Decorating Tips:
Not only do we want to provide you with the supplies to decorate your outdoor living space, we thought it would be a good idea to offer some helpful tips on how to achieve that beautiful patio or deck.
Pillows, upholstery, lighting, flooring, and rugs are all great ideas for comfort. What you can use depends on your weather conditions. Tile, slate, concrete, and weatherproof painted wood are good flooring choices that require minimal care. Natural fiber rugs, i.e. sisal or hemp, resist moisture damage naturally, although its best used in covered spaces. Indoor/outdoor carpet, of course, is another good option and can be used all year long without worry.
When choosing a fabric or upholstery, remember to keep in mind that a lot of them are not sun/weather resistant. So if you are going to invest in these, be prepared to change them every couple years and try to avoid too much exposure to sun or bitter weather. Acrylics, woven vinyl-coated polyester, and laminated cotton are very good choices for outdoors. Also, try to get pillows or cushions that allow the water to drain through them.
Lighting is also a good way to make your patio or deck like an extension for your home. Of course avoid conventional indoor light unless your space is covered or attached to the house, such as a sunroom. Outdoor ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), built-in lighting and fans are very good choices for porches. And make sure the lighting isn’t too bright to disturb your neighbors. Be sure not to over light, just enough for relaxing and enjoying nature.
Arranging your space:
A well arranged patio is like adding extra square footage to your home. It’s an extension of your home so of course you want to make sure that it looks as good as possible.
Placing your furniture is something to consider just like you do indoors. Make sure the furniture suits the place you are putting it. You wouldn’t want your furniture to be too large and make your space look smaller, and you wouldn’t want it too small and make it look empty. Remember to keep walkways and traffic areas as clear as possible. Try setting your largest piece of furniture on the largest wall or railing. It will be a good start and make placing the smaller items much easier. Also, make sure that your seating is placed to promote conversation for cook outs or gatherings. Place small tables near your seating to make sure your guests are comfortable and have a place to sit there drinks or dinner plates. Last, accessorize your space! Pick lighting, rugs, or potted plants to add extra character to your “home extension”.
Using your outdoor furniture indoors:
Maybe you don’t have a shelter over your patio or deck and you need to put your outdoor furniture up at the end of each season. Why not get use of it inside? Since you’ve taken the time to invest in it and decorate accordingly, find places in your home that need extra seating or change your dining room table out. A small outdoor bench could also double as a cute window seat. Just add cushions. Don’t hesitate to try different things with your great new furniture! Be proud of your investment and start a new trend!
Cleaning your outdoor furniture:
Proper care and cleaning for your outdoor furniture and accessories will get you a much longer use out of your investments. You’ve taken the time to decorate it beautifully, so don’t forget the maintenance. Here are a couple ways to keep your outdoor living space enjoyable.
For most outdoor furniture such as wood, wicker, iron or steel it’s as easy as mild soap and water. If you have a pressure washer, using the lowest setting is a good method of cleaning stubborn stains. For fabrics and cushions, most hardware or fabric stores carry cleaners especially for outdoor decorations. If you are cleaning them to put them up for the season, be sure that the fabric is completely dry to help prevent mildew or mold.
Taking Care of your Outdoor Furniture:
Unless used under cover, it is recommended that a water repellent be applied once a year or products may be painted with an outdoor paint or stain.This will slow the natural aging process and reduce surface checking. Since this wood is already dried, no waiting period is needed before applying your surface coating.
Take it in – if possible. The winter months can be harmful to wood, especially if you live in a non-temperate climate. An alternative to storing indoors is to place it beneath a porch or overhang and cover it.
Consider the legs – Chair legs and table legs that are in the grass or poolside can become saturated with water. If your furniture is located in a damp or wet area, you can cover the bottom of the furniture leg with rubberized material.
Watch out for chemicals – Exposure to chemicals and other things (solvents, chlorine, flower nectar) can harm your outdoor wooden furniture.If you spill anything on your furniture, be sure to clean it off immediately.