When it comes time to upgrade your outdoor area the first thing you probably think of is patios or other coverings. An outdoor area is best utilised in good weather but if you have covering then you can use it all year round without worry. While you will still want an uncovered area outside to enjoy the sunshine it is also important to be able to relax outdoors if it is extremely hot or raining.

So what kind of outdoor covering can you use in your backyard or courtyard?

• Pergolas – Wooden structure providing good, basic cover.
• Patios – Like a pergola except built with a steel frame providing a longer life.
• Sunroof – These are becoming an increasingly popular way to let the sun shine in or protect against the rain.
• Verandas – Traditional verandas are quite simple and an Australian way of life especially in summer.
• Retractable Awnings – A cheaper alternative to a sunroof, an awning will allow you to retract it when you are not using it.

When looking at what kind of outdoor cover you want to build, you have to consider your situation. A lot of the choice will depend on the size you have to work with. The larger the backyard the more options you will have. We look at the options and when they might be suitable for your budget and backyard size.

Patios and Pergolas

A patio is a great starter option for when you want permanent cover for your outdoor area. You should build with treated wood supports. They can also look a lot better with certain styles of housing. On the other hand you can get a pergola that will be stronger and more durable as it is built with steel. The wood frame can be ‘stained’ or even painted a colour to match your house.

As for the actual cover you can usually choose between stopping all the light for a cooler area or having transparent sheets put in to let a bit of light shine through. A lot of people opt for a mix between these two options so that it does not get too hot in summer but there is enough light getting through in winter.

Verandas

Australians love their verandas and it was a main feature of older homes with some having one around the entire house. The advantages of having a veranda is that it will keep the house cooler in summer by providing more shade around the windows. You could think of them as really big eaves that you can also enjoy a drink under.

A veranda is more of a direct extension of your house, often with multiple doors (including entrance way) leading to it. Verandas do have the downside of not letting in as much light as some other options. It is also, at times a permanent structure attached to your home.

Awnings and Sunroofs

An awning is usually a sealed cloth material that can be permanently fixed or retractable. This can be a simple less intrusive way of covering up your outdoor area when you need it. You can also retract it when the weather is favourable.

Sunroof outdoor areas are absolutely amazing as you can adjust louvres depending on how much of the weather you want to let in. This is usually done with a remote and it allows you to let as much (or as little) light in as you like. This is great for those time when you are entertaining and the weather turns unexpectedly bad.

We all love a good party and if you have installed a new pergola then you probably want to show it off! But to truly take advantage of that new outdoor living space you will want to have everything set up first and figure out what type of party you want to have. It also pays to take a look at the weather so you can plan for any eventuality.

If you have a big back yard then you can accommodate a lot more people than if you only have a small outdoor area and a patio. Either way you will need the right equipment which will usually mean a barbecue as well as table and chairs for everyone to mingle. Also, don’t forget something to keep the drinks cold!

Best BBQs Money Can Buy

Having a big barbecue is not always best even though it is a lot more fun to play with. The guys love a barbecue and this can probably be put down to some genetic thing that makes men want to ‘tend the fire’. Choose a BBQ that suits both your budget and space as well as the amount of people you intend on entertaining.

Gas is usually the best option as other BBQs can be hard to light and maintain. Be sure to check your gas bottle before the party and this can either be done by applying a meter in sticker form or simply pour some cold water on it (this will give you a rough indication). You do not want to run out of gas when the snags and steaks are only half way done cooking!

Undercover Entertaining Areas

While you may pray for good weather for your party be sure to plan ahead as an undercover area can save you a nightmare clean up if a storm rushes through. It also means that you can more easily entertain in the cold as heaters can be employed to make your guests more comfortable. Likewise in summer you can have a fan installed or (if your fancy!) air conditioning for your outdoor area.

A Place to Play

If you have kids or your guests have children you will want to have somewhere they can play safely. Grass areas are best as it will soften any knees that come into contact with it more favourably than concrete. Have a little separate area away from the main entertaining area so the adults can take a break from the little ones but still keep an eye on them.

If you can, have some play equipment around or, if it is a special occasion, hire a jumping castle to keep the children well and truly occupied. Just be careful none of the ‘big kids’ jump on it after having a few celbratory drinks!

Drinks Are Served

Having nice cold drinks are one thing but having a whole cocktail or mocktail bar is another thing! Minibar fridges are perfect for outdoor entertaining but if you don’t have one of these then an Esky will do the job just fine. The indoor fridge may seem fine but if you don’t want people to have to trudge through the house just to pour a cold glass of wine.

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.

Outdoor living in this sense is also more sociable. If you have a nice garden with a cosy patio area you are much more likely to invite people round to have a small barbecue or a drinks party. You may be looking at your garden now and thinking that you could never get it looking nice enough to become the ideal outdoor space, but with some thought and time you can discover how best to use whatever space you have to make it inviting and relaxing – in short, a real haven right outside your back door.

If you have a stressful daily routine then making the time to add a patio or a veranda to your property would really give you somewhere to relax at the end of every day. You might think you couldn’t do it in winter, but with the addition of a patio heater or perhaps a fire pit you could still enjoy some fresh air and wind down time on the majority of days. With a nice covered veranda you would still be able to smell the cool fresh aroma of the rain as it comes down – without getting wet in the process!

As you can see there are plenty of benefits to incorporating some outdoor living into your life, and no matter how large or small your own outdoor space is, there are plenty of things you can do with it to make it look and feel sensational every day of the year.

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.

You may not think that geraniums are a good choice for a hanging basket but if you plant them in the centre of the arrangement they grow upwards and provide size and form as well as gorgeous colour. Vireya rhododendrons are another fine choice if you can keep them well watered, as they are a tropical plant.

If you want to bulk out the basket with some greenery hanging down for good effect, then don’t dismiss the staple varieties of ivy that are available. These make a wonderful choice if you want to have that long trailing effect that looks so good in any kind or size of basket.

As a general rule pick plants that will either remain fairly small in size, or are known for their ability to grow over the sides of their containers. The secret to keeping them looking good at all times is to water them well. During hot weather you should water your baskets in the morning, before the sun has a chance to get really hot, and also in the evening once the baskets are out of direct sunlight. If you miss even a day doing this you will notice the difference.

It is also important to select plants that are native to and lovers of the particular climate in your local area. What may flourish in one garden could wilt and die in another, so make your choices carefully and ask for advice at your local garden center if you can.

With practice you will soon be designing stunning hanging baskets for your veranda that everyone will stop to admire. And you’ll get months of enjoyment out of them too.

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.

If you want to build a brick patio then you can build a partial brick surround to sink the hot tub into as well. If you find you still need to get to the workings of the hot tub, you can try building a wooden panel to cover that side, and making a number of wooden planters to put nearby as well, to help blend the whole thing in together.

Knowing where to situate your hot tub in relation to the rest of your patio can be a tricky decision. You may be happy for it to be tucked away in a corner, but alternatively you might want to have it out in the open, where you could step down into it from all sides. A lot depends on how big a patio you can have, and whether there are any other structures nearby (such as drain access for example) which cannot be moved and therefore have an impact on your final decision.

One thing is clear however. A hot tub makes a wonderful addition to any garden, and it can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night. If you are brave enough you might even make use of it during the colder months of the year!

But whenever you use it, if you take your time over the design and planning stage, you will be assured of a wonderful addition to your garden that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

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!

A fire pit will make your outdoor patio even more user friendly than it is at the moment. They give off a lot of heat, enabling you to stay outdoors far longer into the evening than you may be able to do otherwise. You might also want to light it during the day if it is a bit chilly and you still want to sit outside for a while.

Many fire pits have mesh covers that sit over the top, but even those that do still get very hot while in use (and for some time after the flames are put out). This means you need to be particularly careful if there are any children playing nearby. It can be a good idea to situate the fire pit well away from any play area, or anywhere too close to a doorway or step where an accident is more likely to occur.

Fire pits are very safe provided they are located in the right place and used properly, but it is always advisable to follow a few simple rules to ensure that nothing untoward occurs. For example make sure you don’t place it too close to any other structure, otherwise there is a risk of scorching and burning. Another point to bear in mind is that while the wood inside the pit is burning, none of it should be hanging over the edge of the pit itself. It should all be sitting safely inside it.

One final point is to make sure your plants are safe. It’s easy to forget the presence of hanging baskets containing flowers that trail down outside of them. Even if they don’t actually burn, many flowers don’t enjoy extreme heat like this and you may end up losing some of them if the fire pit is too close by.

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.

Remember that as the sun moves round you will want to be able to move your umbrella as well, so while it should always be weighted in the base to prevent a sharp breeze from being able to blow it over, it should also be fairly easy to pick up and move.

Make sure you look out for an umbrella that has a polyurethane coating as well, which all the best ones should have. This will prevent any rain from coming through, and it also offers some protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. This is why it’s worth spending a little more to get a garden umbrella which is of better quality, as it will last longer as well as offering a far superior performance to any cheaper models.

It’s still important to make sure we use sun block to protect our skin though, and especially that of children and babies, because as the sun moves around we can still get caught out and start to burn before we realize there is a problem.

When choosing your umbrella it’s worth taking some time to look around at the various models and designs which are available. A dark green color will always look good in any garden, but you might want something a little more flamboyant to really make a splash with.

You will also need to choose from a free standing umbrella or one that fits into the middle of a table. If you go for the latter option you can often get good deals on combinations which come with the table, chairs and parasol all in one. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

In short a garden umbrella is an integral and necessary part of any veranda. As such you should make sure you buy the best there is.

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.

Garden benches can also hide extra storage space if you build them yourself. A sturdy wooden bench which has a seat that lifts up to reveal a space within can be a real boon in a garden which has little room for a shed or other large place for storing garden items in.

These are just a few ideas for creating clever storage areas when you might think there is no room for any. The key to your success is to consider every space you have, and how it could be used for more than one purpose.

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:

• Birthday parties
• Holiday parties
• Engagement parties
• Wedding parties
• Casual gatherings

Depending on the weather, you can use your veranda as a gathering place for drinks and snacks, or your veranda can be the place where you serve the main courses.

TRAFFIC FLOW

When throwing a party, especially one that takes place on your veranda, you need to consider the traffic flow of your guests. If you have a large veranda with plenty of seating for everyone, you should create separate areas for drinks and food. By designating areas, you will be able to control the amount of people that are in each area so they don’t become overcrowded.

If your veranda is small, but you want to still use it when hosting a small party, keeping food and drink inside is a good idea. Guests can come and go without feeling crowded.

When hosting a party, it is important to create an open space where guests will feel comfortable. Creating separate areas is one way to accomplish this.

COOKING AND EATING

Where you cook and eat the meal will also depend on the size of your veranda and the types of food you are preparing. You can cook food inside and carry it out to guests or you can barbeque and let guests eat when they choose.

The type of party you throw will also dictate how guests are served and where they will eat. You can eat indoors and use the veranda when serving drinks or dessert.

PARTY EVENTS

You may want to play party games, watch sports, or have an open party where guests talk to each other all evening. You can make use of your veranda in each of these situations depending on the type of party you are throwing.

You should have a few party games on hand in case the party is not as much fun as it could be. This will help guests relax and get to know each other.

The only rule to follow when throwing a party is to create an atmosphere where guests are having a good time. A veranda can enhance the party experience by creating an additional space that is special, romantic, and inviting.

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.

REMOVE ALL STAGNANT WATER

Mosquitoes and other bugs thrive in moist environments. If you have buckets of water, your gutters are overflowing, or you have poor drainage problems, then you may see an increase in bug activity. Removing these water sources will help reduce the amount of bugs on your property.

If you have serious drainage issues, you may need to call a landscape company to dig new drainage systems.

MAKE USE OF BUG REPELLENT

If you are still experience problems with bugs when sitting on your veranda, you should spray around the area with a bug repellent. This can keep bugs away from the veranda and allow you to have a pleasant afternoon or evening.

Bug repellent is a temporary remedy for bugs. You will need to use it each time you want to enjoy the outdoors. You should also spray yourself with bug repellent made for the human use. This can also help reduce the amount of bugs you encounter.

BUY SPECIAL PLANTS

Certain types of plants such as marigolds and herbs such as rosemary can help keep mosquitoes away. Other types of plants can help keep bees, flies, ants, and other insects away as well. Visit your local nursery to find out more information.

USE CITRONELLA CANDLES

Burning citronella candles or buying a bug zapper are other ways to reduce your exposure to bugs when sitting on your veranda. While the smell can be overwhelming, these candles can help keep mosquitoes away for hours.

Unfortunately, when you want to enjoy nature when sitting on your veranda, you will be exposed to everything nature has to offer. Make the most of the situation by trying the above remedies and choosing days when bugs aren’t as bothersome.