Hi and welcome to our website which is all about out door living and making the best use of your deck and other outdoor spaces. Outdoor living is an option everywhere – even the coldest parts of the country but is of course most popular for those of us lucky enough to live in warmer climates. Though extreme heat and humidiity will drive us all inside in the height of summer with the right landscape design and structures your outdoor spaces can become an useful part of your home almost year arouund. Lets consider some of the most important aspects of designing not just a beautiful outdoor space – but one which is practical as well.
Landscape Lighting
Candles may be romantic -but they are certainly not pracitcal or safe for lighting your outdoor patio! Instead you need to consider an outdoor landscape lighting scheme which will will be both practical and enhance the area. A popular option is low voltage landscape lighting becasue this type of lighting can be installed easily by an amateur and does not require a sophisticated outdoor power setup. Even easier, and a green alternative, is solar powered landscape lighting – this is particularly useful for lights that are only required for a few hours after sun-down – which is often most of your external lights. Although not that bright, solar-powered lights can be adequate for paths and border illuminations.
Outdoor Furniture
When it comes to outdoor furniture there is a bewildering range of choices – but its probably best to start with the larger pieces and decide an overall look for yoru outdoor space – just like you would a room inside your home. Modern outdoor furniture comes in every style from resin wicker furntiure, to solid teak furniture to cheap and cheerful plastic outdoor sets. Outdoor dining furniture are often the center piece of a patio area and you probably want to spend most of your budget on a good quality dining set. An outdoor bar and BBQ are also popular additions to your outdoor room.
Outdoor Furnishings
Just like rooms within your house you can soften the look and make the outdoor space more inviting by using outdoor furntiure cushions and indoor outdoor rugs. Choosing the right fabric is critical particularly if you keep these items outdoors all the time. Another option is to have a storage unit or trunk for cushions where they can be stored when not in use and protected from the elements- particularly the sun which will fade bright colours quickly in many parts of the country. If you are going to leave outdoor seat cushions in place all the time you should ensure that they are wind-proof and tie them firmly to the chairs so the wind doesnt’ rearange them for you!
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Tags: Modern outdoor furniture can really take a beating from heavy usage as well as the extremes of weather, sun and humidity. If you want your contemporary garden furniture to stay as good looking as possible for as long as possible, there are several design materials used in the manufacture of this furniture category that should be among your top choices when selecting modern outdoor furniture.
Several durable and attractive woods are quite popular for creating modern outdoor furniture. Cedar is an attractive wood for designer outdoor furniture use in colors ranging from red to golden amber which turns an attractive silver-gray after several years. Cedar is perfect for modern patio furniture including tables and chairs because of its resistance to insects and rot.
Pine wood, less expensive than cedar, is another rot-resistant wood good for picnic tables and outdoor seating. Teak wood is very popular for use in modern outdoor patio furniture because it’s a very durable wood that protects any metal elements such as nails and hinges used in its construction. Like cedar and pine, teak is resistant to warping and rotting. Modern outdoor furniture crafted from wood should be kept clean with a damp cloth and occasionally cleaned with a wood soap or rubbed with protective oil.
Wicker coated in a weather-protective and UV resistant vinyl is an aesthetically pleasing material for chair and table sets, a step up from traditional wicker which must be stored away during wet weather because of potential moisture damage. Wicker is a favorite for contemporary outdoor furniture designers because it is sturdy enough to last, yet lightwreight enough to be moved around with ease. Be sure that any cushioning you select for your wicker chairs contains polyfill rather than foam to eliminate moisture build-up which can cause quick deterioration of the fabric. Check to see that any outdoor fabrics are treated to be moisture and water resistant.
For those who prefer the modern classic look, outdoor furniture composed of wrought iron will last indefinitely
if treated properly to protect against rust. Wrought iron has the distinct disadvantage of being very heavy, so once it is in place, it can be a major chore to move it around frequently to mix up your decor.
Aluminum continues to be an evergreen choice for modern outdoor furniture, lightweight yet flexible, with a sleek look in its natural silver state or painted to fit the existing decor. Easy maintenance and clean-up with a damp cloth make aluminum a popular corrosive-resistant outdoor modern furniture choice.