Even though the summer of 2017 is drawing to an unwanted end, this doesn’t mean next year is too long a way away. In expectation, preparation and hopes of making the next summer as enjoyable as this one, we’ve compiled a list of five quick tips that will make any patio look stellar—and perfect for late lunches or prolonged summery dinners in the great outdoors.
- Don’t skimp on the fabrics. Cushions, canopies overhead and table cloths are a great addition to any setting, and especially to outdoor patios. Their varied textures and colors will make your outdoor space for fun and entertaining guests look spectacular, as the gentle breeze ruffles your textiles of choice.
- Work your green thumb. It almost goes without saying that any patio should have a flower pot or two, to brighten up the atmosphere and a touch of greenery to the décor. Current trends, however, indicate that next year will be all about flowerless plants, such as cacti, ferns, potted palms and aromatic herbs. We recommend planting chili peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins or citrus trees as early as the end of this summer, to catch them in full development by the time next summer comes to call.
- Coordinate your furniture choices. Patio furniture comes in a great variety of shapes and styles, yet most people opt for either woven wooden fibers, such as rattan, or their more expensive ‘cousin’, teak wood. Both materials are equally appropriate for outdoor furniture and make for exotic settings. However, the number one rule of thumb here is to always coordinate your styles and materials in terms of furniture choices. If you’ve opted for a sparse, Zen-inspired decor, stick with it. If, on the contrary, you prefer a lavish Mediterranean setting, make sure you add candles, ceramic items and all other accoutrements that this style calls for. Most importantly, never mix teak wood furniture with rattan or vice versa. The clash in styles is a definite breach of interior design rules.
- Have fun with it! If you plan on having house parties throughout the summer, why not add a play area to the space? Perhaps you can’t afford a pool, because of budget or space constraints. However, you can always buy a trampoline, a set of board games or a drinking game set that is sure to keep your adult guests entertained for hours.
- Bring your kitchen out into the open. If you can afford to do this, bring out a barbeque and set up a flat surface for cooking and food preparation purposes. It will significantly ease the tasks of cooking for guests and save you a lot of trips from the house back out into the yard.
Article is written by Rick Roux, Marketing Director in birch flooring company palmettoroadfloors.com
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