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

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

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

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

As the snow melts and spring is on the horizon, our imaginations run wild with the potential for creating fun outdoor activities in our own backyards. Why not bring the relaxation of an outdoor furniture favorite, the porch swing onto the branch of your favorite tree? This week we present a “How To” on the perfect tree porch swing that will keep your afternoons tranquil.

Although there are numerous ways to throw a rope over a branch and attach it to a swing, one of the most important things to remember about using nature in your outdoor design is understanding how to respect it. First, make sure you’re working with a live tree’s thick branch (measuring 8” in diameter). You’ll want to be sure the swing can hang approximately three feet from the trunk of the tree itself. If positioned too much further, the branch will feel the stress.

It seems contrary to popular belief, but I recommend using a large eye bolt in the branch as opposed to a rope to hang the swing. However, it is actually better for the tree to receive a bolt drilled into it that it can eventually grow around and thrive with rather than a rope that will end up constricting the life of the tree down the road. That said, use galvanized or stainless steel eye bolts measuring 5/8”. To install them, drill holes into the limb that will comfortably hold the bolts. After you insert the bolts all the way – with the eyes tight against the bark – secure them with a large flat washer and two nuts.

Without harming the tree you adore, hang a porch swing over the riverbank, garden, or grassy lawn of your backyard to infuse some movement into the finale of winter.

Gardeners nationwide are truly living in their gardens.  Gardening is not just your grandmother’s pastime anymore; it’s one of the most popular hobbies sweeping the interests of men and women of all ages.  Whether people are trying their hand at backyard organic vegetables or creating beautiful bouquet gardens, the art of gardening is definitely on the rise.

But, gardening is no longer just a chore or a place to work.  Gardens have become chic entertaining venues, dining spaces and living areas.

Garden designer Jenny Peterson, of J Peterson Garden Design, has seen this trend grow with every season.  “My clients are now seeing their gardens as gathering areas for their families and friends, so we have whole areas dedicated to seating and outdoor furniture,” she said.  Peterson has worked on designing gardens to hold everything from meditation areas to patio furniture collections in recent years.

“The things you would normally do inside, they are now doing outside, and want a good space to do it,” Peterson said.  And many gardeners are asking themselves if there’s any better space than a garden.

“Gardens are both peaceful and celebratory,” said Cassie Phillips, an avid gardener who enjoys cultivating her garden room along with her plants and flowers.  “Nothing puts me more at ease than being surrounded by nature and nothing livens up a party like the growing joy of a blooming lily.”

The versatility of the garden, paired with the eagerness gardeners take to showing off their handiwork, creates a flawless platform for living spaces.  Whether lazily flipping through a favorite novel on a porch swing, or hosting a garden soiree with champagne and teak patio furniture, a well planted garden can do nothing but enhance your experience.

Recently, more and more people are looking for outdoor furniture for their garden, instead of just their porches and gazebos.  People are moving their living spaces to be an integral part of their garden in increasingly interesting ways each season.  It’s more than just arranging patio furniture, using arbors and pergolas helps define spaces while letting flowering vines grow vertically to create living walls and spacers.

What’s your favorite way to bring living spaces out into the garden?

As you plan your outdoor spaces for the spring, don’t forget to consider the little ones in your design ideas.  Studies show that your children need more time outside than the majority of them are getting.  Often, simply creating a kid-friendly place will be enough to peel your children away from their video games and into your landscape.

Battle Nature Deficit Disorder:  Recent studies have shown that children not exposed to the outdoors enough are suffering from a specific series of concerns.  Most likely fueled by a more media-centered society and parents fearing that their children will be less safe outside… many effected children are suffering from a marked lack in creativity, anxiety and depression, attention deficit problems, and long-term inabilities to cope with stress.  And, of course, it goes without saying that these children are also much more likely to suffer from childhood obesity; a condition that will undoubtedly affect them for the rest of their lives.

Luckily, this is a problem that can be easily fixed.  If you have a mandatory amount of time your child is required to spend reading, doing homework, or even working on chores… consider extending this to spending time outdoors.  Even if it’s not playing, doing homework on porch swing or at a picnic table instead of at their desk will do wonders.  They will be more aware of what is going on around them and better able to evaluate a variety of senses at one time.  Being outside offers changing stimuli, unlike the constant décor of their bedroom, and the more time children spend outdoors, the more time they will yearn for the fresh smell of the open air.

And remember, children build their immune systems as they’re developing.  Kids that are kept away from any sort of dirt and germs will be unable to cope with them as they grow older.  Studies show that adults that spent more time outside as children were less likely to suffer from allergies.

Exercise… both mentally and physically:  It’s clear that children are getting less exercise with every generation.  Not only does this lead to a lot of pent-up energy, it leads to a long list of health concerns.  But, children are little balls of activity, and giving them a place outside to expend that is good for them.  Climbing trees, swinging on monkey bars, running, and jumping are all great for their health.  A few minor bumps and bruises may occur, but this is a natural part of being a kid!  Youngsters have an innate need to be active, it’s the constant push from the media encouraging docile sit-in-front-of-the-screen behavior that turns them off of it.

The earlier you foster their love for wind blowing in their face as they sprint after a little brother, the more they will love it as they grow older. But, the physical exercise is not where the importance stops.  Playtime outside will cause your children to develop their own story lines, create their own games, and pretend an old, scary witch is plotting great destruction from that outdoor rocker, or a far-away princess is sleeping on the chaise lounge.  Let your child’s mind deviate from the plot lines of their video games, the characters on their cartoons, and even the lessons in their schools—let their brains develop correctly by entertaining their active imaginations!

Plan play sets, play houses and kids outdoor furniture into your outdoor space design to keep your children active and outdoors.  Helping both their physical and mental development, more outside play time

The porches attached to American residential architecture have evolved over the years.  We’ve all seen the trend of front porches virtually disappear as a secluded back porch has gained popularity. Whether you have no porch, one, or a wrap-around porch, the addition of an private porch area is an idea we’re all fond of. A pool house can be your first porch, an addition to your pre-existing outdoor area, and is made easier to access with a beautiful walkway.

Substitute a Porch Addition for a Pool House: No need to add the huge project of a front porch to your house if you decide on a backyard structure instead. Typically, guest houses and custom pool houses have both an indoor and outdoor area that can be put to good use. In fact, the indoor area can find functionality as a home office, exercise studio or as a storage space for outdoor entertaining and lawn/pool maintenance items.

Embellish the Feel of a Second Porch:  If you’ve already got a porch, a custom pool house of rectangular or hexagonal shapes can add a quaint porch space to your backyard that is perfect for reading on a porch swing, reflecting as your gaze at the birds, or even napping on some comfortable patio furniture without being exposed to the neighbors. If you’re into social gatherings, use it as the central point for entertaining by adding an outdoor bar.

Walkway the Line: Whether you use your pool house as a hideaway or a pivotal party piece, getting to it without thinking is the best way to make sure its purpose is utilized. With the accompaniment of a portable treated pine walkway or a permanent stone walkway you can design your retreat to be as accessible or secluded as you wish.

Guest houses can act as an extended or primary indoor/outdoor porch space detached from your house that doesn’t require the stress of a remodel to capitalize on the design of your yard.

If your porch or deck area has future plans for a revamp or it just isn’t living up to its overall potential, don’t let that deter you from outfitting the space. With proper decor that makes it functional and aesthetically pleasing, you may or may not change your mind about its reconstruction altogether. So although I’d say a jacuzzi is never a bad idea, strategically placing a patio swing on your porch is its key to greatness.

One roadblock that many realize after deciding to include a gliding porch swing in their porch design is inadequate hanging space. For these situations, opt for an A-frame porch swing stand. Using an A-frame will let you decide where it belongs among your other chairs or tables, and does not require much more space than the swinging of the hanging version.

Another factor is the view your family will have while relaxing into its gentle motion. If your home is near to neighboring houses, you may choose to face your porch swing away from their windows. (No one wants you to seem like the creepy, swinging folks next door.) If your porch wraps around, or if you have plentiful options, you may want to think about the amount of direct sunlight you’ll receive or which side of your property has the best landscaping views.

Lastly, the placement of your porch swing must logically fit into the perimeters of your porch space. Before choosing on the design, make sure that you have accounted for the 3 feet required behind the porch, and the 6 inches needed on each side. This will make sure your home or porch structure, and the swing itself, are not damaged by strong windy days or the times where you just feel like rocking out.

With these tips, there is no need to fret over the placement of your patio swing. Consider what your space can offer, and use the above tips to imagine where and how it fits into the floor plan of your ideal porch area.

Though the size, color, and design of your porch swing should reflect your personality, you also want to make sure the material will suit your needs as well. Whether those needs are related to budget, sustainability, weather conditions, or durability, every material used for outdoor furniture and porch swings has its ups and downs. It’s good to know the facts before getting lost in the nearly endless varieties of patio furniture!

Western Red Cedar: The two aspects that cedar is most famous for are its aroma and resistance to decay. The naturally lustrous wood is warm with that rich reddish hue, and the subtly aromatic qualities fill any space it’s used in with a rustic and homey feel. Cedar is also filled with naturally occurring oils that act as preservatives against both decay and insect attack.

Western Red Cedar is also an incredibly affordable material. Though it’s rich in aroma, color, and natural protective oils… you don’t have to be rich to enjoy it.

But, artists beware, if you’re hoping to paint your cedar porch swing in anyway… cedar is not a good choice. It resists paint the same way it resists moisture and becomes incredibly difficult to paint.

Southern Yellow Pine: Pine is one of the most affordable woods out there: if budget is your main concern, pine porch swings may be the best bet for you! It’s also much easier to paint than Red Cedar, so people looking to add their own color and decorative painting to their patio furniture would find pine to be a great option.

It does lacks some of the weather-durability of many other woods. Though incredibly sturdy structurally, it is very susceptible to decay and damage. However, a pressure treatment process creates Pressure Treated Pine that boasts a 30 year warranty against rot, decay, and insect damage.

Grade A Teak: Teak is “grade A” if the tree has reached full maturity to provide the best quality wood. This process takes over 30 years, and only a few countries are able to export this fine and rare wood. Teak, once its achieved “Grade A status,” is one of the strongest woods available.

Teak is absolutely the best hardwood used to manufacture outdoor furniture because it is dense with a tight grain, durable, and has a high content of natural mineral deposits that effectively repel water and moisture. It will absolutely not warp or decay due to changes in temperatures.

Because this wood takes so long to become so great…teak patio furniture will cost you. It is absolutely the best, and it is absolutely the most expensive. Though, like other expensive products, it will last much longer than other materials and will be worth the price of not having to replace it in several years. But, if you’re designing on a tight budget… you might want to look elsewhere.

Polywood: If you’ve made the important and honorable commitment to a greener and more sustainable lifestyle, look no further than Polywood outdoor furniture. Polywood isn’t even actually wood… it’s engineered from polyresins, recycled plastics, and high density polyethylene, and then crafted to look and feel like real wood. Made completely of recycled materials, you will absolutely be doing your part to help the earth by using this material.

Plus, even though it looks, feels, and acts like real wood… it’s not. It requires barely any maintenance at all and will endure all weather conditions. It’s green and low maintenance, but if you’re someone looking for real, through-and-through wood… don’t be fooled by its appearance!

Well, these are the top four competitors for top spot in outdoor furniture materials. There are a lot of other materials out there, but hopefully knowing a little more about four of the most popular will help you make a more informed decision when you’re shopping for this spring’s outdoor décor.

Just like anything, what type of wood is best for you is completely dependent on your lifestyle, budget, and desired uses… so there’s no way for me to tell you exactly what to buy (besides, wouldn’t that take all of the fun out of it?), but at least now you can go into the decision as an expert!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Although you probably wouldn’t size a garden bench to fit the dimensions of your flower bed, your swings for your porch are another story. I’m not suggesting you plant into the floorboards to get around measuring your space, but let’s not underestimate the importance of a suitable garden swing sized perfectly to your porch. If you want to pick the perfect porch swing for your portico- whether its a screened-in, wrap around, or spacious balcony – there are a few guidelines to follow.

Remember that with thoughtful planning, your porch area can be all you’ve dreamed it to be, regardless of the size. But in order to avoid disappointment after deciding on which front porch swing matches the trim on your windows, it’s important to plan ahead. Using a yard stick or tape measure, carefully record the area your future patio swing can occupy. With this information, a calculation of the required space – which is 3 feet behind and 6 inches on either side of its overall size – makes your decision an educated one.

Another criteria is the number of people who might occupy the space. Generally speaking, a garden swing seat should account for 2 feet per person. This number should be adjusted if you want to add extra wiggle room for larger adults (or rowdy kids). If a standard size – typically measuring 4, 6 or 8 feet – does not seem perfect for your porch, many manufacturers for custom sizing.

By taking the proper steps to guarantee that the porch swing of your dreams arrives safely – and fits soundly – it will no sooner rock you to sleep on a warm summer night as it becomes a poignant part of your porch design.

The porch swing is a classic piece of outdoor furniture that is associated with easy living and relaxation.  Today, the humble front porch swing of yesteryear has evolved into a myriad of different styles and options.  With so many types to choose from, there’s sure to be a porch swing for every taste and preference.

Here are some of the most popular types of porch swings that are currently available:

• Swing Beds provide the ultimate in relaxation.  These swings are usually suspended from chains and feature a wider bench that allows one or two people to stretch out and enjoy the gentle rocking motion.  A swing bed is perfect for reading, napping or snuggling.  Offering more structure than a hammock, a swing bed provides full lumbar support.  A front porch, patio, deck or gazebo is a great place to hang a swing bed.

• Face to Face Porch Swings (also known as Dual Porch Swings) are designed to be used by more than one person at a time  Two facing benches and the gentle gliding motion provide the perfect atmosphere for conversation and togetherness.   A face to face porch swing is a real crowd pleaser, especially among children and grandchildren.   Many face to face swings have a roof that will provide shade if the swing is placed in a yard or garden.

• Porch Swings with Stands allow you to enjoy the old-fashioned comfort of a porch swing in any location.  Porch swings with stands can be placed on a patio or deck, in a garden or next to a pool.  This portable swing can be located in the midst of your outdoor activity area or tucked away in a serene corner.  Porch swings with stands are available in many styles and materials and are the most flexible outdoor swing option.

Classic Adirondack furniture is a traditional component of the American backyard.  The clean lines of Adirondack furniture have made it a popular outdoor furniture choice for more than a century.  Since the introduction of the simple Adirondack chair in the mountain communities of New York, the rustic Adirondack style has grown in popularity and can now be found in a wide variety of furniture pieces.  Adirondack style rocking chairs, porch swings, chaise lounges and dining chairs are just a few of the options now available.

The original Adirondack chair had slanted back legs that allowed it to be used on sloping ground.  Adirondack rocking chairs replace the slanted legs with a pair of rocker rails.  Combining the wide Adirondack seat with a rocking motion creates a supremely relaxing outdoor chair.  Adirondack dining chairs, on the other hand, replace the traditional slanted legs with taller straight legs, retaining the slanted back that is a hallmark of Adirondack style.  They are the perfect choice for stylish outdoor dining.

The porch swing is another traditional piece of furniture that’s associated with comfort and a simpler way of life.   Adirondack porch swings feature the slatted back and wide armrests of the Adirondack chair.  Whether suspended from chains or built with its own stand, an Adirondack porch swing will be the focal point of any porch, patio or yard.   An    Adirondack chaise lounge offers the ultimate in summer relaxation, allowing its occupant to stretch out in comfort while reading, napping or tanning.  Adirondack chaise lounges are the perfect poolside or patio addition.

The original Adirondack chairs were made from woods that were commonly available in the Eastern U.S. woodlands.  Today’s Adirondack style furniture is constructed from a wide variety of traditional and exotic woods, including cedar, pine, cypress, teak and eucalyptus.  You can also find Adirondack furniture made from polywood, resin and recycled plastics.

The wide variety of Adirondack style furniture pieces that are now available allows any homeowner create a backyard patio setting with all the traditional style and charm of the original Adirondack chair.