Yard Category

3 Outdoor Furniture Trends for Spring 2012

December 19th, 2011

With winter setting in, your outdoor living space probably isn’t getting much use. But instead of forgetting about it, use this time to plan for the future – spring will be here before you know it! The hallmark of a great outdoor room is great furniture, and that’s what we’re going to help you with today. Here are 3 outdoor furniture trends for 2012 to put you ahead of the curve.

Return of Wicker

Years ago, wicker weave was one of the most popular designs for patio furniture. More modern designs came along and replaced it, but it’s poised for a big comeback in 2012. Instead of wood, manufacturers are opting for lightweight resin, which gives it superior durability and makes maintenance minimal. They’re also going with a larger weave than that of years past, making the design stand out more.

Going Green

From shopping bags to appliances, it seems there’s a green version of everything these days. And that’s certainly the case with outdoor furniture, where items made from recycled materials will be having their breakout season next spring. Up to now, only a handful of manufactures have offered green products, but many are adding them to their lines for 2012. With these high grade plastic designs being able to withstand all sorts of weather conditions, they’re an investment you can feel good about putting on your patio.

Fire Pit Tables

Fire pits have been on the rise for a few years now, popping up everywhere from downtown night clubs to city parks. Like green items, we expect their popularity only to continue to climb next year. The designs of fire pit tables are becoming more decorative and functional, offering different shapes, materials, and extra features like center coverings to convert to a full table. While it may seem more like a fall/winter item, a fire is a great way to relax in the evening any time of year, and we expect seven more consumers to experience this for themselves this coming spring.

With winter here, it’s the perfect time to start planning the upgrades to your outdoor living space that you’ll make next spring. Keep these 3 trends in mind and you’ll create an outdoor room that everyone will fall in love with!

About The Author – Tina Foreman is a writer with Outdoor Living and specializes in outdoor furniture design, creating arrangements for remodels and new homes. For more on items like outdoor hammocks, patio furniture sets, wind chimes, and outdoor fountains, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

 

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How to combine a barbecue and a party

September 30th, 2010

If you get stuck and bored during your summer break, you’d better snap out of it. Why don’t you throw yourself a barbecue party? It is the best of two (or more) worlds. You have the joy of a party with your friends and family, and you get to have tasty food and sweet drinks in a laid back surrounding.

The combination of a party and a barbecue can be hosted at home or at a specific location. One of the popular locations is at the park or at the beach. This gives everyone enough space to have fun or play games while they ‘wait’ for the food to be prepared. At beach scenes, people might even go for an afternoon swim in the sea, to really work up that appetite.

Just like any other party, a barbecue party needs decorations. Balloons will be fun for the kids, but they also add a lot of color to your party that brings people in a happy mood.

In case you decide to give your barbecue party a beach atmosphere, you can complete that theme with sand toys, beach chairs, and towels for those who decide to enjoy a spontaneous dive in the sea water. The beach is a great location for a beach barbecue party, because almost everyone loves the beach, and as soon as people take of their shoes and get some sand between their toes, they instantly relax and get rid of stress.

When you spread out the preparation of the barbecue food over a period of time, people get to digest the food and do other stuff in between. This is a great way to really integrate hosting a barbecue with hosting a party. If you have nothing else planned for your party, this could be the way to go to be sure that your guests stay entertained and occupied during the get together.

Besides the standard meat kinds of food, consider getting some special kinds, such as stuffed vegetables that do well on a barbecue, homemade salads, and a wide variety of (non) alcoholic drinks.

Another kind of food that is often looked down upon, is the right sauce. What people often don’t realize, is that the sauce is one of the most important factors that determines the taste of the food they eat. So be sure to have a couple of different sauces ready that go well with your food.

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Teak Furniture Beside the Pool

September 13th, 2010

The swimming pool has become a gathering place for friends and family.  No longer a spot just to jump into the water, the pool has actually become another room, an extension of the house.  Whether simply relaxing after a long day at work or entertaining over the weekend, the pool is now a focal point for get-togethers.  To create a distinctive look, as well as provide for comfort and convenience, you can hardly make a better choice than teak outdoor furniture and accessories.

When relaxing around the pool, there is no better way to do so than with a teak chaise lounge.  Being able to stretch out and enjoy the scenery will be that much more enjoyable on one of these chaises.  Cushions, in a variety of colors and patterns are available to complete the effect and comfort, and will contribute to the ambiance of your poolside setting.

Dining next to the swimming pool can be made all the more enjoyable with a teak dining set, especially with the addition of an umbrella.  The welcome shade provided by the umbrella will make relaxing and entertaining pleasurable on even the hottest day.  Most outdoor teak dining tables come with a socket for an umbrella, so the only problem you will have will be deciding which color of umbrella to choose.

If you live in a warm climate, it is likely that your teak furniture will remain next to your pool throughout the year.  Because of the natural oils present in teak, you will never have to worry about your chaise or other item of furniture deteriorating because of the weather, teak resists rot.  Getting wet and drying out has no effect on teak, other than to give it a softer patina as time goes by.  Insects are also no problem, as these pests will strictly leave teak furniture and accessories alone.

Teak storage chests are a great convenience and look great next to the pool.  Saving you the trouble to bring towels, cushions, and other items in and out of the house every time you visit the pool, these chests provide safe and good-looking storage just where you need it.  Because the pool is a moist area, these storage chests are generally slatted, to allow ventilation, making sure that whatever you store in them will not become musty and mildewy.

To complete your teak poolside setting, there can hardly be a better way than with teak planters.  Available in several different sizes and styles, including models with benches between two cubic planters.  Putting some decorative and flamboyant flowers and shrubs in these planters will add a touch of the exotic tropics to your pool.

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Attractive Deck Canopy Options From Shade Tree

September 10th, 2010

Are you looking for stylish and functional outdoor deck canopy to integrate in your home? Then, you should visit the official website of Shade Tree. This is an online site that sells an expansive collection of canopies, awnings, and pergolas. Some of the models that might catch your interest are as follows:

The Capri Model

This free-standing outdoor structure has powder coated aluminum supports that doesn’t require you to have professional carpentry skills in order to properly erect it. This is because this model does not need wood structures to successfully mount the canopy tracks. The Capri canopy shade already comes complete with resilient rugged aluminum support system that is made from a heavy duty steel gauge like the canopy’s tracks. It is available in two colors – taupe and soft white, while its powder-coated frame finish can complement with canopies of all fabric types. The aluminum tracks of the Capri model can span up to 21 feet, and it can be easily attached to the desk, patio or railing.

The ShadeRetreat Model

This is a self-supporting deck vinyl canopy that is perfect for both residential and commercial application. If you are one of those people who prefer a free standing canopy instead of the attached variety, then you will surely get to appreciate this functional shade system. Since it is a free-standing structure, you can practically erect it in any areas you see fit, may it be on your yard, garden, poolside, deck, or patio. The great thing about the ShadeRetreat canopy is that it is precision engineered to easily and quickly fit together to give way for a convenient assembly. Additionally, its beams and tracks are made from reinforced aluminum to offer superb durability. Moreover, it can span up to 21 feet, thus, making it the perfect choice when creating shelter for bigger outdoor areas.

The Baltimore Model

This is the newest addition in the line of stylish and trendy Shade Tree canopies. Made from cast, extruded and rugged aluminum structure, the Baltimore canopy shade is very elegant but low maintenance. Like with roll up awnings, it also offers custom matched colors so it can seamlessly blend with its surroundings. The Baltimore canopy shade is by far the longest spanning structure offered by Shade tree, which extends up to 24 feet. You can opt to either buy a free standing model or one that is directly attached to an exterior wall or home structure.

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Investigate Quality Outdoor Rugs

September 8th, 2010

If you just went out and spend a great deal of money on expensive but beautiful outdoor patio furniture, a deck, gazebo and other outdoor accessories and still do not have the look you want in your outside area the problem is most likely right below your feet. Many people, especially when dealing with decorating an outside area, completely ignore the floor. The floor, or walking surface, is just as important to the look of the area as the walls and other areas yet most people pay no attention to it. One sure way to improve the look of your garden areas is to use outdoor rugs.

Outdoor rugs? How can an area rug withstand the elements and stay fresh and clean looking? The thing is that with the invention of many different types of fibers outdoor rugs are very sturdy and are designed to withstand nearly any weather condition and hold up for many years, especially if cared for properly. You can use these products on the deck, patio or even on the gazebo and not have to worry about the weather ruining the look of your home.

The great thing about these rugs is that they serve not only to protect your feet and shoes but also beautify any area they are used in. With discount outdoor rugs you can change the entire look of your patio or deck with different patterns and colors from the hundreds of choices available. The choice between a manufactured design and a handmade one is another tough one. Handmade rugs are much softer and smoother but are also much less expensive, usually. If you can find handmade outdoor rugs this should probably be your first choice if you want to save money or get several patterns. Manufactured rugs can be found in most home improvement stores and carpet/rug stores and the easiest place to find handmade rugs is online.

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Material Types for Picnic Benches

September 8th, 2010

If you are in the market for a new bench for your yard on which you and your family can enjoy a nice picnic lunch or your kids can spend the afternoon playing on, then you have many more options than the traditional wooden style bench you may remember from when you were a kid at the local park.  Nowadays, picnic benches come in a wide variety of different materials and styles so you can find a bench that is made in just the material you would like and comes in the style you were hoping for.

The most popular materials for these types of benches are still wood, since that is the traditional look that most people are going for.  The only thing about wood, however, is that it takes quite a bit of maintenance to keep it looking its best, so unless you want to just let it get weathered looking and worn, you will need to periodically stain it or paint and then put a sealer over it to keep it protected.  Even with regular maintenance, you may find that your wooden bench can be prone to insect damage as well as water damage, so there is some work involved in maintaining this type of bench if you are looking for something you plan on keeping long term.

Another popular type of bench is one that is made of plastic or recycled plastic.  These are easy to care for and easy to keep clean, which is one reason why they are such a popular choice for families with young children.  A simple spray of the hose or a wipe down with a cloth or some paper towels and the bench looks as good as new.  While this type of bench doesn’t have the same old world authentic look as wood does, it certainly makes it nice and easy to maintain.

You can also find benches in other materials as well, but wood and plastic are by far the most popular types and will give you the most design options to choose from.

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The Great Grilling Fuel Debate

August 31st, 2010

Built in gas barbecue grills look impressive enough sitting on the patio or deck in all their gleaming glory, but since the day they were introduced to the public, the debate began. People love to point out that the gas BBQ grill may be convenient but you just cannot beat the taste you get with food prepared on a traditional charcoal grill. A charcoal grill is more able to infuse vegetables and meat with a smoky flavor that a gas grill will not be able to duplicate.

Despite this, cooking with gas does have its advantages. For one thing, meat cooks more uniformly with gas, so you do not have to constantly turn and rearrange the meat on the grill. Another attractive feature is the absence of flare ups that can become dangerous quite quickly.

People who fail to do proper research ahead of time may find out about the taste issue too late. There are a couple ways to add some of that smoky flavor to foods grilled with gas. Place wood chips in a smoker or choose marinades or sauces that add the flavor of smoke to the meat. The sauces actually taste better than you might think. There are various grill tools that will help, as well. You can try grilling your food on a cedar plank to give foods like fish a smoky taste. Of course, these are rather artificial ways to get the taste that comes only with a charcoal grill and nothing beats the real thing. In  fact there is a Brinkmann gas grill that tries to do just that.

Regardless of which grilling method you prefer, there is nothing better than getting together with friends and having a good old fashioned cook out. You can ice down some beverages, grab your grill tools of choice and head for the backyard. Throw some meat on the BBQ and let the good times roll.

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Hot Firepit Accessories: Why Homeowners Love Fire Glass & Fire Rocks

August 24th, 2010

People love to gather around a warm fire to socialize with friends or relax after a long day. Fire has always had a spellbinding effect on its viewers, and with the new fire accessories available today its effect is even more mesmerizing. Whether you have a firepit, fireplace, or fire table, you will have a whole new affinity for it when you try fire rocks or fire glass.

How can a fire be even more spellbinding? Well, with fire rocks or fire glass you can give your firepit or fireplace a new, more glamorous look. Traditional wood log products and ceramic log systems don’t offer much variety in the looks department, but fire glass and fire rocks come in many elegant styles. In addition to this, most homeowners do not enjoy handling messy wood logs. They also do not enjoy having to clean the ash and debris that wood leaves behind in their fire pits and fireplaces.

Imagine a shimmering bed of jewels layering the bottom of your firepit or fireplace. This is what homeowners see when they use fire glass. When the flames rise around the glass they highlight its lustrous contours, making it glitter and shine like a bed of diamonds. Along with its good looks, fire glass is also highly functional. It is reusable and never releases smoke, ash, or debris. It also never melts or discolors because it is composed of tempered glass that can withstand extreme temperatures. In addition to this, fire glass actually creates more heat than traditional wood products.

Fire rocks are also a great choice for the fashionable homeowner. They will give your firepit or fireplace an ultra chic and modern look. Orb shaped fire rock balls are one of the most popular options, but there are also many Geo-shaped fire rocks to choose from. Boulder shaped fire rocks are another popular choice. They are “pitted” in the center and fire flames out of the middle of the rocks.

Whether you choose to use fire rocks or fire glass, you will be so mesmerized by their visual beauty that you may never go back to using traditional wood products again.

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Picking Concrete Paver Colors

August 23rd, 2010

Picking the right paver colors for your driveway, patio, walkway, or other installation is an important step in the construction process.  One of the great advantages of paving stones over other materials (like stamped concrete or asphalt) is that there are so many colors and styles available to the homeowner. His or her creativity can truly run wild when working with outdoor pavers.

There are some limitations, however, to your creativity. The color blend you select needs to either match or complement other elements of your home and landscaping. You also need to make sure that the brand, style, and pattern that you select meshes well with the colors you desire.

The color varieties come in one, two, or three color blends. Single color blends consist of one color throughout the paver, and can be combined with other single colors, such as lining a pewter colored patio with a charcoal border. These are the easiest to lay as little color coordination is required.

Two and three color blends consist of two or three different colors, respectively, mixed together throughout the pallet. It is not like mixing two single blends, however, as each paver will consist of some combination of your two or three selected colors. For example, in a golden brown blend, some pavers will be almost entirely gold, others will be entirely brown, while others will be half and half. All paver colors of this blend will lie somewhere on this continuum.

Two and three colored blends usually must be ordered in a minimum quantity to ensure adequate color distribution throughout the project; indeed, smaller projects should avoid three color blends altogether. When working with two or three color blends, pavers should be taken from multiple pallets at a time, working through whole sections simultaneously. If pavers are taken from one pallet at a time, and from each layer of the pallet at a time, the colors will not be distributed properly throughout the project, and the look of the pavers will be off.

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Installing Patio Covers For The Home

August 14th, 2010

Building an outdoor patio cover at home is a very popular way of adding practicality and value to your property. Whether you want to give your family an extra place to dine and relax, or you need to get some cheap protection for a vehicle or boat its a great idea to do your research to make sure you do the job right.

There are a few things you need to think about before you approach a company to find the best product for your needs. Obviously deciding where you want to get the cover installed is the most important thing so that you know what size you are going to need and what design is going to fit in the best. They are usually fitted at the rear of the house to give you the most privacy but anywhere there is sufficient space would be suitable.

Next you will have to think about the material you want to use for your roof. Wood and aluminum are two of the most popular choices, although you can also get artificial wood and vinyl options.

Wood as the advantage of being cheap but it does require extra maintenance to keep it in great condition compared to the other alternatives. It is cheap though which ensures that it will always be popular.

Aluminum patio covers have the advantage of lasting a lifetime without much in the way of maintenance so you can have it installed and forget about it. Although it will cost you more initially, you have to think long term and realize that the aluminum patio cover option will still be adding value to your property many years into the future when you decide to sell up and move somewhere else.

Synthetic wood is also worth a look but it doesn’t have the fine looks of natural wood and will cost you more to get the kit. If you have a traditional looking property though it might fit in better with your exterior. Take a look at the many web sites online to see what’s available and get a better idea of the best choice for your own particular needs.

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