Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

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.

Tags: outdoor ceiling fan, outdoor deep seating collections, outdoor dining sets outdoor lighting, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor lamps, patio furniture, porch furniture, porch lighting

We’re quickly approaching the darkest time of the season.  After all, the Winter Solstice, or the darkest day of the year, is only two months away. Coming home to a dark landscape or waking up to a gloomy porch can be disheartening.  But, adding outdoor lamps can brighten up the area outside your home.

The options for outdoor lighting don’t need to be concentrated in fancy outdoor chandeliers and porch lamps.  Using post cap lights and other landscape lighting will laminate walkways, as well as your senses.  Outdoor lighting can be inserted into the ground along a walk way, installed along a garden bridge, or along the railings of your porch, gazebo, or pergola.  Outdoor lighting that attaches to the side of the house is also available. Not requiring posts or walkways, it allows anyone to illuminate the outside of their home.

A lot of outdoor lighting is also solar-powered.  Doing your part for the environment and your wallet, you can add cheerful lighting without using any electricity.  Many of these options also turn on automatically once it gets dark, so you won’t need to worry about setting it.

Not only does outdoor lighting make your mornings and evenings a little less dreary, it also adds valuable curb appeal.  Especially if you’re planning to open your front door to trick or treaters, having outdoor lighting to help guide them will keep little ones safer and the whole evening more fun!

Autumn is the perfect time to consider outdoor lighting for your home.  Whether it is for your own views, the joys of passersby, or the ghosts and goblins trotting up your walkway, outdoor lighting is an affordable way to add cheerful curb appeal to your home and garden.

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: garden bridge, gazebo, landscape lighting, outdoor chandeliers, outdoor lamps, outdoor lighting, pergola, porch lamps, post cap lights

There’s no doubt that the things that you can find in your own backyard and garden, on a nature walk, or during a visit to a farmers’ market, can be used to make some spectacular outdoor décor.  After all, that’s what they are, anyway; you’re just gathering, arranging, and exhibiting them in strategic places, in and around your home.

At the same time, like most people who are dressing up their homes for fall, you will probably use artificial embellishments as well; and that’s understandable.  In fact, it’s necessary in some situations, such as those in which an item that you wish to use won’t hold up in a long-term display.  Luckily, however, a good number of autumn’s natural elements are quite hardy.

Pumpkins, as we’ve established, can often last through the entire season; that is, as long as they’re left intact.  I mean, once they’re carved, even the most menacing-looking, sharp-toothed, jack-o-lanterns will, after about a week, begin to resemble old men who have misplaced their dentures.  Twigs, berries, corn stalks, hay bales, Indian corn, pinecones, gourds, and acorns, are also extremely durable; but, alas, the multi-colored leaves, which are autumn’s proudest emblems, are also the most fleeting.

Therefore, we must take pleasure in them while they last.  Aside from hiking in the woods, or driving through the country, we can, of course, enjoy them from our porch swings, hammocks, and patio chairs.  Unfortunately, with the sun going down earlier every day, by the time we’re finished with work, and other obligations, it’s nearly dark.

Here, again, store-bought decorations can come to the rescue.  For example, we can string miniature, twinkling bulbs through our vine-covered arbors, pergolas, and trellises.  This will afford a twofold advantage, as it will prolong the time that we have for viewing the foliage, while allowing us to see it, literally, in a completely different light.  Indeed, as lovely as those crimson, bronze, and golden leaves are during the day, they’re absolutely dazzling after dusk, when highlighted by a soft, orange-white glow.

Actually, once you adorn your garden structures with lights, you may even start looking forward to the early sunsets.  Not only does this enhance the beauty of your landscape, but it automatically creates a festive atmosphere.  This is especially exciting when you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party, where delighted guests can enter through an arbor that’s sparkling with lights.

To make things even more striking, you can illuminate the path with walkway lights, put post cap lights on fences, and wrap strings of lights around trees, shrubs, and planters.  You should also have lots of candles, along with outdoor lamps and lanterns, on picnic tables and outdoor accent tables, in the main party area.

Now, if you have a gazebo, it will be, at least, a stunning focal point; but, if it’s large enough, you may be using it as the center of the gathering.  Whatever the case, if it’s decked out with lights, and other fall decorations, the effect will be downright spell-binding.

So, if people start asking how you managed to conjure such a magical evening, you can just tell them that you have your own, personal Gazebo Wizard.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, garden structures, gazebo, Hammocks, outdoor accent tables, outdoor decor, outdoor lamps, patio chairs, Pergolas, Planters, porch swings, post cap lights, trellises

Sure, your outdoor furniture can provide you with premium seating for foliage viewing (or, to use a more common – and, I think, comical – phrase, “leaf peeping”).  That, alone, is worth delaying the shrouding of it in outdoor furniture covers, and the shoving of it into the storage shed; but that’s not the only valuable service that it can offer.  No-o!  Indeed, it can be as much a part of your outdoor décor now, as it is in the summer.

Now, if you live in a warm climate, or have an enclosed porch or gazebo, where you use your patio furniture year-round, you can dress it up with some outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows in autumn hues, such as gold, russet, red, yellow, brown, and burgundy.  Heck, this is a good idea no matter where you live, if you’re not going to be putting anything into storage for a couple more months.

As for the decorations, take your inspiration from nature.  For starters, of course, there are pumpkins, which are the quintessential symbols of the season.  They can be found in abundance everywhere, from farmers’ markets, to supermarkets; and there are hundreds of pumpkin patches where you can pick them fresh.  Instead of getting just one, choose a bunch of them, in assorted sizes, because they’re good for so many other things, besides making jack-o-lanterns.

Truly, pumpkins are great, for a number of reasons.  For one thing, they can be used in countless ways, inside and outdoors; and on top of that, they’re natural.  Furthermore, they can last all the way through to Thanksgiving (yes, fall decorations should still be in place on that day; let the Christmas lights wait until the turkey has been gobbled!).  Actually, there are several other non-artificial things that you can use for ornamental purposes as well.

Visit roadside markets and nurseries for cornstalks, bales of hay, straw, and the many other types of gourds that are available; or find a farm that offers them at very little cost.  You can even take a walk in the woods, and simply collect most of the items that you’ll need.  Using the real things, instead of imitations, will not only save you money, but will look much more elegant and refined.  If you don’t consider yourself to be particularly creative, go to a craft store, or look through some magazines, for ideas.

You can place pumpkins along your porch railings and steps, set them on your outdoor accent tables, or use them in centerpieces for picnic tables and outdoor dining tables.  Put hay bales and pumpkins on and around patio chairs, or stack them up against outdoor lamps, mailboxes, and mailbox posts.  If you want a scarecrow, make your own, and sit it in a porch chair.

There is no end to the possibilities for fall decorating; and the best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune, or have a lot of experience in designing.  In fact, if you stick to using only what nature provides, you’re sure to have an attractive and tasteful display.  After all, you certainly won’t find any giant, inflatable pumpkins growing wild.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gazebo, outdoor decor, outdoor dining tables, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor lamps, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chair, storage shed

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

It’s about that time again.  The beauty of the sunset has passed you by, the natural lighting is nearly behind the horizon, and you and your guests are not ready to stop the party.  And (alas!) your township does not permit bonfires in your neighborhood.  So, how will you keep the fun going after the sun goes down?

If you think I’m about to suggest you call one of those expensive landscape lighting companies to empty your bank account… you’re on the wrong track!  As outdoor rooms become, at once, the most sought after vacation spots and poured over designer spaces… outdoor lighting has become more fashionable and more affordable than ever.

But you’re no lighting expert.  With so many options available, how do you pick which kinds of outdoor lighting options are best for you?  We’re always here to help!

Walkway Lights: Walk way lights are downward pointing lights that attach to the walls surrounding a walkway.  This will make sure that everyone is safe on stairs, garden bridges, or uneven paths.  Many walkway lighting designs come with color options; not only for the decorative encasing of the bulb, but walkway lights can shine a slightly blue or pink hue.  Imagine coordinating the color schemes of your outdoor rooms, patio umbrellas, and outdoor furniture cushions to the color of your lighting!  If you want to use your outdoor lighting to keep your porch, gazebo, or outdoor living space lit up at night… walkway lights will probably not be enough.  While they provide an important safety measure and can add some brilliant colors, you’ll want to consider adding other kinds of outdoor lighting as well.

Post Cap Lighting: Decorative post caps are a fantastic way to add lighting and style to your outdoor room.   They are designed to attach to the railings on steps or fences, posts of a porch or garden bridge, or any other outdoor structure with posts.  One great part of post cap lighting is that it adds wonderful accents to our outdoor living space during the day, while lighting up the area at night.  Most post caps are either low-voltage electrically powered or solar powered.  Electrical lights will likely be more dependable and may provide more light, but they do require a skilled electrician to install the wiring and ensure safety.  Solar powered lights use a completely renewable resource to “power-up” during the day, and then shine bright all night!  Certainly the green and sustainable option, they also boast the easiest set up.  Just attach and you’re done!  Though, some might find them less dependable.  It all just depends on your preference! A long line of post cap lights across an entire porch or backyard structure will likely provide enough light for a party or get together.  Though, if you wanted to use lighting to highlight a certain spot, like the outdoor dining set, you’ll want to augment this lighting option with accent or hanging outdoor lights.

Outdoor Ceiling Fan Lights: If you thought the post caps were the ultimate fusion of fashion and function, you haven’t even begun to be amazed!  If you haven’t jumped on the outdoor ceiling fan trend yet, do yourself a favor and take the leap!  Outdoor ceiling fans will allow you to enjoy your porch or outdoor living space when the heat is high.  Especially on those humid, still days, your outdoor ceiling fan can provide cooling breezes to keep you comfortable.  Plus, a ceiling fan creating air flow will be the most natural deterrent to flies and mosquitoes!  Flying insects prefer still air that allows them to lazily buzz and land on innocent food and people.  But, a cooling breeze to us can be a wind that makes their tiny wings tire quickly.  You can simply wave goodbye as they fly to easier areas! Plus (of course), a lot of modern outdoor ceiling fans now feature light options as well.  Perfect over your picnic table, you can simply flip on the light to illuminate your evening meal or midnight snack!

Hanging Outdoor Lights: A hanging light will truly up the style of your outdoor room.  While many choose to string lines of hanging lights, like Japanese paper lanterns, you can also choose to make a dramatic lighting statement by creating focused pools of light over your favorite spots.  Whether you do this with an outdoor pendant light or even an outdoor chandelier, it will give your outdoor space a bit of height both spaciously and fashionably.  The closest to indoor lighting, you can create truly luxurious outdoor spaces that create both comfort and class with hanging lights.

Outdoor Table and Floor Lamps: For those who favor ambient lighting instead of overhead lighting, but still want the comfortable appeal of indoor-style lighting, outdoor table lamps paired with outdoor floor lamps might be your best bet!  Available in nearly as many styles as indoor lighting, you can certainly stick with your design scheme while creating your lighting scheme! A lot of lines contain short table lamps and tall floor lamps that match each other, which will give you a more holistic pattern.  While, mixing and matching styles can certainly create interest.  Plus, outdoor lamps can be moved to wherever you need more lighting.  If you split your outdoor table and floor lamps between your outdoor seating area and alfresco dining room, you can move all of the lighting toward the outdoor dining set when the family is gathered there for an intense game of Scrabble.  After all, you’ll want to make sure nobody is substituting a “Q” with an “O” because the low lighting lets them get away with it!

So, while the sun is a plenty beautiful and certainly functional lighting element during the day, you definitely have your options cut out for you when it comes to keeping the party lit after the sun has gone to sleep.  I suggest mixing and matching, keeping your options open, and always making sure you can see the faces of the family and friends creating those wonderful summer memories!

Tags: backyard structure, decorative post caps, garden bridge, hanging outdoor lights, outdoor ceiling fan, outdoor chandelier, outdoor dining set, outdoor floor lamps, outdoor lamps, outdoor lighting, outdoor pendant lights, outdoor structure, outdoor table lamps, picnic table, post cap lighting, post caps