Home and Garden

June 2, 2017

5 Types of Outdoor Furniture That Lasts

As spring turns into summer, one of the first things you’ll do is get the patio furniture out of storage, grab the cushions, and get ready for some R&R. But what if you grab that furniture and hmmm…it doesn’t look nearly as nice as it once did. Well, you’re in luck because today there are dozens of choices for new outdoor patio furniture that will have your outdoor living spaces looking and feeling cozy and welcoming for both you and your guests.

Your choice in outdoor furniture is important, as you probably spend a lot of time on it during the summer months. It makes sense, then, to choose comfortable styles and fabrics, while still keeping in mind the care and maintenance needs of furniture. The first thing you should do is think about how you use your outdoor areas. Do you hold big parties for many people, or do you have more small, intimate cookouts? Do you do most of your cooking outdoors during the summer? These are important questions to ask when you’re considering new furniture purchases.

Below we have categorized a few of the most attractive choices for patio furniture, both by aesthetics and by their ease-of-maintenance. Use this as your guide when you go shopping.

1. Wrought Iron Furniture

Wrought iron is classic, sturdy, and timeless-looking. If you live in an area of high winds, you won’t have to worry about your patio furniture blowing away. There are so many styles, colors, and designs with wrought iron that it is sure to fit your style, no matter what that might be. But don’t plan to use this type of outdoor furniture if you’ll be moving pieces around a lot. They are hefty and will leave marks if dragged across the deck.

Because the paint on wrought iron can chip, see if there is a touch-up paint in the same color available to purchase when you buy your set of furniture. You’ll be able to use the touch up anytime you find scratches or chips, and it’ll keep your furniture looking like brand new. To clean, just wipe down with a damp cloth. If deeper cleaning is necessary, wipe down with a solution of dishwashing detergent and warm water, and then rinse with your garden hose.

2. Aluminum Furniture

Aluminum patio furniture is great if you want an easy-care solution that you can effortlessly move around. Aluminum won’t rust, and it’s super lightweight. Choose cushions that you can easily replace, as the aluminum frame will probably significantly outlast your cushions. When you’re shopping, make sure that the hardware on your furniture is rust-proof, and choose a powder-coated, UV-resistant finish. Check the welds to make sure they are seamless, and look sturdy.

To clean aluminum furniture, just wipe it down with a damp cloth. If you see scuff marks, you can very gently use a bit of Soft Scrub on a soft, damp cloth, but be careful – you don’t want to scratch the finish, especially if it’s shiny. And never use abrasive cleaners on aluminum. Rinse off with your garden hose.

3. Polymer and Plastic Furniture

If easy care and maintenance are what you’re looking for, synthetics are where it’s at. Plastic patio furniture created from recycled plastics are fantastic if you live in a saltwater environment. This furniture can’t ever rust and is designed to last in difficult environments. Marine-grade polymers can also be used. They’re heavy, sturdy, and have been designed to look just like painted wood. You can leave this furniture out all year round without any ill effects, and cleaning is easy with a simple dish soap and water solution and a damp cloth. Rinse with your garden hose.

4. Real Wood Furniture

The type of wood your furniture is made of is crucial if you want to avoid things like splitting, rotting, and bugs. You want dense wood such as teak or eucalyptus, or a hardy wood such as cedar. Teak and Eucalyptus are easier to maintain because they don’t need to be sealed on a yearly basis, but cedar is naturally moisture- and bug-resistant.

Clean your wood furniture with a soft brush and a solution of water and Murphy’s Oil Soap. Hose down well and dry with shop towels.

Use a soft scrub brush dampened with water and a mild oil-based soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap. Rinse by hosing down.

5. Cushion Fabrics

Choosing new cushions is a great way to make older furniture look new again. They can also be the most pricey part of your patio set, so make sure you choose wisely!

If price is no object, look for fabric designed for outdoor use that is UV-resistant, as well as resistant to moisture, mold, and stains. And bring your cushions indoors when you’re not using them – you’ll get much more life out of your investment.

By The Property Geeks

May 27, 2017

5 Decorating Tips to Get Your Home Summer Ready

Summer is one of the best times of the year. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the mood is more fun and cheerful. And if you want to make that fun summer mood part of your everyday experience, you need to bring that summer feeling inside the home.

The changing of seasons is a perfect opportunity to switch up your decor and give your home a new, fresh feel – and summer is no different. Before summer is in full swing, you’ll want to take full stock of your decor and look for opportunities to change your style to reflect the mood of the summer.

Here are five decorating tips to get your home ready for the summer:

1. Ditch the dark

Dark, deep colors like burgundy are a great fit for the colder months, but when the temperatures start to rise, they can feel out of place in the sunny weather. When the weather starts to get warmer, ditch your darks and replace them with light, summery tones that are a better match for the season.

There’s no need to completely overhaul everything you own; they key is to bring that summer lightness into each room. If you have dark furniture, lighten them up with lighter toned pillows or a throw. Repaint darker rooms to create a lighter feel or, if you want to keep your walls the same color, use art to lighten up the space.

2. Bring life to your rooms

There’s no better time to incorporate fresh flowers and greenery into your home than in the summer. Nurseries and farmers markets are full of fresh, seasonal flowers and plants, and they’re an easy and affordable way to liven up your kitchen, backyard or any room in your home.

Put a bouquet of fresh flowers on the nightstand to add an elegant touch of summer to the bedroom. Line the path leading to your front door with seasonal potted plants to add summer-centric curb appeal. Hang a few plants in your kitchen for a refreshing ambiance while you cook your summer dishes.

3. Create a bar station

Summer is a great time for BBQs, which means you’ll likely be whipping up summer cocktails to go along with your dishes. A bar station is a great way to keep all of your summer cocktail ingredients organized and adds visual interest to a patio or dining room.

You can either buy a bar cart or re-purpose an unused table. Stock the station with alcohol bottles, mixers and garnishes (don’t forget to include options for friends or family who don’t drink!). Arrange the items in a visually appealing way and string lights across the top to add ambiance for late night cocktails.

4. Create an outdoor space

During the colder months, you were likely happy to spend the majority of your time indoors. But as the temperatures rise, you and your family will likely be tempted to get outside and spend as much time enjoying the sunshine and lovely weather as possible. But if you don’t have an outdoor space to enjoy, it can be difficult to spend as much time outside as you’d like.

Redecorate your patio and make sure there’s plenty of seating options for your family and friends. Add a few comfy chairs to your front porch so you can sit and enjoy the sunset. Landscape your property to ensure it’s primed and ready for your summer guests. The more effort and thought you put into your outside space, the better you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor time this summer.

5. Fill up your fireplace

Chances are, your fireplace isn’t going to see much action this summer. So why not use the warmer months as an opportunity to step outside of the box and use the interior of your fireplace for decor?

You can fill your fireplace with anything that adds visual interest, like flowers, pieces of decor, a sculpture or even a painting.Using your fireplace in this way adds an unexpected and sophisticated design touch that will quickly become the conversation piece of your living room.

With these five tips, your home will feel ready to take on all the summer months have in store. So get decorating and get outside to enjoy that sunshine!