Admit it. You love the great outdoors. Entertaining friends. Watching the kids run through the sprinkler. Napping on your patio. There's a host of life happening outside the home, and more homeowners than ever are seizing the opportunity to make their patios and yards extensions of their living space.
"We're finding that people want to utilize every square inch in and out of the home," says Leslie Segrete, carpenter on the TLC show "While You Were Out" and co-host of the syndicated home improvement radio show "The Money Pit." "They're turning patios and garages into family rooms. They're creating outdoor bedrooms from screened-in porches."
The key to enjoying these spaces is keeping things simple and functional. By emphasizing your lifestyle and needs, you can create a space that's 100 percent you ? and 100 percent useful.
Define Your Style. Define Your Space. Whether you're faced with just a small patch of yard ? or acres ? the first step is to define your lifestyle needs and the physical space you want for your outdoor activities. Will you be using the space for entertaining friends? Relaxing? Do you need a play area for the kids?
Keep It Simple. Rain, cold weather, extreme wind and harsh sunlight are all culprits that can ruin any outdoor area. With some upfront planning and smart shopping, Segrete notes, you can minimize Mother Nature's effects.
"You don't want to worry about moving furniture every time you're not using it. If you use items that withstand the test of time, you'll make your life a lot simpler." Segrete recommends good, exterior grade furniture in a weather-sturdy material like teak, and cushions that are waterproof and fade-resistant. If you live in a high-wind area, consider concrete anchors on furniture and decorative items.
Water is one big outdoor need that's come a long way over the years. "When I was a kid, my mother would fill our little pool, and the water would be freezing. She'd rush inside to get warm water to try to make it more comfortable. With today's new water options, you don't have to worry about that."
Moen Incorporated recently introduced a single-handle, hot-cold sill faucet that's designed for today's outdoor needs. This unique outdoor faucet features simple one-handle operation that delivers both hot and cold water, just like a faucet you'd find in the kitchen.
"With the right water source outside, you can wash away dirt from the yard, car and pets no matter what the temperature, and keep the inside of your home cleaner," says Segrete. She advises placing outdoor faucets within easy reach of common activities, reducing the need to move and coil up yards and yards of hose. "It's all about making your life easier."
Extend Your Opportunities. As outdoor areas become more stylish and functional, homeowners are looking for ways to enjoy them longer in the evening ? and longer when the weather gets cold.
Gone are the days of the messy firepit that required constant attention and cleaning. One tip Segrete has is to put modern technology to use for your comfort. "You'll find beautiful copper dishes with fake logs that you can hook up to a propane line. They are simple to use and easy to set up. It's a no-nonsense way to generate heat and ambiance."
When it comes to outdoor lighting, look beyond harsh floodlights for maximum drama and impact. "You want to create something that replicates moonlight ? always from above, never from below," says Segrete. Hanging lights or lanterns that surround your space will assure you can entertain or relax well into the evening.
So open the back door, and start imagining. With the right ideas, your yard can become not only an extension of your living space ? but also an extension of your personal style.
For more information about Moen's outdoor hot/cold sill faucet visit www.moen.com or call (800) BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).
Convert Garage To Living Space
Water Features in a traditional sense was originally found in Greece, in the shape of fountains and were thought to be at the heart of the society. However, one thousand years earlier there is recognized documentation verifying the use of fountains as a part of a garden complex in Iran, where ceramic remains have been discovered. The beneficial qualities of gardening as a whole has been established for a very long time, with many early communities developing their communes through the use of the land.
The Greeks designed whole temples dedicated to healing with pastoral settings, healing gardens, swimming pools and mineral springs. The society would venerate the deity ?Aesclepius? and take time to heal, relax and unwind, the temples were a place to assist recovery from illness. The Romans also documented extensively which plant life had healing properties, in the 1st century A.D. a surgeon from the army, Dioscorides composed a document with over 600 plant based medicines and the typical locations and how to use each particular plants to medicate.
The Centre for Therapeutic Horticulture has been established since 1992 and is part of the University of Minnesota's Landscape Arboretum. The Centre specializes in exploration into the significance of connecting people with plants in reference to physical condition and recovery within the healthcare setting. The up to date exploration into this relationship seems to show that being surrounded by and benefitting from the beauty of the natural world stimulates our ability to heal and increases the chance of physical recovery. In particular the sound of running water is supposed to enhance our feeling of well being and relaxes the mind. As human beings are 70% water the basic need for water is being fulfilled and perhaps a constant assurance is given to us to know we are within a close proximity to water.
In the two decades it has become possible for water features to become recurrant within landscaping. Gardening programmes like the BBC's ground force have inspired the UK to become more aware of their garden and the huge benefit and satisfaction to be gained from up keeping a garden. There are also the financial benefits with a garden adding significant value to any property when it's well maintained but it is about having a secluded area to entertain, socialize and enjoy life.
The new designer water feature can come in various shapes and sizes to suit all garden size, shapes and designs, gone are the days where plastic water ponds are the norm. When it comes to materials there is a wide variety of materials being used in the design of water features from the ultra modern stainless steel to classically inspired stone carving. Adding a new dimension to your garden by installing a water feature would certainly give a new dimension to your garden and encourage the use of your garden and may benefit your health in the long run.
Both Kristi Stolarski & Chelsea Michaels are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kristi Stolarski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Energy Healing. Timeless designs that reflect good taste. Faucets and fixtures that are livable and enduring. These are just some of the reasons why Moen Incorporated is the #1 brand of faucet in North America. In addition to stylish and affordable faucets, Moen also o. Kristi Stolarski's top article generates over 590 views. to your Favourites.
Chelsea Michaels has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Property Sale and Property Guide. Chelsea is a freelance author, writing occassional overviews on , who specialise in high quality and unusual water features and deliver throughout th. Chelsea Michaels's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
