Spice Up Your Outdoor Furniture!

Accessorizing Will Make Your Outdoor Furniture Warm and Inviting!


So you have the perfect garden put together. Your pond is in place; the barbecue is ready to go, and you feel like you are the master of your great outdoors. There's one thing missing - you have all the outdoor furniture set in place, but your guests feel like they are sitting on the proverbial plank, instead of being welcomed by your warm , gentile seats.


Outdoor furniture is supposed to be wanted - your guests and family want to see it and feel like it is comfortable to sit in. If your outdoor furniture looks more like a bunch of planks glued together, instead of quality and comfortable seats, its time to spice it up. Adding accessories and welcoming flairs will make it stand out, and become more than just a chair or a lounger.


● If your furniture is hard to sit in, try adding a cushion to your chairs. Many Web sites and home improvement stores sell outdoor cushions that will make your outdoor furniture feel more welcome and wanted. When choosing a cushion, always select a canvas cushion that will stand up to the elements better than cloth. And always make sure your cushions are of the right texture and comfort level for what you're looking for.


● If you're going to be using your outdoor furniture near a fire pit, then check the tags to make sure the filling is fire resistant. New laws have mandated that new cushions be made with fire resistant material and fill. Always double check, and always use caution when sitting by the fire.


● Always have some sort of storage place when you're done with your outdoor furniture cushions. Keeping them stored in a cool, dry place will reduce the amount of cleaning that will need to be done. If you keep them out in the elements, they will be subject to moisture, heat, and cold. All of which contribute to spreading of dirt, and the growth of mold. Keeping them in a cushion box will make sure they are well taken care of, and ensure a long life for your investment.


● When the temperature rises outside, the surface temperature of your outdoor furniture rises as well. This can make your furniture uncomfortable to sit in. And if you have any screw or nail heads on the surface, those can rise to searing temperatures. That can result in a very hot and unwelcome surprise for your guests. Consider putting up a snap-together canopy over your furnishings. A canopy will keep your outdoor furniture cool during the heat of summer, and give you and your guests a place to sit in the shade. A canopy can be a quick and effective way to get away from the heat - and a portable canopy can provide it where ever you want.


● Sometimes, the perfect accessory for your outdoor furniture isn't something that goes on it - its something that goes around it. Having outdoor furniture is one thing - but creating an atmosphere around it is what makes it more welcoming, making your guests attracted to it. If you live in an area where birds are known to frequent, try installing a bird feeder near your furniture. If you have a garden, consider adding a pond or a gazing ball for ambiance, making your outdoors a gentile place to spend long spring and summer nights.


When creating a setting, outdoor furniture is only one step in making a comforting environment work. By setting up accessories on, near, and around your outdoor furniture, you will create a place that can be enjoyed by your friends and family throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

About the Author


Joseph Kortez is a free lance writer with diverse interests including home and garden, outdoor furniture and backyard living. He is a media professional including television and online content production. He writes for
http://www.outdoorfurnitureplus.com/

Chair Outdoor Cushion Videos

Outdoor Chair Cushions and Fabric

Chair Outdoor Cushion Q&A

Ripped out cat claws?

My cat is 11, girl, and shes an outdoor cat. She snuck inside my house and got on top of a cushioned chair and while struggling to get her claws out that sunk in, she ripped off at least 2. Like I said, shes an outdoor cat, so will she be okay? She doesn't roam much, but our other cat and her sometimes attack each other. I have no way to get her to a vet, and she is shy and usually won't come near me. What should I do with her?

did the WHOLE claw come out? that seems really unlikely. it was probably jsut a layer of the claw that was splintering off. that happens to my cats a lot. check her paws to see if they are really gone.

Retro table and chairs and outdoor furniture?

We just bought a lake house that is full of 50's or 60's furniture. Everyone seems to be going crazy over it, so we figure maybe we need to sell it on ebay or another website. However we are not sure how much to post it for. The table and chairs are in good condition but the table legs are showing a little age. It comes with 6 chairs and an oval table. Table top and chairs in perfect condition.

There is also a three seat glider and a chase lounger. Both of which are in perfect condition. They have cushions that are perfect not faded at all and the metal is perfect. We are not really into the retro look or we would keep them for ourselves. We thought that we could sell them and put that money towards the remodeling of the place. If you have any idea what these items might be worth, that would be great!

Without actually seeing photo's it can be hard to know. They could be something run-of-the-mill, or something truly worthy. Your best bet is to do some research. You don't want to find out later that you undersold yourself. Although, on eBay, if its something hot the price will climb.
Any easy way to find out if it is something special, is to take photo's and show them to an auctioneer who specializes in mid-century modern for an opinion.
good luck!