Category Archives: Outdoor Living Spaces

Innovative Solutions, Outdoor Living Spaces

Wanted: Door Mats with Good Looks and Rugged Personalities

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Outdoor Door Mats

Finding just the right door mat for your front or back porch, patio, or boat can be a head ache, and finding a door mat that will last for more than one season can be an even bigger challenge.  Over the course of a year, rain, mildew, insects, and heavy use can take their toll on even sturdy door mats, leaving them looking worn out and ragged far sooner than you had expected.

Paying close attention to the details when you buy your new door mat will pay off.  Look for a door mat that is made of 100% polypropylene — natural fibers are not the way to go if you want your door mat to last a long time.  Natural fibers attract insects and can mildew and deteriorate quickly in moist or humid areas.  Insects are not drawn to polypropylene, and the quality of this material is unaffected by moisture or harsh weather conditions.

Door mats made with tightly woven polypropylene are highly effective in removing a significant amount of debris from the bottoms of shoes as people wipe them on their way into a home.  These door mats stand up beautifully to years of vigorous foot traffic, and they continue to look good over the long haul because they are easy to clean and maintain.  Shake any loose debris from the door mats first, then squirt them with a hose to remove any caked on mud or other dirt.  Door mats air dry quickly and look as good as new.

One final tip:  If you are buying a door mat for in front of an entry way door, be sure that the mat is a little wider than the door itself.  A slightly wider door mat makes the entry way look larger and more welcoming.  Plus, it provides visitors with more area on which they can wipe their feet.

Backyard Fun, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Fire Bowls For a Toasty Fall Patio

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Terra Cotta Fire BowlFire Bowl

If you enjoy spending fall evenings outside on your porch or patio like my family does, a fire bowl is perfect for you! Also known as fire pits, these outdoor heaters are the perfect addition to keep you toasty while adding a big punch of style. They give you the feel and warmth of a real wood fire crackling anytime and anywhere you choose. Fire pits are great for your backyard, the beach, or most any outdoor gathering. They are available in a variety of price ranges and styles. You can find fire bowls that depict wildlife themes, showcase stylized ornate metals, or feature your favorite college team’s logo. Some even double as a grill! They are attractive, portable, and easy to clean. You NEED one for your backyard!

Beach Accessories, Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

Recycled Patio Furniture – For You and the Environment

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Recycled Adirondak Chair

If you are considering investing in new patio furniture for the fall, why not consider also doing something that is good for the environment? Recycled patio furniture is a great way to do both! Beautiful and durable, they are made with 90% recycled plastics and never with new petroleum products. You can choose from many different pieces, including tables, Adirondack chairs and benches, chaise lounges, and even foot stools. They are also available in a variety of colors to match any taste and style. This furniture is perfect for the beach, patio, or any outdoor location where you need to add some style. They are the perfect way to enjoy your outdoor environment, while also doing a small part to protect it! Is there a better way to relax?

Innovative Solutions, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Half-Canopy Umbrella Makes the Most of Small Spaces

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Small patios and balconies are often seen as one of the downsides of apartment or condo living.  Often, very little space is available for entertaining, and putting out a couple of chairs and a small table is all that most people can manage.  There’s certainly no room for a patio umbrella to keep the sun off while you attempt to dine “al fresco.”  There is room, though, for something called an Off the Wall Umbrella.

An Off the Wall Umbrella is a half-canopy patio umbrella that stands flush against a wall or vertical surface, without fasteners or other attachment hardware required.  This handy umbrella provides shade to small areas where traditional round umbrellas are not practical or even possible.  Unlike fixed awnings over windows or doors, the decorative Off the Wall Umbrella can be moved easily to provide shade and ambience where it’s needed most.

Innovative Solutions, Outdoor Living Spaces, Shade Solutions

Side Post Umbrellas Provide Ultimate Shade

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You don’t need a table with a hole in the middle in order to enjoy some shade while you dine.  You don’t even need a table at all.  With a side post umbrella, you can create your own shady zone of comfort no matter where you are in your yard or garden.  A side post umbrella, sometimes known as an offset umbrella, has its pole on the side rather than in the center.  One of the advantages of this is to maximize the amount of shade underneath the umbrella.

Having the pole at the side of the patio umbrella instead of in the center makes it possible to use any type of patio table or dining table, whether it has a center hole or not. You may also choose to forget the table altogether and simply place an arrangement of chairs under the side post umbrella for comfortable afternoon conversations with friends.

Most side post umbrellas tilt and/or rotate up to 360 degrees without ever having to be moved at the base, so you can enjoy the advantage of being completely shaded no matter the time of day.