How to Create Safe and Functional Decorated Outdoor Living Areas
Firstly you need to define how you will use the outdoor living space. Is it going to be a static area, purely for aesthetics or will you have children playing there? Will you be using it at night, or solely during daylight hours?
These factors will determine what you need and what you can actually place in your space.
For a static space, sculptures and water features work well. The provide a focal point and can be the source of the theme of your garden. The water feature also creates movement into a space that is static and creates a quiet calming sound of water flowing.
For an interactive space, pots are great as they keep the plants and flowers off the ground and are less likely to be trod on. The flowers are probably more likely to be picked, but they will survive. Bench seats and seating sets are ideal in these areas as you can sit and enjoy your garden. The ideal situation for these seats is to have a solid ground, paving or concrete so the table and chairs remain level and don’t wobble. Make sure that you select a material that weathers well like cedar or teak timber, wrought iron.
Think about how you will move around you space. You want it to flow, if you are going to buy a table and chair setting, ensure that you select one that allows for people to move around the outside and push back their chairs without landing the legs of the chair in the garden and toppling back. I have seen this happen many times.
If you have a table a centerpiece is a great focal point. This can be as simple as a vase of fresh cut flowers, a pot with spring bulbs, a pot of succulents, a prickly cactus, or a small sculptural piece.
If you will be using the outdoor space at night then you will need lighting. You can either use permanent wired light fittings fixed into the ground, these look spectacular and provide a great deal of light but it is the most expensive option. You can use solar lighting, but in my experience the glow is very dim. Candles or lanterns work well.
If you are going to be cooking, then you need to ensure that you have a safe place, free from dry tinder type garden, in case of fire. A solid surface under if you have a mobile BBQ, or if you have a fixed hot plate built in then you need to ensure that there are solid non combustible materials around it. Situate it away from any windows or doors of your house, so that any food smells or smoke down go straight inside. Make sure that the hotplate is high enough to stop any little fingers touching it and allow some lay off space close by to place your food before and after cooking.
Written by Lee Brown
If you are looking for furniture read on:
Indoor and Outdoor Furniture
Its all very well having a beautiful interior with correct colors and finishes throughout the room however its the furniture that we use to use the room. Be it dining, reading, watching television or sleeping then we require furniture for practicality and comfort. Furniture does come in many styles and there are classic designs from the great designers as well as traditional antique and just plain old everyday furniture from the likes of Ikea. Have you ever thought that exterior furniture could be used internally as well. This is often the case with conservatories however the modern synthetic woven cane chairs and sofas are able to be used internally and externally as well. The real requirement for this sort of furniture is its comfort. Often exterior furniture is designed so that it is weather proof however if deep cushioning that is able to be removed is used on the exterior chair then Often they are able to be used internally as well. When choosing exterior furniture and looking to create a bridge between indoor and outdoor living this is often a simple way of achieving it.
Find furniture for indoor and outdoor projects. Furniture for any occasion.
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Highlands Designs Sells high-quality, solid-wood, customizable unfinished cabinets, bookcases, and furniture at unbeatable prices. We also offer faux finishing services in the Baltimore area.
Quality and Affordable Outdoor Wood Furniture We offer a wide variety of quality and affordable outdoor wood furniture for your deck, patio and landscaping. Choose from Western Red Cedar, Chinese Oak and Java Teak. We offer Free Shipping.
GC Modern Furniture Online store selling a variety of modern furnishings including ultra modern furniture, modern lighting, and modern accessories.
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