per minute (cfm) needed to blow out each zone. Divide the total gallons per minute (gpm) of the zone by 7.5 to find the cfm. If you don't have this information, just rent a 10-cfm compressor and hose from a local tool rental shop.

Set the compressor’s air pressure to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC systems or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene systems. Turn off the water supply and set the timer to open one zone at a time. If there's a manual drain valve at the end of the zone, open it as well.

Next, close both valves on the backflow preventer and remove the plug on the blow-out port. Attach a quick-connect hose adapter, connect the air hose, and blow out the zone. Once the sprinkler heads pop up and expel water, disconnect the hose immediately.

Avoid overdoing it, as the plastic gears inside the heads can melt in less than a minute without water to cool them. Move to the next zone and allow the heads to cool before repeating the process. For good measure, blow out each zone twice.

Winterize Your Pressure Washer or Risk Ice Damage

I once had an electric pressure washer—emphasis on had. A few years ago, I left it in the garage over winter without draining the pump. The water inside froze and expanded, and when I tried to use it the following spring, water sprayed out from everywhere except the nozzle. I learned the hard way that I should have disconnected the hoses and used a pump antifreeze/lubricant like Pump Saver from Briggs & Stratton. This product pushes out the water and replaces it with antifreeze and lubricant to protect the pump. You can find pump antifreeze/lubricants at most home improvement stores.

Protect Your A/C Compressor From Falling Icicles

There's no need to completely wrap your air conditioner for the winter—many manufacturers actually discourage it, as it can attract rodents and trap moisture, leading to premature corrosion. However, placing a piece of plywood on top of the unit is a smart way to shield it from potential damage caused by falling icicles.

Drain Your Garden Hoses or End Up Replacing Them

I’ll admit, I’ve occasionally been too lazy to drain my garden hoses before winter. Most of the time, it’s fine, but every now and then, frozen water splits a hose wide open. I’ve lost a few cheap ones this way, and even an expensive one (ouch!). It’s a needless expense because draining hoses is quick and simple: either blow out the water with an air compressor or stretch them out on a sloped yard or driveway to let the water drain out.

Gutter Cleaner Tip

An old plastic spatula works perfectly for cleaning debris from gutters! It won't scratch the surface, and you can easily trim it with snips to match the gutter’s shape. Plus, grime wipes off easily, making cleanup quick and simple. Not in the mood for all that effort?