Selecting Backyard Furniture

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Mar 252009
 

Backyard furniture adds to the comfort and inviting atmosphere of your backyard oasis paradise. And spring is often the time you replace or add new furniture to your patios, decks or outdoor living space.  So take time and think about what furniture you will add to the backyard and the activities that make it a home and place to relax and enjoy. Patio Set
Creative Commons License photo credit: tachyondecay

Below are ideas to keep in mind while selecting your furniture and the new look it will add to your backyard.

One of the most important considerations will be price. Set a budget and shop at various stores that match your price range and decorating needs. If you shop off-season you will get a better buy on your outdoor furniture. Also, if you buy a new but discontinued line of furniture you will often get a discount.

What will be the major use of the patio and garden furniture? When selecting an outdoor table you will need to consider the size and how many chairs you may need, particularly if you entertain larger groups. If the table is only for one or two, a cozy corner table or folding table may be a perfect selection.

Patio furniture for lounging and relaxing after a stressful day emphasizes the purpose of the backyard oasis and are a wonderful addition. You will be able to choose from gliders, lounge chairs, rockers or hammocks. You can also go casual with benches or picnic tables. It’s always wise to keep the furniture light so that it can be moved around the backyard or indoors if need be.

Outdoor furniture is meant for relaxing, fun moments with family and friends. So before buying check to see if the furniture contours well with the body or do you end up with tight muscles? Make sure any wood framing doesn’t bump legs or the back of the neck.  Remember that bare metal can get too hot or too cold and some cloth materials will be rough and scratchy. This is furniture you will be spending time with so check it out thoroughly before purchasing. IMG_6308 - Copy
Creative Commons License photo credit: focusedcapture

You will also want to match the décor and style of the furniture to your home. Furniture that compliments your backyard styling theme will create a flow that will bring backyard areas together. It may even tie indoor and outdoor space together giving you outdoor space a larger feel.

You last consideration for outdoor furniture is maintenance requirements, which is also influenced by climate. Outdoor furniture needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained to help it last. You will find wood tables and chairs need to be resealed or repainted and their cushions replaced or repaired. Metal furniture may suffer from corrosion so check it yearly. Aluminum and plastic patio furniture are easy to clean and low in maintenance, the perfect choice for children and the busy family

With proper selection and care your backyard furniture will last for years and add to the fun and relaxation of the backyard oasis

Posted by Denise at 5:53 pm  Tagged with: ,

Backyard Oasis Water Activities

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Mar 202009
 

The backyard is the heart and center of activity in the summer months. The gardens are in full production, children are home from school playing and creating lifetime memories and the family can share quality time together outdoors. As the temperatures rise in many areas, the backyard oasis also becomes a place to relax and cool down. Sprinklers
Creative Commons License photo credit: rbphalen

With the higher temperatures in mind it’s time to plan backyard activities that will help keep you cool. Many of these activities will involve water. You could consider adding a pool to the backyard if you have the space and time for its upkeep. Most of your outdoor activities would center on the pool and deck or patio area. There are many different priced backyard swimming pools that might fit your needs. When I was in college the entire backyard court was filled with kiddie pools and they worked fine.

But if you can’t have a pool there are many alternatives to keep cool and have fun with water in the backyard.

Water balloon fights are very refreshing and a fun backyard activity. Balloons come in all sizes, are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. There are many relays and games that can be played in teams or with a few people. And it’s an activity for all ages and fits in well at parties, picnics and reunions.

Another water activity might include a water gun fight. It is another activity that interest all ages.  Water guns can be purchased for a reasonable price, particularly off-season or in retail stores or five and dime stores. I have also found water guns at auctions and garage sales.

Water sprinklers are a calmer more relaxing way to cool off. Water sprinklers will often spray in a number of different directions. Small children often enjoy these. These are not suited to all backyards and if you need to conserve water. I used to let my Labrador Retriever play in the sprinkler for a few minutes after he took a swim in the creek. He would loose the fish smell he had picked up form his swimming adventure.

For most water sports and games you will need access to a water hose. All water toys can then be filled outdoors and not in your kitchen where water may get spilled. And with water games and running games keep in mind that children should be watched at all times. Dog Day Afternoon
Creative Commons License photo credit: OakleyOriginals

One other way to cool off in the summer is by setting up a small water pond or water fountain. The water will cool the air nearby and make you feel cooler. Add a patio umbrella and night lights to extend your time into the evening and your backyard will be a backyard oasis paradise for all to enjoy.

Posted by Denise at 7:15 pm  Tagged with: , ,

How to Decorate your Backyard Koi Pond

 Backyard Pond  1 Response »
Mar 142009
 

Ponds add to any backyard oasis by creating a more relaxing atmosphere and a tropical feeling to your living area. The addition of Koi fish to your pond will add more color, tranquility and entertainment to the pond area. Kauai Koi Pond
Creative Commons License photo credit: Mr.Thomas

Koi fish are a more colorful domestic version of carp. Each Koi has very unique color patterns and watching their elegant movements in the water will fascinate children and adults alike. A well-designed Koi pond will turn any back yard into a backyard oasis paradise. Many Koi pond decorations include waterfalls, lights and ornamental sculptures.

How to decorate your backyard Koi Pond.

Water plants add to the gardens tropical look and benefit the fish by supplying nutrients and fresh air to the pond. They also give the Koi a place to relax and hide from the sun and predators. Water lilies and water hyacinth are good choices for you pond. You may also want to look at lotus plants. Make sure the plants are well established in you pond before adding fish that will be about two weeks time. Also you need to keep your Koi well fed with plants and vegetation from other sources so they won’t eat all the plants in their pond. Koi don’t eat salvinia (water velvet), so this plant is another option that you can add to your pond décor.

Install a waterfall or fountain as part of your backyard Koi pond. A waterfall ventilates the pond and supplies much-needed air to keep Koi and plants healthy. It will help keep algae under control with the movement of water. And a waterfall or fountain adds beauty through the water movements, light reflections and relaxing sounds of bubbling water. Water fountains add an elegance to the pond and backyard .  They also add air to the water helping to keep the pond clean and algea free.

Use stones to decorate around or in the pond. You can go for the natural look. I would chose interesting rock shapes in varying sizes. You can also select colorful vibrant stones from garden centers or a pet store.  Take time to arrange them in eye pleasing forms. This is a project your children might also enjoy helping you with. I would also try to set a few of the rock up so that the fish could hide or relax in them Kauai Koi 2
Creative Commons License photo credit: Mr.Thomas

By landscaping the area around your Koi pond you can make the pond look natural and like it’s always been a part of you backyard oasis. Add shrubs, flowers and other plants, both annual and perennial. If you have enough space in your yard you may want to add a stone path that leads to the Koi pond. This will lead the eye and people to your pond making it a focal point in your backyard oasis paradise.

Lights added around your pond will extend the time you spend in the backyard at night and add a mystical feel to the pond area. Tiki lights, hanging lanterns, tree lights and glass floats for the ponds are only a few of the selections you will have. Another lighting alternative are submersible spotlights and egg-shaped lights. Shop around for you best prices.

Most of all enjoy your pond and backyard oasis.

Posted by Denise at 7:22 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

How to Build a Backyard Patio

 backyard design  No Responses »
Mar 042009
 

The addition of a backyard patio adds another area of relaxation to your backyard and an area for family entertaining. The patio often will be the focal point of your backyard oasis and the other areas of your yard will form and direction from the patio layout. P1010548
Creative Commons License photo credit: Jeff Sandquist

There are many styles of patios to design into your backyard area. But size of the patio and the project and cost are usually the primary decisions that affect the patio you add your backyard oasis paradise. The needs of the family are also very important

The You Tube below show the thought and work that went into the patio they added to the backyard. A few of their main concerns were:

  • Determine location and size: Will it be located directly off the house, attach the house and garage area or be a separate area in the backyard?
  • take into account other buildings, garages, a greenhouse ,storage sheds and the house need to be considered in patio layout
  • landscape features:  Are their built in fire pits, a pond, gas or electric lines or trees and shrubs to consider?
  • Available shade and sunlight: Will the patio be in direct sunlight and require some shade or will the patio have a mix of both sun and shade?

 

This patio design project is about a medium difficulty project. It’s not as complicated as some but you can install a patio in an easier form. But the most important decision in putting in your patio is that is well made so that it will last for years and not need a lot of maintenance to keep it useable and looking good. Your backyard is much more realxing and enjoyable if you are not doing constant repairs.

The one area of this project that is very important is to make sure the patio is level and has good drainage. Poor drainage in the ground below will lead to sinkhole areas in your patio or the surface breaking up.

The addition of a patio to your backyard oasis will add hours of fun for the family and friends.

Posted by Denise at 11:39 am  Tagged with: , , ,
 Newer Entries
© 2012 Backyard Oasis Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha