Tag

patio furniture

8 Tips & Tricks for Creating a Stunning Backyard Oasis

November 10, 2023
Marie Nieves
Comments Off on 8 Tips & Tricks for Creating a Stunning Backyard Oasis
Backyard Oasis
Photo by Myburgh Roux

Your backyard can be more than just an outdoor space; it can be transformed into a breathtaking oasis where you can escape, relax, and unwind. Whether you’re looking to create a serene retreat, an entertainment hub, or a garden haven, these eight tips and tricks will help you turn your backyard into a stunning oasis that reflects your style and meets your needs.

Plan Your Space

Before you start any backyard project, take the time to plan your space. Determine the primary purpose of your oasis – whether it’s for relaxation, entertainment, gardening, or a mix of these. Sketch a rough layout of the area, considering the natural elements and features like trees, flower beds, and the patio. This plan will serve as your foundation and guide for the rest of your backyard transformation.

Incorporate Lush Landscaping

One of the key elements of a stunning backyard oasis is lush and well-maintained landscaping. Plant a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers to create a rich tapestry of colors and textures. Consider native plants that thrive in your region, as they often require less maintenance and are more sustainable. Incorporate evergreen trees for year-round greenery, and choose vibrant perennials and annuals to add seasonal pops of color.

Create Outdoor Living Areas

To make your backyard a true oasis, you’ll need comfortable and inviting outdoor living spaces. Invest in quality patio furniture, such as lounge chairs, sofas, and dining sets, that are both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Arrange these pieces to create distinct areas for relaxation, dining, and entertainment. Adding outdoor rugs, throw pillows, and cushions will enhance comfort and style.

Backyard Oasis
Image by lifeforstock on Freepik

Add Water Features

Integrating a swimming pool can be a captivating focal point for your backyard oasis. Consider installing a pond, a charming fountain, or even a small waterfall to infuse the soothing essence of nature into your space. The gentle sound of trickling water and the visual allure of these water features can create a profoundly tranquil ambiance. Also, a pool leak detector in Dallas can significantly help you identify any damage to your mini oasis and contribute to a sense of luxury and serenity in your outdoor retreat.

Outdoor Lighting

The right lighting can transform your backyard into a magical oasis once the sun goes down. Opt for a combination of outdoor lighting, including string lights, lanterns, and LED landscape lights. Well-placed lighting not only illuminates your outdoor space but also highlights landscaping elements and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings.

Create a Cozy Fire Pit Area

A fire pit or an outdoor fireplace can be the heart of your backyard oasis, providing warmth and a cozy gathering spot during cooler evenings. Whether you prefer a wood-burning or gas-powered fire pit, this feature adds a rustic charm and encourages outdoor socializing. Arrange seating around the fire pit, so you and your guests can enjoy the mesmerizing flames.

Install a Pergola or Gazebo

For added charm and functionality, consider adding a pergola or gazebo to your backyard oasis. These structures provide shade and can serve as an elegant backdrop for outdoor dining or lounging. They also offer an opportunity to hang climbing plants, creating a natural canopy of greenery that enhances the atmosphere and lends a touch of romance to your outdoor space.

Personalize with Decor and Accents

Make your backyard oasis truly yours by adding personalized decor and accents that tell your unique story. Outdoor artwork, sculptures, and pottery can infuse your style and personality into the space, turning it into a reflection of your tastes and interests. Decorative screens or curtains can provide privacy and protection from the sun and wind, allowing you to tailor your environment to your needs. Don’t forget to include functional elements like an outdoor kitchen, bar, or a comfortable hammock for the ultimate relaxation and convenience, making your oasis both beautiful and practical.

Conclusion

With careful planning and attention to detail, you can transform your backyard into a stunning oasis that beckons you to escape and unwind. By incorporating lush landscaping, comfortable outdoor living areas, water features, outdoor lighting, a fire pit, and a pergola or gazebo, you’ll create a space that feels like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Personalize your oasis with decor and accents that reflect your unique style and preferences. Your stunning backyard oasis will become the perfect backdrop for making memories with family and friends, enjoying quiet moments of solitude, and reconnecting with nature. It’s your slice of paradise right outside your door.

Continue Reading

Difference Between Screened In Patio And Sunrooms

November 10, 2022
Chloe Taylor
Comments Off on Difference Between Screened In Patio And Sunrooms

It’s no secret that outdoor living areas have been among the most popular types of home modification in recent years, and this fad shows no signs of abating. More and more homeowners are looking for ways to make the most of their backyards, including relaxing seating options. What, however, of those times when inclement weather makes patios uninviting?

A sunroom or three-season porch enclosure combines the advantages of both indoor and outdoor living. The benefits are going outside without the heat, humidity, and insects. Perfect. Want to know the differences between a screened in patio and a sunroom? Now you have the lowdown.

Screened-in porch vs. Sunroom

The primary distinction between a sunroom and a screened porch is in the materials used in its construction and insulation. However, sunrooms are more like additions to the house than screened porches, which are generally just basic enclosures added on top of an existing patio or porch.

A screened-in porch won’t keep the rain and wind out as well as an open porch would. It’s really just a porch that has been enclosed by walls. There will likely be little insulation and no suitable floor constructed over the foundation.

In addition to screens, many porches also have windows or moveable panels. For this reason, porches with screens are often referred to as “three-season porches.” You may use them as a temporary home throughout the autumn and spring. However, in really chilly winters, screens are still not very practical.

While the added fourth season is the primary selling point of sunrooms over screened porches, there are additional factors to think about before breaking ground. Your selection will be influenced by a number of factors, including the location of your house, the purpose of the space, the cost of permits and utilities, the amount of useful time, and the total cost of construction.

  • Location

Sunrooms may seem like a no-brainer in places with scorching summers, but they aren’t really the norm. A screened porch may be used year-round in climates with moderate winters. A sunroom is appropriate in colder climates, but a screened-in porch may be built for far less money.

  • Intention Of the Area

A screened-in porch may be all you need if you’re only looking for a place to relax out of the sun with loved ones in the warmer months. The porch enclosure isn’t as efficient at regulating temperature as a sunroom, but it performs a decent job and can be improved upon.

Even though they lack heating and cooling, many screened-in porches nevertheless have ceiling fans. Moreover, a little electric space heater is significantly more budget-friendly than an outside patio warmer.

  • Calculating Your Investment’s Return

Think about the return on investment you’ll receive from a sunroom or screened porch. When do you anticipate using it? Is it reasonable to build a sunroom, heat it, and use it as a year-round living space? To what extent will you get to enjoy the sunroom before moving on? Sunrooms— extremely popular in certain parts of the country, but not in others— are they sought after in yours?

The value of a sunroom or screened porch varies from one homeowner to the next in the same way as the value of an above-ground or in-ground pool does. Sunrooms and screened porches aren’t a certain strategy to boost your home’s value any more than a swimming pool is.

  • Spend on Adding a Sunroom or Screened Porch 

Prices for sunroom additions tend to be higher than those for other types of additions. The price of adding a sunroom to your home may range widely based on factors including its size, the quality of its materials, and the design of your existing structure. In all, the cost of building a sunroom that meets building codes in terms of insulation, roofing, and structural support might reach $60,000.

The cost of a screened-in porch may range from considerably less to much more than that of a sunroom. The average range is $3,500 – $7,500.

Conclusion

You might end up with something you didn’t want and a lot of extra grey hair if you go into it blind. Whether you’re interested in a screened-in porch, a sunroom addition or a DIY sunroom kit, a consultation with an expert may help you make the correct choice.

Continue Reading

Make Your Backyard Come to Life With Unique Features for Your Patio

December 5, 2019
Lilly Miller
0 Comments

Spending time on your patio is one of the best ways to relax and recuperate after a long week. This is where you can welcome your guests, hang out with your family, or regain your inner peace. However, not just any patio will be good enough for all these things, which is why you need to spice up your patio from time to time. Doing this might not always be easy or simple, but it’s something you just have to do. Introducing unique features might be one of the ways to go and a solution that will take your patio to the next level. If this is something you’d like to do as well, here are a few ideas you could explore.

Unique patio furniture

If you want to be able to spend time on your patio, you’re going to need some furniture first. There are lots of materials, designs, and ideas you could explore, and finding your perfect fit could take some time. But, it’s all going to be worth it in the end, and your patio will become the most comfortable spot at your home. Start with some comfortable chairs that will allow you to spend hours on your patio without risking lower back pain. After that, find some matching sofas, and finish everything off with a unique coffee table. Don’t forget to maintain your furniture in the future as well, and try to keep it as good as new in the years to come too.

Unique patio lighting

If you want to be able to use this space in the evening as well and throw dinner parties on your patio, you’ll need some proper lighting too. There are lots of lighting ideas you can explore, and not all of them will work for you. That’s why you need to think outside the box and find solutions that are unique and cool. String lights are among the most popular and appealing ideas at the moment, so look into that idea first. Also, check out those solar lights that are perfect for patios and other outdoor spaces. Finally, don’t be afraid to install a massive chandelier above your patio, and making it more appealing than it’s ever been.

Unique patio décor

Even though most people focus on interior space when decorating their homes, the fact is that their patio deserves some love and attention as well. Your simple everyday décor won’t be good enough, though, so start thinking outside the box. Adding a water feature might be a great start because a small fountain could do wonders for the appeal of your patio. Also, adding some greenery is crucial as well, especially if you’re a fan of nature. From a few simple pots to decorative plantation shutters that will take the entire space to a whole new level, there are lots of ideas to consider. Finally, add some scented candles and light them before your guests arrive.

Unique patio flooring

This is probably not an idea all homeowners are going to love, but investing time and money into your patio flooring is one of the best ideas you could explore. Again, there are lots of different ideas you can look into, depending on the size of your patio and your aesthetic preferences. Painting your patio, installing new concrete, replacing the tiles, applying a new stencil or introducing some reclaimed wood into the mix are just some of the ways to make your patio welcoming and appealing.

 

Exploring various unique features that will make your patio more special than ever isn’t hard at all. It’s all about finding the right designs and ideas, and turn them into reality as soon as possible!

Continue Reading

Functional Meets Stylish: The Latest Outdoor Furniture Innovations and Trends

December 9, 2016
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

If you’re among those individuals who are blessed with a lovely outdoor area, then you should do everything you can to bring its décor to perfection. This is the area where you can truly unwind, soak up the sunshine and retreat from the hustle and bustle of an urban city.

Use Fabrics to Accentuate

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image 1 source: summerclassics.com

When it comes to the most popular outdoor fabrics, get ready to embrace damask, jacquard and linen. If you want to create an atmosphere of elegance and glamour, then you should opt for jacquard – the intricate patterns in different shades of red will give an impression of royal refinement. Damask is a better option if you’re going for a monochromatic look with elaborate patterns. Another among fabrics that radiate luxury is linen that you should use to create a simple, but elegant ambient in your patio. Regardless of the fabric you choose, you should opt for colours that are calming and relaxing, for example, snorkel blue, fiesta, peach eco and limpet shell. The best thing is that these fabrics contribute to an overall tone and ambient; you can use them as accents by layering, hanging outdoor curtains and placing decorative pillows.

Avoid Cluttering Your Outdoor Haven

Don’t give in to clutter, but make sure to keep your outdoor area clean and organised. This is particularly important if you have a small patio, so you don’t need useless items that will take up a lot of space and make you feel cramped. Instead, try to merge style and functionality – you can obtain a lovely seat that has a storage compartment. This is a perfect place for putting aside your blankets and pillows when you go inside. Another practical solution is opting for a beautiful outdoor coffee table with drawers for storing magazines, or mosquito repellent.

Be Eco-Friendly

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image 2 source: decoist.com

Having a personal outdoor area is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. By forming a connection with natural life, our awareness of the importance of preserving our environment increases and we’re a step closer to protecting it. There are small eco-friendly options for your outdoor area that can make significant changes. Instead of buying new furniture, be creative and reuse the old one. You can easily transform an old bench into a new piece by simply reassembling or painting it, but make sure to use UV-proof and solvent-free colours to minimise air pollution. If there’s a harbour in your vicinity, you can easily obtain old ship sails, recycle them and use them for outdoor furniture. Since the fabric is weather-resistant, you don’t have to worry about it when it rains.

Bring Indoors Out

The idea of bringing indoors out will make your outdoor area completely unique and stylish. You can start by opting for comfortable and luxurious indoor furniture that will reflect your interior design. By adding some accent elements, you can really make a décor statement; for example, you can use a beautiful rug as a focal point in your outdoor haven. You can blend indoors and outdoors by using the same fabrics, patterns and colour schemes or opting for the same theme.

Outdoor Furniture Options

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Image 3 source: gardenfurnitureland.com

If outdoor furniture is more to your taste, you’ll be happy to hear that there are many different options that will create a relaxed atmosphere. The classic choice when it comes to material is wood that you can use in combination with iron, resin, teak and stainless steel. You shouldn’t forget to include a lovely wooden dining set, since there’s nothing better than having lunch with your family outside while enjoying a beautiful day. Principles that you should also consider when furnishing your outdoor area are multi-functionality and flexibility – opt for ottomans that can also be used as side tables for the former, and multiple seating options that you can separate or group as you wish for the latter.

The outdoor area deserves as much attention as the indoors, so transform yours by trying out some of these outdoor trends. Just don’t forget to be creative and eco-friendly!

Continue Reading

Our topics

About us

Smooth Decorator Logo

Smooth Decorator is a website dedicated to our little sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – to our homes, sweet homes. We believe that the foundation of a quality life needs to be set right there, in the place where we first dream things up, and that only when we organized our homes can we hope to organize the rest of our everyday existence.

Copyright, 2015