Are you having problems figuring out some patio ideas due to the fact that your patio door is quite a bit above the ground? There are some very creative and functional ways to tackle this challenge. I will discuss them in this article.

Raised patios are fine. However, there are two main aspects to consider.

The first one is that you do not want a long staircase leading down to your property. Steep staircases are not comfortable. In addition, unless you have sidewalls, if you have more than two or three steps (check with your own building department), you will most likely need railings.

The second issue is that a patio high off the ground needs some type of protection from falling off the patio. Railings are a solution, but perhaps you don’t want railings. An alternative solution is to build wide planters. They should be a minimum of two feet deep.

One more thing to think about is that these types of patios need side walls, which add a considerable amount onto the cost. The higher the walls, the more they cost. The pricing is determined by the square footage of the walls and also the wall material you use. Concrete decorative block is one of the less expensive options, while natural stone will be the most costly.  Read more...

A hardwood from Australia, eucalyptus is primarily known as the food eaten by the koala bear. Eucalyptus is much less widely known than its more popular counterparts like redwood, cedar, and teak. However, eucalyptus patio furniture is an option that should be seriously considered. Eucalyptus furniture will offer beauty and durability as the main attraction of a gorgeous patio.

Although teak remains one of the more popular hardwoods for patio furniture, eucalyptus is really the denser and stronger hardwood. In addition, it resists rot and will typically be useable for decades. Eucalyptus is not cheap to buy. However, when factoring in its impressive longevity, it still makes for a very good deal.

You should clean your eucalyptus furniture routinely, just as you would other wood patio furniture, to keep dirt and grime from accumulating. When it is first harvested eucalyptus wood is a pinkish-brown, later the color turns a reddish-brown and finally to gray silver as it faces the elements. You can maintain the wood’s original color by staining it or using oil to treat it twice a year.  Read more...

Retreat to a garden and patio design that’s beautiful year-round, and takes minimum fuss. What makes this possible? Carefree plants with continuous blooms, and a well-planned garden structure.

You don’t need to be a lawn and garden expert or landscape designer to do this. Here are a few tips for creating a super yet simple garden and patio design that will be a knockout!

The first step is to take a birds-eye view of your garden and patio area. Make a rough sketch of your space, and play around with a few designs until you like what you see. As you’re doing this, get some great ideas from existing garden and patio decorations. Pay a visit to other people’s gardens, or public gardens. Look through home landscaping and gardening magazines, find what you like, and develop plans of your own.

Decide what style or theme is right for you… formal, casual, rustic, Southwestern, Japanese… there are enormous possibilities. Then stay with that style and theme so the overall effect does not become confusing. For instance, you wouldn’t want to combine bronze garden sculptures of saints or cherubs with rustic wooden wagon wheels.  Read more...

A patio is a place in the home that is often used for relaxing and family time. This kind of environment calls for a more comfortable type of furniture. There are many different styles and designs for casual patio furniture. This is by far the most popular style of furniture for patios and decks as well. Casual patio furniture allows you to maintain that homey feel even when outside of the home. This type of patio furniture can bring a certain level of warmth and décor to your patio area. Some styles of this patio furniture include Teak, Adirondack styles, wicker and even aluminum. If you are interested in casual patio furniture, you will have many choices as you begin to shop around.

One of the most popular casual patio furniture styles is the Adirondack. The Adirondack style consists of low slung furniture with a wide board style. Of course, within the Adirondack style, there are many different styles and designs. Adirondack furniture comes constructed from many different types of wood as well. Teak and cedar are two of the most popular, due to their natural ability to withstand the elements of the outside world. They are known to be two of the strongest woods. They are not easily warped by outside elements. These Teak or cedar Adirondack casual patio seats will last you for years, age beautifully and will be a great investment. Adirondack furniture is also well known for being very comfortable, so you cannot go wrong when investing in it.  Read more...