Outdoor
The Benefits Of Outdoor Living
Get the latest articles from Install-a-Veranda. Subscribe to our RSS feed.
There’s nothing quite like the outdoors for revitalising the way you feel, and you can enjoy your garden space even more than you already do if you add a patio or veranda to your property.
There is a lot to be said for enjoying more time outdoors. For starters it can relax and calm you like nothing else can, and even if you have only a small garden the addition of a patio area for seating will encourage you to use it and make the most of it. The peaceful sounds of a garden with the breeze rustling through the trees and birds calling to each other can give you an oasis of calm to enjoy at any time of the day.
But of course you can get great exercise in the outdoors as well. Simply working on your garden from time to time to get it looking just how you want it to look is a wonderful idea, giving you plenty of fresh air and exercise that will lead to a great night’s sleep at the end of a good day.
When you are thinking about how you could enjoy your garden, think about whether a house veranda might improve the versatility of your space. Some gardens get the sun all day, but in very hot weather it can make them unbearable to sit in. If this is the case in your garden, a veranda could make it much more usable because you are assured of some shade whenever you need it.
Types Of Hanging Outdoor Plants
One of the best parts of having a garden is that you can build up a wonderful array of foliage and flowers to brighten it up all the year round. From a lush green lawn, to wonderful vibrant flowerbeds and planters, there is a lot you can do to transform an otherwise lifeless garden into a stunning swathe of scenery to look at and enjoy all year round.
If you have an outdoor pergola or other structure that you want to liven up a bit, you might think that you are restricted to having a variety of pots scattered here and there, but don’t forget the power of hanging plants to soften up the whole thing as well.
Hanging baskets make a great addition to any home, and you can use them in a number of ways to create different effects. The types of plants you use make a lot of difference to the final result, so choose carefully and plan the contents of each one before you begin.
Lobelia is a good choice since it comes in several different colours and trails profusely out of anything you put it in. The small bright flowers are quite stunning and if you put more than one colour in a single basket you hardly need anything else in with it to complete the look.
Patios And Hot Tubs
If you are lucky enough to live in an area that enjoys good weather for much of the year, then you should consider decking out your garden with a patio and a hot tub.
Hot tubs are a wonderful excuse for getting out in the garden more often, and with care they can be designed to blend into their surroundings so they don’t stick out as an eyesore.
If you already have a patio then you will need to have a hot tub built to sit on top of it. Look for a suitable area to place it in; somewhere that is partially shaded by trees can be a good option, but be wary of overhanging trees since these can lead to unwanted accidents with birds!
If you don’t already have a patio then you have a superb opportunity to create something that is truly unique and built to complement the best that your garden has to offer. A patio that is designed to be enjoyed on more than one level allows for the construction of a hot tub that fits in perfectly with the design, and instead of climbing into it you will be able to step down into it instead.
If this is the situation you are in, think very carefully about the materials you want to use to build your house patio. If you like the idea of using decking then you can clad your hot tub in the same kind of wood, blending it in beautifully with its surroundings. Just be sure that you can access any of the hot tub workings that you may need to at any time.
Patio Fire Pits
The long summer evenings mean we have even more time to enjoy our outdoor spaces, and if you have your own veranda to relax on then you will find it easy to spend more and more time outside in the fresh air.
Of course this kind of area is just the beginning of how to enjoy your garden. It takes a few finishing touches to really make it desirable and more stunning to the eye. One great example of how to make the most of your patio area or veranda is by adding a fire pit to your overall design.
Fire pits are exactly what they sound like – a manmade pit in which you can build a roaring fire to keep you warm during the late summer evenings. But instead of being built on the ground they are now designed in a modern way, using materials such as stainless steel and cast iron to create a free standing structure that can be placed wherever you wish.
Styles vary considerably, ranging from ultra modern designs to more basic fire pits are more traditional in appearance. Some of them also have built in grills which allow you to use them as a simple kind of barbecue – and there is nothing quite like tasting a burger cooked over a flaming fire pit!
Protect Yourself From The Sun Using An Umbrella
While it is nice to be able to enjoy sitting out on your veranda during the height of the summer and soaking up the sun’s rays, too much sun doesn’t do any of us any good. Verandas tend to be covered by some kind of roof to a certain degree, but that doesn’t always prevent us from catching the sun when it moves round to bathe the back of the property.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure we have some extra protection, and the best way to achieve this is through using a sun umbrella to shield us from the bulk of the heat.
So what points should you bear in mind when you are looking for sun umbrellas to use on your veranda?
The first point to think about is the size of your veranda, since a small one will only be able to accommodate the smaller sizes of umbrella. When you go shopping make sure you get the measurements of the actual canopy of the umbrella when it is open, so you can then go home and check whether or not any particular ones that you like will easily fit into the space available.
Ways To Create Additional Storage On A Veranda Or Patio
At first glance you might not think there are many ways to store items on a veranda or patio. After all, it’s basically a large flat area that is perfect for using to relax on a lounger on those long hot summer days.
But there are ways to incorporate some storage ideas that won’t detract from the overall look of your garden – and they will certainly come in very handy as well.
Depending on the size of your veranda or patio, you may have room for a small summerhouse. These are far more attractive than a standard shed, but they can just as easily be used for storage. Small garden items such as garden tools and plant pots can be stored away in plastic boxes to protect them from the cold and damp, while larger items such as the lawnmower can be tucked away out of sight – perhaps covered by a tarpaulin.
The rule is to keep things below the level of the windows, so that when anyone looks inside they won’t be greeted by a haphazard mess of pots, bottles and assorted other paraphernalia. A summerhouse can also be dressed with window boxes to help soften its appearance and help it blend in with the rest of the patio or veranda area.
If you need to store smaller items and you haven’t got the room for a summerhouse, then cleverly built planters can afford a solution – as well as forming an eye-catching addition to your area. If you are handy at building (or know someone who is) try building a stepped planter which has several different areas in which to plant your flowers, each one at a different height. If these are built so they are raised off the floor, you can incorporate a small storage area in the base of each one. These are ideal for storing garden tools and plant pots in.
Hosting Parties On Your New Veranda
Hosting a party is always fun, especially when you have enough room in your home to accommodate small and large groups. With a veranda, you will be able to have indoor/outdoor parties whenever you choose.
When hosting a party, you should consider the following in order to make your party a success:
• Type of party
• Traffic flow
• Cooking and eating
• Party events
While most parties are casual events, planning menus, seating arrangements, and planning party games or events is important to ensure that all guests have a good time.
TYPE OF PARTY
While you don’t need a special occasion to host a party, most people enjoy celebrating birthdays, graduations, holidays, and other occasions with family and friends. The type of party you throw will dictate everything from food to party games. Common types of parties include:
Keeping Bugs Away
While you may enjoy sitting on your veranda or hosting parties during the summertime, bugs such as mosquitoes and flies, can ruin the party. Because verandas are open structures, it is very easy for bugs to attack. But there are ways to reduce the number of bugs that invade your veranda so that you can have a good time all summer long.
You can reduce the amount of bugs on your property by trying the following:
• Mow your lawn
• Remove all stagnant water
• Make use of bug repellent
• Buy special plants
• Use citronella candles
MOW YOUR LAWN
One of the easiest ways to keep bugs from invading your lawn is to keep it neat and trim, especially during warmer months. Bugs like to hide in areas that have a lot of brush and plant growth. Mowing your lawn can destroy nests, keep pollen seeking bugs from wasting their time on your property, and keep them from finding their way to your veranda.