Garden Furniture
Have you ever thought about creating an outdoor room and
enjoying your
garden
furniture all year long? Everybody craves time in the great outdoors,
but due to change of seasons, we can't all enjoy nature’s life all year long.
The good news is, you don't have to give up the serenity of a garden once winter
rolls around because now you can simply bring your garden indoors! With some
creative design work, you can make any room feel full of plant life, no matter
what Mother Nature has in store.
The first place to bring plants to your home is to place
them by your windows. To help bring the garden indoors, try to establish a
visual connection between the two. You know, so you can see plants inside and
outside of your home.
Here are a few more tips. French doors,
outdoor
chaise lounges and sliders extend
your eyesight beyond the boundaries of a room, while lowering windows to seating
height, wrapping them around corners or installing bay windows can help draw a
room into the landscape. To strengthen that connection, forgo heavy window
treatments in favor of sheers or shades made from natural materials such as
woven grass or bamboo.
Think about your floors. If the room has a patio, extending
the flooring into the landscape will help bring the garden indoors, making the
two flow together. Use piece like tile, slate, bluestone, bricks and concrete
which are ideal for this purpose. You also might want to think about covering
the floor with material or painted wood for an outdoorsy look.
Now let’s talk about your walls. You should consider
painting the interior walls to match the dominant colors in your garden. Have
the color of blooms or leaves in pillows, lamps or other accessories. You might
even consider wrapping exterior siding such as shingles or clapboard around the
inside walls which is a great way to make a sunroom or den feel like an old
porch that's been enclosed.
Next lets concentrate on your furniture. Consider buying
furnishings made from natural fibers such as wicker. Consider having the theme
of your furniture having cotton or linen fabrics in stripes, solids or large
floral colors to bring the garden indoors year-round. You could even use many of
the outdoor fabrics on the market. Rustic furniture and chairs are another great
way to bring the outdoors. You can find old metal garden furniture at antiques
shops and yard sales as well as online. To complete the setting, use a painted
bench for a footrest or side table or make your own table from a planter topped
with a piece of glass or stone. Hammocks inspire instant relaxation. So why
confine them to the great outdoors? Hang one across the corners of a room and
bring the garden indoors all year long!
Now let’s talk about accessories. Feel free to accessorize
your rooms with garden implements such as tin watering cans, statues,
birdhouses, or even something as simple as a glass bowl or hurricane lamp filled
with rocks or shells. They will all look great displayed on shelves and table
tops. Crave the sound of water? Consider installing a fountain. You want your
accessories to underscore the decor.
Now let’s get to the main item for bringing that garden
indoors, which would be your plants! You will want plants large with lush flora
such as palms, umbrella trees and weeping figs. They will all help bring the
garden indoors. Unless you're running a plant hospital, avoid spindly little
specimens or plants grouped on shelves or stands because the 1970s are over and
it's time to move on. Got a brown thumb? Fill a bowl with lemons, green apples,
dried pomegranates or even acorns or leaves. And unless you suffer from
allergies, leave the fake plants to fast-food restaurants and hotel lobbies.
Nobody should have to live in a house that looks like Denny's!
Ok, let’s talk more about having your houseplants inside.
If you follow these easy tips, you will be able to keep them happy and healthy.
First, wash foliage thoroughly with plain water. Wipe off the top and bottom of
each leaf. Then use an insecticidal soap, such as Safer Insect Killing Soap, to
finish the job. Then water the plant with a systemic insecticide. You will want
to check with your garden shop for the best one, and apply it according to the
manufacturer's directions. Dab rubbing alcohol on visible insects. A cotton swab
works great for this. Clean the outside of each pot. Pay special attention to
the bottom, removing insects and debris.
Another thing to think about, indoor placement is critical
to most houseplants! Keep them away from heat registers and cold drafts. Direct
sunlight shining through a window can scald even the toughest leaves, so back
the plants away just a bit for optimum light. The lack of humidity in the home
makes soil dry faster than when the plants are living outdoors. At first, check
them every few days to determine what your watering schedule should be. If
you're unsure about whether it's time to water, pick up the containers. Light
pots are dry pots. Or invest in a moisture meter. Also, be sure to buy one with
a long probe so you can determine how dry the soil is more than a few inches
below the surface. With these simple tips, you can bring in your houseplants
without any surprises.
Now that you've thought about creating an outdoor room with
wood patio furniture and
enjoying your garden all year long., it’s time to do it! With some creative
design work, you can make any room feel full of plant life, no matter what
Mother Nature has in store. Best of luck in redesigning your home to have a
beautiful year around garden effect!
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