Patio Accessories ? Complete The Great Outdoors

Patio accessories can range from small to large and of all types of materials and styles depending on your garden décor. Outdoor entertaining on the patio or backyard has skyrocketed in the last few years as people are treating their patios as outdoor rooms. Homeowners want to extend their homes, and adding accessories on the patio is one way to turn the indoors out. A patio accessory can be just about anything. Some ideas to enhance your garden and add decorative touches are: wind chimes, decorative flags, weathervanes, bird baths, houses, feeders, garden stakes, planters and more. These are only a few of the thousands of things you can choose to add some decoration to your patio. You could also splurge on thick plump pillows on a wrought iron love seat. What about decorative rag rugs with ticking stripes for patio seat cushions? Fabrics along with your accessories make for a wonderful splash of color. I choose to keep to the same color palette that I have in my house. It only makes decorating sense to me to just keep the palettes going outside. I don't like the look of having one distinct color inside and then a completely different color outside. Flow is the rule indoors, why not outdoors too? Keep the color flow going with your furniture, and then add a pop of an unusual color with your accessories. If you aren't sure about the lime green or the hot pink, just add a little of it until you see if you want more.

I love to search antique stores when I decorate outdoors. Think outside the box for outdoor patio furniture. I add old tool chests for extra seating and benches. There are a lot of vintage twig pieces that add just that special decorative element. You don't have to "sit" in chairs. Set them up for interesting decorative planter. Have you seen an old wicker rocker that you adore but in drastic need of repair? Why not just put it to use as a plant stand and let its lovely features hold the plant instead. Garage sales are also ideal for decorating outside. If you buy things that aren't new or pristine, you don't care quite so much if the elements get to them. I love the aged look of pieces, knowing they served their life well performing a function, and now they are ready to just beautify my patio. I have an antique can collection and some of them are quite large. I use them as planters outside and some are large enough for plant stands. I also love using old bikes, wheelbarrows, wagons, and other old farm equipment to accessorize my patio. My whole house is done in a shabby chic style so I carry this theme throughout my patio and front yard. I am also very creative so I make many things myself. I have some rusty chairs that I decorated with fabric; not caring if the fabric faded because the more faded the better. They look great with plants growing around them. I also enjoy making innovative bird houses out of things you wouldn't expect such as unique boxes or containers. My guests know to expect the unexpected when they visit my house. Its fun seeing the reactions of people when they see how I have turned an old rusty cast off piece of equipment into something incredibly beautiful. Decorating in the garden is only limited by your taste and imagination. Be creative and make something yourself. There should be a lot of inspiration around you, just look out in your own backyard or the even the junkyard. Repurposing is a hot trend now and you can add your own personality into whatever you design. Don't be afraid to think outside the box. If you like a piece, take it home and place it around the patio in different locations until an idea comes to your head. If you really love a piece, you will be able to integrate it beautifully into your decorating theme. You are the one that has to live with it so wherever you place it you will love it everyday.

Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying patio furniture, hammock styles, gas grills, picnic tables, above ground pools and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

In The News:

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Sign up for landscaping, garden classes now
Mirror, MI - Jan 4, 2009
Michael Saint, a certified master gardener and owner of Good Earth landscape Institute, will show you how to turn a neglected entrance, courtyard or side ...

Green stuff
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 16 hours ago
Aerin Moore discusses "How to Create a Beautiful Garden: Landscaping Techniques." 1 pm Tues. Public Safety Bldg., Alex Clark Room, 880 Tennent Ave., Pinole. ...

Gardening angel spruces up shop
Contra Costa Times, CA - Jan 6, 2009
That could have happened here, but thanks to a gardening angel, it didn't. Mitchell wrote to Kevin Davis of CLS Landscape Management Inc. in Chino and told ...

In the Garden: Resolutions for a gardening year
Peninsula Gateway, WA - 6 hours ago
30 for a seminar at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show (www.otshows.com/THS), “Edible landscaping with veggies and herbs.� In garden design, I see more yards ...

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Jan 3, 2009
Everything from design, home improvement, décor, home entertainment, landscaping, gardening, and much, much more will be on display at this event. ...
Seeds: Budding gardeners can take home a seedling Sacramento Bee
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Last opportunity to join Master Gardener class
Blanco County News,  USA - 13 hours ago
Some of the volunteer projects have included: the support of the Bindseil Park, landscaping at Gem of the Hills, speaker at the Lavender festival with ...

Gardening Calendar, updated Jan 7
TCPalm, FL - 10 hours ago
"Florida Native Landscaping": University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; 2199 S. Rock Road, Fort Pierce; 4-7 pm, ...

January education opportunities
Examiner.com - 14 hours ago
Daugherty designed many garden and landscapes around the city of Atlanta. The exhibition runs through March 28 th . For full information check: ...

Ice on the shrubs is no reason to put off early spring cleaning
Reno Gazette Journal, NV - 18 hours ago
It's cold out there, so I have gathered up my past issues of some gardening books, and some of my older landscape books, and a sketch book. ...

Renault Fleet Grows at Hayes Garden World
Transport News Network, UK - Jan 6, 2009
Hayes Landscapes is part of Hayes Garden World and undertakes garden landscaping for domestic customers as well as maintenance for English Heritage hotels. ...

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