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Garden Supplies & Accessories
Sells garden supplies and accessories, including planters, sheds and garden tools, as well as outdoor and patio lighting and greenhouses.
 
   


Not too long ago, a patio was just a functional portion of a lawn or outdoor space. A deck was simply an uncovered porch. Today both are quickly becoming extensions of our indoor living space—almost another room with its own need for décor, heating, and cooling.

A patio umbrella can be the centerpiece of your outdoor look. Consider using an umbrella to stand alone, not just set in an outdoor table. Color is an individual choice, but trends today are for colors that complement rather than match other nearby colors including awnings, window trim, exterior finishing, or the color of the deck or patio themselves. For more information, read our article on current trends in color for outdoor spaces.

New technology offers options for painting or staining concrete, something to consider if you have a concrete patio. Recently designers have gone creative with patterns or designs painted right on to patio floor surfaces. If your taste is more traditional, consider the use of brick over concrete. If you’re somewhere in between, visit your local hardware or home improvement center and check out choices in concrete pavers.

For your deck, choosing a paint or stain can be a daunting experience. Of course, matching the color of your home’s exterior is best done with an opaque paint, and the deck material will be slightly different than even a wood exterior house. Experts recommend choosing the longest lasting paint or stain, even if it costs more initially. In the long run it will save money and time.

Potted plants are a natural choice for decorating outdoor spaces. So are flowering shrubs planted around a deck or patio. Landscape designers suggest using plants with “echo” colors, that is, colors that mimic existing color features. For example if you use a patio umbrella that’s red or orange,look for other similarly-colored flowers such as tropical hibiscus, geraniums, or red salvia for areas with afternoon sun.
Shaded patios might try large lacewing begonias or impatiens.

Reds and oranges work well with blues and purples which also add a softening, cooling effect.

Natural colored umbrellas such as white, beige and green, work well with about any flower color. Experts advise, “If flowers don’t harmonize in the cart at the garden center, they won’t work well together on your patio.”

The past several years have seen a dramatic increase in the popularity and availability of different kinds of outdoor accessories. Many of these can be found online or in your local gardening center. If you don’t have the good fortune to live near a gurgling stream, a small water fountain can be a good substitute. From a simple ceramic bowl with stones to a lighted, multi-level water miniature waterfall, there are water accessories to fit most any budget. Note: Many kinds are not meant to withstand weather and must be brought inside or covered.

Another often overlooked accessory is a set of wind chimes. Wooden chimes have a warm tone and make a nice complement to a wood deck or a wood umbrella.

In addition to you umbrella or umbrella table suite, a glider or a pair of Adirondack chairs can turn a sparse patio space into a beautiful room that’s sure to get plenty of use.

Other articles:

ABOUT UMBRELLAS:

How much shade do you need?

How to care for your umbrella fabric

Choosing the right umbrella base

What's up with cantilever umbrellas?

Umbrellas for Private Use

What's New in Patio Umbrellas and Canopies

OUTDOOR SPACE IDEAS:

Coordinate your Patio/deck Colors with Nature

Current trends in colors for outdoor spaces

Environmentally Sound Outdoor Heating

Gas Patio Heaters

Raising YourComfort Level

Current trends in patio decorating

Decorating With Themes

ABOUT PATIOS AND DECKS:

Metal Deck Railings

Deck Safety: Quick Tips

Staining and Cleaning Redwood Decks

Three Concrete Patio Ideas

To Seal or Not to Seal (your pavers)?

Deck Landscaping Lessons

Simple patio ideas

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

Five Patio Ideas

ABOUT OUTDOOR FURNITURE:

Teak Patio 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

Updating your patio furniture

Discount Patio Furniture

Magic of Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

OTHER OUTDOOR LIVING ARTICLES:

How the Sun Causes Aging

Bugs off! Keep your patio to yourself

Sunbrella® Bench Cushions

 
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