Extra floor space

Especially with small suburban blocks, floor space in homes can be limited. Adding an extension to your home is not always economical, or even possible, given local council zoning regulations.

A patio is not an extra room, but it can be the next best thing if it is well constructed. It is also possible to add removable or semi-permanent sidewalls to a patio, enclosing it to a degree. This can give you a space that is functional and adaptable, adding extra useable floor space to your property.

Added value

Along with the benefits of extra useable space comes the inevitable rise in value for your property. Depending on the current value of your property, the addition of an outdoor area can boost the valuation of your home considerably for a very modest investment.

With all home improvements, you do need to be cautious of over capitalising. In low value properties, expensive additions may not get the desired rise in property value.

All seasons outdoors

Although the weather is generally great, it can be unpredictable at times. It would be a pity to let a sudden heat wave, or rainstorm, prevent you from enjoying your backyard over the weekend.

The cover a patio provides can allow you to enjoy the summer warmth, from shade and comfort, thus avoiding the problems associated with excessive exposure to the sun such as sunburn, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke in extreme cases. In addition, rain presents no problem to a well installed patio and you can enjoy the sound of rain on your roof whilst outside under full cover.

Entertainment area

For many people with small or even average sized homes, entertaining a group of friends can be a struggle, as space is at a premium. The addition of a patio to your home can give you the space needed to entertain your friends and family in style!

Many consider awnings as a classic addition to their homes. It may be because awnings became popular when people find delight in having afternoon teas and listening to radios on their patios and porches. Even in primitive ages, awnings are made and installed as protection for harsh weather and used to cover logs and open spaces.

Olson Awning & Canvas

Awnings may seem to be simple structures but they can add class to even the simplest and most ordinary homes. Porch, deck, and patio awnings have become popular enough to catch even the attention of businesses and the corporate world.

There are two types of awnings: fixed awnings and retractable awnings. Fixed awnings have fixed frames, the main frame is fixed to its place and the rafters must be adjusted by hand if you want to roll it up. Retractable awnings are more flexible as it allows users to retract the awnings from the wall and place it somewhere more suitable. Due to the flexibility of retractable awnings, they superseded fixed awnings easily.

B&W Awning

Where to install awnings?

Awnings are most commonly installed above windows and doors. Porch, patio, and deck awnings are installed above the free space outside of your house or your lawn. These are usually attached on the wall above the door or window and extended up to the space you want to be covered.

Porch, patio and deck awnings are most commonly seen in residential homes. Aside from being a decorative piece, these kinds of awnings provide sun shades and protection from snow and rain. According to a lab test, houses with awnings have cooler interiors compared to homes without these structures. Porch and patio awnings are nice to locate above windows or an area along the sidewalk where you can sit and have a place where you can read a book, drink coffee or tea, or just sit and relax.

Alexander Awning

Deck awnings come in small to huge materials, allowing the structure to extend up to the boundaries of your garden. These are suitable if you need to cover lots of space or need a covered space for parties or gatherings. It can also be used as sun shades for your garage and provide protection to your vehicle and tools.

Awning by Window Treatments NZ Ltd

Just make sure that you install a fixed awning since it’s unlikely that you want to retract the covers. Find a durable awning for your garage or carport at home. Awnings come in corrugated fiberglass, polycarbonate, and aluminum for safe and hazard-free covers. While there are awnings made of asbestos, usage of such materials are highly regulated since asbestos are known to give some health complications.

Awning by AGI Group, Inc.

Sidewalks also benefit from awnings. It provides protection from heavy downpour, preventing splashes, and added protection from the sun. For those who like to install awnings outside of their house but still wants to enjoy some sun, fiberglass awning allows the light to pass through, giving protection and lighting as well. You can also have stained fiberglass awnings for added style.

It seemed a topic not oft discussed in conventional garden design, so we wanted to suggest how one might go about building your own space whose usefulness is complete, regardless of whether the clock reads lunchtime or late-o-clock.

Lighting

Despite the night garden being traditionally a dimmed place, lighting is an essential component to make the space both useable in the summer months, and visually accessible in the winter, however, like the palette you choose for your planting, lighting is, at best, a subtle art, meaning that although it is a characteristic of the day time there is no need for yours to be reminiscent of blazing sunshine. Indeed, as any photographer will tell you, the nightscape provides lighting opportunities not available when sunlight is abundant - hence the attraction of black and white celluloid where the light becomes a means of punctuation rather than the prose itself.

The beauty of modern lighting is the variety of different forms it comes in: stairway lighting, underwater illumination, overhead down-lighters or vertical up-lighters, not to mention those concealed within the plants themselves. This latter is a popular option as it helps negate the tone of artificiality that the plastics and metals of a lighting system evoke. The underwater light is also a marvelous addition to the night garden which, while not particularly functional, gives an access to view any wildlife inhabiting your ponds you might not otherwise be privy to.

However, the likely motivation for building or adapting a night garden is so you have the means and the place to entertain and to relax afterhours and to this end we would also recommend, either recessed walkover floor lighting, or focal point spot lighting rather than harsh flood lighting as is so often seen in gardens. Floor lighting is a softer option and will not threaten any trip hazard in the twilight, particularly with the use of frosted lenses, while spotlighting will lend a glamorous red-carpet feel to not only the garden but to any tree canopies above it too.

Furniture

Assuming the garden is to be a place of hospitality, and now we’ve established how you and your guests will find their way around it, we must next discuss what it is they’ll be finding their way around.

A sitting area should be one of your first considerations, mainly because unlike the lighting its value will not be detracted by the absence of darkness-you can enjoy a quiet sit down as much on your days off, as after your days on.

Comfortable seating, whether freestanding or built-in is a must and we’ll discuss this in a later article. But you might also want to making this a dining area, with the addition of a barbeque or chimney, or even a small scale bar or outdoor kitchen, if you’re budget will accommodate, in any case there’s no feeling comparable to cooking, preparing and dining in the outdoors and, as such, this should definitely be considered.

General Aesthetic

Finally, we have the presentation of the garden itself and how we can make best use of the elements of night, whilst still insuring that the site is picturesque in the day time, for this reason we must reiterate the use of water. Lights will capture the sparkle of moving water as it falls, but there are few natural elements better paired then the blackness of still water at night, and the moon and stars reflection within it. It gives fluidity to an arcane archetype of our culture, indigenous to the mythology of our ancestors. Candles or lanterns also take us back to our ancient roots, and make an excellent addition to the night garden for the magical and transient quality of their light.

Wind chimes are also highly effective in the night garden, partly due to their taking advantage of what might be an uncomfortably chill breeze, but mostly due to their obscurity when placed correctly. By semi-concealing the chimes you’ll lend an air of mystery to the space as guests will not be able to place their songs origin. If, however, you prefer more contemporary tunes, why not install some unobtrusive speakers in your garden and enjoy all your favourite music while you entertain.

Unique patterns bring a nice classic look into the place. But simultaneously, your patio gets a look and feel of unique identity, as no 2 flagstones on earth will contain similar markings.

Strength & Durability

Flagstones happen to be solid against natural weathering. Usually, long span of time is needed for water and other agents for changing the overall texture. Thus, even though it rains a great deal, flagstone patios would still provide you with traction as well as protection from accidental slips. Actually, the majority of the patio owners should agree that when the base is properly constructed, most patios continue to remain as steady and strong as they were in the beginning.

Virtually, no maintenance is needed

If constructed properly, your flagstone patio can withstand damages as well as changes for a pretty long course of time. In keeping with that, people with flagstone structures at their home won’t need anything more than one pressurized hose down or two every year for maintaining. And daily maintenance, sweeping could be just enough!

A whole range of choices

Another benefit of flagstone patio designs is that there are wide selections of shapes or sizes to choose from. When you inspect the neighboring stone suppliers, you will see impressively numerous options that you can choose from. There are flagstones just about 1 inch (or a little bit more) thick. There are also those which are much thicker. Then again, a number of flagstones are sold in fragments featuring smaller surface. You could also choose fragments which come in larger surfaces.

Made of rattan – a material popular for its appearance and durability – Circle Chaise Lounge will weather any storm and still look great for years to come. This chaise comes with a cool hood and optional table, arm, or pair it with matching coffee table – a dramatic duo.

If you have a small patio and you would like to make it look larger, here are some small patio ideas that you can use to visually deceive your eyes, thus, make the patio look and feel much larger than it actually is. Here are several ways to make your small patio appear bigger and some small patio ideas decor tips...

Scale your furniture

This is an important point when it comes to making a small patio to appear larger than it is. Just because you love that gorgeous wrought iron dining table that seats ten or that huge teak sofa doesn’t mean that it will be right for your patio.

You need to maintain your patio furniture in scale with the size of the patio space. Instead of getting the formal wrought iron dining table you could use a small patio table with two or three chairs. That way you still maintain the appearance you wanted with furniture that is appropriate and suitable for your patio. If you have a small patio, using larger pieces of furniture will only emphasize the smallness of the patio.

Get multi-functional furniture

In order to keep the small patio as organized and tidy as possible, get furniture pieces that can are multi functional. For instance, instead of getting a sofa and several tables and chairs for seating and dining, get one large sectional. The pieces of the sectional can be combined together when you want a place to lie down and relax. Alternately, you can break it up and moved around the room if you have a lot of people that need to sit down.

A large, overstuffed ottoman can double as a table dining or for playing games. In addition, custom made bench seating work wonders for small patios because it provides heaps of additional seating and storage without consuming much of the space. Having too many furniture on the patio can make it seem a lot smaller and much cluttered. Several large multi functional pieces are much better than a lot of smaller patio furniture pieces.

Use color to enhance the natural openness of the space

Even though you might very fond of rich, dark colors or large patterns, you should always maintain light, neutral colors or and small patterns especially if you have a small patio. Larger patterns or designs can easily overwhelm a small space and dark colors will certainly make the patio appear smaller.

It is essential to choose natural or white wicker patio furniture or light wood furniture. Apart from the furniture, keep cushions and pillows neutral or white but you can add a splash of bright colors or patterns in a few accent pillows. If the patio still doesn’t seem bright enough for you, add some color in your accessories such as the dishes that you use, some vases and other decorative objects that are placed on the patio.

In addition, you can also add in some lively patio plants such as small trees or live flowers for your patio area. The patio edge can be lined with flowers or potted plants with colorful planters which can surely liven up your spot.

Finally, no matter what your reasoning is, small patios are exciting fun to construct. They are even more exciting to use! Therefore, have lots of fun with your small patio ideas.

Garage and yard sales.

Getting up early on weekend mornings to make the rounds at the local garage and yard sales might not be something routine for you. However, if you get up early enough and get to these sales before the other bargain hunters, you can most probably get fabulous bargains on patio furniture or even some used furniture that you can use as patio furniture. Remember, almost any piece of furniture can be used as patio furniture. It’s up to your own creativity and imagination.

Outlet stores and closeout stores.

Although the outlet and closeout stores don’t usually advertise them, most of the time, they have at least some outdoor furniture at significant discounts, sometimes as much as half or even more, off the usual retail cost. Having said so, you must be ready to pay on the spot and then arrange your own transportation because these stores usually don’t offer delivery service.

Party rental businesses.

Did you know that most party rental businesses are willing to put up for sale previously used furniture at a discount? It’s real even though they don’t advertise it. Party rental businesses need to constantly have the latest styles and designs to keep their customers happy. That translates to piling of old furniture stocks which they need to get rid off. You can most likely get great deals on used patio and outdoor furniture if you go to these businesses and enquire about buying their old furniture.

Auctions.

Go to some local auctions. You may discover unexpected bargains on patio furniture. Look out for liquidation auctions where stores or restaurants are closing where they need to get rid of all of their equipment and furnishings. Sometimes, you can pick up gently used wrought iron or heavy wooden patio furniture for just pennies. You have to be on the alert and persistent to get great deals at auction but it can only be done when you have patience.

Social networking sites.

Do you belong to any sites like Friendster, Facebook or MySpace? Post a short message on your profile saying you are looking for patio furniture and the type of furniture materials you prefer and how much you are willing to spend.

Also, you may also post a message on Craig’s List for your area. Word spreads like wild fire on those sites and in no time you will receive messages from people from your area, who have furniture to sell or give away.

One of these are outdoor patio curtains, decorative elements that are able to block the sun, cold or hot air, keep the rain out from your patio and after all that – they are still pleasant to look at. There are many different fabrics that are used to make these products, depending on the brand that makes them and how good they really are. Quality outdoor patio drapes will be resistant to dust and moisture so you can keep them looking great for a long time. They will be covered with plastic, so no mold and mildew will eat them after some rain. Also, they won’t fade away from the strong sun light.

It’s good to know that you can use these insulating and protective draperies on your patio, because this means that you can transfer your living room to the outdoors. If you are creative enough and have some resources, you can really make a great patio after all. Then all those evenings you spend with your family will be a lot more enjoyable. Sunsets will look a lot better and watching the cleaer sky full of stars will make much more sence when you are protected from the cold air by strong outdoor curtains. Your patio can be a small fort, only if you want it to be.

You can find these products all over the internet. Just visit few stores that have window treatments and you will have the opportunity to choose from a lot of different patterns, designs, styles and colors. This is great because you won’t have to accomodate all the furniture to these draperies. Of course, you can make them blend in totally, but you can also make them to be a focal point of the patio. The choice is really up to you. It’s important that you like it and that your interior and exterior decoration has sence to you.

Do not be worried about the price of these products. Outdoor patio drapes are easy to find and there are a lot of them, which means that they can be found for cheap. And if you have some time to find them on discount, that would be even better. They are one of the cheapest solutions when you want to decorate your home quickly and spruce up the household. Just take some time to see where you want to go with the decorative elements and then fit the whole thing in. And don’t forget to have fun while doing it.