Tag Archives: patio

Take Care of Your Patio Cushions

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If you have patio furniture, it is important to take care of not only the frames, but also the cushions. These are what people will see and sit on when they come over, so you want them to be at their best. Nobody will want to sit on patio cushions that are old and musty or dirty.

Buy good quality nice looking cushions, if you want an attractive patio. These should be an investment, and a great deal of the time, you get what you pay for when it comes to furniture. Having a good quality cushion will go a long way in making sure your patio furniture looks good and lasts for several years. The fabric on patio chair cushions should be able to withstand exposure to the elements. It should also be comfortable to sit on. The foam should also be made of a good quality material so that the cushion will hold its shape and not have body imprints left in it after time passes. Of course it should also be comfortable, because nobody will want to sit on a hard cushion. Also look out for shoddy workmanship. The seams should be strong and not look like they will burst right after someone sits on th cushion. The ties should be long enough that you can fasten them to the furniture without risk of the cushion sliding around. They should also be attached firmly enough that you won’t tear them off while tying them on.

Take care of the cushions after you buy them. Make sure they are cleaned properly. You may want to take outdoor cushions inside when you aren’t using them to avoid mildew or fading from the sun. Having cushions made from a good quality of fabric will help with this, but overexposure to the elements can ruin even the best fabric. If you have a screened in patio or porch where you use the furniture this may not be that big of an issue. If the cushions are for outdoor use, make sure that you bring them in during the winter months and store them in a dry place. This way they will be clean when you are ready to use them, and you won’t have to air them out as much if they get a little dusty while in storage.

Patio Covers Make Great Outdoor Rooms

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There is and has been for a time, a big push and trend to make outdoor living spaces more user friendly and welcoming.  In fact, the whole notion of having outdoor rooms is somewhat of a more recent convention.  The patio is the perfect place to convert to another usable room in or for your home.  Because of the ability to find kitchen appliances made for outdoor use, many times the outdoor room that is created is a hybrid kitchen-living area.  This is perfectly suited for the function of a patio cover.

If you’ve never seen or been over to someone’s home that had one of these, you’d be surprised how functional they are.  You do not need to sacrifice on any of the modern conveniences simply because you are outdoors.  But, just because these appliances are made to be outdoors, you could still help protect them and prolong their life by having them beneath a covered patio.  In fact, patio covers have backyard appeal in their own right.  Imagine the fun and flexibility you can have with an outdoor room created by a pergola with a vine covered ‘roof’.  Well, you don’t only need to imagine it, because it is a reality that many are discovering.

Not only are outdoor kitchens big, but so are all of the other ‘room’ options.  Basically, any room that you could find indoors could be moved out.  Bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, yes, they can all be outdoor rooms as well.  Let’s talk a minute about these.  The bedroom is a bit more of a private space, so it will have unique characteristics indoors. However, there are certainly day beds and other lounge beds that can be set beneath a canopy or patio cover to create a nice outdoor bedroom.  The same is true of a dining room.  Outdoor dining furniture is very elegant now and you can find designs that are very much as attractive as any indoor set.

The outdoor bathroom, this is a whole other animal.  Some people make this their little pet project.  Maybe it is an expression of a little wild side or something else, but it definitely has some people raving about them.  You can get a shower head fitted for an outdoor space where you can shower outdoors.  Depending upon your sense of privacy or surrounding landscape and neighbors, this might be something that you are keenly interested in.  Whatever type of outdoor room appeals to you, know that you can get it and enjoy it every bit as much as your indoor spaces.

Patio Shade

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There is no better feeling in the world than lounging out on my shaded patio on a warm summer day with a nice, cold beer in my hand. Of course, that feeling would not be nearly as nice if I had to deal with the hot sun beating directly down on me, heating up my beer and upping my chances at catching skin cancer!

Patio
Creative Commons License photo credit: Miroslav Horák

Clearly, the key to my enjoyment in this scenario is my lovely deck awning, which provides me with much needed patio shade and protection from the sun. Without it, the hot summer days and the harmful ultra violet rays from the sun would be unbearable.

In fact, once upon a time, my patio was actually uncovered and, consequently, rarely used. Fortunately, I came to my senses, purchased and installed an aluminum awning, and covered that deck so I could actually enjoy it. Now, rather than locking myself indoors on those hot summer days, I can enjoy the outdoors while still enjoying a beverage and remaining reasonably comfortable.

Using an outdoor rug to add color to your outdoor hangout!

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When it comes to outdoor porches or patios, people will add many things to furnish and decorate them, only to have the feeling that something is missing. Often times, the missing link may just be a beautiful, vibrant outdoor rug! A rug for your porch or patio can add a whole new display of color to your outdoor hangout. That plain, boring concrete slab can turn into the most colorful piece to your outdoor decor with the simple addition of an outdoor rug. These rugs come outdoor ready, and can handle the demands of the great outdoors, such as sun, rain, and dirt. A simple hosing off will get most outdoor rugs looking as good as new in a jiffy, and they can truly withstand the test of time. It is amazing how something as simple as an addition of a rug can totally revitalize your porch or patio. If your outdoor hangout is lacking an outdoor rug, what are you waiting for?