Choosing Your Deck And Patio Accessories
Get the latest articles from Install-a-Veranda. Subscribe to our RSS feed.
Installing your deck or patio may seem like a big project, but it is just the first step towards creating the perfect garden space. It’s the accessories you buy to complement your finished design that make all the difference.
Patio heaters
Why restrict using your patio to the summer months? The cooler autumn evenings can still be spent enjoying the outdoors if you have a patio heater to keep things comfortable. They don’t take up much space and you can buy them in many different designs to suit the feel of your patio.
Planters and pots
Plants and flowers provide the perfect way to soften the often hard lines of a deck or patio, and they can also provide color all year round if you regularly plant varieties that will stay in flower during different seasons.
Creating Shade On A Patio
There’s nothing quite like reclining in a lounger and enjoying your patio when the weather allows it. But sometimes even the most sun loving among us need to catch some shade when it gets too hot to bear, so this needs to be kept in mind when you are designing, creating and enjoying your patio.
So it’s essential then to make sure your patio area has some shade that you can retreat to when the sun really breaks through. If you are in the process of designing your patio area it’s worthwhile seeing if you can extend it to go under the cover of a tree if you have one nearby. View your garden from all angles during a sunny day to see where the sun gets to, and where the natural shade from your house falls as the sun moves round.
Of course, patio furniture will generally come with the option of a matching umbrella that can be used to provide shade when you are sitting at your patio table, and it can be moved and tilted to protect you as much as possible. This is an instant and affordable option for all patios.
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.
Lighting Options For Your Veranda
Lighting is an important feature that people overlook when designing and decorating their veranda. Because you will need a light source when sitting on the veranda at night, why not find creative options to enhance the beauty and function of this open space?
TYPES OF LIGHTING
There are various types of outdoor lighting for you to choose from that are easy to setup. Electrical wires can be run from the inside of your home to the veranda so you can use the space during the day and at nighttime. Types of lighting available include:
Choosing The Right Size Veranda
Your new veranda should be a welcoming place that can be used to host outdoor parties, intimate gatherings, and as a place to enjoy the lovely views from your backyard. Many people decide to add a veranda to enhance the beauty of their homes and to create additional living space for entertaining and relaxing.
If you have considered adding a veranda to your home, you should consider the following:
• Types of verandas
• Space available
• Primary use of the space
• Types of furniture
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
Arranging Furniture On Your Veranda
How you arrange furniture on your veranda can help define areas that are used for relaxing, talking, and eating. Because your veranda will most likely serve several purposes, placement of furniture and decorative items is very important when you want to create a space that is comfortable and intimate.
FURNITURE SIZE
The size of your furniture should be determined by the size of the space. If you have a smaller space, you should avoid the following:
Maintaining Your Veranda
Maintaining your veranda so you can use it throughout the year for entertaining, or sitting by yourself with a good book, is very easy when you follow basic cleaning steps. Your veranda is an outdoor structure, so it is susceptible to dust, debris, and water spots mostly from rain and wind. You will need a broom, a few clean cloths, sponges, and a soap and water depending on the types of dirt you need to remove.
Because verandas are sound structures built onto your home, they remain sturdy for many years, even during heavy storms and other weather events. If there is a problem with the structure, you should contact the builder with your concerns.
CLEANING YOUR VERANDA
Common Veranda Designs
Over the years, verandas have taken on various shapes and sizes. From curved dome shaped structures to rectangular versions, a veranda can add value and dimension to your home. But choosing the right shape depends on many factors including:
• Size of your home
• How large you want the space to be
• How you plan on using the space
Once you decide on these details, you can choose the space the best suits your needs. All verandas are constructed of colorbond steel, which means the structure is durable and can be custom painted to match your home or painted in a color that contrasts your house color to add even more visual interest.
CURVED DESIGN
Painting Your Veranda
When choosing the color scheme for your veranda, you should keep in mind the overall theme you are trying to create. Are you trying to create a:
• fun place for family gatherings?
• romantic or relaxing place?
• functional space with neutral colors?
The color palate you select is important, so choose colors carefully in to create the perfect outdoor retreat.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAINT COLOR
If you are having a difficult time choosing the right paint color for your veranda, talking with a design consultant can help. The consultant will ask you questions about your home, the look you want to achieve, and the colors you like the most. With a design consultant, you can narrow down your choices and choose the color that best suits your home.