As spring begins to blossom, online retailer Fifthroom Markets is helping homeowners create their own Outdoor Fifthroom.  An Outdoor Fifthroom is a vacation destination at home in the backyard.  Fifthroom Markets has all of the patio furniture and garden structures homeowners need to create enviable outdoor living spaces, or Outdoor Fifthrooms.

The contest requires submitters to upload a current photo of their porch, patio, deck or outdoor space.  Then, contestants find the patio furniture or backyard structures they would use to make it over into a beautiful, functional Outdoor Fifthroom.  Using the photo caption box to talk about the products they chose and why they chose them, contestants can create a true design scheme and decorating plan to share with their family and friends.

The contest is open to all fans of the Fifthroom Markets fan page, and the contest is receiving submissions until Thursday, April 21.  The following day, on Friday, April 22, all approved submissions will open for voting.  Anyone can vote for their favorite Outdoor Fifthroom plan, as well as share the contest to encourage others to vote.

The contestant with the most votes on Tuesday, May 3^rd wins a $1,000 Fifthroom Markets gift card.  The first runner up wins a $100 Fifthroom Markets gift card and the second runner up wins a $50 Fifthroom Markets gift card.

“We wanted to give contestants a chance to really show their design ideas,” said Hazel Jennings, editorial manager at Fifthroom Markets and the coordinator of the photo contest. “We didn’t want to reward someone for simply having the most lavishly decorated patio or even the saddest deck.  We also didn’t want to simply give away an outdoor furniture set as the grand prize, for fear that it wouldn’t be exactly what the homeowner wanted.”

“We created this contest to serve the contestants perfectly.” Jennings said, “To help a homeowner purchase the perfect patio furniture that they picked out for their unique Outdoor Fifthroom.”

“Great ideas deserve great rewards,” added Reid Bandremer, marketing director at Fifthroom Markets.  “This isn’t just a contest of who deserves it most, but of who can create the most successful Outdoor Fifthroom from what they already have and what we have to offer.”

Contestants can visit the Fifthroom Markets Facebook fan page to enter a shot of their outdoor space as it is today, as well as a list of Fifthroom Markets patio furniture and backyard structures that would make it perfect.

“We hope that everyone has fun exercising their inner designer and shopping for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card,” said Jennings.

Surprise! We’ve done our own makeover.  It’s like all of our fabulous outdoor room make overs, in that we have a new style and a new purpose… as well as a new name!

We’ve joined our five distinctive and successful online specialty shops into one online marketplace called FifthroomMarkets.com.  Don’t worry– we’re still carrying all the best outdoor furniture, patio furniture, outdoor décor, gazebos, and pergolas you’re used to!

But now, you can access our over 6,000 products through FifthroomMarkets.com or through one of our individual specialty shops.  We want our customers to shop the way they love to shop.  So, you’ll be able to browse everything at once, like you’re perusing a large department store, or narrow your focus to a specialized boutique, as if you were shopping downtown.

We’ll have six shops and one easy check out.  We’ve been working hard on this project for months and are so eager and excited to share it with you.

Plus, we’ve given our blog a make over as well. We’ve revamped our blog, added a design super star team of expert bloggers and can’t wait for you to get involved.

Our team includes Sonja, who you’ve been keeping up with for weeks now, plus four new thrilling authors.

Included is Jenny Peterson, a garden and landscaping expert and the owner of J. Peterson Garden Design.  Peterson has found success blogging about all garden-related products and activities.

Blogging from her business in California, Marcia Blake, owner of Outdoor Interiors, will capture the latest buzz surrounding interior decor trends and the outdoor room phenomenon.

An interior design expert, Wendy Hyde, writes for The Shabby Nest blog and a contributor to the interior design resource, Houzz.com.  She will provide real and practical advice about furnishings, fabrics and function of interiors.

Author of over 20 quilt pattern books and host of a weekly radio show on crafting, Pat Sloan, quilter, author and crafting celebrity, will round out the FifthroomLiving.com blogger lineup.  As an expert on coloration, Pat also has her own signature line of fabrics.

Go check out the new FifthroomLiving blog now!

AllOutdoorPatioFurniture.com will still be available for you to check back, get tips and re-visit your favorite posts.  But, all new writing, how-tos, inspirations and posts will be over at our Fifthroom Living blog, so don’t miss out!

Like closing up your cabin for the winter, certain measures should be taken to brace your patio and its patio furniture for colder months. Post-hibernation however, it is equally as important to inspect and treat a patio in the spring for the bumps and bruises that can occur while we were inside. Thankfully for our weary, cold weather spirits, springtime weather is just around the corner and with the help of these hints on how to spring your patio back into action, you’ll officially be ready for the sun.

1)  If your patio is concrete, make sure it’s free of cracks before bringing your outdoor furniture out of your garden shed.  To do this, first make sure that all of the outdoor decor is  cleared off. Then, with either caulk or epoxy, begin to fill in any of the cracks. You’ll want to add sand to epoxy for aesthetic purposes – making it a perfect match of the concrete – and then smooth over the epoxy just as you would flatten out concrete itself.

2)    Using a concrete sealant after filling in the cracks will help prevent future cracking. You should first make sure the area is swept, and cleaned with an acidic cleaning agent to best remove stains, before applying the sealant to the patio.

3)    Look over all of the patio furniture for damaged areas and reconfigure the pieces on the patio. You may notice a bit of rust or patina to the garden furniture, so if necessary repaint, reupholster, or purchase new additions as needed. Set them out according to a plan you have in mind from the previous year, or adjust as necessary.

4)    Speaking of new additions, one thing you’ll definitely want to add this year, if   you don’t have one already, is a grill. Together with the outdoor furniture, bringing a grill into the scene adds a charming outdoor dining effect and is convenient for warm summer parties. If you have one already, make sure it’s positioned right where you want it, equipped with its tools and gas or coal, and polished up for use.

If you go through the simple steps of ensuring your patio is topped off with all cracks filled, all outdoor furniture touched up, and with a new sealant, all you’ll need then is to pull out the grill and do some entertaining to officially get rid of the winter blues!

Outdoor spaces grow with every season, as homeowners create alfresco dining spaces with picnic tables and outdoor napping spots with swing beds.  However, the greatest opportunities can sometimes serve the greatest challenges.  I love the limitless prospects of decorating without walls or ceilings, but creating distinct spaces can be difficult without these go-to dividers.

Many people want a space for dinner parties as well as space for casual socializing.  Using creative barriers can help define spaces and communicate an open, yet structured outdoor space design.

Pathways: Often, space can be the best friend to the outdoor decorator.  If you’re lucky enough to take advantage of an expansive backyard, don’t feel pressured to pile your outdoor rooms on top of each other.  Housing your living space in a gazebo and your dining area under your porch (near the kitchen!) will clearly delineate your outdoor rooms.

To propel guests toward different outdoor rooms, use inviting pathways.  Paver stones and brick walkways work well, but treated pine roll-up walkways are an economical and portable option. Laying out pathways and walkways clearly tells guests where to explore!

Structures:  Using backyard structures like gazebos, pergolas and pool houses is another easy way to clearly separate outdoor spaces.  If you’re back deck is lined with patio chairs and chaise lounges, make your backyard gazebo a destination spot for dining.  Using structures not only adds dynamic architectural elements to your landscape, it creates more covered areas for relaxing and entertaining.

Flora: Using vertical gardening techniques can also create private spaces and living walls between outdoor rooms.  Growing wisteria or trumpet vines up a trellis or garden arbor will develop colorful, living and growing walls that will make guests feel at home in a secret garden.  Using garden arbors with gates and softening the latticed edges with growing morning glories will let beautiful color spill over into every available outdoor space.

Separating living, dining and lounging spaces within your outdoor rooms will make your backyard areas seem larger and more encompassing.  Group your outdoor furniture and patio furniture into outdoor rooms and make entertaining easy by cuing your guests around your outdoor living spaces.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

All too often in world of fashion, new styles enter the scene with a bang. Its not before a quick dressing room session and purchase that a silent prayer for comfort is made – since you know you’ll be wearing the non-stretchy skinny jeans or platform wedges regardless. With furniture, trends that range from hard and modern to thick and plush go in and out of style just as quickly as in fashion. This season, we welcome patio deep seating to the mix as one of the hottest – and thankfully, one of the most comfortable  styles of the season.

One of the coolest parts about the outdoor deep seating collections hitting the scene this spring is their ability to match a wide range of outdoor furniture you may already have. Take for instance the chic style of a Mission Sofa with cushions.  The outdoor sofa has cushions that come in so many different colors that it will find a way to match your pre-existing collections or outdoor themes.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, take a deeply set outdoor wicker chaise lounge or even a treated wood swingbed. The porch swing swingbed uses the same design as a classic porch swing, but boasts a deep and wide seat.  The deep seat lets loungers lay down and spread out, as if they were swinging on an outdoor porch bed.

Find yourself falling into one of the best pieces of patio furniture fashion with the deep seating collections for your outdoor living area. The robust surface area will prove itself as one of the best, most spacious alternatives to ordinary seating.

Backyard patio furniture should be more than just functional, you should absolutely love your outdoor furniture.   Adding  whole log décor to your already stunning white pine picnic table or white cedar porch swing can transform your opinion about your outdoor living space. Often overlooked by the purpose and beauty of all things seating, dining, and swinging, the whole log planters and garden bridges are the structures that pull it all together.

Whole Log Planters Make Great Spring Additions: As you get ready to plant for the season, consider a new plane for your plants to share their beauty that does not take away from the typical setting of a flower garden at your feet. With simple, whole log planters or larger than life planter benches with lattice, you get major points for exhibiting your crowned jewels on new levels. Opt to stain the wood of either a certain shade to match other wood furniture, paint it altogether for a more complete change of scenery, or leave it plain and rustic.

Make Your Backyard a Bombshell with a Rustic Bridge: Transfer the same treated or untreated look onto a whole log garden bridge for an even more spectacular effect. With a rustic trail bridge, walkways will guide guests through an assortment of flowerbeds and plantlife that may otherwise be left unseen in the depths of your lot. White cedar or white pine outdoor furniture – like the mystical bridges – stand the test of time even after years of being walked on. Known for their strength and durability, allow the hearty wood in either garden planter or garden bridge form to finish the effect of your natural, whole log outdoor design.

Whether your large yard desires a more unified feel, or you want to spread out the character of whole log outdoor furniture throughout your smaller area, pine and cedar furniture are here to make amends.

Long before we considered white pine outdoor furniture a style, we used thick conglomerations of earthy wood to make everything from patio chairs and picnic tables to garden benches and planters. Nowadays, with plenty of manmade options attempting to conquer the market, we’re seeing the about-face towards whole log outdoor furniture as the most natural way to achieve rustic beauty in natural, high quality materials that can play easily with colorful cushions to create a comfortable deck or yard design.

Blend Wood Furniture Into its Natural Environment:  The best part about using rustic white pine or cedar patio furniture is that the stage has already been set. No need to match colors, patterns, or infuse textures into your patio design – with whole log furnishings, you automatically mirror the beauty of the trees and plants that surround your yard. Open up your back door and enjoy the seamless beauty of the planet earth as a functional patio seating arrangement or cozy garden bench.

White Cedar and White Pine Furniture Understand Nature:  If you’re concerned about weathering materials, the logical solution is to infuse hearty woods that understand what it is to reside outdoors in their natural state. With pine log and white cedar log furnishings, you obtain some of the highest levels of resiliency in wood. Each piece – rain or shine – will look bright and new year after year, with proper care and maintenance.

Add Comfort With a Cushioned Effect:  Since we speak so highly of its durability, wood is naturally not going to be the softest material to sit on while reading or laying out while the kids play for hours on end. For this reason, the easy addition of colorful outdoor furniture cushions is a great way to bring in the soft, comfortable qualities that don’t take away from your ability to breathe in the fresh air for extended periods of time. Look into cushions that blend in with mellow, neutral tones or stand out with bright, solid colors or patterns.

The unison of nature and patio furniture comfort blends together perfectly with rustic outdoor furniture built to last.

The log cabin has long been a favorite getaway for summers and holidays.  Even those with modern tastes can appreciate the rustic elegance of a log cabin nestled into the hill side.  But, even if you’re not lucky enough to have your own vacation cabin (and especially if you are!) incorporating whole log furnishings into your outdoor space design will bring home that country grace with a glass of lemonade.

Whole log outdoor furniture usually comes in one of two materials: white cedar outdoor furniture and pine log patio furniture.

White Cedar: Whole log outdoor furniture crafted from white cedar will stand up to the elements.  Naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects, white cedar doesn’t need any finishing products to protect it.  A semi-transparent stain containing sunscreen will help prevent the ultra-violet rays from fading the original coloring on your white cedar patio furniture.  But, many people also prefer the silver-grey patina coloring their aged outdoor furniture takes on.

It is necessary for cedar logs to “breath,” or dry out then take on more moisture.  The breathing process does cause the outer layer of the wood to develop harmless checks as the white cedar expands and contracts with natural humidity cycles.  The checks actually strengthen the structural stability of the wood, and add more rustic flair to your outdoor space design.

Pine Log: Whole log pine patio furniture is usually constructed with a treated pine material, but select pine can also be used to craft each piece.  Pine log is often considered to be the more economic option to white cedar patio furniture.  Treated pine is treated against mold, decay and insect damage.  But, a stain or pain will further protect it from discoloration.  Select pine, on the other hand, is not treated against damaging factors and does not contain embedded oils for natural protection.  Whole log pine patio furniture created from select pine must be stained/sealed immediately to protect it from the elements.

Using whole log outdoor furniture is a fun and easy way to bring the relaxation of an old log cabin right into your at-home outdoor space.    Consider your material options to ensure you make the best decision, and coordinate pieces that complement each other, as well as the architecture of your home or backyard structure.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

As the heat of summer sweeps the nation, porches and patios are quickly becoming vacation destinations for families and friends.  Whether you’re hoping your outdoor space will be a hub of social activity or a sanctuary of escape, designing a porch that suits your needs exactly will allow you to enjoy your outdoor space to its fullest potential.

Furniture: Your porch furniture is sure to define your entire space.  For an outdoor room to feel comfortable, it has to be furnished like a true room. Find outdoor deep seating collections or outdoor dining sets that are pre-selected to match.  It makes it a no-fail solution.  Plus, buying in groups usually saves you money

Lighting: Using outdoor lighting will let you enjoy your porch for longer.  While many porches do have an overhead light source, using outdoor lamps creates more ambient tones that make your porch feel more like home. “I have an outdoor ceiling fan with a built in light,” said Lauren Klock, a homeowner in the middle of a porch re-decorating project.  “The fan moves the air to keep the breeze going and the bugs away, and the lighting element is great for evening get-togethers.”

Drapes, Rugs and Pillows: Outdoor curtains, rugs, and outdoor furniture pillows can soften the edges of a porch and truly finish an outdoor space. Mary Morris, author of Front-Porch-Ideas-and-More.com said “A lovely outdoor rug can sure pull together an outdoor space like nothing else: it is soft for bare feet and gives your porch a comfortable feel.”  Keep a color scheme in mind when selecting textile elements like outdoor drapes, outdoor rugs, pillows and outdoor furniture cushions.  Making sure all of your softer pieces coordinate will streamline your design.

Morris also suggests letting the garden do the decorating.  “Grace your porch with seasonal potted plants, hanging baskets and vases of fresh fragrant flowers.  Dress up your bistro table with a vase of fresh flowers from your garden. Lilacs, gerbera daisies, vincas, roses, even fresh herbs are nice.”

Selecting the right patio furniture, porch lighting and outdoor textiles will create an outdoor space that you can’t wait to enjoy.

Families are always looking for ways to spend more time together, and parents are often searching for strategies to pull their kids away from the television and video games.   Many homeowners are creating gathering spaces right in their own backyards, to provide a fun and at-home retreat.  When considering turning your porch or yard into a dynamic living and gathering area, keep to these five tips!

Safety First: More than any other consideration, safety should always be at the top of the list, especially for families with young children.  One trending outdoor furniture complement is the fire pit.  Whether used for cooking, keeping warm or just aesthetics, it doesn’t have to be out of the questions for families. Fire pits should have a protective ring around them to keep the flame contained.  But, also consider how you envision the fire pit being used. The options for fire pits are incredibly varied, so it’s important to consider your maintenance concerns and your intended use before diving into the selection

Furniture Materials: Always look for patio furniture in materials that will stand up to harsh outdoor environments: Red and White Cedars contain naturally embedded oils that resist insect damage and decay.  Teak is a dense, heavy outdoor wood that is fantastic for patios and exudes absolute luxury.  If you’re looking for something synthetic, Polywood is created from recycled milk jugs and plastic bottles originally destined for the landfill.  Fashioned to look and feel like real wood, the plastic construction makes it absolutely indestructible.

Child Size and Kid Friendly: Consider incorporating kid’s outdoor furniture into your backyard space design.  Having their own area, seats and tables will encourage them to spend more time outdoors.  When hosting a neighborhood get-together, the kids will have a place to entertain each other without being constantly underfoot.  A lot of retailers sell child-sized outdoor furniture that match their standard size designs, so your entire outdoor room can have a unified, but still functional, lay out.

Stay on Budget: Balancing a budget with a growing family is no easy task, and creating an outdoor room doesn’t have to break the bank.  Look for outdoor furniture that can serve multiple purposes.  For example, get an outdoor dining set that has patio chairs you can pull away for round-the-fire pit seating.  Picnic tables with detached benches can be used in the traditional way, or you can set out a buffet style meal on the table and use the benches elsewhere for more casual seating. Adding splashes of color is also an simple way to make a big impact.  Plan a color scheme that works with your home and incorporate it into patio umbrellas and outdoor furniture cushions.  Adding indoor comfort and brightening color will make your outdoor space feel more finished and furnished. Then, if you ever get tired of your design, you can simply switch out the cushions for a brand new look!

Carve Out a Space for Just You: Especially for busy mothers, any porch, patio, or outdoor spaces should always leave a section nestled in the corner for solo-relaxation.  Whether you string a hammock, hang a porch swing, or simply pull one of those dining chairs/patio chairs out of the way, having a quiet space to reflect and drink tea outdoors will do wonders for your stress levels.  Creating an outdoor room will give you a great place to entertain, but also a quiet place to escape the every day noises of your home’s interior.

Have Fun!

Hazel.