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Umbrella Market Place - your online store for patio, market, commercial and beach umbrellas
Your patio umbrella is meant for shade, but after dark bringing light
to your patio or deck can extend the usefulness of your outdoor space.
Even if you don’t have easy access to an electrical outlet, there
are many options for creative lighting.
Citronella candles come in shapes that fit into traditional
candle holder or in small galvanized containers. Their distinctive aroma
repels nearby mosquitoes and adds an aroma that many people find pleasant.
According to the EPA, the oil used has little or no toxicity.
Tiki torches are often used around the perimeter of a
patio and can usually be found in a variety of heights. The stalk of a
tiki torch is hollow and can be pushed down into the earth, however the
fuel reservoir makes the torches top heavy. In strong wind a torch could
blow over. A good way to prevent this is to use PVC that is slightly larger
than the diameter of the tiki torch so that it fits the shaft like a sleeve.
Cut the PVC into 12-inch (30 cm) lengths, one for each tiki torch. Dig
a hole where you want to place a torch, place the PVC in the ground, then
fill in the hole. Now you can drop your tiki torch into the PVC sleeve
already buried in the ground. If the torch drops too low, fill the PVC
sleeve with dirt to the desired level.
Kerosene lamps, the sedate cousin of tiki torches, can be used
with some of the greater variety of scented lamp oils to create a pleasant
ambience. You can save money by using regular kerosene and adding a few
drops of essential oils to each lampfull.
Battery operated hanging lanterns can be found in camping
stores or in the camping department of discount stores.
Don’t overlook the simple things, such as paper bags or
glass jars filled with sand or dirt that support small candles.
It’s a low-budget choice, but can provide pleasant light.
Outdoor solar lights have come a long way in recent years.
They are much less expensive than low-voltage electrical lights, easier
to install, and cheaper to operate. The US. Dept of Energy tells us, “Some
solar lighting systems have the lights separate from a solar cell panel.
Only the panel needs to be placed in a sunny location. Units vary in size
from small eight-inch, red-glowing pathway markers to pole-mounted patio
and high-beam security lights.
Before
you buy an outdoor solar lighting system, check with the manufacturer
to see if replacement bulbs or batteries are available. Some units do
not provide replacement options."
If you have electricity available, you might consider the warm and festive
look of Christmas lights hung across railings or overhangs or strung along
the perimeter of your deck or patio. Using pure white light bulbs is a
way to keep from looking like you’ve forgotten to take down last
year’s decorations
See
our new solar-powered lighted Market Umbrella!
Perfect for enjoying your deck after dark!
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Choosing the right umbrella base
What's up with cantilever umbrellas?
What's New in Patio Umbrellas and Canopies
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Current trends in colors for outdoor spaces
Environmentally Sound Outdoor
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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
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Building A Patio Straight From The Future
ABOUT OUTDOOR FURNITURE:
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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
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Online retailer of outdoor lighting products such as lanterns, garden lights, floor and table lamps and torches for patio and porch.