Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Everyone has a different picture of the ideal backyard.  Some people like grand gardens that feature arbors, trellises, pergolas, and garden bridges, while others feel it’s more important to have lavish entertainment areas furnished with grills, picnic tables, and patio chairs.

There are also those who love the thought of creating private little havens on their patios or in their gazebos; and some people want nothing more than outdoor rocking chairs on their back porches.  The interesting thing is that, no matter how diverse they are, most people’s ideal scenarios also include lush lawns and beautiful flowers; but not a single weed.

There’s no doubt that it’s a perpetual struggle to eliminate weeds; and, alas, our fantasies are among the few places that they can’t actually invade.  We do, however, put forth valiant efforts to thwart them, some of which we covered yesterday.  Of course, there are other things that can be done, besides pulling them up, digging them out, spraying them, or salting them (or sautéing them).

For one thing, you can try to keep them from growing in the first place (or any place), by launching a pre-emptive strike.  If you want to go the way of the spray, you’ll find many weed killers that supposedly prevent them as well; but you do have other choices.

Among these are weed barriers, which, like everything else, have their strengths and weaknesses.  Available in fabric and black plastic, they control the growth of weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching their seeds, and keeping them from putting down roots.  Fabric barriers let some moisture and air through to the roots of plants; but weed seeds that land on them can put down roots through the fabric, get tangled in it, and tear it when you try to extricate them.

In contrast, plastic barriers are impenetrable by the weed roots, so, yeah, they also keep out the sunlight, water, and oxygen that plants require.  Obviously, you can’t poke holes in the plastic to benefit the plants, without allowing the weeds in, too.  Another drawback is that, because the plastic is slick, any mulch that you cover it with may be washed away by even a moderate rainfall.  Therefore, fabric is more suited for use in flower beds, and plastic, in places that you want to keep absolutely weed-free.

Mulch is another option that has a lot of points in its favor.  The first, and most important, is that it’s very effective in inhibiting the growth of weeds.  Furthermore, because it insulates the soil, it keeps roots from being compressed by foot traffic, prevents bulbs from blooming too early, and conserves water, by slowing evaporation.  Beyond that, it comes in endless types and hues, so it can add color, texture, and variety to your landscape.

A covering of mulch over a garden bed should be applied in a four-inch layer, thinned to two inches around plants.  It shouldn’t be allowed to come in contact with tree trunks, or your house, garage, or shed, as it promotes decay.  It also erodes and blows away eventually, so you’ll have to replace it periodically.  Keep grass clippings from spraying into it when you mow, and remove fallen leaves from it.  If they’re left to decompose in the mulch, they’ll invite weed seeds to breed.

Indeed!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, Garden Bridges, Gazebos, grills, outdoor rocking chairs, patio chairs, Pergolas, picnic tables, trellises

It’s the same every year; in winter, people fantasize about cooking on their grills, eating at their picnic tables, relaxing on their porch swings and gliders, and doing a little gardening.  Then, suddenly, summer is in full swing, it’s too hot, and things are growing, blossoming, and ripening so fast that it’s nearly impossible to keep up with them.

Certainly, there’s no such thing as a “little gardening” in July.  Naturally, we wouldn’t mind it if we had only to tend to those gorgeous flowers that we’ve been waiting to see in full bloom, or harvest the fruits and vegetables that we so patiently cultivated.  What we can’t stand are the tedious, repetitive, maintenance chores, and the constant skirmishes with the marplots that have been put on this planet specifically to ruin our landscapes.

Indeed, along with the mouth-watering sight of those plump, juicy berries that are finally ready to be picked, there’s the nauseating spectacle of those rotten, prickly old weeds that seem to have regenerative powers.  They’re not confined to our lawns and gardens, either.  No-o!  They also pop up between and among bricks, stones, cement slabs, and gravel, weaving hideous, insidious unwelcome mats across our walkways, driveways, and patios.

There are many sprays available that will supposedly kill the weeds, and prevent new ones from growing, for the rest of the season.  Some of them contain harsh chemicals (although their labels say that they’re safe after they’ve dried), while others are organic, and, purportedly, non-toxic to people and pets.  Even so, some folks hesitate to use them.  I’m a little reluctant, too, because I have birdfeeders and birdhouses around my patio, and the birds are always pecking about between the bricks.

A lot of people swear by the very simple approach of pouring boiling water into weed-infested cracks.  As a bonus, this method will wipe out colonies of ants, yellow jackets, and other ground-nesting insects that happen to be living within these crevices.  Saltwater is also effective for killing weeds, but it ruins the soil as well; so if you use it, avoid areas that you have pinpointed for future plantings.

If weeds are young, and not yet firmly established, use a hoe or a rake to expose their roots, early on a cloudless day, leave them where they are, and let the sun finish the job.  Of course, you can always remove weeds the old-fashioned way, by digging them up with a spade or a trowel.

Before you decide on a weeding technique, however, consider the type and consistency of the soil in which they’re growing.  For example, if it’s loose, you may be able to pull them up, roots and all, with no more effort than it would take to pluck the aforementioned ripe berries – or to spray the weeds.  This is often the case in gravel driveways, or older brick, stone, or concrete paths and patios, where you may just need one of those little scooter things that you can sit on (or an outdoor ottoman), for your weed-extracting expedition.

Sure, there’s a lot to do in the garden in July; and even though fighting against weeds may be an uphill battle, there’s no reason to throw in the trowel.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gardening, gliders, grills, outdoor ottomans, picnic tables, porch swings

The Fourth of July is this weekend, so get your grills ready, set up those picnic tables, and reserve your favorite Adirondack chair; and don’t forget to set a place of honor for your most distinguished guest, Old Glory.

Although we’ve already covered some of the rules for displaying and handling it properly, there are still many more.  One states that the flag should never serve as a drapery, such as would be put over a speaker’s desk, or a platform, or be used as any decoration in general.

The flag should never be used in advertising, nor have any advertising signs attached to its staff.  It shouldn’t be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on anything, such as a handkerchief, napkin, or cushion, that’s designed to be used briefly, and then discarded.

Furthermore, the flag should not be used as clothing, or as any part of a costume, or athletic uniform.  However, flag patches can be used on the uniforms of firefighters, police officers, and members of the military and patriotic organizations.

There should never be any kind of mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, number, symbol, or drawing put on the flag, or attached to it.  Moreover, it must never be used as a receptacle for holding, carrying, receiving, or delivering anything.

Apparently, we’ve really strayed from the original tenets of respect for the flag.  After all, it’s used in decorations all the time; in fact, everywhere we look this weekend, we’ll be seeing glaring examples in items such as flag tablecloths, placemats, and napkins.

Certainly, there are tons of red, white, and blue decorations that are perfectly acceptable, even if they have stars or stripes on them, because they don’t depict the actual flag.  There are streamers, balloons, pinwheels, candles, paper and plastic plates, glasses, and utensils, and much more.  You’ll also find red, white, and blue bunting for doorways, porches, balconies, and gazebos (when you hang it, make sure that the blue is on top).

You can also use it as a runner for your outdoor dining table, set over a plain, white tablecloth.  To make it more striking, use solid red napkins, solid blue plates, and utensils in all three colors.  If you don’t want a runner, sprinkle the tablecloth with red, white, and blue glitter, and top it with another, clear tablecloth.

Put red, white, and blue flowers into vases of the same colors for centerpieces, or get some red geraniums, white impatiens, and blue salvia in containers, from a nursery, and group them together in planters.  Place red and blue candles on white trays; they’ll look great in the daytime, and add a festive glow after dark.

Truly, after the sun goes down, you’ll really want things to sparkle, so don’t forget to decorate gazebos, arbors, pergolas, trellises, and trees with red, white, and blue twinkle lights.  For an extra-special touch, get red and blue bulbs for your outdoor lamps and lanterns.

Indeed, there are hundreds of ways to bring patriotic colors to your Independence Day party, while displaying the flag in a proper place.

Of course, that rule about not using the flag in decorations is not the only one that’s been stretched to the limit over the years.  How about the one that prohibits its use in clothing and costumes?  I mean, that ship sailed a long time ago.

Just for starters, I think Uncle Sam has got some ‘splainin’ to do.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, Arbors, Gazebos, grills, outdoor dining table, outdoor lamps and lanterns, Pergolas, picnic tables, trellises

One of the things that many people love about summer is being able to relax on their porch swings, chaise lounges, and Adirondack chairs, and admire their gardens.  If you’re in that number, you know the feeling of satisfaction that comes from having created such beauty through hours of hard labor.  Unfortunately, for a lot of people, much of that effort has gone toward trying to keep pests from destroying their handiwork.  In fact, they will continue their struggles in on-going, and, what often turn out to be losing, battles.

Indeed, it seems unfair that, even as you toil in the soil, there’s a host of bugs looting the leaves, pillaging the petals, stalking the stems, and ravaging the roots, of the plants that you are trying to nurture.  It appears that the only course of action is to assault them with a barrage of sprays, powders, and anything else that’s available at garden centers.  These days, however, because people are becoming increasingly loath to use pesticides that can harm the environment (thank goodness), they’re searching for other ways of rubbing out those little wretches.

Luckily, there are dozens of organic products to choose from; but applying these will also take up precious time that you could be spending cooking on your grill, eating at your picnic table, and napping in your hammock.  Moreover, they will wipe out things that are valuable to your garden as well.  Remember, not all of those creepy creatures have malicious intent; many of them are actually waiting in the, uh, wings, to support your endeavors.

Seen and unseen, they are always there, patrolling above and below the soil, and carrying out their vital missions.  With pistils at the ready, these unsung heroes deliver much-needed supplies of pollen to waiting troops.  At the same time, special units are deployed to devour enemy insects that would cause the annihilation of your vegetation; and all of this is accomplished without the use of chemical warfare.

Therefore, instead of attacking everything that crawls, start a recruiting drive to enlist these beneficial bugs as allies.  Whether you’re trying to cultivate flowers, fruits, shrubs, trees, or vegetables, your first tactic is to strategically place the nectar-rich plants in your garden that will entice them over to your side.

These powerhouse pollinators and elite exterminators include bees, lacewings, ladybugs, flower flies, and mini-wasps.  In many cases, their larvae alone have insatiable appetites.  For example, a ladybug larva can consume up to 40 aphids per day, while a single lacewing will eat as many as 10,000 of them over the course of its lifetime.

The favorite flowers of these famished forces include Dill (Anethum graveolens), Korean angelica (Angelica gigas), Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), Poached egg plant (Limnanthes douglasii), Goldenrod (Solidago), and French marigold (Tagetes patula).

Add these lovely plants to your landscape, and you’ll soon have some selfless soldiers doing your drone work for you.  Of course, you’ll have to return their thoughtfulness, by being kind to them as well.

So, the next time you’re bothered by buzzing as you snooze in your swingbed or steamer chair, look twice before you bring in the swat team!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, grills, hammock, picnic tables, porch swings, steamer chair, swing bed

In the coming months, millions of people will be hosting backyard parties, and cooking all sorts of meats on their grills.  Whether they are charcoal grills, gas grills, or electric grills, they will produce tempting aromas that will have all of the guests who are sitting around picnic tables, on porch swings, gliders, and patio chairs, waiting eagerly for the main course to be done.

Of course, that aroma will be even more tantalizing if the food is being smoked.  Indeed, smoke has been used for centuries, to preserve meats for long periods of time; and now, using barbecue wood chips is seen as the ultimate way to enhance their flavors.  Moreover, the variety of woods that can be used is just as extensive as the assortment of meats that can be grilled or barbecued.

Hickory, which is commonly used for most of the brands of bacon, and other meats, that we always find in grocery stores, is probably the most familiar of all, and is recognized as the leader among the smoking woods.  It smokes intensely, for long periods, and penetrates deep into the meat, giving it a nice, pink hue, and a savory, smoky flavor.  It’s great for smoking pork, red meat, poultry, and game.

Certainly, however, hickory is not the only option, as there are tons of other chips, made from all kinds of woods.  Each one creates its own, distinct flavor, and is thought to be particularly suited to specific types of meat.

One popular choice, mesquite, is a southwestern wood that’s ideal for use with beef, chicken, fish, pork, and lamb, and is ideal for making jerky.  You have to be careful when using it, though, because it is one of the hottest burning of all of the smoking woods, and has an extremely bold, rich flavor that can rapidly overpower the taste of the meat.  To prevent this from happening, many experienced outdoor cooks recommend mixing it, in equal parts, with hickory, unless it’s being used to make jerky.

Cherry wood smokes for a fairly long time, and creates a delicate, fruity, sweet smoke, that does not overwhelm the flavor of the meat.  It can be used for burgers, steaks, chicken, pork, seafood, quail, and game hens.

Oak is also a well-known and widely used wood.   Although, like hickory, it smokes strongly for long intervals, its flavor is not as strong.  Considered one of the most versatile of all of the smoking woods, oak can be soaked in anything from wine to whiskey, to create various flavors on all kinds of meat.  Wine barrel oak, which has been aged in wine for at least ten years, adds a wonderful, fruity smoke to burgers, beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and wild game.

These are but a few of the woods that can be used to make any meat more succulent and delicious.  You can experiment with these, and many more, to add diversity to your outdoor fare.

So, if you can’t afford that trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, you will, at least, be able to enjoy some great, smoky flavors.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy.

Tags: charcoal grills, gas grills, gliders, grills, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch swings

Regarding the difference between barbecuing and grilling, I mentioned recently that a quick way to sum it up is to say that grilling is high and fast, while barbecuing is low and slow.  To be a bit more explicit, grilling is usually done on charcoal grills or gas grills, when one is cooking hamburgers, or tender, thinner cuts of meat, at 500° or more, for an hour or less.

The intense heat and the rapid cooking process help to seal in the juices, which makes the meat more succulent.  If you’re going to use any kind of barbecue sauce when you’re grilling, don’t put it on until the meat is nearly done, or the sugar in the sauce may burn.  It’s also important that you stay close to the grill at all times, as the meat cooks so quickly that it can go from juicy to dry in a matter of minutes.  You can also keep the meat from drying out by turning it with tongs, as a fork will just make a bunch of holes through which the juices can escape; and, believe me, it will be a fast getaway.

Barbecuing, which is normally done over wood or charcoal, is used when cooking larger, tougher cuts of meat, at 225° or less, with smoke, for over an hour; and I mean well over an hour.  As a matter of fact, in some instances, such as when you’re cooking a whole pig, you may have to barbecue overnight.  The good part about a situation like this, however, is that you won’t have to tend to the meat – or even stay awake – the whole time.

Of course, most people who do the pig-cooking thing at least once a year (and I think we all know someone who does) like to make it a marathon event.  Even if the pig won’t be done until Sunday afternoon, they generally like to start getting things ready on Friday evening, right after work.  Besides preparing their picnic tables, they’ll want to make sure that there are enough Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, garden benches, settees, and folding chairs for everyone to be seated comfortably.  Furthermore, most of them enjoy tending to their barbecues throughout the night, and often end up sleeping in their swingbeds.

When you’re barbecuing, you can brush on sauce as often as you wish, as it will create a delicious glaze on the meat.  You can also give it a great, smoky flavor by putting damp wood chips into the fire.  The long, slow pace of this method dissolves the connective tissues that make meat tough, causing it to become tender enough to fall off the bone; and that’s the goal of all outdoor chefs.

There are many types of wood that you can use, and each lends its own, unique flavor to the meat.  Furthermore, just as certain wines are thought to ideally complement specific foods, various kinds of wood are recommended for use with particular meats; and we’ll explore some of these in upcoming blogs.

In the meantime, I hope that I haven’t made you too hungry!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, charcoal grills, folding chairs, garden benches, gas grills, grills, picnic tables, settees, Swingbeds

Those who have spacious backyards can fill them with all sorts of wonderful outdoor furniture.  Along with their porch swings, patio chairs, and accent tables, they may also have room for outdoor sofas and loveseats, outdoor coffee tables, rocking chairs, ottomans, garden benches, face-to-face gliders, grills, and even gazebos.

Most people, however, either have smaller backyards or patios, or only terraces, porches, or balconies; and, in many cases, they feel that these spaces are too dull or cramped for entertaining.  If this is your quandary, you probably have more options than you think, because even the most lackluster area can be turned into a beautiful outdoor living room.  Beyond getting the right outdoor furniture, which you can find in sizes, styles, and colors to grace any space, you can do things to make it more accommodating, while playing up its coziness aspect, which is very appealing.

If you don’t know where to start, try going from the bottom, up.  Truly, the floor can have just as much of an impact on the look of an outdoor room, as it does on an indoor room.  Paint a slab of concrete, or old, worn-out decking, with paint that’s made for porches and decks.  You can also use marine paint, designed for the hulls of boats, which is available in several bright, bold colors.

Choose a solid color, or add stripes, or geometric shapes, to create the illusion of a larger space.  To make it even homier, put down some colorful area rugs, just like the ones that you use indoors.  Toss in some cushy outdoor throw pillows in vivid, mix-and-match colors, and people will be comfortable sitting right on the floor.  For extra seating, put a picnic table bench along a wall, or off to the side.

You don’t have to worry about having your outdoor living room completely packed with furniture and accessories all of the time.  On special occasions, you can bring out some indoor pieces, such as serving carts and end tables, and even hang some art on exterior walls for the duration of the party.  Even a small outdoor dining table will look spectacular when you set it with your good china and silverware, crystal wine glasses, and cloth napkins with napkin rings.

Naturally, lighting is very important as well; and, while candles always spark a festive atmosphere, they’re not the only things that can light up a party.  There are several styles of outdoor table lamps, outdoor floor lamps, and outdoor lanterns that will get glowing reviews.  Other great choices are hurricane lamps, LED candles, paper lanterns, and strings of white Christmas lights, wrapped around trees, railings, planters, arbors, trellises, and pergolas.  For a really magical touch, you can even place candles inside your planters, as long as they’re in spots where they won’t set anything on fire.  Just don’t forget to extinguish all of the candles when the party’s over.

Of course, if someone breaks one of your good wine glasses, it may be over sooner than you had planned!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, Arbors, face-to-face gliders, garden benches, Gazebos, grills, ottomans, outdoor coffee tables, outdoor dining table, outdoor floor lamp, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor lanterns, outdoor loveseats, outdoor rocking chairs, outdoor sofas, outdoor table lamp, patio chairs, Pergolas, picnic table bench, Planters, porch swings, trellises

While you’re getting your patio furniture, picnic tables, and grills ready for all of the cookouts that are in store this summer, remember that you’ll also have to be prepared for the arguments that will inevitably take place at many of these gatherings.

Now, I’m not talking about nasty squabbles, or drunken brawls.  No-o!  I’m referring to the disagreements over the cooking of the food, which always seem to arise, especially when there are a lot of “armchair quarterbacks” (or, in these cases, “Adirondack chair chefs”) present.  These are normally friendly debates, which can be about anything, from the best cooking techniques, to whether gas grills or charcoal grills are better, to whose barbecue apron has the funniest saying.

Among the most common disputes, however, is the difference between barbecuing and grilling.  While many people use these words interchangeably, they really do have separate meanings.  One of the best ways to describe the two methods is to say that grilling is high and fast, while barbecuing is low and slow.  Naturally, to some, these distinctions are unimportant; but, to those who consider themselves barbecue aficionados, they are crucial.

With all of the varying opinions about the real meaning of the word, barbecue, it seems only appropriate that its etymology is also a source of heated discussion.  Of course, it’s no surprise, as this is the case with countless other words in this language.

Although several theories have been offered, most authorities agree that the word, barbecue, is derived from the West Indian word, barbacoa, which is a raised platform or framework for supporting meat that is being slow-cooked over hot coals that have been placed beneath it.  It is believed that the colonists adopted this way of slow-roasting meat, and that barbacoa became barbecue in the vernacular of the early settlers.

While the natives, who were first observed using the barbacoa, often cooked venison and whole turkeys, in the South, where many claim that the barbecue, as we know it, originated, pork became the staple of the spit.  This is understandable, because, in the “barbecue belt” states, which include Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, pigs were an omnipresent source of food.

They were also low-maintenance, as there was little or no cost involved in feeding them.  They carelessly roamed free, uh, pigging out, on whatever they found on their own.  Oh, yeah, that was the life!  Unfortunately, they didn’t realize that they were effectively fattening themselves up for their own slaughters, which were festive occasions, wherein entire communities were invited to share in the food and celebrations.  This is thought to be the way that the traditional Southern barbecue originated.

In the ensuing years, all of the ingredients of the barbecue, including rubs, sauces, woods used for smoking the meat, the types of meat, and everything else involved in its preparation, have varied, not only from state to state, but from region to region.

So, it’s no wonder that the definition of a true barbecue is such a bone of contention!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, charcoal grills, gas grills, grills, patio furniture, picnic tables

Right now, millions of people are preparing for summer, and their upcoming backyard parties, by setting up their outdoor furniture, picnic tables, and patio umbrellas, and making their yards, gardens, and outdoor décor look spectacular.  While that may seem like an awful lot of work, in many cases, it’s the easy part.  After all, once porch swings, patio chairs, outdoor sofas, and accent tables are in place, they’re good to go.

Grills, on the other hand, are a different story, because cooking on them – safely and successfully – requires some know-how, and even a degree of finesse.  No matter how fantastic a grill is, or how many wonderful features it has, if the person who is cooking does not know how to use it correctly, the food can still turn out to be, well, disappointing, to say the least.

The first thing to be aware of is that all grills are different; so, if you’re getting a new grill, whether it’s your first, or your fifth, read and heed the manual that comes with it.  Actually, the more experienced you are, the more you realize how important it is to become acquainted with your grill’s specific characteristics, and that it takes some time to do so.  For example, only after using it for awhile will you find out whether it has hot spots, where they are, and how long it takes to heat to proper cooking temperature, especially on windy or chilly days.

Indeed, weather is another factor, as it will affect cooking times, not only on charcoal grills, but on electric and gas grills as well.  While your manual may offer tips for using your particular grill in various climates and conditions, there are some general rules that apply in every situation.

For one thing, even though you should never use the grill indoors, it should be placed where it will be shielded from the wind; otherwise, neither it, nor the food, will stay as hot as necessary.  Food will cook faster on charcoal grills on warm, calm days, than it will on windy and/or cold days, when you will need more coals, which will take longer to heat.  Even gas grills will take a bit more time to heat, and you may have to use higher heat settings.

Like everything else, in order to obtain top performance from it, you must keep your grill clean.  One easy way to do this is to prevent foods from building up on the grill rack, by coating it with a non-stick cooking spray, or brushing it with vegetable oil, before you use it.  After cooking, remove any remaining bits of food from the grill rack with a wire grill brush, or a piece of aluminum foil (unless your manual says otherwise).

Usually, you can clean the racks in electric and gas grills by closing the covers and turning the burners on to a high setting for about 15 minutes.  If you line the bottom of the firebox with heavy-duty aluminum foil, shiny side up, it will catch any drippings (and, if it’s a charcoal grill, ashes), and act as a heat reflector.  Then, after everything has cooled off, you can just bundle up and discard the foil.

Truly, there are dozens of fine points to learn about outdoor cooking; and I will be touching on many of them in upcoming entries.  So don’t worry; before you know it, you’ll be able to thrill with your grill!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, charcoal grills, gas grills, grill, grills, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor sofas, patio chairs, patio umbrellas, picnic tables, porch swings

Well, another season of barbecues and outdoor celebrations is about to begin.  Memorial Day is only a few weeks away, and people all over the country are eagerly getting their grills and picnic tables ready for action.  Now, there’s certainly nothing new about the excited anticipation and preparation for the upcoming get-togethers; it’s a May tradition that goes back a long way.

Undoubtedly, though, there are a few things that have changed lately.  For example, there was a time when it seemed that everyone had the same rectangular wood picnic tables.  Sure, some had attached benches, while others had detached benches; but, for the most part, they all looked pretty much alike.  Furthermore, when they were worn out, they were usually replaced with nearly identical models.

Over the past several years, however, outdoor living has risen to another level.  These days, because people are spending more time than ever in their backyards – relaxing, eating, and entertaining – many consider them to be outdoor living rooms.  At the same time, millions of people are enclosing their porches, patios, and gazebos, in order to create indoor/outdoor rooms that can be used year-round.  In any case, they want to be able to furnish these spaces as stylishly as the rooms in their homes.

Because of this trend, patio chairs and other pieces of outdoor furniture have gotten drastic makeovers in recent years.  Even the humble picnic table has been elevated to such a prominent role, that there has been a major evolution in the shapes, materials, colors, and sizes, in which it is available.  With all of these choices, shopping for one is more fun than ever; but, because it’s also somewhat more involved, it’s good to know how to select a picnic table that will fit your needs, budget, space, décor, and lifestyle.

Naturally, a lot will depend upon how you’re going to use your picnic table.  Do you want one that’s strictly utilitarian, one that’s integral to your décor, or one that’s fairly inconspicuous?  If you have wood walls, a closely-matched wood picnic table is more likely to blend into the background.

On the other hand, if you want to make a bold statement, create a festive atmosphere, or complement your motif, you’ll have no problem in doing so, because you can find picnic tables in just about every color and style imaginable.  The huge variety will also allow you to duplicate inside colors, which will not only establish a smooth transition from the indoors, to the outdoors, but can make an area appear larger as well.  Outdoor dining tables are great, too, and you can get them with outdoor furniture cushions that come in scores of colors and patterns.

Indeed, there are countless factors to consider when buying a picnic table.  Of course, even with all of the fun, new options, millions of people will still stick with the old, ubiquitous picnic table that we all remember from childhood.  Uh, not that there’s anything wrong with that!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Gazebos, grills, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, patio chairs, picnic table, picnic tables, wood picnic tables