4 Simple Tips for Adding Shade and Style to Your Outdoor Area

Home & Garden Blog

You can't enjoy an outdoor area if there is too much sunlight beating down on you, and a drab and dull patio or deck is anything but inviting. The good news is that you don't need to spend too much money to add both shade and style to an outdoor area, whether that's at home or at an office or café with a deck for seating. Consider a few simple tips for making your outdoor space more comfortable and stylish.

1. Add a pergola

A pergola refers to a structure made of beams that are spaced far enough apart from each other so that they allow in light while still offering some shade. A pergola usually has an Asian feeling to it, as they are very popular in Asian countries. They're simple to create and to install and very affordable, and they break up the sunlight that hits your space without making everything seem closed in and claustrophobic.

2. Install a retractable awning

A retractable awning is a good choice for outdoor areas because you can open and close it as you prefer. For very sunny days you can open it all the way, or you can open it just partway depending on the direction of the sun. A retractable awning allows you to close it up completely so it's out of the way and doesn't detract from your overall look during the evening. A retractable awning can be cranked by hand or it can be electric for more convenience.

3. Add potted trees

If you have a small space in your backyard, you might consider planted or potted trees. These can grow quite tall and provide some shade that is natural and even relaxing. You can move these according to where the sun shines or leave them in place and move your chairs or table under their shade.

4. Use sail shades

Sail shades are a great solution for any outdoor space because they're easy to install, lightweight, and are available in a wide range of styles and colours. Sail shades are usually stretched between three or four poles and work like oversized umbrellas. You can choose sail shades that are cut smaller than your outdoor space so you can move to where the sun still shines, or you can move under the shades and opt for a nice colour or design that will add style to your space as well as shade. For more information, contact a business such as Domain Force.

 

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5 February 2015

Creating An Organised And Functional Kitchen

The kitchen is the most used room in my home, and in the past, I found it could get messy and chaotic very quickly. Trying to cook dinner when you can't find an essential appliance or see past the clutter on the counter is no fun. I realised I enjoyed my time in the kitchen more and was more productive when my kitchen was organised and laid out in a way that optimised functionality. I changed my kitchen cleaning and organising routine, decluttered, got rid of appliances I don't use and moved things around to ensure frequently used items were easy to reach. I started this blog to share my tips for creating a kitchen that's enjoyable to use, and I post about ways you can optimise the space you have. I hope you find my posts useful.