Category Archives: Outdoor Living Spaces

South Beach Rugs Add Elegance to Outdoors

South Beach Rug - Parrot
If you are looking for the perfect outdoor rug to add style and class to your porch, patio, outdoor room, or pool side, I have a lovely suggestion. South Beach outdoor rugs are classically beautiful and can stand up to any and everything that the environment offers. Sunlight and fade resistant, it is perfect for all outdoor areas. You can even use it on high traffic indoor areas! It is beautiful enough to use anywhere in or around your home. Spills wipe away easily with a damp cloth and warm water. South Beach rugs are available in rectangular and runner shapes and a variety of sizes and Sunbrella border patterns. They are custom-made to order so your rug will be one of a kind! Aren’t you ready to add some sophistication to your outdoor area?

South Beach Rug - Black (weave closeup)

Weave Close up

Take Recycling to the Next Level and Look Good in the Process

Classic Adirondack Chair

You’ve reduced the amount of stuff you buy, and you recycle what you can, but do you go that next step and make a point to buy products made from recycled materials?  A little online research can lead you to find most anything you need or want made from other people’s recycled trash.   Patio furniture is a good example.

Recycled patio furniture can certainly be made from reclaimed wood or with bits and pieces salvaged from retired patio furniture.  But, recycled plastic is a better choice for outdoor furniture.   Furniture made with recycled plastics, such as that which is produced by Poly-Wood, has exceptional resistance to corrosive substances, oil and fuels, insects, fungi, salt spray, and other environmental stresses.   The furniture does not absorb moisture, so there is never a worry about rotting, splintering, or cracking.  Poly-Wood’s recycled furniture pieces resist all harsh weather conditions, and they never need to be painted, stained, or water proofed.  It doesn’t hurt, either, that this recycled patio furniture is stylish, sturdy, and comfortable.

Recycling your plastic bottles and containers is only one part of the process.  Making the effort to buy products made from recycled materials is another crucial piece of the process that some consumers overlook.  Luckily, it’s getting easier to find recycled products, like patio furniture, and the variety of products available is increasing. According to Earth911’s Plastic Recycling Facts, the plastics recycling business has grown significantly in the past few years.  In fact, “more than 1,600 businesses are involved in recycling post-consumer plastics.”  Using products made from recycled plastics ensures that a hefty chunk of those milk jugs, water bottles, and food containers from which we can’t seem to escape are put to good use.

Infrared Patio Heaters Warm YOU, Not the Air!

Infrared Patio Heater
If you are looking for a powerful way to heat up your deck or patio, I have got a solution for you! Noone enjoys being cooped up indoors during the winter months, but sometimes the cold makes outdoor activities unbearable. Infrared patio heaters will solve this dilemma! Infrared heaters use infrared waves to heat the object or material in the path of the heater. This means that instead of heating the surrounding air like traditional heat sources, infrared heaters warm objects (including you) directly. You can find varieties that are permanently mounted onto your porch or moveable and portable options. Infrared heaters are safe because there is no gas or open flames to worry about. This is the only form of heat that doesn’t blow away so they are perfect for windy areas. You are guaranteed to stay warm during those chilly nights.

Before & After: Design Details Make the Difference

Any living space can be turned from bland and unappealing to comfortable and inviting, and it rarely requires expensive choices like remodeling or a complete decorating makeover.  In most cases, a fresh and beautiful look can be achieved with the addition of a few simple and inexpensive details.  Here is a good example:

Before Outdoor Curtains

The photo above shows a fairly standard wall that serves as a boundary between properties.  The homeowner has attempted to soften the appearance of the wall by adding some beautiful potted ferns, but the plants don’t successfully break up the wide, visual expanse of stone.

With the addition of outdoor curtains and mounted light fixtures, though, a dramatic improvement can be seen:

After Outdoor Curtains

The vast and unappealing wall becomes a softer and more elegant focal point.  Even the potted plants, which before looked washed out and ragged against the drab stone backdrop, pop out in front of the outdoor curtains and add more visual texture and interest to the scene.

Many times, all that a living space requires to improve its appearance is the addition or alteration of a few details.  Before investing in an expensive remodel or decorating overhaul, it’s worth the time and money to first think on a smaller scale.  A very little change, as seen here, can often go a long way to improve a living space.

Swinging Outdoor Beds – The Perfect Gift

Original Swing Bed

If you are looking for an amazing Christmas gifts for someone very special, I have the perfect idea. A swing bed is an amazing addition to any porch or patio. It provides the perfect outdoor area to lounge, nap, snuggle, and relax. The bed is a combination of a porch swing and a twin or full size bed. They can be made of beautiful pine, cypress, or red cedar and can be stained or painted to match your outdoor decor. The swing beds hold 800-1000 pounds, depending on how they are hung, making them perfect for the entire family! Imagine how happy your loved one will be while napping outdoors during the warm Spring and Summer months. This will definitely be a gift that they will remember forever!