All Outdoor Patio Furniture

Nearly everything, including the way we dress and decorate, the tools and equipment we use, the food we eat, the places we go, and even the way we live, changes with the seasons.    Consequently, many of our possessions are stored in garages, sheds, attics, and cedar chests, for the better part of the year.

Right now, for example, patio furniture, grills, picnic tables and baskets, shorts, tank tops, lawn games, and mowers, are being used or worn every day.  Two months from now, however, we’ll be packing them up, and getting out our warm clothes, rakes, and fall decorations.

Even those who live in regions where the weather barely changes throughout the year, have to adjust to the seasons.  The only difference is that they don’t have quite as many things to put into storage; and that’s good.  After all, it’s sad when something that has been indispensable for months, suddenly becomes a worthless object that’s merely taking up space.

So, it’s always nice to find ways to be able to use things beyond their traditional seasons.  For instance, many people who live in cold climates enclose their porches, patios, and gazebos, so that they can enjoy their porch furniture year-round.  Millions of people have also decided that their Christmas lights, rather than being buried in boxes, should be strung around their arbors, trellises, and pergolas, to add permanent sparkle to their outdoor décor.

Picnic baskets, too, can be functional all year long; yet, people usually put them away at the end of summer.  That’s a shame, because they sometimes get dirty or damaged, or even gnawed by rodents, during the winter (the baskets, that is, not the people – or so one hopes).  Furthermore, like the other types, picnic baskets are attractive, and available in different designs and colors; and they can serve a number of purposes.

Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to keep them hidden away, especially if you have more than one picnic basket, as many people do.  Keep one on your porch or deck, near your favorite lounge chair, and use it to hold magazines, board games, knitting supplies, binoculars and bird books, or anything else that you want to have handy.

In your pool house, you can fill picnic baskets with towels, tanning lotion, bug spray, hairspray (just don’t get those two mixed up!), or other health and beauty products, for guests to use.  Larger baskets can hold extra blankets or outdoor throw pillows, for those chilly nights when you’re lying in your hammock or swingbed, gazing at the stars.  At backyard parties, put them on your outdoor buffet table, to hold napkins and utensils.

Of course, you can always use picnic baskets in your kitchen.  Fill them with snack foods, such as cookies, crackers, nuts, protein bars, and even cereal, rice, and beans (as long as they’re sealed in plastic bags).  You can also keep napkins and tablecloths in them.

In the summer, drape some cloth napkins in pretty patterns, such as gingham, around the edges of the picnic basket, and put a bouquet of dried flowers on top.  Use russet-colored napkins and, perhaps, dried leaves or Indian corn, in the fall.  At Christmastime, use red and green napkins, along with any of the multitude of seasonal decorations.  When spring comes around, try flowered or pastel napkins, and some colorful flowers.

Truly, if you let your creativity flow, you’ll think of a hundred uses for picnic baskets.  If you can save just one of them from the jaws of a rodent, it will be worth it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, cedar chests, Gazebos, grills, hammock, outdoor buffet table, outdoor decor, patio furniture, Pergolas, picnic tables, Pool house, porch furniture, Sheds, swing bed, trellises

Of the millions of Independence Day celebrations that will be taking place this weekend, a large percentage will be pool parties.  If you’re going to host one, don’t skimp on the red, white, and blue decorations, when it comes to your pool house or cabana.

Of course, outdoor décor, although key, is not your first consideration; nor, for that matter, is the food.  If you own a pool, you know that ensuring the safety of all those who will be using it takes precedence over everything.  After all, you want everyone who goes swimming to have fun, and emerge feeling refreshed and, perhaps, hungry for another burger hot off the grill.

Obviously, the first, and most crucial, precaution is to never allow kids to go into the water unsupervised.  Even those who know how to swim, or are using flotation devices, can develop cramps underwater, or hit their heads, before anyone knows what’s happening.  Moreover, no child under four years old should be in the pool at all, unless accompanied by an adult.

So, make sure that there are enough patio chairs, lounge chairs, or steamer chairs around the pool, positioned too much to drink.  Anyone overseeing children must be fully alert, and able to keep track of them; and that’s hard enough as it is, because, as I’ve noticed many times, while watching kids at pools, they all seem to look alike when they’re wet!

It’s also a good idea to set rules – in writing – and post them prominently, poolside, along with emergency numbers.  Make sure that everyone reads them before going into the pool, and knows that they will be strictly enforced.  Keep rescue equipment, such as a shepherd’s hook, or a life preserver, nearby; and, if you don’t already know it, learn CPR.  Don’t hesitate to yell at your kids if they violate any regulations; and, if necessary, do it loudly enough to scare their friends straight, too.

All pools should be enclosed with fences, at least four feet high, which have gates that can be locked, and no nooks or crevices that can be used as footholds.  Keep outdoor furniture, such as garden benches and picnic tables, away from the outsides of the fences, so that kids can’t use them as aids in climbing.

When they’re not in use, pools should be covered; otherwise, open them completely.  Never leave a cover on partway, because kids may get trapped beneath it.  When an above-ground pool is not in use, remove its ladder.  Don’t leave toys near the pool, especially moving things, such as tricycles and wagons.

Never let anyone dive into an above-ground pool, or from the sides of an in-ground pool; and don’t let anyone go down a slide head-first.

It’s also important to remember that even small amounts of water, such as can be held in wading pools, hot tubs, fountains, barrels, and even buckets, can pose perils to small children.

The point is to (please!) just be safe and happy, and have a wonderful time celebrating this, the

234^th birthday of our nation; and (please!) be kind to each other while you’re at it (aw, heck, I know you will!).

Happy, Happy, Safe, Safe Fourth of July!

Kathy

Tags: cabana, garden benches, grill, lounge chairs, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, picnic tables, Pool house, pool safety, steamer chairs

I have to laugh when I think about what serious business Independence Day was for the kids on our block, when I was growing up. I mean, we spent so much time getting ready for the holiday in the weeks leading up to it; and I’ve rarely put anywhere near as much planning into anything as an adult.

The main thing was preparing for the big parade, to which the whole gang of us would ride in formation. That took some pooling of funds, because there were 80+ kids on our street, and all bikes, trikes, wagons, and scooters had to be decked out with red, white, and blue streamers, balloons, and pinwheels (and have cards in the spokes, to make that flapping noise).

The other challenge was that we were competing with the grown-ups. After all, those were standard outdoor décor items for the Fourth of July. Indeed, everyone had their porches, patios, gazebos, mailboxes, lampposts, and even outdoor furniture and picnic tables, adorned with the colors of our flag; and that’s one thing that hasn’t changed.

At the same time, not everyone is aware of the meanings of those colors; red indicates courage, white denotes purity, and blue stands for loyalty. On the other hand, everyone knows that there are 50 stars in the flag’s blue field, or union, which represent the 50 states, and 13 red and white stripes, for the 13 states that existed in 1776, when the country was new.

Truly, Old Glory is steeped in tradition, symbolism, history, and mystery; and there are many rules of etiquette for handling and displaying it properly. Although most of us are pretty familiar with them, it can’t hurt to refresh our memories, especially since the flag is going to be exhibited even more than usual in the upcoming week.

When displaying it outdoors, on a staff projecting from a building, balcony, or window, the union should always be at the peak, unless the flag is at half-mast. Incidentally, only the President of the United States, or a state’s governor can order flags on government buildings to be flown at half-staff.

If there are any other flags, such as those of states, communities, or organizations, on the same pole with it, the flag of the United States must always take the top position. It will be the first to be raised, and the last to be lowered; and it has to be the largest flag on the staff.

As a general rule, the flag should be flown only between sunrise and sunset; but if it is displayed at night, it must be illuminated. When it’s lowered, no part of the flag should touch the ground, or anything else. It should be folded neatly for storage, and cleaned and mended when needed.

When it gets to the point where it is so worn out, that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, a flag should be properly destroyed in a dignified flag-retirement ceremony.

You know, going over these rules reminds me of something else that makes me chuckle. Our Independence Day formations were not all about frivolity, flamboyance, fireworks, and fun. Far from it, in fact; we were also out to find and fix any flagrant flag-flying infractions.
Funny, but I’d forgotten all about that. What a hoot!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Gazebos, Mailboxes, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, picnic tables

In most areas of the country, this is considered to be the best time of the year for selling homes.  In fact, unless they have urgent reasons for doing so, many people won’t dare to put theirs on the market when the weather is cold.

The general feeling is that houses look a lot friendlier when the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the trees and grass are green, and flowers are in bloom.  Patio furniture is also a factor, because, in the winter, it is either stored away, or hidden under outdoor furniture covers.  Undoubtedly, a porch swing, some comfortable patio chairs, and a pitcher of lemonade on an outdoor coffee table, make a much more inviting tableau.

On the other hand, every season has its drawbacks; and, in summer, one of the biggest is that the fast-growing vegetation can quickly get out of control, making your home look unkempt.  Therefore, it can be a struggle to maintain “curb appeal,” the term that refers to the desirability of a home, when viewed by passersby, especially prospective buyers.

Indeed, this first impression can influence a person’s decision about whether or not to even bother taking a tour of the house.  Moreover, many realtors say that the landscape is so important that, if it looks shabby, some people won’t even get out of their cars.

Of course, even if you’re not selling your home, it’s a good idea to keep it in (or close to) showcase condition at all times.  For starters, practice regular maintenance, and you’ll catch minor problems that can be inexpensively repaired, rather than letting them sneak up on you and become major headaches that you may have to pay professionals to fix.

These things can take us by surprise, because we’re so used to seeing our homes and yards, that slight changes often go unnoticed.  They can be anything, from vines that are trimmed one day, and strangling roses the next, to a minuscule spot of mold that doesn’t draw attention until it destroys an entire wall.

To evaluate your own home’s curb appeal, try looking at it through the eyes of a potential buyer.  Every so often, park across the street, and approach it, as if for the first time, taking in every detail.  Start from the actual curb, and check to see if your parking spots, driveway, and walkways are free of debris.

Look at your mailbox.  If it’s battered or rusty, replace it with a nice, decorative mailbox; and get a new mailbox post, too, if yours is dilapidated or splintered.  Glance around and make sure that the greenery is perfectly manicured, and that your outdoor décor items, such as birdfeeders, planters, porch furniture, and outdoor lamps and lanterns, are clean and attractive.

Whether or not you’re going to be selling it, this exercise is a good way to, at least, get an idea of where your house stands.  I mean, appeal-wise, of course.  Obviously, you know where it stands, or you’d always be getting lost.  Well, you know what I mean!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, decorative mailbox, outdoor coffee table, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor lamps, patio chairs, patio furniture, Planters, porch furniture

Colors play significant roles in our lives; so much so, in fact, that they’ve seeped into the fabric of our language and our culture, and have even saturated our sensibilities.

Each color has its own, special meaning, and many are used universally to represent and convey specific feelings and ideas.  Colors influence our moods, and can be used to warn, welcome, comfort, excite, soothe, and inspire.  They are famously invoked to denote rage (I’m seeing red!), envy (the green-eyed monster has reared its ugly head), sadness (I’m feeling blue), cowardice (yer yella!), good health (I’m feeling in the pink!), and more.  Those that aren’t used in expressions are often turned into names, such as Violet, Sienna, and Pearl (although the term, “pearls of wisdom,” puts that last one into both categories).

In some cases, colors are crucial to orderly societal functions.  For example, when driving, everyone knows that red means stop, green means go, and yellow means step on it!  (Just kidding, of course!)  Likewise, we’re all aware of the indications when we hear “red alert,” or “code blue.”

Colors are commonly associated with pride, strength, and unity, as on a nation’s flag, or a team’s uniform.  They are also integral to some of our major celebrations and holidays; on Independence Day, red, white, and blue prevail, while at Christmas, red and green dominate the scene.  Some monumental affairs, such as weddings, are completely planned around theme colors.

Even the degree of happiness that we feel in our own homes is affected by colors.  When we decorate a room, no matter what style we choose, or which materials and furniture that we use, our satisfaction with the results often depends largely upon the color scheme.  This is equally true of our homes’ exterior areas, including porches, backyards, patios, decks, and gazebos.  Actually, because these have become, for millions of people, the main places for entertaining during the warmer months, outdoor décor is more important than ever.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to bring color to these spaces.  Besides your natural surroundings, which may include a variety of multi-hued vegetation, you can plant some garden beds, and display flowers in window boxes and planters, as well as on trellises, arbors, and pergolas.  Furthermore, because outdoor furniture comes in so many different shades these days, patio chairs, picnic tables, outdoor dining tables, and porch swings, can be just as colorful as the flowers.  Even solid wood outdoor furniture groups can be embellished with outdoor furniture cushions and patio umbrellas, which are available in countless colors and patterns.

So, just as is the case with everything inside your home, your outdoor furniture can reflect your taste, style, and personality; or, perhaps I should say, it can show your true colors.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, Gazebos, outdoor decor, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor furniture groups, patio chairs, patio umbrellas, Pergolas, picnic tables, Planters, porch swings, trellises

This week’s guest post comes from Lisa Gustavson.  Lisa, head of the Get In The Garden blog, is an avid gardener that loves the joy of watching seeds sprout, the challenge of nurturing seedlings into mature plants, and the blessing of every harvest.  GetInTheGarden.com is a dynamic and holistic blog that delivers everything from updates and articles as well as favorite books, recipes, and projects for your garden and home.  Plus, the always relatable day-to-day adventures of  being a wife, mom to four kids and zookeeper to three pets!  Nominated for the prestigious Mouse and Trowel Awards, Lisa’s GetInTheGarden.com is certainly worth a good, long read…and daily visits back!

The moment has arrived in spring when I step back and observe the new season’s gardens. The spring chores of trimming, weeding, planting and mulching are all but completed and the luxury of enjoying the results of my labor is at hand. While I’m relaxing on the patio, walking the grassy paths and gazing out the windows from inside I picture the inevitable perfect “garden moments” that will come alive through the season. What makes them “perfect?” The answer differs for everyone, but for me there are five “must-haves” for our gardens:

Wildlife. Pastoral sheep and exotic peacocks aside, the high jinks of squirrels and chipmunks romping through beds and leaping across tree tops add a spark of life and fun to our gardens. Robins splashing in the birdbath, finches pecking at seedheads and butterflies and bees flitting and sunning themselves bring life to the garden that plants alone can’t. Providing host plants for butterflies and food sources for birds is one way we attract them. Houses for birds, butterflies and bats is another. Even the smallest garden can have a toad house or roosting pocket for a wildlife friend to find. A garden alive with flora needs fauna to feel complete!

Children. You haven’t truly seen a garden until you’ve experienced it through the eyes of a child. Their fascination in even the smallest scarlet ladybug reveals the hidden, simple wonders we sometimes miss or take for granted as we toil away pruning, watering and tending the beds. Children’s laughter drifting across the garden as they chase  butterflies or their screams at discovering a buzzing bee in a bloom aren’t to be missed! Kids of all ages bring an infectious curiosity and unique energy to our garden that is inspiring! Welcome a few children to your garden for a “tour” or a “taste” of what’s growing. They may just convince their parents to plant a small garden, too.

Ornaments. Every garden needs something that says “I garden here.” It doesn’t have to be rare statuary or expensive urns (unless you prefer those) but something that echoes your personality. Build a trellis from twigs, re-purpose a found item, hand paint a sign or create custom plant labels… something, somewhere in the garden, should reflect you. A garden is an extension of the gardener. Friends, neighbors and visitors often express delight in seeing my personality revealed in our gardens. Whether it be whimsical or refined, silly or sublime…your personal touch is what makes your garden unique from all others. That’s a good thing!

Edibles. Walking into a garden and plucking something fresh to eat is a pleasure everyone should experience! Tuck a few edible flowers, herbs and vegetables into your garden…it isn’t only beautiful it’s also sensible and easy! A wide variety of mini and dwarf-sized vegetables, flowers and herbs are happy growing in pots so not even the smallest garden has to go without fresh vegetables, herbs, berries or even fruit trees!  I use vegetables and herbs as I would other plants in the garden. Shapes, colors, size and fragrance add interest as well as healthy, edible delights to enjoy throughout the season. You’ve made your garden beautiful, why not make it edible as well?

Water. Almost as if on schedule the robins arrive each day at the same time to bathe until all but the last drops of water have been splashed out of the birdbath. Their duties fulfilled, they’ll hop out to fluff and preen in the warm sun until dry while nearby a butterfly alights on puddling dish set in the garden. Warm spring evenings bring the loud trilling of toads from our small pond as they glide across the surface snatching insects from the surface. Water is life for every living thing and providing a source in your garden will reward you with endless opportunities for entertainment and incredible photos!

As spring wears on and summer approaches I’m looking forward to wandering through the garden picking peas or watching our son hunt for toads while we sit and chat with neighbors and friends. The sounds of squirrels scampering up trees, birds chattering, bees humming and wind chimes clinking provide the musical backdrop for sweet garden memories alive with friends, fun and garden magic. Happy gardening!

Read more from Lisa by following her on twitter and reading her blog!

Tags: children, edible gardening, gardening, Guest Posts, outdoor decor, water features, wildlife

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

It is difficult, if not impossible, to name all of the benefits of container gardening.  Even if you pick a single word, to explain just one advantage, you can still take it in a thousand directions.

For example, let’s try the word, choices.  Just for starters, they are endless, when you’re looking for things that can be cultivated in planters.  The list encompasses nearly everything that can be found in a nursery or a garden center, including ferns of all sizes, flowering and non-flowering plants and shrubs, rosebushes, all kinds of vegetables and herbs, and even trees.  Furthermore, if you live in a cooler region, you can grow warm-climate plants in containers, keeping them outdoors in the summer, and bringing them inside when the weather gets cold.

If you’re a novice gardener, you can experiment in a planter, before deciding whether or not to try it on a larger scale.  Because a container garden can be confined to a window box, or cover a great expanse, you have tons of choices, even if you live in an apartment building, or a home with very little yard space.  Not only can you bring your small terrace, deck, balcony, or porch, alive with beautiful, aromatic flowers and herbs, but you can enhance your outdoor décor with colorful planters.

That’s another area in which there are more options than ever, with wood, metal, polywood, vinyl, and plastic-coated steel planters and planter trellises, available in all sizes, styles, and colors.  Scatter them around, group them together, or put them right into your flower beds.

You can create multi-colored or monochromatic gardens, or even choose flowers and planters that match your patio furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, or patio umbrellas.  If you wish to attract butterflies and birds to your yard, use brightly-colored flowers, and hang birdfeeders nearby.  Put plants and flowers that you want to showcase on display, in centrally-placed planter wagons or wheelbarrows planters.

When you’re having an evening party, add candles to your containers, in candleholders or hurricane lanterns, making sure that there’s nothing nearby that can catch fire.  This will give the entire setting a soft, lovely glow; and if you use citronella candles, they will keep mosquitoes away as well.

Containers can also be switched around to new locations and positions whenever you want a fresh look; and they can be moved to places where plants will get more sun, or shade, at different times of the year.

You can also dress up your planters with garden decorations; and there, you’ll have another million choices.  Just be sure to get something tasteful; and not one of those cut-outs of an old lady, bending over, exposing her unmentionables.  That would be perfectly dreadful.  In fact, I’m sorry I mentioned it!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: outdoor decor, outdoor furniture cushions, patio furniture, patio umbrellas, planter trellises, planter wagones, Planters, wheelbarrow planters

We’re always looking for ways to put more color into our lives.  Indoors, we carefully choose particular types of paint, wallpaper, furniture, and other home accents, so that we can be surrounded by our favorite shades.

Outside, there are even more possibilities, which include the countless varieties and hues of flowers, plants, and shrubs that are available for our landscaping, as well as those that exist naturally.  We also have scores of color choices for our patio furniture and picnic tables, which we can further embellish with other outdoor décor items, such as outdoor furniture cushions, and patio umbrellas.

Among the things that nature adds to the kaleidoscope, birds are the most enchanting; and bird-watching is one of the country’s most popular pastimes.  This is quite understandable, for many reasons.  For one thing, some birds have spectacular plumage that will absolutely take your breath away.  Then, there are the endless, beautiful tunes that they sing; and even those common little brown sparrows are a delight to watch.  Indeed, birds of all feathers can bring us joy.

While it’s a lot of fun – and great exercise – to go hiking through fields and woods to observe different species, you can bring them in droves to your own backyard, by putting up some birdhouses and birdfeeders.  Believe me, you’ll never regret this move.  In fact, once you start feeding the birds, you’ll be so fascinated, and entertained, that you will never want to stop.  They’re captivating, playful, and downright hilarious; and the more you watch them, the more you’ll want to read and learn about them.

I cannot tell you how much enjoyment these little winged creatures have brought me over the years (and, yes, I’m watching them at my birdfeeders at this very moment).  There are several types of birdfeeders that you can use, including hopper, platform, hanging, tube, and post-mounted.

In future entries, I will have some tips about using these birdfeeders, and information on the kinds of foods that will soon have them brimming with living color.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, birdhouses, home accents, outdoor decor, outdoor furniture cushions, patio furniture, patio umbrellas, picnic tables

Are you not sure what to do with a pool house if you don’t have a pool?  If you have a pool… are you still not sure if you’ll get enough use out of it?  Well, I’m here to tell you a pool house does NOT need a pool to be fabulous, and it can be used for plenty of activities!

1. Party Central- If you want the best backyard for get-togethers, parties, and barbeques… a pool house will definitely send you to the top of the list.  Pool houses include a concession window and bar that’s great for putting out drinks, snacks, pizzas, and goodies!  Plus, you can install a mini-fridge or microwave behind the window for quick prep and easy serving.  Imagine not having to constantly run between the kitchen and your party to get all the necessary supplies! Your guests will have a convenient and stylish place to grab some refreshments and you’ll be free to enjoy their company.  You can even design your pool house with an attached screened in porch and decorate it with a deep seating patio group, Adirondack chairs, and a porch swing.  That way everyone can come in and enjoy the evening bug-free once the sun goes down.
2. A Guest House- Neither you nor your house guests enjoy   the sofa-bed.  They feel like they’re intruding as they take up one of the family’s most used rooms; there’s no sense of relaxation with the constant and nagging feeling that they’re not only intruding, but lack a sense of privacy as well.  You hate quietly stumbling over the coffee maker or tip toeing around the room in fear that your morning commotion will wake your house guests.  The solution? A pool house.  Imagine having your own separate guest house with a screened in porch, windows, insulation, and electricity for your guests to retire to.  They’ll feel at ease knowing they’re not in your way, but won’t have to pay big for a hotel room that leaves them removed from your home.  And you won’t have to stay up wondering if your hundred pound dog is going to decide to jump up and lovingly (though they might consider it annoyingly) cuddle with them.  Your guests won’t feel like they “made it work” in your living room, they’ll feel like they escaped to a peaceful retreat!
3. Dressing Room- If you do have a pool, a pool house is incredibly helpful with the logistics that go into having such a great backyard watering hole.  Gone will be the days of dripping bathing suits hung from towel racks in your bathroom to allow puddles of water to sit on the tile.  No longer will your carpets suffer from little wet and dripping bodies scurrying through the house.  The days of wet towels starting to stink of mildew as they are buried at the bottom of the family hamper are over.  With a pool house, you can make sure all of the post-pool clean up happens before anyone leaves a watermark in your home.  Try setting up a pool shower with a privacy screen just outside the structure for people to rinse off and maybe even wash the chlorine from their hair.  Then, you can set up plenty of drying racks or clothes lines for wet towels and bathing on your porch.  Inside, throw in a Red Cedar Towel Valet and Hamper to keep clean dry towels in and a Modular Red Cedar Shelving Group for clean undergarments, shorts, and tee shirts.   Now, your family can go for a nice long swim, then shower, dry off, hang wet garments to dry, and put on clean, dry clothes before coming back into your home.  Sounds great, huh?
4. Good, Old Fashioned, Storage- If you have all kinds of outdoor furniture and décor, or even a heap of gardening and landscaping tools and equipment, you’ll need storage.  Most patio furniture needs to be stored throughout the winter to prevent damage, and garden equipment needs a safe and dry place to wait for you to use them!  A storage shed is great, but if you’re looking for a structure with a bit more aesthetic appeal, a pool house is a fantastic place to store out-of-season furniture or tools.  Plus, the optional attached porch will create a wonderful sitting area to enjoy as a bonus to your organized storage!  The other upside to using a pool house for a storeroom is versatility.  A shed can really only be used for one thing, but investing in a pool house now will free you up to use the structure as a guest house in a few years or to use as a party-station if an engagement or birthday calls for a big celebration.
5. A Fifth Room- A fifth room can literally be anything you want it to be.  An extension of your living space brought out into nature, you can create a home office, a personal hot tub spa, a meditation and exercise area, or an outdoor dining room.  A pool house will allow you to create another valued area of your home, with the solitude and convenience of being detached from the rest of the house.  There’s no reason your fifth room can’t be used for all of the above; a place to host parties, a spot for guests to stay, a private dressing area, a storeroom, plus a few more options!  Though a pool house may seem dependent on having a pool, it’s actually an incredibly versatile structure!

Tags: adirondack chairs, deep seating patio group, fifth room, modular shelving group, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, Pool house, pool shower, porch swing, privacy screen, storage shed, towel valet and hamper