Posts Tagged ‘backyard patio’

Patios Increase Home Value

Monday, May 3rd, 2010


Planning to sell your home in a few years, but want to enhance the value of your property when you do? Add to the appraisal value of your home by doing some creative landscaping. Outdoor patios are a capital way to begin. With a little designing effort, building your backyard patio can actually be rewarding. Create an eye-appealing gathering area for friends and family while extending your living space.

Here are a few base patio design tips to get you started.

Consider the space. Do a little architectural blueprinting to effectively redistribute the available space. If space isn’t an issue, then the old adage of “bigger is better” will give you more options for expanding your outdoor decorating theme while actually creating a better flow of traffic for entertaining.

Think of materials. Most patios are built with concrete, bricks, decorative tiles or stone. Depending on how much you want to invest, you can also opt for a more environmental touch using mulch (creating a more natural appeal) or carefully laid bleached rock (for a brighter, artistic, sun-drenched effect).

Now with baselines decided, ask yourself what accessories would compliment your outdoor oasis. Here are a few embellishments for you to consider:

Furniture
Plants (in beds, planters or pots)
Fire pit
Waterfall/pond/fountain

How about an inviting hot tub for the summer months ahead, a small gazebo or a larger-than-life island grill? The sky’s the limit! With the addition of a patio, not only has your property’s resale value dramatically increased, but you’ve creating an inviting living space for family time and entertaining.

Sponsored by: Pelican Shops

Image: DIY Start

How to Protect Outdoor Furniture

Monday, May 3rd, 2010


With summer fast approaching, outdoor barbecues with friends and family are already on the menu. Time for lazy afternoons relaxing and enjoying the breeze on your outdoor patio furniture. Your patio becomes your living area during warm weather seasons, and taking care of your outdoor furnishings means as much care and kindness year-round as you give the indoors. How do you protect your outdoor furniture from the elements of harsh weather, including pounding rain, blistering sun and brittle cold temps? Let’s investigate the options.

The quickest and most common protection comes from outdoor furniture coverings. There are special size-fitted coverings to fit all of your outdoor patio pieces, including chairs, tables, love seats, gliders and ottomans. Coverings are also available for outdoor accessories such as grills, barbecues, fire pits, chimeneas, patio table umbrellas, and patio heaters. If you have patio cushions that cover your furniture during the pleasant seasons, there are storage containers and other options for keeping those protected, as well.

Don’t want to spring for coverings for your furniture? Here are a few viable alternatives that will help ensure that your outdoor living area stays ready for fair weather entertaining.

Wood – Apply a good base coat of paint, stain, varnish or water repellent sealant (like the ones that are used to seal decks).
Wicker – Wicker is best protected when fully covered. Placing rubber tips on the feet will help protect the furniture pieces from the damages of dampness as well as protect them from nicks and scratches.
Metal, Cast iron and plastic - To protect and maintain, you can apply car wax or polish to protect and repel damaging seasonal elements.

Sponsored by: Pelican Shops

Image: Decoration Ideas