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By Gail Scott
Umbrella Market Place - your online store for the finest custom-crafted patio, market, commercial and beach umbrellas
Garden spaces such as patios and decks are often called by landscape designers “outdoor rooms,” especially when decks or patios are attached to, or close to, the main living spaces of houses. When you think of a patio space in the way, it makes sense that you would co-ordinate colors from your patio furniture and umbrellas with the surrounding seasonal flower colors. By doing this you can not only enhance the feeling of continuity and harmony of a space but also affect the mood and atmosphere.
Let’s get specific. A garden in New Mexico, for instance, might
have a peach colored stucco finish. In this case, a dark red fabric such
as Sunbrella® 5407 or 5403 on cushions and an umbrella would work
well with cactus and perennials like red hot poker and succulents to create
a spicy south-of-the-border feeling.
Dark blue or blue-violet umbrella and cushions using, for example Sunbrella®
5499, 5401, or 4674, would cool the space and work well with white flowering
succulents, perennials, and agave.
For a cottage or traditional look, a dark green fabric such as Outdura®
5417, a blue such as Outdura® 5434, or white such as Outdura®
5409, on an umbrella and cushions work well with purple, pink, white,
and yellow flowers. For a hotter look, combine red and yellow flowers
such and geraniums and black-eyed susans.
In deciding how to choose, think about the colors you like. Also think
about whether they are going to be seen from indoor area. Your outdoor
colors don’t have to match your indoor colors, but you want them
to complement each other.
For low maintenance, you want to consider how much care your plants are
going to need.
Many drought-tolerant sedums are used in pots and patio flowerbeds. Ornamental
grasses are also drought tolerant and add a pleasing, soft texture. By
using 40% of your patio plants in annuals and perennials and 60% in succulents,
you reduce your watering needs but still have plenty of enjoyable color
When you combine flower colors with umbrella fabric colors, you double
the effect through color echoing without having to double your plant budget
each year—and your watering and maintenance time. Color coordinating
your furniture with your flowers provides a feeling of relationship with
nature and gives a warmth and balance you can enjoy both inside and out.
NOTE: All the fabric colors mentioned above can be seen on our fabric page.
(Sunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc. Outdura®
is a registered trademark of Shuford Mills, Inc.)
Gail Scott is a landscape designer with 25 years experience. Her web site is Lotus Designs Landscaping.
Other articles:
ABOUT UMBRELLAS:
How to care for your umbrella fabric
Choosing the right umbrella base
What's up with cantilever umbrellas?
What's New in Patio Umbrellas and Canopies
OUTDOOR SPACE IDEAS:
Current trends in colors for outdoor spaces
Environmentally Sound Outdoor
Heating
Current trends in patio decorating
ABOUT PATIOS AND DECKS:
Staining and Cleaning Redwood Decks
To Seal or Not to Seal (your pavers)?
New life for your patio
Creative lighting for your patio or deck
A Water Feature For Your Patio
Cement Patio Ideas
Simple Patio Walkway Design Ideas
Building A Patio Straight From The Future
Transform Your Patio
ABOUT OUTDOOR FURNITURE:
Plastic & Resin Patio Furniture
Outdoor Furniture Set That's
Right for You
Arranging you lawn and patio furniture
Choosing the right deck/patio furniture
Magic of Wrought Iron Patio
Furniture
OTHER OUTDOOR LIVING ARTICLES:
