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Outdoor patio furniture has come a long way from a few plastic chairs and waterproof cushions. Today, the market is wide open and includes anything and everything from rattan furniture to plush sofas and elegant dining areas. You could spend a fortune creating the perfect outdoor living space; but if economy is on your mind, there still are some very affordable options for purchasing outdoor patio furniture.

Discount stores – many offer very affordable outdoor patio furniture that mimics the current trends in the more expensive stores. A good tip is to open the box prior to purchase and inspect the furniture looking for cracks, tears, scratches, gouges, and missing parts.

Patio Furniture stores – you can get ideas from the arrangements and also see what are the current trends. Many also offer less expensive items as well as the more pricey stuff. It is a great way to compare the furniture quality of the discount places.

Home Improvement stores – because they often sell garden supplies, the two major home improvement retailers also sell patio furniture. Look for sales and special financing offers from them.

The latest trend in outdoor patio furniture is using materials, styles and fabrics that were traditionally only considered for the inside of your home. Large sofas and comfy loveseats along with big chairs and elegant dining furniture are just some of the ideas being used outdoors. Because many home owners are installing covered patios, the ability to use non-weatherproof furniture has really taken hold of consumers. Besides, shouldn’t you be as comfortable as possible when you’re outside? Of course, so using softer fabrics and furniture is only natural. Here are some ideas for a few basic pieces everyone should have as outdoor patio furniture:

1. Chairs – as many as you have in your family.
2. Pillows – to make the chairs softer and prettier.
3. Sofa – either one large one or two loveseats.
4. BBQ Grill – a must for every patio.
5. Fireplace – either build one or use a fire pit or chiminea.
6. Dining Set – try to get the nicest one you can afford.

The exact quantities chosen are purely up to you and your wallet. The thing to remember is you are trying to bring the indoors to your patio by creating an expanded living area into your backyard. The more comfortable and cozy you make your patio furniture, the more enjoyable your outdoor experience will become.

Home and garden ideas are always plentiful especially during the summer months when the kids are out of school and the weather is warm. Home improvement projects get started and outdoor activities are in full swing once the calendar hits the month of June. So what are some creative and inexpensive home and garden projects you and your family can do to make the summer months pass by? Here a re a few suggestions to get you thinking:

1. Vegetable garden – a great way to get the whole family involved, get outdoors, grow some tasty veggies and save a little money.
2. Butterfly/Hummingbird garden – plants that attract these beautiful creatures are anything that is nectar bearing like sage, honeysuckle, lavender, daisies, verbena and hibiscus.
3. Home baking – making pies, cakes and other tempting goodies always brings a smile to your love one’s faces. If you have a vegetable garden you can try your hand at canning veggies and making preserves.
4. Crafts – visit the local craft store and pick up a few items to make “Thank You” cards or even Christmas cards. Get industrious and make a beautiful wreath for the front door.
5. Painting – no time like the present and with the kids’ home from school you have a few extra hands to help out. Nothing lifts your spirit more than a fresh coat of paint (either inside or outside) and think of the money savings by doing it yourself.
6. Outdoor Living Area – why not take up the current trend and extend your living area to the backyard. There are some beautiful and inexpensive furniture ideas now available. Pick up the latest home magazine and explore your options.
7. Landscaping – now that you are outside, get with it and create some beautiful flower and native gardens. Add in a few bird houses, bird feeders, a water feature and you can enjoy the surrounding wildlife as well as your gorgeous property.

As you can see, Home and garden can mean just about anything you want it to so long as it pertains to your house and your yard. The more things you do in and around your home, the more enjoyment you will have and it may lessen the sting of that monthly mortgage payment. Besides, it just might bring your family even closer while at the same time doing something you all can take pride in.

Garden design is sort of a catch all phrase that really seems to have come into use more and more these days. Much more than landscaping, garden design involves everything from the type of garden, the layout, the structure and even the total effect you want to create with the garden. There are as many ways to design a garden as there are people in the world, but regardless there are always a few things to remember that will be the same for any climate, any garden:

1. Location – will affect your garden design. How much or how little sun there is, the type of shade (dense or sparse), drainage, irrigation availability, soil, breezy or not, etc. You need to know this so you can use the right plants. If you purchase plants that require shade and you place them in full sun, they will die.
2. Climate – where you live will have an impact on your garden design. Check with local nurseries as to whether the type of garden design you want is even feasible. An example would be wanting an outdoor tropical garden in Alaska, it may not be the best choice for the climate.
3. Soil – is it brown dirt, red clay, sand, rocky, a mixture, a little of everything, does it have good drainage. It may be necessary to create a raised area for your garden design so you can have the right soil content and good run-off.
4. Plants – it is best to go with native plants or ones that will easily acclimate to your climate and soil. It’s not to say you cannot use non-native plants, but they will require extra care, water and work on your part if you want them to survive.
5. Water – is water easy to access or an even option for you if you are considering plants which require more irrigation.
6. Layout – you should place ground cover and short plants in front and then layer towards the back with increasing heights. Use adult plant heights and widths for your basis. Choose compatible plants as well.

Designing a garden is a lot of fun and very rewarding once you see the finished results. Just remember to use these universal hints when planning your garden design and you will have a gorgeous garden for years to come. It just takes a little extra time to make your garden design perfect in every way.

A few web laced lawn chairs are no longer the norm for garden furniture. Today much more substantial materials like Teak wood or large stones or wrought iron are being used to create elegant and functional furniture that blends into your garden space rather than sticks out. Pieces are designed with beauty in mind as well as usability. Fabrics are soft and lovely, not just waterproof. Some of the more current trends in garden furniture include:

1. Patio bistro sets – small round tables perched high with bar stool height chairs. These are great for casual intimate outdoor dining.
2. Formal Patio dining sets – to add an elegant flair to any outdoor eating event. Use stoneware place settings not paper plates.
3. Garden benches – these are great to place in a bare spot so you can be surrounded by the wonder and beauty of your garden. Enjoy the breeze and the wildlife.
4. Swings and gliders – yes, these are making a huge comeback and will remind you of a time when things were a little slower and easier.
5. Chairs – grape leaf, Adirondack, chaise, and even traditional arm chairs are becoming the standard in outdoor seating. Add in a cocktail table or end table and you are set for some great conversations.
6. Umbrellas and Tarps – set up under trees, above uncovered decks and patios or even in the middle of the yard for a shady oasis.
7. Planter stands – you can display your beloved ivy or a treasured piece of art work.
8. Planting benches – these now include a sink and can be hooked up to the garden hose to give you a wonderful and functional place to tend to your garden from (rather than running back and forth to the garage).

Obviously there are many more ideas and products available for your garden furniture needs. Stop by a few patio shops or visit the nearest home improvement store to get a few more ideas for your backyard. You can coordinate all the furniture for an elegant look or mix and match to go for an eclectic feel. There really isn’t a wrong way to go about it and the practicality of garden furniture is beyond measure (especially after a long day at work or digging in the garden). Besides, having little alcoves and niches to sit down at through out your yard adds to the overall beauty and appeal of the area.

Garden décor is one of the hottest trends in landscaping and if you’re thinking about plastic pink flamingos, you are way behind the times. Today, garden decorations encompass everything from gnomes to statues to water features and more. In fact, the sale of garden decorations is about $10 billion annually. Adding decorations to your yard is somewhat like putting on jewelry or a scarf, only you’re decorating your garden rather than yourself. The idea is to enhance the natural beauty of your garden; to create a little intrigue and fun into your outdoor landscape. The best way to begin is to start with a few things and add more as you continue to expand and grow your garden.

Here is a list of the more popular items currently being purchased:

1. Statues – gnomes, animals, stand-up figures, and art sculptures. Materials being used include brass, copper, cement, plaster, plastic, wood, various metals and ceramics.
2. Flags – these can be seasonal, inspirational, cartoons, countries, or even slogans. They can be mounted anywhere in the garden, along the walkways, on the house or even up a flag pole.
3. Art – yes actual artwork like paintings, sculptures, figures, and ceramics. Practically anything art you might have inside your home has now become suitable outside as well.
4. Lighting – in the trees, along pathways, to accent your patio or pool. This can be in the form of flood lights, string lights, accent lights or even lamps.
5. Water features – this can run the gambit from ponds to waterfalls to birdbaths to fountains. Just the sound of the water will create an entirely different atmosphere for your garden.
6. Stones – for pathways, for landscaping, for seating and for decoration. Stones and rocks add a rugged quality to your garden.
7. Outdoor fireplaces – this can be a designed and built fireplace similar to an inside one or a fire pit, a chiminea or even a pot bellied stove. Nothing adds more ambiance than a beautiful roaring fire.

And this is just the beginning; there are a million more ideas and items that can be added to enhance your yard. Let your imagination and creative juices flow and see what ideas you can come up with. Don’t go overboard though, there is such a thing as too much garden décor. Use your best judgment and don’t clutter up your garden but do add some of your own personality for everyone to see and enjoy.