For people who love to entertain, the patio and its surrounding outdoor setting can make for the ideal backdrop when the weather permits. With some careful planning, homeowners can design a patio and outfit it with furnishings and accessories that complement the setting’s elegance and functionality. When creating and furnishing your luxury patio, be sure to keep the following ideas in mind.

High-Functioning Outdoor Kitchen

If you entertain outdoors on a regular basis, you might think about installing an outdoor kitchen on a portion of your patio. To integrate your kitchen into the patio space, you might consider custom built-ins that can accommodate your cooking appliances (i.e. grill) and counter space for food preparation. The style of your patio can inform the type of design you choose for the space whether you opt for a modern style, traditional, or something more particular like a hacienda or Tuscan villa style. Naturally, you’ll want to choose accessories such like dishes, cushion fabric, and potted plants that enhance your chosen style.

Dining Area

Consider the type of entertaining you do before you outfit your dining space with furnishings. If you generally invite extended family to your home, you might want to opt for a grand outdoor table, one that’s large enough to seat the adults you typically invite to your home. If you, on the other hand, tend to host large events, you might opt for a series of café or bistro sets that encourage guests to mingle and even move from table to table. You can choose elegant table settings for this area of your patio along with table centerpieces like candles, vases, and even oil lamps.

Outdoor Bar

An outdoor bar is ideal for homes that do a lot of entertaining. It’s often easiest to site the bar near the home so that running water and electricity is less difficult. From small yet swanky to large and elaborate, outdoors bars run the gamut in terms of style and size. You can select one that complements your outdoor kitchen, but also provides a focal point for your outdoor entertainments. When it comes to bar accessories, you can opt for elegant stemware and glassware that match your decorative style.

Patio Furniture

From teak to wrought iron, patio furniture is available in a myriad of styles. You might opt for wicker, wood, or metal in a style that suits your decorative plan. You can create an outdoor family room with outdoor chaise lounges, chairs, and couches that are set out in a fashion that’s conducive to conversation. While the family room style might be fine for smaller gatherings, you may need more seating for larger entertainments. Stools, benches, and functional seating can be made more comfortable with outdoor cushions that can be easily stored when they’re not needed.

Other Considerations

When designing and decorating your patio, don’t forget to think about how to shade your guests during daylight events. You might want to include a pergola or gazebo in your plans. For night-time entertaining, you’ll need to infuse light onto your patio so your guests will be safe walking about. You can accessorize the space with gorgeous outdoor lighting fixtures that are both durable and functional. Finally, consider adding an elegant focal point to your setting like a fountain or outdoor fireplace.

Once you create your ideal outdoor setting, you’ll love entertaining outdoors where your guests can enjoy the outdoor climate in a beautiful setting. Keep these considerations in mind as you plan your patio and shop for outdoor furnishings.

If you want to expand your outdoor living space and make it comfortable when the weather turns cold, adding a fire pit to the back yard is a great way to do just that. There is nothing like sitting around a fire pit telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows to bring the family together. Once it is in place, the fire pit will quickly become the focal point of your outdoor living space. When properly installed and well maintained, the fire pit will be both enjoyable and safe to use. Proper maintenance is the key to continued safety, so take the time to learn the proper techniques. Below are some easy ways to keep your fire pit in great shape.

Perhaps the most important maintenance tip is to make sure the fire is out before you leave the pit. Do not leave the area until the fire has burned out completely and the ashes are cool. Hot embers can still spark a fire, so always put safety first. Once the fire is out and the ashes have cooled sufficiently, you can clean the fire pit and get it ready for the next use. Cleaning the fire pit thoroughly after each use is the best way to keep it looking and running like new. It is recommend to wait a day after use, before cleaning your fire pit. It is very important you wait until the fire pit is completely cooled before cleaning.

Use an angled broom to seep the interior of the fire pit. Sweep in the same direction instead of moving the broom back and forth – this will keep the ash from being moved around and make cleanup easier. Use a dust pan to remove the accumulated ash and dispose of it properly. Again, make sure the ash is completely cooled off before disposing of it. Once the interior of the fire pit has been swept and the ash safely removed, you may also take a damp rag and wipe out any access ash that is remaining in the bowl. You want to eliminate any soot build up or any food debris; these can clog burners and cause stains to your bowl.

Check the perimeter of the fire pit carefully and make sure there is no debris that could spark and catch fire. Remove branches, leaves and other potentially flammable materials until you have a clear space at least 10 feet in diameter. Make sure to re-check the perimeter before using the fire pit again.

If your fire pit is made of decorative concrete pavers, you will need to seal them to prevent premature wear and tear. Apply a thin coat of stone or concrete sealant to the fire pit, making sure to use a product designed to withstand high heat. You may need to reseal the pavers from time to time – just check for wear each time you use the fire pit and reapply the sealant as needed.

For further protection from the outside elements, a patio grade cover is durable, breathable and water resistant. Maintaining the fire pit the right way can extend its lifetime and make it safer to use.

With the holiday’s right around the corner, it’s a great time to plan some festive decorating projects. You can create an inviting front porch setting that is both welcoming and decked out for the holiday season. The following ideas can inspire you to decorate your front porch with a dramatic new look that is sure to help you ring in the New Year.

Restyle Your Seating

If you have a bench, chairs, or small café-style table and chairs on your front porch, be sure to add some holiday-inspired cushions to your seating. Even solid colors like red or green will infuse your front porch with holiday color. Changing your cushions seasonally helps you reduce their wear and tear while complementing your home’s exterior décor.

Dramatic Garlands

Simple garlands of evergreen can add visual interest to your front porch railings and door all winter long. However, you might want to enhance your garland with tinsel, red tassels, or gold ornaments to celebrate the New Year. For a more rustic garland, you can add pine cones along with dried red berries.

Light It Up

A great lighting display will help you to create a beautiful and welcoming front porch that will enhance the exterior of your home throughout the holiday season. You can add lights to outdoor garlands, wreaths, banisters, columns, or throughout your entire porch area for a stunning effect. While white lights will complement any type of home, you might prefer colored lights for a more whimsical effect.

Holiday Planters

Your planters can make a great display when you fill them with holiday plants like poinsettias, but they’ll also transform your front porch when you deck them out with some creative ideas. You can fill your front porch planters with small Christmas trees festooned with ribbon and bows along with other trimmings that will hold up to the weather. For something unique, pile some wrapped presents atop your planters or window boxes for a fun holiday look.

Metallic Touches

Accessorizing your front porch with metallic props is perfect for New Year’s decorating. Fill a large silver pail with logs strewn with holly. Hang over-sized ornaments from your porch roof. Add some bright gold or bronze planters beside your door filled with dried plants that complement your decorative plan.

Let It Snow

Even if you live in a hot climate, there’s nothing wrong with transforming your porch with an elegant snowflake display. White and silver are timeless winter colors that will add a beautiful touch to your New Year’s exterior display. From enhancing white wreaths and holiday trees to decorative snowflakes you hang throughout your porch, you can achieve a dazzling winter setting that you can even leave up long after New Year’s Day.

Decorating for New Year’s starts with your front porch. A great outdoor display will set the perfect tone for holiday celebrating as you welcome guests to your home. Keep these ideas in mind as you decorate your home for the upcoming holidays.

Adding a patio to your home is one of the best ways to expand your living space without breaking the bank. Putting an addition on your home could cost tens of thousands of dollars, but a high quality patio will cost only a fraction of that price. Although you are spending less, you are still making an investment, one that will add equity to your home.

When creating an outdoor living space, you will want to outfit your patio with a hot tub, a high end grill or just a quality furniture set to complete the space. It is important you take steps to protect your purchase so you can maximize its use. With the right care, a quality patio furniture set can last for many years, but if you neglect it those pieces could start to show their age after just a year or two.

First, make sure to regularly clean your furniture during the summer months. Wipe up spills immediately to avoid staining. Lay a towel down after getting out of the pool to avoid transferring left over tanning oil or sunblock. Keep your furniture out of the sun for prolonged periods of time. Also, apply a sealant to the wood to protect the stain color from sun damage.

One of the best things you can do to prepare your patio furniture for the long winter season is to give it a deep cleaning prior to storing it. Start by wiping the wood down with a quality furniture polish to remove dust and built-up dirt. Polish the wood carefully until all dirt has been removed, then apply a sealant to protect the wood from moisture. Even if you store your patio furniture indoors, moisture can still build up. Applying a protective coating can prevent serious wood damage later.

After the patio furniture has been thoroughly cleaned, you will need to store it properly. If you have a shed on your property, now is the time to clear out space and store your furniture. If you do not have a storage shed, you might consider buying one to store the furniture. Patio furniture will last much longer if it is stored out of the elements. If you do not have a way to store your patio furniture indoors, invest in a quality patio cover to provide protection from ice and snow. Patio covers should be tight fitting, durable, water resistant, and made from high quality acrylic, and nylon fibers. Be sure to remove any upholstered cushions and store them indoors, since excess moisture could damage them, making them unusable.

Taking time to protect your patio furniture from the seasonal elements and harsh winter weather will allow you to enjoy it once the weather permits. With the right care, your patio furniture will last for many years.