Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor Rugs – Versatility and Beauty

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Want to spruce up your outdoor room, patio, or deck?  An outdoor rug just may be the answer.  Outdoor rugs made of synthetic fibers like polypropylene, also known as olefin, are extremely strong and weather resistant.  They are also resistant to stains, mildew, and fading, making them a practical choice for any outdoor space.  Outdoor rugs give a softer, more comfortable indoor feel to any outdoor area.

Today’s outdoor rugs are really beautiful, too, boasting decorative borders and patterns that rival any indoor rug.  In fact, many people choose to use outdoor rugs in their indoor spaces because of their durability and visual appeal.  Use a smaller rug as a welcome mat and a larger one underneath the dining room table to define the space.  Outdoor rugs are ideal for busy entry ways, hallways, kitchens, and living areas, too.  Cleaning an outdoor rug is a breeze.  Spray the rug with a hose and allow it to air dry.  Tough stains require only a mild detergent and warm water for cleaning.

Whether used in outdoor or indoor spaces, an outdoor rug can significantly improve appearances as well as invite more frequent use.

Outdoor-Rug-Scene-Small

Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

How to Maintain and Care For Outdoor Furniture

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How to Maintain Outdoor Patio Furniture

Some types of outdoor patio furniture can be quite expensive to buy but if maintained properly can last a lifetime.  Many of the wooden furniture products sold today are already treated with protective oils and stains but alot of people don’t realize that maintenance should take place annually.

Certain kinds of wood furniture such as cedar, redwood, oak, and pine must be treated with a preservative to prevent decay, which can occur rapidly if exposed to harsh weather environments. Protecting this wood furniture with a water-resistant stain, protective oil, or polyurethane is also recommended. Your local home and garden store should be able to assist you.

Outdoor wood furniture should be cleaned once a year. Mix one tablespoon of bleach, five tablespoons of a gentle dishwashing liquid, and a gallon of water, and softly rub the surface of your wood furniture with a soft bristle brush. Wash the solution from the furniture, and allow it to dry completely in the sun. Repainting or re-staining wood furniture could be indicated at this time to cover and protect any worn or damaged areas.

The lifespan for any wooden patio furniture depends greatly on the type of wood used and the weather it is exposed to.  Using waterproof protective covers  when your furniture is not in use is strongly advised to keep your wooden patio furniture in good shape.  Outdoor wood furniture makes a quaint, charming, and nice addition to any backyard, deck, patio, or garden, and with care, it will continue to make a great impression for years to come.

Backyard Fun, Healthy Ideas

Imaginations Go Wild With a Vinyl Playhouse

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Vinyl Playhouse Window

Forgotten toys, broken toys, and toys chewed by the dog are usually what we find at the bottom of the swing set club house in our backyard.  The “toy graveyard,” we call it, and they end up there when my husband needs to mow the lawn.  Any toys that are strewn across the yard get tossed under the swing set to clear the way for the mower.  As my son gets older, his powers of imagination grow, and I realize that the poorly used space underneath the swing set club house could be better put to use to help encourage that imagination.

Last weekend, we chucked out all of the old, broken toys and found a proper home for the still usable toys.  Then, we created an enclosed vinyl playhouse thanks to some custom-fitted vinyl material.  What a difference that made!  My son calls this new play area his “cabin.”   He furnished it with some kid-sized chairs and a small table, and so far, he has imagined any number of interesting scenarios.  He pretends that his new vinyl playhouse is a store, a storm shelter, a castle, a tree house.  The vinyl playhouse has become his magical spot for imagining that anything is possible.  Plus, it gets him out of the house and into the fresh air!

Imaginations Go Wild!

Backyard Fun, Outdoor Living Spaces

I Need A Hammock Break

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Hammock Break

School starts next week and my children are getting ready with new school supplies and books.  Their new shoes will be free of scuff marks for at least a week and their toes will have some wiggle room for a while.

I have been busy planning carpools, grocery lists and everything in between.  The hustle and bustle of every season is actually exciting because change brings an energy of anticipation.

I plan on taking a long hammock break before I dart off in a million different directions next week.  My backyard is a safe haven for me and I am usually energized when I spend time there.  In fact, a hammock nap is on the top of my list.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Garden Tools & Tips

Yard Clippings are Going to Waste

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Did you know that nearly 20% of all waste in an average landfill is yard waste?  If you are throwing away your grass clippings, then you are missing out on a valuable resource.

A compost bin decomposes grass clippings and plant material to produce compost in just a few weeks.  This process allows you to reap the benefits of recycling from your own backyard with very little effort.

“Compost” is the rich black soil-like substance created when organic materials like shredded leaves and yard waste are fully decomposed. Mulching with compost prevents weeds, feeds your garden, fights disease and doesn’t starve plants or stain your house with fungal spores like wood mulches.

The rewards from composting are numerous and having access to your own “mulch” is a big one.  Tell your neighbors and friends how easy it is to use a composter.  They will thank you later.

compost bin illustration for your backyard