Ways To Transform Your Outdoor Space

The aesthetics of your outdoor space can make a huge difference in how you feel each time you step outside your house or workplace. With just a little effort, this space can become a beautiful sanctuary to take a break and relax, and also to host guests when the weather is favorable. Below is a look at some of the best ways to transform your outdoor space from drab to glam with just a little effort:

• Furniture: Buying elegant furniture is one of the best investments that you can make to transform your outdoor space. This type of furniture is usually sturdy and weather-resistant, making it last a long time after you purchase it. From outdoor sofas and tables to lounge chairs and hammocks, the list of outdoor furniture that you can get is endless. Choose furniture that is of the correct color scheme to compliment your outdoor décor, and also consider the amount of space that you have to avoid congestion.
• Less Is More: When designing your outdoor space, a key factor is to not go overboard, and instead be minimalistic. Outdoor spaces must be clutter free and should solve the purpose of offering respite from the indoors. For this, it is important to not cover every inch of space with pavement or plants. Pebbles are a good way to achieve this balance by covering the ground but still preventing monotony.
• Design Based On The Sun’s Orientation: A successfully designed outdoor space is one which is built around the sun’s orientation. Any outdoor space is incomplete without plants so this is significantly important while deciding where to grow the plants. This will ensure that plants bloom well and get the sunlight they require.
• Have A Provision For Cooking: Food and fun go hand in hand, so be sure to have access to food in your outdoor space. You can do this by creating easy access between the kitchen and the outdoor space, and also by having a barbecue for grilling, as well as potted herbs like basil and mint.
• Storage Solutions: Clutter accumulation is an inevitable part of outdoor living. This can be curtailed by having some simple storage solutions. When buying furniture, look for items with built-in storage. Shelving units and storage benches can help you to keep the space organized, and to be able to easily access things when you need them.
• Lighting: Lighting is a critical component in an outdoor space. You can make the most of sunlight by ensuring that no walls or fences block sunlight from streaming into the space. You can also install lamps and solar-powered lights to make the space equally inviting on darker days.

Patio Furniture Care

Regular maintenance of patio furniture can help it look beautiful for years at a stretch, irrespective of the exterior environs. Caring for your patio furniture protects it from weathering, fading and falling apart too soon. Here are some easy ways in which you can make your outdoor furniture last long and look great.

1. Regular Cleaning
Outdoor furniture should be cleaned regularly as per its material. Once every two weeks is ideal to get your patio furniture cleaned. Furniture made from aluminum, vinyl and plastic should be cleaned with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. After a thorough scrubbing session and a proper rinse, the furniture should be kept out to dry in the sun. When it comes to wooden patio furniture, refrain from using soap & use plain water instead and let it dry after a good wipe.

2. Glass Tables
Keeping the glass table tops clean is essential to make the overall furniture look attractive. They should be cleaned daily with a glass cleaner followed by a paper towel for added shine.

3. Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is great for patio furniture that has been stored away for a long time. It instantly washes away cobwebs and debris stuck to the furniture.

4. Applying Paste Wax
Coating metallic furniture with paste wax right after purchasing helps in curbing rust formation. The paste wax should also be applied after washing the furniture. It can be bought from a hardware or home improvement store. If some rust has already started forming on your metal furniture, fret not, as there’s a way out. All you have to do is scrub the rust away with a wire brush.

5. Cleaning Mildew
Mildew can strike even on waterproof outdoor cushions and pillows. Sniff them regularly to catch a whiff of mildew as soon as it starts because tackling it immediately yields best results in keeping it away. Make sure cushions and pillows are completely dry before storing them indoors to prevent mildew.

6. Immediate Repairs
The moment you notice any wear and tear on your patio furniture, mend it to prevent more destruction. Fix cracks with special glues meant to do so, tighten loose bolts, screws and more. If need be, get the furniture replaced.

7. Cover The Patio Furniture
When not in use, patio furniture should be covered with custom made covers. You get to choose the color, style and material of the cover and check if they fit perfectly. Covering protects your furniture from outdoor elements. If you are not able to get a custom cover made, consider covering the furniture with plastic or vinyl tarps that are waterproof and breathable. Bungees and ropes can be used to keep the tarps intact.

8. Store Away During Winters
Harsh winters are not good for patio furniture. Proper storage of patio furniture during winters protects it from the not-so-good effects of ice and snow. You can make a special shed for the furniture or utilize your garage or basement.

Best Multi-Functional Furniture For Your Home

If minimalism, less clutter and more space is what you are looking for in your home, then multi-functional furniture is your best bet. Such furniture can be used for extra storage and dual purposes. They are ideal for homes in which space is an issue.

Let’s take a peek into some of the best multi-functional furniture for your home:

• Multi-Functional Beds

Multi-functional beds double up as sofas, storage options, tables and much more. They not only help you save on space and money, but also add grace and style. The most common ones are sofa beds, chest beds, wall beds, table beds and more. These beds are ideal for reducing clutter in a room due to the ample storage space they provide. Most of the beds these days come with storage options like smooth drawers or attached chests. You can conveniently tuck unnecessary items away and make your room tidy in a jiffy!

• Multi-Functional Dining Tables

These are great for small dining areas. They can be folded or expanded to suit your different seating requirements. Also they can be converted into corner tables when not in use or even used in the kitchen. Fusion tables are a hot trend as they are easy to convert and can also be used for storage purposes. You can use a fusion table as a designer dining table when hosting a meal or if you and your friends wish to get a little playful, you can easily convert it into a pool or billiards table as well.

• Innovative Chairs

Who said chairs are meant for sitting only? Today’s chairs are versatile and stylish. Modular chairs nowadays can be used for purposes other than sitting for example as stepping stools, magazine racks, shelves, wine holders and much more.

• Multi-Functional Mirrored Furniture

An iron board with an attached mirror is an example of such furniture. It is great for those staying in small apartments or hostels. On opening the board, you get an ironing board, and on locking it up and turning it, you get a decent mirror. This sleek and trendy piece of furniture can be easily placed in a corner. Box wardrobes that look like full size mirrors, but on being opened reveal spacious shelves for storage also fall under this category.

• Mag Table

A mag table is a smart piece of multi-functional furniture that can be used as a magazine stand on one side and when turned upside down converts into a laptop table, for storing tablets or simply as a platform to place snacks as you watch T.V.

• Couch Arm Rest Wrap

This can be used as an armrest as the name suggests or also as a tray. They are simple yet highly functional. Some also come with a tablet stand, cable organizer and charging dock.

• Stacking Tables

These usually come in different colors and are meant to be used as coffee and accent tables. However, they can be stacked up and converted into storage shelves when not in use.

• Multi-Functional Coffee Tables

These are ideal for small condos. They can be used as side tables in limited space and some come with a chest of drawers for added storage. They look trendy and stylish in any setting.