Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: best outdoor patio ideas

  • Have a Memorable Fourth of July

    Have a blast this July 4th using the following recipes, backyard décor ideas, and fun outdoor activities.  

     Fourth of July Recipes 

    • These delicious July 4th picnic recipes will result in an all-star gathering.    
    • Stir this Provencal pesto into a bowl of boiled potatoes or pasta salad with shredded chicken.  
    • Mix a refreshing pear vinaigrette with this grilled vegetable and mozzarella ensalada. 
    • These open-face pesto-chicken mozzarella melts will be a huge hit at any gathering. Serve these grilled chicken burgers on a slice of ciabatta bread with a few fresh basil leaves for one incredible meal.  
    • Serve flavor-packed black bean chipotle burgers that will make everyone’s tastebuds dance with joy.  
    • Easy to grab, delicious to eat, these hamburger sliders with cranberry chutney are perfect for any backyard gathering.  
    • Bake one white and one red velvet cake. After they have cooled, cut each cake into about 1-inch slices and stack them alternating each layer, so it looks like the stripes on the American flag. Add blue food coloring to icing before spreading it on top, and then for the final touch, add white star sprinkles.  
    • End the day with a fresh and berry-topped, berry delicious flag cake.  
    • Bake an Independence Day cookie pizza! Press and flatten cookie dough into a 14-inch pizza pan and bake it until golden. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then scatter mini marshmallows across the top. Then sprinkle the top with red and blue candy-coated chocolates. Easy and delicious.  
    • This patriotic berry flag tart is just as tasty as it looks.  
    • Make American flag pretzel sticks by dipping a pretzel into melted white chocolate about 5 inches. After it has cooled, dip the same end of the pretzel into melted blue chocolate about 1 inch and place white start sprinkles on the blue portion before it dries. Fill a piping bag with red icing and drizzle it back and forth across the white chocolate to create the stripes.  

    • Get your patriotic party on with incredible 4th of July drinks.  
    • Enjoy these refreshing summer cocktails that are exactly what your guests will enjoy at the end of a hot day.  

     

    Backyard Preparation and July 4th Décor 

    • Check out creative benches and built-in seating solutions for your deck or patio that are practical and look great.  
    • Learn how to build a freestanding deck to enhance your home’s exterior and host memorable outdoor gatherings.   
    • Summer is in full swing; here are a few outdoor patio ideas that will help you enjoy your July 4th gathering and all future outdoor parties.    
    • Red, white, and blue, these Fourth of July crafts are for you.  
    • These DIY planter rockets will be a blast to create and will make your yard look fabulous.    

     

    Outdoor Activities for the 4th of July 

    • Get your game on and discover some family fun with fourth of July games for kids.  
    • Make a photo booth in your backyard! Use construction paper to cut out patriotic themed props such as red hats and blue bowties. Take silly photos and share them with loved ones.   
    • Discover endless entertainment with these games you’ll be playing all summer long.  
    • Build a rocket out of cardboard boxes so the young ones can fly high. Take a large cardboard box, cut out ½ of one side, and place it upright so the opening serves as a window. Cut out two wings and tape one to each side. For the top of the rocket, cut out a triangle and attach it to the top. If you want to take it another level, you can paint the outside or wrap it in fun wrapping paper. Glue painted bottle caps on to look like buttons and use a paper plate as a wheel. Blast off!  

    • These fun outdoor yard games are great family entertainment and will be a hit at parties.  
    • Set up a kid’s craft table. Use toilet paper or paper towel tubes to make little rockets! You and the kids can paint the cardboard red, white, and blue and then glue ribbons or tassels onto one end. Paint little stars on the outside to give it a boost! For the top of the rocket, make a cone shape out of paper to glue it to the top. 

  • What Type of Patio Furniture is Best for You?

    A carefully planned outdoor patio will get used more, and it can turn into a lovely gathering space when the weather cooperates. In order to create this kind of sanctuary, you need a welcoming, sunny space with enough room, good food, libations and the best patio furniture for your needs and budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve this, but you should not skimp on quality, durability or comfort, either.

    Choosing the Best Patio Furniture

    Before shopping for patio furniture, know first that form needs to follow function. In other words, how do you plan to use the patio? Some homeowners will want a top-of-the line barbecue and a table for eight as the focal points for entertaining. Others will lean more towards soft chairs they can sink into, and a more romantic ambience.

    Couches, side tables and fire pits are perfect for outdoor dining and cocktail parties. If there is enough room, you can set up a conversation area plus a separate reading nook that can serve as a small, private refuge. Can’t decide? There is no reason why you can’t create a versatile outdoor patio that does it all (or almost all), even with limited space.

    Patio Furniture Priorities

    Continuing along the function theme, outdoor living is all about relaxation, so your patio furniture should be easy to care for. Heavy and bulky pieces are hard to move, frustrating to clean and they can rust. Opt for all-weather wicker, cedar, teak or metal instead. To make your patio seating more comfortable, choose some cozy outdoor cushions or pillows with removable covers.

    You can even add a rustic outdoor blanket when the temperatures dip down; just remember to take everything in before it rains. Speaking of which, you can pick up an inexpensive outdoor storage bin to toss the cushions in when you need to. Keep them inside during the cold winter months if that applies to your region, however.

    Once you have moved on to the shopping phase, it is wise to try out the seating before buying. Remember, it all has to look and feel appealing. Some patio sets have plush cushions included, so make sure that the fabrics are weather- and fade-resistant. Of course, they won’t last forever, but higher quality means longer-lasting comfort and durability.

    Best Patio Furniture Materials

    Many people prefer wood patio furniture for its rustic, homey look. Choose durable, water-resistant grains like eucalyptus or teak, otherwise you may have to seal the furniture every year. Wood furniture may also be prone to cracking, splitting and rotting over time.

    Some of the best patio furniture is made from aluminum, which is lightweight, easy to clean and does not rust. Look for pieces with UV-resistant finishes, powder coating, seamless welds and rust-proof hardware.

    Wrought-iron patio furniture is definitely heavier, but it is lighter and more modern than old-fashioned versions. Still, it is harder to move because of its weight.

    Best Patio Furniture for Small Spaces

    Is your patio on the small side? Worry not; Southern Living emphasizes that size is not an indicator of greatness. Do not put large or bulky patio furniture on smaller patios and balconies, as this will overcrowd them. Find furniture that suits your space. No matter how much room you’re working with, start by picking a statement piece to serve as a focal point, and accessorize from there.

    A wicker lounge chair can be a lovely way to start, and you can add a side table, potted plants and a footrest. This can be just enough in tiny spaces, offering a nice little escape when you need it. Small loveseats also look nice, as does seating with built-in storage on the bottom, like a bench. A bar-height dining set with two or four chairs is a great way to open up the space. You can also try folding chairs, which do not take up a lot of room.

    Working within Your Budget

    Patio furniture can be expensive, so you may want to set a budget before making purchases. While it is fine to purchase a few inexpensive resin tables or chairs for when you need extra seating, these should not be your main pieces. Buying cheap pieces can be wallet-friendly at first, but before you know it, you will have to buy things all over again.

    Bargain-priced wood, metal and wicker can also be ready for the trash after just a few years. Do your research before buying, and look for patio furniture that is well-reviewed and affordable. You can spend less on accessories, like lighting, outdoor rugs, plants, cushions and blankets. Also seek out furniture that can serve multiple purposes. This is another good way to save money on outdoor patio furniture.

  • Best Outdoor Patio ideas

    Whether you plan to spend the rest of the summer working from your outdoor home office or just want to have a few moments of peace with your morning coffee before beginning your commute, here are some of the best outdoor patio ideas.

    Outdoor living space on a brick patio overlooking a tranquil lake

    Summer Kitchen

    You may want to use your deck or patio as an outdoor summer kitchen. If so, think about things like being set back from the house when planning where to put the grill and how much space to assign to your patio’s food prep area. Don’t forget, everyone wants to hang out in the kitchen at parties. Being able to observe and talk to the chef is a bonus.

    If you don’t barbeque much and prefer drinks and nibbles or potlucks for your outdoor entertaining, think about building a small bar with its back against the exterior wall, facing out. This works well on a small patio or deck where you don’t want your guests milling about.

    If you’d rather focus on eating outdoors while continuing to do your meal prep in your indoor kitchen, create a casual dining area where people feel comfortable lounging both before and after meals. You can serve them more formally after doing all the food prep indoors. Think bench seating and well-cushioned rattan or metal outdoor chairs, rather than traditional wrought iron, which can be very unforgiving. Those wrought iron sets are best saved for tiny bistro tables where you have a quick coffee but don’t plan to linger.

    water coming out from a vase in a garden

    Add a Calming Element

    When you retreat to your patio, you’re looking for a change of scenery and perhaps even a new perspective. Creating an outdoor patio that nourishes you is just as important as using your outdoor space as an entertainment extension to your home. If you want your patio or deck to be a retreat, consider adding a calming element like a Zen or herb garden or a simple but elegant waterfall.

    Zen gardens come in all sizes and shapes, from smaller than a placemat to large outdoor constructions. All you need is a rectangular wooden box or tray, a small wooden rake, some sand, some shells, rocks, or twigs, and, if you want to get fancy, a succulent or two. Bonus points if you can use some of that sand you brought home from your last Caribbean vacation. As you trace patterns in the sand you can pretend that you’re back there, even though you haven’t left the patio.

    Waterfalls can be as simple as two bowls cunningly arranged so one overflows into the other. The sound of trickling water is one of the most soothing there is, right up there with a soothing breeze that rustles the tree leaves. Don’t invest in anything too complicated or anything that’s likely to require a lot of maintenance. Keep it simple and clean, and make sure your water feature has an off switch for guests who may not appreciate it.

    Fragrant lavender, rosemary, and mint are three of the best herbs to grow on a patio or deck in containers. Lavender and rosemary provide a tall, spikey visual element, while mint just cascades lushly as it spreads. Make sure you’ve got the right exposure for the herbs you choose—not all, like mint, want full sun.

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