Everyone has his or her own dream patio. Some people would love to have an outdoor audio system, while others would love an outdoor dining area. Either way, when you are remodeling your patio, or developing it for the first time, you are going to need a budget. Setting a budget and sticking to it will allow you to include all the features that you may want (and can afford), while not having to worry about the costs during the project. Here is a look at a few of the top things that you need to remember when developing the budget for your dream patio.

Outdoor Flooring

Every patio needs some sort of outdoor flooring. Whether you would like a wooden deck or sandstone tiles, outdoor flooring is going to be one of the first things that you need to budget for. Because of the importance of this, be sure to begin your budget with this step and build off of it from here.

Patio Furniture

Second to patio flooring, patio furniture is the next most important part of a patio! Who wants a patio where you stand around with nowhere to sit? That’s right, no one! Be sure to set aside a certain amount of money for patio furniture so that you or your guests are never stuck sitting on the ground.

Accessories

If you still have money left for your budget after flooring and furniture, this is where you can start to think about those extra accessories that you’ve always wanted. Do you think that fire pit would look awesome? What about a fully surrounded sound system? This is the process in the budget that is set for those customizations that will set your patio apart from all of the others.

Creating your dream patio can be an awesome experience as long as you go through the process. Developing and sticking to a budget can highly enhance the process and make for your dream patio more attainable. Be sure to consider each of these aspects of a patio in your budget and you should be okay. Can you think of anything else that should be remembered when developing a patio budget? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter or in the comments below!

Trends come and go all of the time. Some pass by quickly, while others stick around for a while. Are you still rocking the shoulder pad dresses from the 80’s? What about the MC Hammer parachute pants from the 90’s? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Outdoor patio furniture is no different! Year to year there are different trends that come and go, and like any other fashion fad, no one wants to be on the outside looking in. For the rest of 2014, you and your patio furniture won’t have to worry about that. Here are the top three outdoor patio furniture trends for 2014!

1.    Pantone Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Every year, Pantone Inc. selects their “color of the year”. This year’s color is radiant orchid! Every year when the color of the year is announced, many outdoor furniture owners go out of their way to incorporate the color into their patio furniture. One way to follow this trend is to look into radiant orchid as a color for possible chairs, sofa cushions, or pillows.

2.    Deep Seating

Many people are using their patio more and more as an area for dining. However, when people are outside on their patio, they want to feel comfortable and relaxed. This is why deep seating is becoming increasingly popular. As more people spend time outside, whether it is for dining or just relaxing, deep seating furniture is going to continue to be a trendy option to go with.

3.    Fire Pit Tables

No pun intended, but one of the hottest trends on the outdoor furniture market right now are fire pit tables. Fire pit tables bring a laid back feel to your patio, as well as providing all of the benefits of any table or fire pit combined into one. The best part about these fire pits is that they are propane-fueled, which keeps the look of the table extremely clean.

Don’t let your patio furniture look like the guy that is stuck in the 90’s with his awesome parachute pants. Watch out for these trends and customize your patio furniture accordingly and you won’t have to worry about that! We would love to know if you already have any of these trends incorporated into your patio. Let us know in the comments below, or via Facebook or Twitter!

With the beginning of each New Year, Pantone Inc selects a “color of the year”. Last year, the color of the year was Emerald. The year of 2014 is one of a little more vibrancy, as the color is Radiant Orchid. Each year when the color is announced, Pantone gives a deeper meaning of the color to act as a reason behind why the color was selected.

For example, in the press release of the announcement that Radiant Orchid was the color of 2014, Pantone described the meaning behind the color by saying that it was, “an invitation to innovation, [Radiant Orchid] encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”  Here is a look at a few ways that you can incorporate Radiant Orchid into your patio!

Chairs

If you have an outdoor dining table on the patio, one great way to bring this exciting color into you backyard is through your patio chairs. Patio chairs colored radiant orchid will certainly bring life to your outdoor dining experience.

Sofa Cushions/Pillows

Patio sofa cushions and pillows are probably the easiest and most effective way of bringing the color of the year to your home. Not only are they easy to find in home décor stores, but also they are a very subtle way of showing off the color. Sometimes trying to bring too much of the color to the patio through several different options sort of throws off the feel of the entire back yard. Sofa pillows and cushions are the most subtle, yet effective way of installing radiant orchid into your patio. Not sure where to order your replacement cushions sporting the color radiant orchid? Check out our replacement patio cushions page. We can make any kind of replacement cushion you need.

• Outdoor Curtains

Lastly, if your patio contains a covered or shaded area that already has or can accommodate curtains, consider installing or switching these generic curtains out for radiant orchid curtains. This is a great way to show off the color of 2014 in your backyard. Switching curtains is usually a pretty easy process and can be done by anyone.

We are extremely excited about the invigorating new Pantone Color of the Year! We would love to hear the ways that you are trying to introduce this new color to your patio. Tell us how by commenting below or through contacting us on our Facebook or Twitter pages!

Patio furniture and landscaping design may feel like two separate tasks to conquer when originally looking at them from afar, but that could not be further from the truth. In reality, when you are constructing the ideas for the look of the backyard to your home, these two aspects need to be viewed as mutual partners that work together in order to create the best possible outdoor experience. There are multiple ways that these two things can work together, but there are two main ways in particular that are crucial to take into consideration when designing your backyard.

The Look

appearance is one of the main ways that these two aspects of your backyard depend on each other. For example, say that you would like a desert theme to your yard. You go ahead and purchase tile and furniture for the patio that brings a desert feel, but then realize that the landscaping for your yard is a major let down. There are palm trees and a lot of grass. While that type of landscaping design may feel right for a different yard, it simply does not go with the patio furniture that you have selected. Perhaps cacti and gravel would have made the landscape feel more at home with the furniture. These types of situations happen all of the time, so be sure that your patio furniture and landscaping look as if they fit together, or your whole backyard will simply feel off.

Maintenance and Placement

One of the crucial aspects of landscaping design is the work that it takes to keep everything looking right. You want to make sure that you purchase patio furniture that is not going to alter the ease of maintaining your yard. Awkwardly large couches or chairs may affect the ability to trim the trees or mow the lawn around the patio. Additionally, the placement of the patio furniture will help with allowing for maintenance. When designing the landscape for your backyard, make sure that you leave a proper amount of area for the patio and furniture that is to be placed there.

By looking at these two things as separate projects, there is a great chance that issues will arise in the future. Be sure to look at these two projects as one big project and not only will the look of your backyard be spectacular, but keeping your yard clean and up to date will be much easier in the long run. We would love to hear your ideas on how these two aspects correlate with each other. Let us know through social media, or in the comments below!

Winter is coming upon us, and with that, so are the changes of the weather all around us. As people, we know that when temperatures drop and the weather changes, there are certain things that we must do in order to keep ourselves warm and healthy. Your patio furniture is not different. Without the proper care and storage during the wintertime, the life expectancy of your patio furniture could be drastically altered. Here is a look at some easy steps to take in order to properly store your outdoor furniture during the winter.

1. The first step in proper storage is the cleaning of the furniture. Use cleaning solutions to help eliminate all of the dirt and grime that has built up on your furniture over the past months.
2. Before you begin to figure out how the storage process is going to work. You need to make sure that all of your furniture has dried off. Wet spots can cause rust and deterioration.
3. Determine if you have room inside a garage or shed. Smaller furniture that can easily be moved is perfect for storing inside of a shed or garage. However, not all houses have sheds or room in the garage. That is okay.
4. Stack all of the light furniture. Outdoor chairs can easily be stacked, which can save room and make things easier to store.
5. Get furniture covers! If you do not have space to store items inside of garages or sheds, then furniture covers are a great option. These covers will keep the furniture warm while preventing it from any other inclement weather, which will in turn extend the life of these pieces of equipment.

Being proactive during this time of year is one of the best ways to lengthen the time that your patio furniture is going to be effective. By following these steps, no longer will you have to worry about the winter weather affecting your outdoor furnishings. If you have any specific questions about storing patio furniture during this time of year, contact us via Facebook or Twitter, or in the comments below!

Here at All American Fine Outdoor Furnishing, we are pleased to announce that we are opening a brand new store in Chandler, Arizona.

Location

The specific address of our new location is 2860 W Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85224. The store will be in the Northeast lot off of the Loop 101 Freeway and Chandler Blvd in the “Chandler Festival” shopping area. We are located next to the New Balance store. If you are familiar with the area, it is on the opposite side of the freeway from Chandler Fashion Square Mall.

Dates

The grand opening for the store has not yet been determined, however, we have a soft-opening schedule for the 15^th of January 2014. Don’t be afraid to stop by. Additionally, we are going to put up our sign on the store on January 1^st!

We are so happy to be joining the Chandler neighborhood! Please come say hi on the 15^th of January and check out the store. We will get the Grand Opening date announce as soon as possible, along with a phone number for the new location. If you have any questions about the new store, contact us in the comments below, through Facebook or Twitter, or give us a ring at 877-930-7070.

Christmas is only a couple weeks away! If you have not already begun to put up your outdoor decorations, then there is a pretty good chance that you are probably scrambling for ideas. Here are a few outdoor Christmas decoration ideas that will bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to your patio.

• Decorate a Wreath

One of the easiest ways to add a Christmas feel to your patio is by putting up a wreath on the door! Yes, this is a pretty common, but it is very effective. However, don’t be generic. Buy a wreath from the store that comes plain and not pre-decorated. This is where you can personalize your own wreath to develop the feel that you want. Add ribbons, bows, bells, lights, or whatever you want to make your wreath it’s own.

• Add Some Glee With a Mini-Tree

Another quick way to add some Christmas spirit to your patio is by buying a mini-Christmas tree. These trees can come in any size, big or small. You can buy a two-foot tree that comes pre-decorated or you can choose to go with a bigger tree and decorate it yourself. The bright side is that there is no wrong decision. Most people have a tree inside their house, but not many have one outside. Be different and spice up you patio with a tree!

• There’s No Such Thing As Too Many Lights

A few extra Christmas lights won’t hurt anyone. The easiest way to create a Christmas atmosphere on your patio is by putting lights on the existing furniture.

• Santa Claus is Coming to Town

If you have kids, then this may be the most popular idea. Christmas inflatables are becoming increasingly trendy. They come in anything Christmas from Santa to snowmen. Find a spot on the patio that can easily and safely access an electrical outlet and you are well on your way to having the coolest patio in the neighborhood!

Don’t let Christmas pass you by without putting up proper decorations! We would love to hear any other patio decoration ideas that you have done to your patio. Let us know by commenting on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or via the comments below!

When constructing a patio for your backyard, one of the biggest decisions that someone has to make is which type of stone that they want to use for the flooring. There are several different types of stone that can be used for this situation, but two of the most popular stones used for patios are flagstone and slate. Both of these types of stones have their advantages and disadvantages, and knowing these are critical for selecting the correct stone for your patio. Let’s take a look at these two types of stone!

Flagstone

• Advantages: One of the biggest advantages of having a flagstone patio is that flagstone comes in many different styles and color tones. This variety of choice comes in handy when customizing your patio to look the exact way that you would like. Another huge advantage of flagstone is that it is very durable. Flagstone is made up of tough material can usually stand harsh weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Disadvantages: The biggest disadvantage of flagstone comes when preparing to install. Because this type of stone comes in a variety of sizes and thickness, laying down an even surface for the patio becomes a hard task to complete.

Slate

• Advantages: A big reason why slate is so often used for patios is that it is waterproof and very heavy-duty. Because of the texture of slate, any type of water, such as rain, will not erode the rock. This texture also plays a big role in the durability. Owners of patios that are constructed of slate rocks do not have to worry about fixing the tiles too often.
• Disadvantages: Although slate can withstand water and is waterproof, it is usually a glossy stone that can occasionally become slippery. Also, because of the glossy finish, this stone can become particularly cold in the wintertime.

Overall, both of these types of stone have their own unique advantages and disadvantage that come into play when thinking about what to use for your stone patio designs. We would love to hear from you about your experience with these two types of stone being used for patios! Contact us through the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter!

The fall season is fully upon us. With Halloween in the rear view mirror and Thanksgiving staring us down, it is the perfect time to spice up your patio furniture to match the festive fall season. Here are three ideas that can help you when decorating your patio for fall.

• Switch Up The Fabric

If you have outdoor patio couches or chairs, this is the perfect way to help create a more festive atmosphere. There are several different options of holiday fabrics that are put onto pillows and cushions that fit great on outdoor furniture. You have the option of creating these holiday accessories yourself, or you can buy them at a local hobby store. This is one of the simplest and quickest ways to add more holiday spirit to your patio. 

• Pumpkin Patch

No, it is not necessary to grow a pumpkin patch in your backyard solely in order to create a more festive patio, but adding a couple pumpkins as decoration will not hurt anyone. When people think fall, one of the first thoughts that comes to most people’s minds are pumpkins. Add a couple pumpkins around your door or the patio furniture and you will instantly have people thinking “autumn” when they step outside.  

• Autumn Rugs

One last way to add some holiday flavor to your patio is by throwing down an autumn-themed rug. Outdoor rugs are very common on most patios, but when buying a year-round rug, most people get more general colors and designs. Buy purchasing an autumn season rug, the colors and designs of the rug will be more affective in giving off a festive fall feel.

Outdoor fall decorating ideas do not have to be overly complicated. These are three very simple and quick fall decoration options that can help to bring the fall out of your patio. If you have any other cool fall decoration ideas, we would love to hear them. Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook or Twitter sites!

The patio of your home is a sacred place. It is somewhere that you can spend time alone, or with your loved ones, while enjoying the fresh air and being outside.  Privacy is one of the biggest keys to being able to enjoy your patio and generally, the more private your patio is, the more likely you will be to spend time out there. However, not all patios are created equal. Some patios do not come with a sense of privacy, but fortunately that is something that can be changed. Here are the four best patio design ideas for adding privacy to your deck.

• Plant Some Trees

Planting trees are not only a way of bringing your patio to life, but can also help towards your goal of making your deck more private.  Unlike bushes or other shrubbery, trees are a great way of creating a barrier without using up most of your backyard.

• Build a Fence

This is probably the simplest idea for helping to create more privacy for your patio. By selecting where you would like for your fence to go, it is a great way for secluding your patio to the lengths that you want.  Of course you are going to block off an outside view with the use of a fence, but it will also make for a much more intimate deck area.

• Work Around Your House

An easy way to seclude your patio is by using your house as a barrier or a wall. Find the most remote area of your backyard and create your deck there. Your house is great for not only being a wall on one side of your patio, but it can also help to drown out sounds from a direction that may be loud.

• Add an Awning

Another great way of making your patio feel more private is by adding a roof.  Awnings are the perfect type of patio roofing. Awnings help your deck feel more comfortable by blocking out the sun, but can also block some of the side view out depending on the kind that you purchase.

In reality, there are hundreds of different ideas out there that can contribute towards privatizing your patio. We believe that these are four of the best ways, but would love to hear your ideas! Want more information on how to design a patio, check out our blog featuring 4 outdoor patio design tips. Let us know by contacting us on Facebook or Twitter, or leaving a comment below!