There’s just something about a pond that exudes peace and tranquility. The wildlife, the sound of running water, the light reflecting off of the water… What could be more soothing? In fact, studies show that spending time close to water is associated with many physical and mental benefits, including higher levels of vitamin D, better […]
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Adding a cover over a patio is one of those magical things a homeowner can do relatively cheaply that makes a million bucks of difference. It can transform part of the great outdoors into a space that’s almost a bonafide room. There’s just something special about serving a meal or hosting a party under the […]
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Wood was one of the first materials used by man to make furniture out of, presumably because it’s easier to cut wood than rocks. But the fact that we still use it today when stone, metal, and other materials are available to us proves that there’s something enduringly wonderful about wood. If you do it […]
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What kind of patio chairs will be best for your patio? While there is no one-size-fits-all way to answer this question, there are a few more specific questions to ask that can help. For example, what purposes will these chairs serve (dining, conversing, lounging, tanning, etc.)? That is, what features would make each type of […]
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The perfect patio sofa is one that’s comfortable, pretty, and durable–in that order. Comfortable because of what all sofas are for; pretty before durable because you’d never want to be stuck long-term with an item you don’t like to see; durable because there are plenty of other things to spend couch-sized money on! The question […]
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When you’re shopping for patio furniture, it’s important to consider what material(s) you want it to be made out of. Each has its pros and cons and your habits, space, and region’s climate can bring out the best–or worst–in each. A plastic lawn chair, for example, can instantly be turned into a projectile in a […]
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An outdoor canopy can be just the thing to take your patio area from nice to awesome. It’s the last touch–starting with clean, comfy seats under us, good food and drinks in us, loved ones around us, and shade and shelter above us. There are many different approaches to take when you’re putting up an […]
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Everyone has a barbecue. Everyone has some chairs they can move outside for a few hours. Most people even have a cooler somewhere that they can fill with ice and beverages. All these things are good; they make it possible to relax somewhat comfortably in the backyard. But there’s nothing in the world that takes […]
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Imagine someone shows you pictures of two different people’s patios. They tell you that one patio was set up and decorated two years ago and the other one was done two decades ago. Do you think you could tell which patio was which? Have faith in yourself; the answer is at least probably. Every year, […]
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For those of us trying to put together an area outside for entertaining, space–or rather, a lack of it–can be quite the complicator. We all wish we had an acre with a patio the size of our living room (plus kitchen?), but alas, we must make do with what we have. In fact, some of […]
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