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Patios and other outdoor areas offer a great
opportunity to extend living space while taking advantage of nature,
sun and fresh air. At its simplest, a patio is a paved area in your
yard. But with a little imagination and planning, it can become a
quiet nook perfect for quick retreats, a dining area with extensive
seating for family and friends, or a miniature spa with a Jacuzzi
and lounge chairs.
How to do it? You have to have a
plan and be able to stick to it. Like building and furnishing a
room, creating a patio is also a blend of function and aesthetics
that should reflect the owner’s lifestyle. The following are a few
points to consider in making the most of your space and budget.
1Like an outdoor room, a patio
has to satisfy the end users’ requirements that it should be a
comfortable and well-planned solution to identified needs. While you
can always hire a designer and a contractor to help you achieve the
patio of your dreams, it is always better if you already have an
idea of how you want the space to become. Singular or multiple uses
will have to be reflected on the feel and how the space will be
furnished.
Knowing how the patio will be
used will also determine what kind of weather-protection elements
i.e. umbrella, trellis, etc should be put in place. If you entertain
often, you would want an area that is configured to seat enough
guests and still be able to comfortably converse, mingle, and dine.
Perhaps, a rectangular outdoor dining set would be best. If the
patio is used only for occasional family lunches or for relaxing and
reading and a more relaxed feel will be more appreciated, then the
addition of outdoor cushions and pillows would do the trick.
2Familiarize yourself with the
various materials available and their suitability. Consider that
anything you put outdoor will be weathered by the elements. The
sun’s harsh rays cause colors of ordinary fabrics to fade. You may
want to check out Suniture. They offer durable outdoor and indoor
furniture products such as patio umbrellas, sun loungers, sofas,
terrace chairs and decorative chairs. It also offers gazebo design
suitable to protect bigger parties from the sun with tailor-made
protective covers. Products are made of Sunbrella fabrics that are
suitable for outdoor and indoor use. These fabrics protect against
harmful UV rays and have been awarded a “Seal of Recommendation”
by the Skin Cancer Foundation, a global organization concerned with
the cancer of the skin.
3And finally, realize that
sticking to a budget need not necessarily mean settling for paving
or furniture of lesser quality or in a finish you don’t really
like. Based on your needs, you can identify the primary things that
need to be done and pieces necessary for the space to already be
functional. Invest on these first and add the other things through
time. Opting for furniture specifically made for the outdoors should
be a non-negotiable.
For more tips or inquiries on
design, gardens, and outdoor living products, e-mail the author at karla.rey@gmail.com.
--Karla Rey
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