Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Certainly, the more you investigate the assortment of outdoor furniture that is available, the more you realize just how many options you have for decorating your outdoor (or indoor/ outdoor) living spaces.  When you get right down to it, you probably have just about as many as you do when you’re selecting indoor furniture.

Yesterday, in comparing the two types of furniture, I mentioned the huge variety of patio chairs, outdoor sofas, loveseats, settees, porch swings and gliders, garden benches, and outdoor rocking chairs, which can be used to create spectacular outdoor living rooms.  Of course, there are also millions of outdoor kitchens and bedrooms to be furnished as well; and, luckily, porch furniture, once again, stacks up favorably against its indoor counterparts.

Naturally, there are several pieces that can cross over from room to room, just as daybeds, pull-out sofas, and chaise lounges do in our homes.  In fact, the outdoor chaise lounge is a good example, as it can be used for sitting, reclining, or sleeping.  Undoubtedly, lounge chairs are as important to outdoor furniture collections as they are to living room suites; and they are just as comfortable, as they have adjustable backs, wide armrests, and seats that are raised in the middle, to keep knees elevated.

When it’s time to lie down and take a snooze, truly, hammocks rival the comfort of even the softest beds.  Among the most popular pieces of outdoor furniture, they come in all colors, and can be made of canvas, rope, or mesh; and many of them have attached pillows.  They can be used anywhere, because, if you don’t have a place to hang one, you can always get a hammock stand; and the same goes for hammock chairs.  Swingbeds are also great for sitting, swinging, or napping.

As in indoor rooms, end tables are integral to the décor of all outdoor rooms; and they’re available in choices that are nearly, well, endless.  You’ll find an array of accent tables, such as outdoor coffee tables, terrace tables, and conversation tables, in cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, and polywood, in all colors and styles.

As for the eating arrangements, there’s no denying that, in most homes, picnic tables have always ranked right up there with kitchen tables.  Furthermore, because they have undergone such impressive changes over the past several years, they feature more styles, sizes, colors, and shapes than ever.  Along with the traditional rectangular picnic tables with attached benches, you’ll find hexagonal, octagonal, trestle, and extra-wide picnic tables with backed benches.  If you want something a bit more contemporary, you can get an outdoor dining table or a bistro set.

Indeed, whether in an open area, or an enclosed porch, patio, or gazebo, you can create any motif imaginable, as today’s patio furniture comes in such a wide range of materials, styles, and colors.  Moreover, the countless colors, color combinations, and patterns available for outdoor furniture cushions, patio umbrellas, and outdoor throw pillows, give you even more artistic opportunities for your outdoor décor.

It’s no wonder that we’re so crazy about outdoor living!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

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If you have been thinking of adding a backyard structure to your landscape, but are not sure what direction to take, allow me to suggest the emulation of a Japanese Tea House. Called a Chashitsu in Japanese, these small buildings were designed to hold traditional tea ceremonies.  While a beautiful and ancient tradition, you don’t necessarily need to commit your backyard tea house to Japanese tea ceremonies.  Instead, you can use it to embrace the Far Eastern ideals of meditation, contemplation, and unity with nature.

Use a Simple Wood Structure: Tea houses were traditionally created from wood.  Using a backyard cabana designed with large screened windows and a double roof to emulate pagoda roofs will serve you well.  Of course, an open gazebo will also work, but I suggest adding screens to still create a place of tranquility.  You want your space to be connected with nature, but still separated enough for inward concentration.  Western Red Cedar is the most likely to blend in seamlessly with your surroundings.

Place it in the Garden: This style is perfect for those who have already pursued gardens.  The Japanese often see gardening as a symbol of uniting and learning the sacred ways of the natural world, and tea houses most traditionally situate themselves within these gardens.  Try to situate your tea house within a grouping of trees, instead of doing major landscaping to remove them.  Allow your garden to sit close to the structure so you can view it from the windows.

Employ a Bridge: A bridged entryway to your tea house is beneficial for two reasons.  First, adding water or, at least, the illusion of water to your tea house will truly emulate the Japanese landscape.  Plus, water is calming and encourages natural reflection.  Further, you can recall Japanese tradition with specialized bridges.  Far Easterners often use bridges to give the feeling of transition.  Using a garden bridge to cross over into the peaceful sanctuary of your tea house will give you that same feeling.  Many of their bridges were designed to zig zag, as it was thought that evil spirits did not have the ability to move in anything but straight lines.  But, when you open your mind and move out of the straight lines, you can avoid evil.

Provide Simple Furnishings: Traditionally, a tea house would contain no furniture.  Instead, the host and guests would use mats and sit on the floor.  But, unless you are looking to completely recreate a Japanese Tea House, you may want to consider just transitioning to simple outdoor furniture, instead.  Using cedar patio groupings or even more American-style rustic outdoor dining sets will help characterize it as uniquely your own, without taking away from the original intent. If creating a seating room instead of a dining area, don’t be afraid to use low-to-the-ground outdoor coffee tables to reflect traditional chabudai. Don’t hesitate to throw some outdoor furniture cushions around the table for an afternoon tea, as well.

Decorate Naturally: There’s no need to go out and get exciting and rare décor, stick to simplicity.  Potted flowers, a vase full of bamboo sticks, or even a strip of mutely patterned fabric hung from the wall will all invite tranquility.  You may want to go as far as purchasing a bonsai tree to set in the tea house to truly bring the entire theme together. If you do decide to use outdoor furniture cushions, try to steer clear of patterns or jarring colors.  Remember, just keep thinking, “tranquility.”

A Japanese Tea House is a wonderful endeavor if you’re looking to create an outdoor space that acts as a secluded oasis of relaxation.  And even if you’re not interested in such a large backyard project, using some of these simple techniques will help to bring Far Eastern harmony to your outdoor living area.

Tags: backyard cabana, backyard structure, cedar patio groups, garden bridge, outdoor coffee tables, outdoor dining sets, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions

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