We all love our outdoor living spaces, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could enjoy that feeling and look of nature all year long? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could live that way, rain or shine, whether we were in the mood to go outside or not?

You can. With a few helpful tips, you can actually bring the look and feel of your outdoor living space inside your home, for a one-of-a-kind decor that blurs the line between the two spaces.

Bringing the Outdoors in

• Entryways- Consider an area of your home that meets the outside. It could be an entryway, a sunroom, a patio, or a room that simply has a fantastic view of your outdoor area. Now, go outside and bring an item from the outdoors into that entry space. It could be a piece of outdoor wicker furniture, a plant, or even an area rug. Place it in the room, and see how easily this simple step creates an indoor-outdoor effect.
• Outdoor Fabrics- Outdoor fabrics are fantastic for patios, decks, and porches because they are resistant to sun and weather. These fabrics are by no means boring; they are available in a variety of colours, styles, and patterns. If you want to bring the outdoors in, don’t reserve these fabrics for outdoor spaces; use them inside too. By using the same kinds of fabrics, the same colours and similar patterns, the outdoor look will flow into the home.
• Window Boxes- One of the best qualities about window boxes is their ability to draw the eye. Place them right outside your windows so the eye is drawn immediately to the outside when you step into the room.
• Plants- What says ‘outdoors’ more than a plant? Inject a bit of Mother Nature into the space with some beautiful plants.
• Decor- Let nature tell you how to decorate. Decorate with river stones, driftwood, and other natural elements that will ensure the space feels relaxing and serene.
• Floors- When outdoors, what type of flooring do you use for outdoor rooms? You most likely use natural elements like wood and stone. Carry this idea into the home for rich, natural flooring.
• Ceilings- While nature is full of colours, there are a few that we consider to be the most natural. Consider painting the ceilings of the indoor space a natural hue, like robin’s egg blue, leafy green, or sunny yellow to mimic the natural colours of your outdoor space.
• Outdoor Seating- When choosing furniture for the living space, avoid materials that feel man-made or unnatural. Instead, bring in the wicker outdoor seating you currently use outside. These materials add earthy textures and ambience to the room. Choose a variety of outdoor wicker furniture pieces to make the space feel complete.
• Natural Light- What is the one thing every outdoor room has? Light. There are no walls or ceilings blocking it from settling on every part of the outdoor space. Don’t block out the natural light in the indoor room if you want to create this same type of atmosphere. Open the windows, use light outdoor fabrics when necessary over the windows, and wash the outdoors pour into the living area.
• Open the Windows- Opening the windows not only allows for natural light, as discussed above, but it also lets in fresh air and a fantastic view of the outdoors.

Want to bring the outside inside your home? Using these tips you can create an indoor space that feels just as comfortable, relaxing, and natural as your outdoor one.

When you are on the hunt for a new home, what qualities do you look for in the ultimate space? Does the home need a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Do you look for a modern or contemporary décor throughout? Do you want a kitchen that is breathtakingly beautiful, with real wood cabinets and spacious granite worktops? Do you want a backyard your children will be able to play in? If you are like most home buyers, these qualities make the top of your list. There are other want you have might have, but they certainly don’t make the cut when it comes to the “must haves.”

Unfortunately, most home buyers don’t even give the outdoor space a second thought if they believe it will be large enough for a child’s swing set or a pool. Most often this is because they don’t realise just how important and beneficial a simple patio can be when it comes to outdoor living.

The Benefits of a Patio

• A Place to Relax- Have you ever heard the expression, “I never knew I needed it until I had it”? This is the reaction most homeowners have when they go from owning a home with no outdoor living area to one that has a patio. The space quickly becomes their favourite spot on the property to sit back on their wicker furniture and relax. They use it to enjoy a good book, sip a cup of coffee, or simply relish the peace and quiet of nature. This area is a fantastic space to unwind in at the end of a busy day.
• Entertainment- Love inviting friends over? While the inside of your home may be excellent for entertaining, having a patio means fewer cleanups and more space to have a little fun. Patios are perfect for dinner parties, birthdays, and those summer barbecues. This space not only allows you to keep the mess outside, but gives you a space where you can really enjoy your company.
• Decorating- Love to decorate? A patio provides you with a new, fun project every single season. Here you can add and remove outdoor furniture, infuse colour using fabrics, wicker furniture, and cushions, install fire pits, and set up the space the way you want it for the ultimate in relaxation. The possibilities are literally endless; you are only bound by your own sense of style and imagination.
• Value- A home with an outdoor living space generally costs a bit more, and for good reason. Patios and outdoor spaces add to the value of your home. Even if the home you purchase does not have a patio, building one yourself is an excellent idea, especially if you plan on selling the home in the future and want to receive as much as possible for it.
• Expansion- Buying a smaller home? Many times, individuals have to settle for buying a smaller home than they want, simply because of the cost or availability of homes in their area. An outdoor patio allows them to expand their living space to the outdoors, where they can sit on outdoor furniture and do almost anything they could do inside.

Are you in the process of purchasing a new home? Make sure your new space comes with plenty of outdoor living area. The right patio can be extremely beneficial; it can add value, expand living space, and be the perfect place to entertain.

For many, an outdoor room doesn’t necessarily have to be outdoors. Sometimes, a room dedicated to letting in fresh air and one that is filled with natural and beautiful elements is all one needs to feel close to nature. For some, that room is the conservatory.

This room has the feel of an outdoor area, without actually being outdoors. It offers the perks of outdoor living, while providing the benefits of indoor fun.

Thinking of transforming your conservatory into a space you can really enjoy? Here are just a few tips to get you started.

Creating a Fun and Functional Conservatory

• Choose a Natural Colour Palette- Bringing the outdoors in is easy with the right colours. Go for shades of green, duck egg, and soft teal that will easily blend in and compliment the outdoor tones of the nearby garden area you can see through the windows. Rely heavily on natural elements, like sisal mats, wooden shelves, and woven rugs.
• Outdoor Seating- Although outdoor seating may be most often used outdoors, that doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be used inside the home, especially in areas like the conservatory. For the best in outdoor seating, always choose wicker furniture. It is durable and easy to clean, making it the perfect option for any space. Wicker furniture also increases the feeling of being outdoors, even when weather doesn’t permit you to actually be outside.
• Add a Personal Touch- Personal touches are the key to making any room feel like it is your own. Without them, the room ends up feeling bland and uninviting. Add a personal touch or two to your conservatory by displaying personal treasures, memory boxes, or pictures.
• Entertainment- One of the best parts of having your outdoor space indoors is the ability to have any type of entertainment you want without having to purchase systems specifically designed for outdoor use. Bring in the television, audio system, or other type of entertainment system so you can enjoy more time in the space.
• Plant it- While a conservatory does make one feel as if they are outdoors, why not take things a step further? Bring the outdoors in, literally, with the addition of some favourite potted plants. The right plants can not only add to the decor of the space and enhance the natural feel and colour, but can also improve the air quality of the room. Make sure to be careful when choosing and arranging potting containers, however. Select different shapes, sizes, and style of pots for your plants so they room looks more like a conservatory and less like a garden shed.
• Open the Windows- While you could easily shut yourself off from the outside world and still enjoy the beautiful of nature in the conservatory, why would you? Open the windows so you can breathe in the fresh air, hear the birds sing, and capture the scent of lavender from the garden.

Want an outdoor room indoors? A conservatory is the perfect solution. With wicker furniture, plants, and a natural colour scheme, you can create a beautiful outdoor room without leaving the house.

When it comes to your outdoor space, you consider yourself an expert. You’ve designed several outdoor rooms that even your family is jealous of, decorating with beautiful outdoor wicker furniture, colourful fabric, and soft, durable rugs beneath your outdoor dining table. Everyone loves coming to your home for a good meal and a relaxing night spent staring at the stars as you relax on your outdoor wicker furniture.

There is one thing missing from your outside rooms, however: plants. Try as you might, you simply can’t keep the smallest plant alive.

While you may have been born without a green thumb, all is not lost. There are some easy-to-care-for plants you can grow in your garden and in containers on your back porch. These plants require little attention to flourish, and are perfect for the inexperienced gardener.

Easy to Grow Plants

• Hosta- Want a plant that really stands out in the garden? Try a Hosta. This plant is easy to grow almost anywhere. They don’t require much sunlight and can tolerate a lot of shade. They have bold, grey-green leaves that are often striped with gold or white. Their stems are tall as well, adding interest to the garden. During spring, they need a bit of organic fertiliser, but after that, they will grow without very little care at all.
• Birds of Paradise- While the name of this plant may be a bit extravagant, the beautiful orange and blue flowers it produces will capture your attention as you sit on your outdoor wicker furniture and will make a stunning addition to the garden. They simply need to be watered weekly and fertilised once a month.
• Geraniums- Want a beautiful potted plant to add interest and decor to your outdoor dining table? Choose geraniums. These flowers come in a variety of colours, have a long flowering season and spread rapidly. They are easy to care for and resistant to slugs as well.
• Primrose- These flowers can only be described with one word: adorable. Plant them in containers or pots and sit them on the edge of the deck, on an outdoor dining table, or inside the home on a windowsill. They will thrive in full sun or partial shade and grow in almost any type of soil.
• Aloe- Aloe is more than just the main ingredient in your sunburn crème; it is also a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant. It can be grow indoors and out, as long as plenty of sun is available. It grows best in well-drained soil and requires very little water. So, if you happen to forget to water it, don’t worry; the less water it receives, the more it is able to thrive.
• Lavender- This delicate and magnificent flower grows best in sunny, warm environments and doesn’t require much water to survive. It is the perfect flower to brighten a deck, patio, or garden and add a vibrant purple shade to the space.

Tired of killing every plant you try to grow? If you want to be able to decorate your outdoor space and enjoy nature while sitting on your outdoor wicker furniture, use these easy-growing plants.

It’s May, and more and more homeowners are stepping outside, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying their outdoor space. Some are relaxing on their outdoor furniture, some are inviting friends over for a steak on the grill, and others are tending the beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables in their garden.

As you begin to spend more time outdoors this spring, there are some steps you will need to take to make sure your garden is as enjoyable and relaxing as it should be.

May Outdoor Tasks

• Pests- Keep an eye on the plants in your garden and those decorating your outdoor rooms. Look for diseases and pests that can damage them and take care of them quickly. Mites and whitefly can often be found on stems and under leaves, while aphids are found under leaves and on buds. Some insects may be discouraged with a spray of the hose, while larger colonies might require insecticide. If you’re going for an all-natural garden, introduce natural predators instead, like ladybirds and nematodes.
• Update the Pots- When decorating a deck, patio, or porch, containers allow you to bring the garden into the outdoor room, making it much easier to sit and relax on wicker furniture while enjoying the beauty of nature. Some plants, even those in your garden, can also benefit from the use of pots and containers; for instance, rhizomes and bamboo grow more quickly and are much healthier when planted in pots because they like their roots to be constrained. As you are decorating and planting this spring, take the opportunity to update the look of the outdoor space with some new pots and containers.
• Mow- Yes, it’s that time of year again. If you aren’t thinking of letting the lawn grow wild, it’s time to get the mower out and begin cutting the grass. Take care to mow when the lawn is wet, however, for the best cut and to avoid ruining the lawn mower blades. Collect the cut grass to add to any compost pile you might have started for the garden; just make sure to avoid collecting any cuttings right after an insecticide has been used on the lawn.
• Update Outdoor Furniture- Want to spend more time in your garden? Create a space where you can truly relax with the help of the right outdoor furniture. Avoid plastic, wood, or even metal, however; these materials aren’t well suited for the outdoor environment. Instead, choose wicker furniture. Create a space to call your own with a sectional, chaise lounge, or outdoor dining table.
• Acclimate Young Plants- At the beginning of spring, you began planting seeds in pots inside the house. Now that the threat of frost has nearly gone, it is time to begin acclimating the young plants to the garden. Don’t simply take them from the house to the garden however; give them time to adjust by taking them out into the open air during the day and bringing them in at night.

Are you ready for May? It’s here, and there’s plenty to do in the garden. Roll your sleeves up and enjoy your time outdoors.

Spring has officially arrived, and with summer just around the corner, temperatures are heating up. Now is the perfect time to enjoy your outdoor space. It’s time to get out of the house, relax on your beautiful wicker furniture, cook a delicious meal on the grill, and tend to the garden.

With the sun bearing down, though, sometimes it might feel easier to avoid the sun altogether and stay inside. If the heat of the sun is beginning to bother you, don’t run indoors. Instead, consider one of the many shade solutions below to stay cool while enjoying the fresh air.

Shade Options for Your Outdoor Room

1. Oversized Patio Umbrellas- Love sitting outside on the patio, but don’t have the money in your budget to cover it permanently? Use the deck supports to attach an oversized patio umbrella over the space. Decorate it with light hanging plants to add a touch of nature and make it feel like a natural part of the outdoor area.
2. Pergolas- Pergolas are excellent solutions for shade in an outdoor space. Cover them with climbing plants or simply paint them to match the cushions on your outdoor furniture.
3. Glass-Block Trellis- Want to add shade while adding privacy to your outdoor space at the time? A trellis that is punctuated by glass blocks is the perfect solution. The textured glass will create a barrier from prying eyes, while changing the movement of the sun at the same time to increase the amount of shade.
4. Screened Gazebo- Gazebo’s can be an excellent solution for providing shade and comfort. These outdoor rooms also make it possible for you to enjoy your outdoor furniture at any time of the year because it provides added warmth, protection against the elements, and wards off bugs.
5. Structural Shade- If you need additional shade, consider utilising pre-existing areas around your home. Setting up your wicker furniture under a deck overhang or beneath a covered walkway between the home and garage provides a quick and easy solution.
6. Outdoor Canopy- When looking for shade, it is important to understand that the entire outdoor room doesn’t need to be shaded. You may simply want shade specifically over a dining table or piece of wicker furniture. An easy way to achieve this is by using a canvas canopy. This type of shade solution can easily be attached to a deck or to the side of a house and will protect against both sun and rain. It can also be easily removed when it isn’t needed.
7. Natural- Sometimes finding shade in your backyard doesn’t cost a thing. If you want an easy, inexpensive way to shade your wicker furniture, set up the outdoor space under a few trees. The leaves and limbs from the trees will filter out much of the sun, providing you with a cool, comfortable area to relax and enjoy your outdoor furniture.

Looking for a bit of shade as the weather grows warmer? These shade solutions can help protect you from the sun and make your time outside more enjoyable.

Over the past months, we’ve discussed many different ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Whether you’re interested in creating a beautiful new look or you simply want to up the value of and interest in the home before it is placed on the market, boosting the curb appeal is a quick, easy, and effective solution.

One of the best ways to boost curb appeal is through the use of colour. A little bit of colour can go a long way in giving your home a new and exciting look.

How to Use Colour Outside the Home

1. Use a Paintbrush- One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to add colour to the exterior of a home is through painting. Make sure to consider the architectural style of the home while choosing a colour scheme. Victorian homes can look fantastic when with colour schemes consisting of four or five colours, but Colonial homes look best with only two or three.
2. Siding- While siding used to be available only in neutral colours, times have changed. Today’s products can be found in a variety of colour choices, making your exterior decorating ideas almost endless.
3. Cladding- While a wood window frame can add to the beauty of a home’s interior, outdoors it can be difficult to work with. On the exterior of a home, it is exposed to the elements, which can result in a fading look and even rot. Cover it with colourful aluminium cladding to add colour and create low-maintenance window frames.
4. Coordinate Lighting and Hardware- When it comes to the accent elements on the exterior of a home, like door knockers, house numbers, porch lights, and mailboxes, make an effort to coordinate colours. This creates a uniform and sophisticated look.
5. Doors- A welcoming entrance doesn’t have to be dull. Add a splash of bold colour to your front door using acrylic latex paint. For even more colour, use decorative glass inserts that compliment the house’s style and other exterior colours.
6. Shutters- Whether they are simply for decorative purposes or serve a functional use, shutters are accents that can add colour to any home, while creating a unique and historic look.
7. Stone- Want to add some natural colour? Create a patio or porch that is made out of real stone. Its natural colours will enhance the style of the home, add interest, and show off your outdoor seating.
8. Stain Concrete- Curb appeal doesn’t just apply to the front door. It extends all the way to the curb! If your home has a concrete patio, driveway, or sidewalk, consider staining it. Stains can turn these surfaces into stunning and beautiful works of art that can resemble leather, wood, or stone. Make sure to remove any outdoor furniture prior to staining, however, to avoid ruining your outdoor seating.
9. Update the Garage- The garage is often a forgotten aspect of curb appeal, but it matters too. Update the garage by painting the garage door, adding siding, using shutters around the windows, or adding colour with a new roof. Make sure the colours and accents you choose work well with options you choose for the home’s exterior.
10. Outdoor Seating- Outdoor furniture itself can be a fantastic and colourful addition to any front porch or outdoor area, and can make adding even more colour easy. Choose cushions, throw pillows, outdoor fabric, and outdoor blankets to add to your outdoor seating that match or compliment the exterior colours of your home to add interest, beauty, and curb appeal.

Curb appeal is an essential part of maintaining a beautiful home. Make sure you are doing it right, especially when adding colour to the exterior of your house.

Across the sea, thousands of kilometres away, on an avenue in Berkeley, California, something amazing is happening. Along this busy street filled with quaint bungalows, a revolution has occurred, of the horticultural kind. Here, space and property lines aren’t mitigated by tall fences or hedges, and the conventional lawn is almost nowhere to be found. Instead, the energy is inclusive, and, from the homes to the street, a gigantic community garden has been forming for over a decade.

Each lawn is unique, sporting its own brilliant colours and flowers, but property lines are skewed as bushes and flowers grow randomly and rapidly from one yard to the next. The neighbours here are as inclusive as the garden itself, roaming from one yard to the next, sharing the latest gossip, and discussing new innovative ideas for planting. Each neighbour learns from the next, and the result is a truly beautiful and awe-inspiring landscape.

While not all of us have the benefit of living next door to individuals who are interesting in such an inclusive relationship or have a green thumb, this street should still serve as an inspiration to us all. We can transform the look and feel of our neighbourhood, one lawn at a time.

Creating a Neighbour Garden

Creating this same look and feel on your street may not be an easy task, but there are a few simple tips you can consider to turn this dream into a reality.

• Share the Street- The first step to take if you want to create this same look for your neighbourhood is to speak to your neighbours. Explain to them the benefits you believe will be obtained by creating this type of garden. Find out who is willing to share the street, and who is not. Don’t be discouraged if only a few jump at the idea. Others may quickly follow when they realise the beauty it brings to the street.
• Blur the Boundaries- Blur the boundaries between yards with an array of brightly coloured flowers, shrubs, and bushes, and allow your neighbours to do the same.
• Show it Off- Most gardeners learn very early on that not all flowering plants will produce beautiful blooms all year long. For this reason, many try to plant only flowers that will attract year-round interest. While this can be a good thing, why not do something different? Grow stunning annual arrangements that bloom and glow during only certain months of the year. In the same area, grow flowers that bloom after and before the first arrangement. This will ensure the ‘gap’ is filled once the first flowers die off.
• Go Aggressive- Even if you don’t have a lot of time for gardening, you can still create the look and feel of a vivacious and growing garden. Instead of taking the time to grow several different flowers, plant just a few aggressively growing plants that will quickly take over your garden with no extra push from you.
• Common Space- While the plants in this neighbourhood garden are necessary, the most important aspect is the way it brings the neighbourhood, and its occupants together. To encourage this even more, make sure to have a location (or more than one) where you and the other neighbours can get together and discuss everything from Mrs. Jones’ new haircut to the latest gardening tips. Choose comfortable and inviting outdoor seating for these areas, like outdoor wicker furniture. Choosing outdoor wicker furniture will also make it easy to maintain this special space, because it requires almost no maintenance.

With these tips, and the right outdoor seating, you can bring your neighbourhood together and make it a truly beautiful place to live. Become inspired, and share your street.

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times; curb appeal is an investment in your home you can’t ignore. It’s a well known fact, yet most homeowners spend tens of thousands of pounds purchasing, decorating, and updating their home without the slightest thought to its exterior.

Why neglect these important details? Why shouldn’t your home look its best whenever someone visits or passes by? While it may require some effort, investing in the curb appeal of your home is well worth it in the end when the value of your home is increased and your family and friends finally feel welcomed when approaching your front door.

Creating Curb Appeal the Easy Way

Most homeowners avoid creating a lasting and memorable exterior appeal because they believe it will be too difficult. However, this simply isn’t true. Making a fantastic first impression doesn’t have to be hard with these simple tips.

• Clean it- The first step toward a great first impression is making sure your guests don’t cringe every time they walk up to your porch. Sweep off the dirt, rake the leaves, and pick up the pile of newspapers you’ve been neglecting. Your guests shouldn’t feel as if they are entering a pig sty.
• Paint- When guests visit your home, what is the first thing they see? While you might want it to be the prize flowers growing in your front garden, the first thing they look at is their destination: the front door. If the door has chipped, peeling paint and scuff marks, the tone of the visit is diminished before they even step through your entryway. Take the time to give the door a fresh coat of paint in an eye-popping and attractive colour. Keep the door clean and in good shape at all times.
• Grooming- Just like you, your lawn and garden needs groomed regularly. Keep your grass cut low, your bushes and shrubs trimmed, and never neglect the health of your beautiful flowers. A little effort can go a long way in providing an inviting front entrance to the home.
• Outdoor Wicker Furniture- No matter how large or small your patio or front porch is, providing your guests with a comfortable location to rest and relax is essential. A few pieces of outdoor wicker furniture set a precedent for your home. Before your guests even enter the house, they feel as if they have been welcomed in because of the outdoor seating. Add potted plants, outdoor wicker furniture cushions and throws, and curtains.
• Lighting- Unless you never plan to have guests visit after dark, the right lighting is essential for the curb appeal of a home. This lighting not only offer ambience to a space, but also allows guests to see safely in the dark. Arrange lights along walkways and paths, and make sure plenty of light is available near your outdoor seating and front door.

Curb appeal is an essential element for any home. Don’t ignore its importance; use these simply tips to easily create the first impression you have been dreaming of.

Is your outdoor living space ready for summer? If you are planning on spending any time outside, (and we know you are,) entertaining friends, hosting dinner parties, or simply enjoying the cool summer evenings with your family, then preparing your outdoor space for the months ahead is essential, and must be done now. While it might seem like a monumental task, a few smart strategies will assist in making the process of preparing for this summer a smooth and simple one.

Strategies to Prepare for Summer

• Clean Umbrellas- Do you have umbrellas to cover your outdoor dining table? Outdoor woven fabrics, whether made from cotton blends or synthetic fabrics, generally undergo treatment from chemicals in order to ensure they are moisture resistance and stain resistant. Avoid removing this protective coating by only using mild soup, lukewarm water, and a utility brush to scrub them clean before taking them out of winter storage.
• Brick Patios- Have a brick patio? Prepare it for summer by using a masonry cleaner to gently clean this durable and lasting flooring. If you are planting new flowers in your backyard, avoid placing them directly by the bricks. Moisture from the plants can seep into the bricks’ pores and cause damage.
• Ready Outdoor Fabrics- Outdoor fabric, also known as performance fabric, is used on a variety of items, like cushions for outdoor seating, throws, curtains, and pillows. They are made to resist mildew, stains, sun damage, and moisture. To clean, check to make sure they fabric cannot be removed. If it can, machine wash it in cold water using bleach-free soap. If the fabric cannot be removed from the cushion or pillow, hand wash with gentle liquid detergent and warm water.
• Awnings- Creating instant shade is easy with awnings, and these essentials need to prepared for summer just like everything else. Rinse them off, brush them with soap and water, and then rinse them off again. During summer, make sure to take the time to spray them down at least four time to remove any dirt and debris. Once you are done, let them air dry thoroughly.
• Outdoor Seating- Wicker outdoor seating and outdoor dining tables are perfect for any exterior living space because they don’t need thorough cleaning like other types of furniture. However, before you bring it out of storage, make sure to give it a good wipe-down with a dry cloth, then rinse is with the garden hose. If any mud or dirt is stuck to it, use a soft bristle brush to gently pry it away. Let your outdoor dining tables, chairs, and sectionals air dry completely before replacing their cushions.
• The Grill- Before you even think about hosting that dinner party, make sure your grill is sparkling. Clean the outside with soap and water, then use a grill brush over the burners. If the burner holes are clogged, clean them with a sewing need or a pipe cleaner.

Is your outdoor living area ready for summer? Take steps to prepare it now so you can enjoy it all season long.

Spring has finally arrived, and it is time to head outside once again and begin enjoying your outdoor space. While some families are content with an outdoor living style that consists of sitting on the patio on beautiful outdoor furniture or having enough space in the backyard to throw a ball around, what if you want more? What if you wanted to be able to spend more time outdoors? What if you could make the experience even better?

You can. With these tips, the fun and enjoyment of your outdoor space will improve greatly, and you will find yourself spending more and more time outside the house.

Clever Ways to Better Your Outdoor Space

1. While you might normally use peg rails to hang winter coats, hats, and scarves, take them outdoors this spring. Mount them on the side of a shed, porch railing, or even the side of your home, and use them instead to home sandy and wet items, like towels and swimming gear.
2. Half the fun of spending time outdoors is grilling, but when it comes to the food you serve, don’t waste time marinating with herbs. Instead, use a charcoal grill, and once the charcoal becomes ashy and grey, scent it by placing the herbs directly on top. This will add flavour to your food while saving time.
3. Don’t spend half of spring cleaning up the mud, dirt, and grass tracked in by family members planting in the garden or playing at the beach. Set up an area just outside the door with a watering can to allow everyone to rinse their feet before they enter the home.
4. When planting flowers, many homeowners like to place containers or gardens as close to the patio, porch, or deck as possible. During spring, however, these blooming plants attract bees and wasps. Avoid getting stung; place these plants away from your outdoor furniture, but close enough you can still enjoy them.
5. Tree swings are fun classics that make outdoor living fun for children. Hang one from a sturdy tree in your backyard for your children to play with, but remember to place it in view of your outdoor living area, so you can watch them closely as you relax on your wicker furniture.
6. Smaller potted plants often get overlooked when placed on the ground in the garden. Show them off by creating a garden shelf. This type of shelf can be easily made by setting a board on top of two large and sturdy plants. The smaller plants can then be placed on the board, where they can be seen by all.
7. Being able to relax, sit back, and get comfortable when you are outdoors is essential, and many types of furniture just don’t provide what is necessary. Instead of turning to hard metal, plastic, or wooden chairs and sofas, choose wicker furniture. Wicker furniture will allow you to enjoy the time you have outside and provide you with the comfort you need to relax under the warmth of the spring sun.
8. Feeling a little warm? Before you abandon your spring oasis for the air conditioning inside your home, consider using a refreshing sprits instead. These can easily be made by filling mist bottles with water and then placing a few fragrant sprigs of herbs or flowers inside. Lavender and mint are excellent combinations to use, as these will not only help you cool down, but are known to repel insects as well.

Love the outdoors? With these simple tips, you’ll love visiting your backyard even more.