Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio
It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just how to bring an outdoor room together to make it a peaceful spot to relax or enjoy quality time with friends and family. But if you think of it as yet another room to decorate and furnish, the space will come together more easily.
Measuring and a simple site analysis
Just as you would for a room inside your home take the measurements of your patio or outdoor room area. This most important step is essential for scaling in comfortable sized outdoor furniture, patio accessories, planters and such. The next step is to conduct a simple site analysis. For this you will want to jot down factors such as the direction (north, south, east, west) your patio is facing, prevailing winds, if any; areas in sun or shade and any other relevant observations that will impact the quality of people spending time in that space. Now for the fun part, create a realistic wish list beginning with how you would like to use your patio: to relax, to entertain friends, to grill/barbeque, to eat outdoors, to hang out with friends and family, to converse, etc. Now go back to your site analysis and determine, if applicable, where you can start staging the pieces to your outdoor room. But before you do so, here are some tips and ideas for you to consider.
Arrange patio furniture and elements thoughtfully
In order to create a comfortable space with pleasant atmosphere it is important to consider these details: Circulation – how will people walk through the space; Seating – where will people be sitting; Views - what will people be looking at when sitting. For circulation, you want to position a sitting area in a location where circulation will not pass directly through, making the space distracting, unless you have no choice. For creating comfortable seating for conversation, orient chairs, sofas, and gliders towards each other, 6 to 8 feet apart; this is a comfortable distance for talking without feeling too close. For views, you can create focal points with trees and shrubs in the distance, or planters and ornaments closer by.
Dealing with wind and sun
From your site analysis you have discovered information about how the wind blows. By knowing the direction of the prevailing winds you can make some good decisions about the placement of certain items. First, if you are going to include a grill or barbeque be sure to locate these accessories in a location in which the wind will carry the smoke from the cooking fire away from the outdoor space; there's nothing more irritating than the uncomfortable sting of a smoky grill. Also, if you have an area with cold wind, you can block it by creating vertical planes; this can be done by planting trees or shrubs in the ground, or by placing them in planters within or around a part of the patio. Fences and walls can also help. As for sun, these same vertical planes can screen hot, late afternoon sun. For overhead sun, retractable awnings can be a very effective way to minimize both sun and heat. These awnings are designed to extend (open) or retract (close) to create shade or sun options. Other ways to create shade from the hot sun: patio umbrellas and trellises, pergolas, or arbors.
Creating a sense of enclosure
Creating a sense of enclosure is a great way to make your outdoor space more intimate; it is also a great way to create separation and privacy from your neighbors. Think of the walls and ceilings inside your home: the walls are the vertical plane and the ceiling is the overhead plane. Outdoors these vertical and overhead planes help create the foundations to an outdoor room. While you don't want to overdo it or completely enclose your outdoor space, adding elements: shrubs, trees, arbors, trellises pergolas and such in a careful way can improve the atmosphere of your patio space.
Buying patio furniture and accessories
Once you've measured your outdoor space, done the site analysis and figured out the area where you will be putting your outdoor furniture it's time to begin reviewing outdoor furniture and accessory options. If your patio is very small, you may only want to buy 1 or 2 chairs or loungers for conversation and relaxing, and a small bistro table with chairs for snacking. If your space is large, you may be looking for a larger seating arrangement: sofas, chairs, coffee tables, in one area and a patio set with umbrella in another. There are many options and styles available and you can learn more about the materials and brands available by visiting a local patio furniture store or by shopping online. Popular furniture materials include: outdoor wicker, teak, wrought iron, cast aluminum, recycled plastic and casual aluminum. You can buy this furniture individually or as a set such as a dining table complete with chairs. With many patio furniture options to choose from you can easily create an outdoor space that will be well used. Additional outdoor decorating accessories such as patio lamps, fire pits, garden arbors and trellises, and outdoor heaters fit in well to create a great atmosphere outdoors as well as being extremely functional. For example, outdoor heaters will greatly extend your time outside, allowing for more time to enjoy yourself outdoors later into fall, and earlier into spring. Outdoor fireplaces such as: chimeneas, fire pits or even a gas outdoor fireplace create a great atmosphere and focal point, as well the opportunity to grill, heat, or just enjoy hanging out by the fire.
Nicole Martins is the editor of Everything Patio Furniture, a review site about patio furniture and accessories, which provides valuable tips and information as well as great products for your outdoor space. You can visit this site at http://www.everything-patio-furniture.com
Make Money Today
Start Earning a Full Time Income Working at Home From Your Computer!
Visitors to Your Website
Start Getting Your Web Traffic Like The Big Dogs Do!
Lose Fat Fast
Lose 9 Pounds Every 11 Days with the Idiot Proof Diet. Guaranteed!
The Net's #1 Virus Killer
Try NoAdware FREE. Remove Harmful Adware, Spyware, Trojans, Dialers and Worms. Download Today!
Parental Solutions
Is Your "Out of Control" Teen Driving You Crazy? We Can Help!
Your Computer is Infected
I Guarantee it! Let us Prove it to You Absolutely FREE.
Related Articles:
Outdoor Deck Bar Furniture ? Create The Ultimate Place To Entertain
In your outdoor space, do you have everything that you need to make it the ultimate place to entertain? Because nothing is worse than hosting a mid-afternoon summer get-together just to find out that you do not have enough places for your guests to sit back and relax. Do not be a host that doesn?t have his stuff together, and instead, be a host to remember and use awesome outdoor deck bar furniture to furnish your deck or patio so your guests can have a good time.
Outdoor Furniture
The best choice for your outdoor places would be furniture which is made out of teak wood. This kind of furniture is not only ever lasting but as the time passes the wood becomes more beautiful and it is natural material. In the starting the teak are nice golden shade color, than later on it turns into silver color, both look wonderful in the garden. If you want to maintain the golden color of teak than there are some cleaners in the market which can serve your purpose or you can use teak oil in the outdoor furniture? If you put furniture outside the house than they is no requirement to place cushions on it. The entire structural design of the pieces and all of the plank may be seen when cushions are not put. And if you really want comfort ...
The Benefits Of Markhor Hunting In Pakistan
The northern areas of Pakistan contain the highest concentration of peaks and longest glaciers outside the polar region. This is where the world's 3 greatest mountain chains collide the Karakorams, Hindukush and the Himalayas.
Outdoor Flood Lighting Information
Outdoor flood lights are a convenient and cost efficient option for individuals wishing to illuminate landscape areas such as gardens, pathways or unique architectural features Flood lights provide large amounts of light with minimal energy usage
Team Sales Cycling Features Their Exclusive Santini Custom Cycling Clothing Line
A Portland, Oregon cycling apparel distributor is showcasing Santini custom cycling clothing.
Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization Adds New Summer American Eagle Non-Stop Service to DFW
Montrose Regional Airport to be served by American Eagle from Dallas Ft. Worth- Summer 2006/2007. Travelers can book Telluride accommodations through ResortQuest.
10 Inexpensive Outdoor Fixes to Help Sell Your Home
Many experts recommend updating your home?s exterior to improve your chances to sell. Rightfully so! Most of the fixes you can do outdoors that will pay big dividends at closing are low cost and relatively easy to accomplish with a minimum amount of tools.
Technical Gear Sports Sunglasses Has Found the Solution to Make Hiking More Fun Just in Time for July 4th
Technical Gear Sports Sunglasses has just moved to the mountains of South Carolina, and they have brought their new line of sunglasses that offer solutions for hiking and sports enthusiasts. The new line introduces photochromic lenses that change as quickly as the scenery, automatically dimming and brightening to adjust to the beautiful mountain surroundings.
Why Organic Baby Clothes are the Way Forward
Organic clothing, especially organic baby clothes, are friendlier for the environment, for personal health, and for guaranteeing the future of this planet. Getting completeley organic baby items like organic baby clothes, organic baby toys (http://www.theorganicbabycompany.co.uk/organic-cotton-baby-toys-c-7.html) and organic baby skincare (http://www.theorganicbabycompany.co.uk/organic-baby-skincare-c-5.html) items when you are shopping for your bundle of joy is the best act that you can do for him or her, for their wellbeing today and for t...
The Dangerous Secret of Extreme Muscle Growth
You've decided to join a gym, but you're not sure the best way to work out, and don't want to pay for a personal trainer who may not really know what he's talking about? Already an experienced weight lifter, but aren't getting the results you want? Read on for the best tips for working out if you have a full gym facility, and the secret to extreme muscle growth.
Before and After
You should always warm up before lifting any weights.
Hunting Knife Style: What Is A Liner Lock Knife
When knives first began to appear as pocket knives, they were developed so that they could virtually fold in half and be able to ride in a secure, hidden location. When the knives were opened, it was usually done with a thumb or another finger, which meant that a person would have to use two hands in order to open up his knife. This is something that worked for many people, but could also be dangerous in the long run.
My Fondest Camping Memories
I have very fond memories of different camping trips when I was a child. These trips really brought my family together in many different ways and I always had a great time. One of my favorite things to do is to camp in the wilderness. I really love to hunt and fish, and camping puts you in a great position to do either one. Sometimes I like to just sit out in nature and observe the animals in their natural habitat.
How To Make An Outdoor Fire Pit
A fire pit can add dimension and value to your home. Fire pits are very nice in the winter as well as the summer.
Feeling Sexy In Plus Size Clothes
It is not necessary to be as slim as a stick to feel sensual. Sensuality is in the mind, and you can achieve it whatever your measurements. It doesn't matter whether you think of sensual garments as low-cut gowns or nightgowns, there are ones that will allow you to look great and feel just the way you wish. The garments you put on can express the self-esteem and sensuality you know you have inside.
Urban Out Sitters to Host hosting "PAWS 4 SANTA" this Holiday Season
Urban Out Sitters, Awarded best dog daycare and pet hotel by Chicago magazine is hosting "PAWS 4 SANTA" Every Saturday and Sunday in December starting December 8th. Owners Tommy Spinosa and Joseph Giannini welcome you and your pet(s) this holiday season to be photographed with Santa at Urban Out Sitters, located at 729 W Randolph, (Halsted and Randolph Street).