Looking to give your home a facelift without committing to a major renovation? A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to refresh a space quickly and on a budget.

We love how new and revitalized a room can look after it’s been repainted. 

Painting the interior of your home can add more than just a different color. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of painting the interior of your house.

Fresh paint increases home value

Thinking about selling your home? One of the best ways to get top dollar is with paint. Giving your home a fresh coat is an easy and inexpensive way to update the look of a room while making it new and clean. Painting is one of the few things that will give you a big return on investment when you sell.

Squeaky Clean

No matter how clean you keep your home, walls begin to show dirt and wear over time, even after they have been thoroughly scrubbed. In fact, if it’s been a really long time since they’ve been painted, scrubbing might do more harm then good and only rub the paint off the walls.  

Paint can instantly make walls and trim look new and clean. While you’re painting, it’s also a good time to fill in small cracks, dents, holes, and damaged corners. 

Improving Aesthetics with Paint

Of course, clean walls and increased home values are great benefits, but most people are looking for that dramatic change in their living space when they paint their walls. Maybe you’ve been living with the same color for years and are sick of it. Or maybe you have a small room that only feels smaller and cramped because of a poor paint choice.

Whatever the reason, changing the color of a room can give it a whole new feel and make you excited about the space again. 

Great Goats – More than just landscaping

Did you know that Mike and his crew are just as good with a paintbrush as they are with a garden shovel? For years they’ve kept busy in the off-season by painting interiors. 

They’ve just started scheduling for the 2019-2020 winter season, and their openings are already filling up. 

Give Mike a call today to learn more about the services they offer and to set up a free quote.

It’s never too early to start planning for spring!

I know it seems a bit soon to be thinking about next spring already, but it Minnesota, it’s never too early!

Maybe you didn’t get all the outdoor projects done last summer. Or maybe spending some extra time at home this year made you realize that with some tweaking, your yard could be a great place to hang out. 

No matter your motivation, now is the perfect time to start planning and designing next year’s landscaping projects. Here are some of the landscaping options that we think are going to be popular next spring.

More fire features

There is something about fire features that make them perfect almost year-round. No matter the weather, an outdoor fire is always welcome. There are countless ways to add a fire feature to your landscaping. Whether you want a built-in fire pit, a wood-fired oven, or a smaller, electric fire feature, we can help you design the perfect space. 

Outdoor living spaces

Everyone has been spending more time at home lately. If your feeling cooped up in your house, consider extending your living space outdoors. Especially in the warmer months, having room outside to hang out and enjoy the weather can make a world of difference. We’ve been seeing more people interested in adding outdoor decks and patios lately. In fact, many people are moving away from maintained flowerbeds and landscaping in favor of spaces that are more functional and enjoyable. 

Adding water features

If fire pits aren’t your thing, a water feature might be a great alternative. Water features instantly add interest and tranquility to your yard. We’ve installed a range of water features, some as large as wandering streams that flow through the property. Others have been small enough to add something a little extra to a flowerbed or yard feature.

Give Great Goats Landscaping a call

Whatever you have in mind for next summer, give Great Goats Landscaping a call today. It’s never too soon to start designing and planning projects and we’re already scheduling into 2021.

I know we all hate to see summer go, but by October, it’s safe to say that long warm days are a thing of the past and the cooler fall weather is on its way. 

Just because the temperatures have dropped, though, doesn’t mean you can’t keep using your outdoor space.

Fall outdoor living

With a little bit of planning and some easy modifications, you can keep using your patio or deck well into the cooler months. 

By adding a little bit of landscaping, plants, and other elements, you can create a space that feels just as cozy as your home. 

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your yard as the weather gets cooler.

Add a little heat

There is nothing cozier than a firepit or other heat source on a cool evening. 

Fire pits are a great gathering area for family and friends – and who doesn’t love roasted marshmallows!

If a firepit isn’t a good option for you, there are other heat source options that can add warmth. Outdoor heaters come in a range of prices and options depending on your space and budget. 

Add some cover

A little protection from the elements can go a long way in making sure your space is comfortable in the fall months. 

Windbreaks, either natural or manmade, can add privacy and protect you from the wind. An awning or other overhead cover can protect you from any rain while keeping the heat in.

Add some finishing touches

Comfy places to sit, blankets, throw pillows, and warm lighting are all excellent ways to make sure your outdoor space is just as comfortable as your indoor space. 

Consider keeping some cozy essentials close at hand for anyone who needs them.

Give Great Goats Landscaping a call this fall

Need a little help getting your space more use-able as the weather gets cooler? Give Great Goats Landscaping a call today. We’d love to talk about how we can help you get the most out of your yard year-round.

Looking to extend the use of your outdoor living area this fall and winter?

We’ve got a couple of ideas that can help you get the most out of your patio, deck, or firepit area.

Using your outdoor space can be seasonal in Minnesota, and summer always feels too short. But it doesn’t have to, especially if it means you’re using your patio or deck for longer in the fall and sooner in the spring. 

As the air gets cooler and the days get shorter, it can be hard to use your outdoor space comfortably. But it doesn’t have to be.

Here are some tips on how to extend the use of your outdoor living space into the cooler months.

1. Add an outdoor heater

One of the most obvious ways to increase the use of your outdoor space is by adding a heat source. Whatever your budget is, there is a heater that will work for your area. They come in a range of prices with a variety of power source options.

Standing heaters that run off propane or natural gas are a great choice for most spaces. An electric heater is also an option and is a lower upfront cost and will cost less to use than a gas-powered heater. A cost-effective and eco-friendly option is a solar-powered heater.

2. Add a fire pit

Similar to adding a heater, a fire pit has the added bonus of its aesthetic appeal. It is easy to create your own with bricks or large rocks. Or you have one installed by professionals. 

has the added bonus of its aesthetic appeal. It is easy to create your own with bricks or large rocks. Or you have one installed by professionals. 

Like an outdoor heater, there are a variety of fuel source options. If burning wood isn’t allowed where you live, you can install a fire pit that is gas-fueled.

3. Add a little coverage

There’s nothing that defines a space like walls or a roof. Features like a pergola or gazebo give a space the feeling of an outdoor room. Adding an awning or walls can create a cozy atmosphere in the cooler months. If you already have a patio, you can add outdoor curtains to keep the heat in and keep rain and wind out. 

4. Cozy texture

Adding extra textiles to your outdoor space will help keep the cool away while keeping your guests warm. Blankets, throw pillows or an outdoor rug are all great ways to make your space a little warmer and more comfortable. A pile of low-cost, cozy blankets is great to have handy when a little more warmth is needed.

7. Winter grilling

Using your grill doesn’t need to end with the hot summer days. Grilling meats and veggies can be done year-round, even in the snow, and is an ideal way to enjoy your outdoor space a little longer. You might want to move your grill a little closer to the house and make sure there is a path clear of snow. Also, keep in mind that the grill will take longer to heat in the winter. 

Give Great Goats Landscaping a call

Give Great Goats Landscaping a call today to talk about how you could use some of these ideas to extend the use of your outdoor living space in the fall and winter months.

We’re all looking to boost the curb appeal and value of our homes. 

Landscaping is one way to make your home look lush and inviting, whether your thinking of selling or not.

Not sure how landscaping could boost the curb appeal of your home? Here are a couple of ideas.

Increase curb appeal by creating privacy

Neighbors can be great, but there are times you don’t want the whole neighborhood watching you in your back yard. 

Installing a conventional fence around your property is always an option, but you could also consider a natural alternative. Evergreens, plants and trees that keep their color all year, can provide a natural screen. 

Like all landscaping ideas, choosing the right plants that will work in your situation is the best way to make sure you create a functional and beautiful screen. 

Upgrade your mailbox

You might not spend a lot of time thinking about your mailbox and mailbox post, but it is one of the first things that guests notice when they arrive at your home. It’s easy for people to form an opinion about your house based solely on the mailbox!

Updating your mailbox to match the look and character of your home is a quick and easy project that can add your house’s overall look.

When you’re looking at materials, keep in mind you only want to use quality products that will withstand harsh weather and exposure to the elements. 

Add a little bit of light

Illuminating the entry to your house is a great way to show off your home no matter what time of day it is. Adding a light to the entrance of your house is a great place to start. Another idea is to illuminate the walkway to your home to give guests a clear idea of where to walk. 

Refresh your mulch

Fresh mulch instantly refreshes flowerbeds and the areas around trees. New mulch can be a cheap way to make your yard look fresh and updated.

There are many mulch options so you’ll want to do a little research and price comparison before purchasing in bulk or by-the-bag. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping Today

Looking to add to the curb appeal of your home? Give Great Goats Landscaping a call today to talk about how we can help make your house really pop.

August seems like the unofficial closing of summer. We’re already thinking about back-to-school and fall temperatures.

Just because summer is starting to wrap-up doesn’t mean that there isn’t still time to complete a landscaping project this summer.

In fact, there is a chance that we’ll all be continuing to spend more time at home and maybe a fresh outdoor space is just what you need to make things a little more bearable.

August landscaping projects

No matter what your budget is, there are projects that can still be completed this summer. Here are some of our favorites that could be incorporated into your landscaping.

Add a fire feature

There is nothing like the crackling of a fire to help extend the outdoor season. Whether is a wood fire pit or fire feature, they are perfect for that cozy fall feel.

Lately, we’ve been seeing a wide range of fire feature options. If you have a more natural and rustic yard, there are built-in wood options. Or you could consider something more polished and sculpted if you have a more modern yard.

Add perennials

Perennial flowers, especially those that bloom in the spring are best planted in the fall. August through October is the perfect time to plant bulbs that will bloom in April and May.

Add a water feature

We’ve all been dealing with extra stress the past couple of months. The sound of running water has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. There is nothing like a bubbling fountain to help unwind at the end of the day.

Great Goats Landscaping

Thinking about getting a landscaping project done this summer? Give Great Goats Landscaping a call today to get on our schedule. We offer free consultations and would love to talk with you about how we can create the yard you’ve been dreaming of.

We might be into July, but it isn’t too late in the summer to start a landscaping project.

So many things have changed during the COVID pandemic. We’ve been hearing a lot of people talking about improving their homes. With so much of the future unknown, people are starting to making their home’s comfort a priority. 

If they are going to be spending more time at home, it makes sense that people want to have their space functional and comfortably fit all their needs.

People are also taking advantage of low-interest rates to complete indoor and outdoor projects that have been on their list for a long time. Projects that are suddenly a much greater priority. 

Sound familiar? If you have a landscaping project you’ve been thinking of doing this summer, it isn’t too late. There is still plenty of time to design and install the landscaping you’ve been dreaming of. Here’s a couple of types of projects that have been really popular this year.

Add a water feature

Nothing beats the sounds of a bubbling fountain or stream incorporated into a home’s landscaping. No matter the size of your yard, a water feature can add tranquility to a hectic day.

Add a deck or patio

A deck or a patio can serve so many purposes for a home. Whether you need extra space to hang out, grill, or drink your morning coffee, decks and patios are a great addition to a home. 

Incorporating native plants

Native plants are the best low-maintenance plants. They will thrive in your area and will require little care from you. Flowering varieties often attract pollinators.

Add a fire pit

A bonfire after the sun sets goes hand in hand with summertime. Roasting marshmallows or hot dogs and talking late into the light around the flames are things that summer memories are made of. 

Call Great Goats Landscaping Today

If you thinking you’d like to update or add to your landscaping this summer, give Mike and his team at Great Goats Landscaping a call today. We offer free consultations and love working with our clients to create the yard they’ve been dreaming of. 

Looking to update your landscaping while increasing your property value?

We’ve got some great ideas for you that will look great while boosting your home’s market value.

But wait, is it worth it?

Not sure if landscaping can actually increase the value of your home enough to make it worth it? Here are some stats to consider.

• An informal survey found that real estate agents across the country estimated that well-landscaped homes are worth 1% to 10% more than homes with no landscaping.
• A Virginia Tech survey found that a home’s perceived value increases significantly with landscaping.
• The amount and quality of landscaping also impacts your home’s value – anywhere from roughly 5% to 12% more, depending on where you live. Researchers found that plant size and “design sophistication” (not just flowerbeds and hedges, but thought-out and designed landscaping) most affected value. 

Landscaping ideas to increase property value

Easy maintenance

Anything that makes caring for the lawn and landscaping easier will be a benefit to buyers. Automatic irrigations systems, drip lines on porches and patios, and raised beds to decrease weeding can all be incorporated to require fewer hours spent working in the yard.

Backyard living spaces

More and more homeowners are seeing the yard as an extension of their home. Well throughout landscaping can create outdoor spaces that add to the appeal and value of a home. Plantings around the fire pit, patio, grill or seating area helps define a space and increase visual appeal. Landscaping elements like a water feature or shaded seating area can add a peaceful ambiance.

Maximize privacy

Landscaping that helps seclude a yard from the neighbors and traffic will always make a property more desirable. Plants evergreens, shrubbery, or adding trellis can screen the neighbors from view while adding a windbreak and shade.

Improve walkways

The walkways leading to and around a home can have a bit impact on how it is perceived. In many cases, the walkway leading to the front door is the first thing a potential buyer notices. If it is in disrepair or dirty, it can give people a bad impression before they even set foot into the home. Simple things like adding pavers along the sides of a walkway can upgrade its appearance.

Trimming plants back

Overgrown shrubs and plants can quickly detract from a home’s curb appeal. They can also block light and make the interior of a home feel darker than it is. Unchecked shrubbery can also mask attractive architecture or design elements of your home. 

Thinking about increasing your home’s value?

If your thinking a little extra landscaping might increase the value of your home, give Great Goats Landscaping a call today. We’re experts at making yards look their best.