If we had to choose a single trend in outdoor projects, we'd have to choose the outdoor living space. Outdoor living spaces are growing in popularity with homeowners finding unique ways to create a gathering space. Whether you choose to build an outdoor kitchen, lounge space or just add a table with chairs, outdoor spaces can be the retreat you need to relax alone or entertain a crowd. Here are 9 beautiful outdoor living spaces to inspire your next project and help you enjoy what's left of summer to its fullest.

1. Create a kitchen

It doesn't require much to create an outdoor kitchen. With a grill, table and chairs and the right accessories, you'll be ready to start serving up the best meals of summer. Choose to keep it simple or go completely gourmet with these inspiring spaces below.

2. Kick back and relax

For many families, summer seems to fly by in an instant. With calendars that are packed full of activities and vacations, it can be tough to remind yourself to slow down and relax. One way to make sure you take advantage of the season is by creating a space that invites you to do just that - relax. So grab a chair or a hammock, place a small table and a few planters and enjoy the best view around your home whether it's with a good book or just you and your thoughts. 

3. Entertain all summer

Summer is the perfect season to invite friends and family over - whether to celebrate a long holiday weekend or just because. Make entertaining even easier by creating a gathering space for your guests to hang out and enjoy the extra perk of easy prep and cleanup by not worrying about the interior of your home. We could hang out for hours in any of the spaces below.

Which outdoor living space is your favorite? Comment below to let us know and be sure to share your outdoor projects with us via Facebook and Instagram!

On June 13, Apple opened its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California. The goal of this conference is to keep software developers informed of any major software updates to Apple’s products. Major announcements include iOS 10, new HomeKit™ features and Apple’s new Home app. Here’s what you need to know and how these announcements may affect your HomeKit-enabled products, like the Schlage Sense™ Smart Deadbolt.

HomeKit

As Apple expands HomeKit support, so will manufacturers – which means more product categories and a better whole home experience. Apple expanded HomeKit to include support for more product types, including cameras, doorbells, air conditioners and more. You can now automate more HomeKit-enabled devices than ever with a single solution. 

Apple also announced a shift in builder trends as more and more major builders choose to equip their homes with HomeKit-enabled accessories - including notable builders such as Lennar, Brookfield Residential and KB Home. That means homeowners seeking out a connected experience will have another option in the process as they choose flooring, countertops and more.

The new home app

Apple’s latest software update will include a new Home app to make adding, controlling and automating home accessories easier than ever. With the new app, you can control all your HomeKit-enabled accessories in one place and manage any custom scenes you’ve set up – like automating your lights to turn on and thermostat to adjust as soon as you’ve unlocked your Schlage Sense™ lock. Plus, Home will be located in the iOS 10 Control Center, so you can access it by swiping up, then left. Here’s a video that provides a glimpse of what that user interface will look like.

What do these announcements mean for Schlage Sense^TM users?

Schlage Sense owners need not worry about whether or not these iOS developments will make their locks obsolete. Every Schlage Sense deadbolt sold to-date will be supported by iOS 10, which is expected to launch in fall 2016. A lock firmware update later this year will be needed to make it compatible with Apple’s Home app.

Once your Schlage Sense lock completes the future firmware update, you will be able to take advantage of HomeKit push notifications. When you lock or unlock your Sense deadbolt, a push notification can trigger other HomeKit-enabled devices to act, creating custom scenes and making it easier than ever to take advantage of the HomeKit ecosystem.

You may be wondering if the announcement of the Home app will replace the Schlage Sense app. Here are a few key differences to help you understand how the two apps will work together to provide the best experience with your lock.

Apple’s Home app gives users a dashboard interface to control their favorite accessories, see their status, and manage scenes in one place. You can use Home to lock and unlock your deadbolt, but you will still need the Schlage Sense app to control access codes, lock settings, logs and to access installation help and customer support. You can learn more about Schlage Sense app features here.

If you have more questions about what these new updates mean for your Schlage Sense lock, feel free to comment below or contact our customer support team.

Proper curb appeal is one of the number one ways to improve resale value on your home and elevate the overall design. If you've neglected your curb appeal recently, it's likely you could benefit from a quick and affordable DIY project this weekend. Below are five projects you can take on with little to no monetary investment to improve curb appeal.

1. Spruce up existing landscaping

The number one way to save when it comes to curb appeal is to leverage what you already have. You may have a great foundation for the perfect curb appeal that just needs a little attention and maintenance. Take some time this weekend to pull weeds, trim any overgrown plants and low-hanging trees and prune any shrubs and bushes into a more appealing shape.

2. Create a welcoming entry

Your front door is often the first thing guests will notice and remember about your home. Make a first impression that lasts by cleaning away any debris and signs of pesky summer insects that flock to exterior light sources. Consider adding a fresh coat of paint and placing a few welcoming planters for an extra polished look. Follow these door painting tips to make this project a breeze.

3. Fill empty landscaping space

Take a look around your property and identify any bare spots that could benefit from a little landscaping. Plant a few trees and/or foliage to make your curb appeal look complete. You can eve opt for a more affordable option by spreading wildflower seeds that cover more ground than more expensive plants.

4. Build a gathering space

Summer is the perfect time of year for relaxing and entertaining. Create a new space to unwind by adding chairs and benches around your front porch or landscaping. Make it extra cozy with a few pillows, throws or poufs and enjoy your new favorite spot.

5. Add a finishing touch

Maybe your landscaping is in great shape, yet the exterior of your home feels like it may be missing something. Use this weekend to add a few finishing touches to tie your home and landscaping together for a cohesive look. This may be a creative new house number or an upgrade to existing lighting and door hardware from an outdated, worn finish to a design that better reflects your personal style. Be sure to consider the interior style of your home as well for a finished look that seamlessly transitions from the outside in.

What projects are you hoping to tackle this weekend? Comment below to let us know!

Flowers and new siding aren't the only ways to add curb appeal to your home. Updating your front door is a project you can easily accomplish in an afternoon and with the right color choices and accessories, makes a major impact on the look of your home. Here are four reasons why you should consider new door hardware as part of your next curb appeal and front door project.

1. Make an affordable style statement

Upgrading your door hardware is a quick and affordable way to express your personal style. A simple swap from an outdated, worn out finish to a style that better reflects the style of your home is dollar for dollar, an easier way to make a bigger impact than many other weekend projects. Here at Schlage, we make it even easier to get that style upgrade with a wide variety of designer door hardware options for less than designer prices. Check out our Style Selector tool to get started.

2. Complete your interior decor

Your front door is the perfect opportunity to introduce your personal style to guests before they step inside. Make sure your exterior accurately reflects what's on the interior by choosing door hardware in a finish that matches other finishes inside the home and complements existing decor. The Satin Brass handleset in the image above not only plays well with the finish of the lighting and planter accessories on the front porch, but eases guests into the entry where other gold accents and shades of blue work together for a cohesive look.

3. A detail that can't be missed

Studies show that people interact with door hardware about 34 times per day. It's the first thing you'll touch when you get home and the last when you leave. Make sure the impression is lasting by choosing a style and finish you can be proud of.

5. Wide selection of styles and finishes

With advances in both design and technology, you no longer need to sacrifice style to gain security or convenience. Both of Schlage's mechanical and electronic product lines draw inspiration from architectural and design schools to create a collection that is rooted in design trends. From traditional to contemporary and everything in between, you're bound to find the perfect handleset that reflects your unique tastes and lifestyle.

Don't let an outdated handleset and mismatched hardware drag your curb appeal down anymore. With minimal tools and time, you can be on your way to a stylish look in no time. If you're planning a front door refresh this weekend, be sure to share your before and after photos with us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Ready to finally give your front door the curb appeal upgrade it deserves? The good news is, installing a new handleset is an easy project, perfect for any DIY skill level that can be completed in just a few minutes but success requires proper preparations as well. Be sure your front door meets all the requirements when it comes to measurements. Otherwise, installing a new deadbolt on a door that isn't properly drilled could result in misalignment and a non-functioning deadbolt lock. Here's the door prep checklist you need:

  Deadbolt to door latch

- Your door must have a minimum of 5 1/2" between the center of the deadbolt crossbore hole and the center of any other door latch below the deadbolt.

 

  Crossbore

- The crossbore diameter should measure 2 1/8" or 1 1/2".

 

  Backset

  Latch bore

- The latch bore should measure 1" in diameter.

 

  Thickness

  Doorjamb

To see these measurements in action, be sure to view our deadbolt (B60/B62) door prep video. Ready to get started with the intallation? Here's a step-by-step guide to installing a new deadbolt lock.