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Sweltering Style – Switching Up Your Patio For Summer Vibes

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After the colder winter and the associated hibernation, many of us welcome the return to warmer climate through extended stays in outdoor entertaining areas.

If your home’s outdoor space is in need of a bit of a spruce-up, the following ideas may help you create a space which is ripe for summer enjoyment, right in the nick of time.

Gimme Shelter

Although the warmth of summer sun can be pleasant and relaxing, the full heat of Australian summer can also be both dangerous and uncomfortable. If you’re looking to get the more use and enjoyment from your outdoor entertaining area, it can be a good idea to install adequate shade and sun protection.

Outdoor blinds are an ideal way to block out direct light and to control the temperature and glare of an area. They’re also available in a wide range of designs and colours, meaning that you can find a solution for your patio which will enhance the area while providing you with much needed comfort.

Another excellent solution is shadecloth. Shadecloth can be directly installed to overhead wooden beams to partially block out overhead light and dim the area, without completely shading the space.

For a tailored and comfortable solution, combining methods of sun protection is a great way to ensure you get the most from your space.

 

Light It Up

Outdoor lighting is another key consideration if you’re in the process of revamping your outdoor entertainment area for summer. With longer evenings and warm nights, the temptation to entertain and remain outdoors grows, and so it becomes necessary to provide a source of outdoor lighting.

Solar lights provide a cheap and environmentally friendly way to illuminate your social occasions. They can be installed in a number of ways, including lanterns, spotlights and fairy lights – meaning that you can light the area in a way which suits your space and your occasion.

LED lights are another low cost alternative and are able to be installed to a level of brightness which suits your needs.

Consider providing a lightsource which will deter bugs and pests, such as a bug zapper or a citronella candle. These light sources can keep you comfortable throughout the mosquito prone months.

 

Taste The Outdoors

If you’re spending more time outdoors socially, it makes sense that you may be considering outdoor cooking facilities. The barbeque is a much loved and time tested outdoor cooking apparatus, and can be used in summer with great gusto.

For a high-quality change, consider installing a wood fired oven or an outdoor cooker to really create a foodie heaven. A wood fired oven can make more than delicious pizza. It can also cook cakes and roast meats and vegetables. An outdoor cooker is like an indoor stove – without the restriction of walls. These are great for preparing high dexterity and high heat dishes such as curries, stir fries and deep fried dishes.

Outdoor cooking solutions provide you with an extra way to cook at all times of year – even in the cooler months. You might find them particularly handy when cooking particularly pungent or less welcomed foods (eg; cabbage soup or kimchi).

 

Pump Up The Volume

Speakers. Music. Action! An outdoor entertaining area isn’t complete without a little bit of entertainment. An easy way to integrate some fun into your outdoor area is through the installation of speakers or a sound system.

Clever positioning of speakers will allow you to enjoy music outdoors without incurring the anger or wrath of any neighbours. It will also allow you to enjoy streamed indoor content or radio broadcasts without the need for a clunky, static-filled boombox.

Setting up your outdoor entertaining area for summer as easy as preparing in advance. Get your climate and shade sorted, figure out your cooking methodologies and choose a playlist. Then it’s time to get the party started!

Simple and Cost Reducing Tricks to Make Your Home More Stylish

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Making your home look stylish may seem out of reach. However, it does not have to cost a lot of money to bring style into your home decor.

Mix and Match Sheer Curtains

Most people tend to stick with matching curtains. However, when they are sheer, they add an elegance to the room and the window when you mix and match two sets of curtains.

 

Tie Ribbons to Shower Curtain Rods

This gives the bathroom an elegant feel. You can add napkin rings and ribbons if you don’t like the look of ribbons directly on the rod.

 

Frame Your Television

For an elegant look in the living room, you can frame your television. Try using distressed wood or elegant looking pieces of trim cut to size. You can also hide all of the cords within a shower rod to give the room a simple and organized air.

 

Spray Paint Old Air Vents

Air vents tend to take on an aged look when they have been in place for some time. Give them a fresh coat of spray paint, and they appear like new.

 

Use Photo Frames to Accent Your Light Switches

Light switch frames do not have to be boring and light-colored. Instead, opt for a colorful picture frame, picked up at the dollar store or a yard sale, and frame the switch plate to make it look fresh and new. It adds style to the room in a way that you might not notice at first, but it is worth the effort.

 

Paint the Ceiling a Bright Color (Think Accent Wall)

Accent walls have been popular for a long time. Now, you can opt for a brightly colored ceiling to be the accent “wall” in the room. Instead, of choosing a wall around the room, draw the eye to the upper area. It brings style and gives the room a boost in energy as well.

 

Make the Room Look Bigger

You can opt for half-painted walls, which will make the room appear taller. You can also make the windows in the room appear bigger by using curved curtain rods. These can help give the room the illusion of more space, which can make people feel more comfortable and less cramped in the space.

 

Infuse Your Closet Doors with Style

You can purchase mirrors for reasonable prices. Opt to buy matching mirrors and attach them to the closet door. It is a good idea to paint the doors to match. Then, they appear built-in and very elegant.

 

Add Hardware to Tie Curtains

Tie-backs with a simple hook and ring connected to simple rope can give your curtains an elegant style. Meanwhile, you can opt to basket-weave the top of the curtains to provide another shot of elegance to the room.

These tips, along with resources like The Stylish Splash, can be very helpful if your home needs a bump in the style sector. They can also be helpful for renovations to sell your home. You can make it look irresistible to potential buyers with limited investment.

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