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Outdoor Decorating: Create a Patio Retreat with the Budget-Friendly Tips
By Jessica Stockton
If your home has a patio, turn it into a warm weather destination for your family and friends with these budget-friendly tips that will make the most of this outdoor space, turning it from a patch of unused concrete into a relaxing outdoor retreat. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy nature’s beauty in comfortable style. Start with a Clean De-Cluttered Space
A cluttered and messy patio hardly feels like a relaxing retreat. Start by putting away bikes and toys, garden tools, mowers and anything that doesn’t belong. Pull up weeds, rake away leaves and debris and give the patio a good sweeping. If dirt is stubborn, hose it off and sweep again. Now that it’s clean and cleared off, you can make it inviting and stylish. Comfortable Furniture on a Budget
Garden and patio furniture can be found at every range of prices and styles, but you don’t need expensive furniture for a comfortable and stylish patio. Start by shopping discount stores or warehouse clubs for good quality furniture that will hold up for years if it is maintained as recommended. Whether you buy mid-priced or budget priced furniture, you can make it look even more inviting by piling on inexpensive cushions. There really is no reason to buy expensive outdoor cushions because even the most expensive ones will become deteriorated over time due to rain and sun. Purchase affordable cushions that you won’t feel guilty about replacing next season, plus you get to change the style a little from year to year. Affordable Accessories
So many outdoor accessories are available these days from budget sources that it’s easy to add an outdoor clock, a birdbath, statuary, lanterns, wind chimes and other accessories. Try shopping at the end of the season for the best deals or frequent antique and resale stores, garage sales and flea markets for vintage bird cages, footed urns and pottery, and garden inspired accents that will give your patio a little personality. Fountains add tranquility to an outdoor space and many affordable options can be found at garden centers, home improvement centers and discount stores. Or make an inexpensive fountain from clay pots and a pump kit. Embellish the pots with paint, stones and shells to make your fountain one-of-a-kind. You can find step-by-step instructions on building your own fountain with a quick Internet search. Add Color with Flowers
There is no better way to enjoy natural beauty than with flowers. You don’t have to buy expensive pre-made container arrangements to add color to your patio. Make your own container combos with inexpensive annuals. You can pick up a flat of annuals (48 plants) for about $15.00 and most garden centers will let you mix and match as you like. Let a few plants spill over the sides of a planter and plant taller varieties in the center. Add perennials to surrounding landscaped beds for color that will come back year after year. Perennials sold in smaller quart-size pots are much cheaper than gallon sizes and will fill in just as quickly. It really is not difficult to plant perennials; just be sure to read the plant tag. This will tell you if the plant is suited to sun or shade, as well as its size, when it blooms and how to care for it.
Photo from Flickr - "Patio" courtesy of thechasqui. |
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