Outdoor Living Ideas

Yes, yes, ’tis the season of outdoor Christmas decorations. This rather large lighted outdoor wreath is available from Frontgage for just under $500. That’s expensive, but keep in mind the wreath does measures 72″ (or 6 feet) in diameter, and it comes with 700 x 3,000-hour clear mini lights. Aside from the lights and the faux pine needles, it’s beefed up with lots of branches, fake berries, and pinecones to add realism to the woodsy effect. I still don’t know whether I’d pay $500 for it (okay, I’m poor, and I wouldn’t), but if you want some Christmas decorations that will be visible from the street (and even down the street a ways), something like this could fit the bill.

The outdoor wreath comes in two pieces, so you can break it down a bit for the off season (so, instead of taking up all of your storage unit, it’ll only take up half). The galvanized, powder-coated steel frames mean it should be able to stand up to wind, snow, and other elements for many seasons.

FrontGate

I’ve always enjoyed hammocks (who doesn’t?), especially in the summer when there’s just a slight breeze wafting through the trees and you’ve got a glass of lemonade in hand… It’s a relaxing, idyllic setting. Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to install a traditional hammock in my own backyard, because we’ve never had the trees to support it. Oh, I know you can get hammock stands that bypass the trees altogether, but you don’t get the same swinging action from something that’s mounted on the ground.

That’s why I like the idea of this hammock chair from the Gardeners Supply Company. You can mount it to the ceiling of your porch or deck (no trees required, thank you very much), and it hangs so you can swing gently in it (or vigorously, if that’s your style). Of course, you can’t lie down as you can in a traditional hammock, but it looks like a pleasant alternative. The cost is $90:

Deluxe Hammock Chair

If you’re looking for an outdoor bench or garden seat that is a little more elegant than most, the Spirit Song may be the answer. It’s made by a company called American Eco-Teak, and they specialize in furniture made from top-quality Costa Rican teak, which is sustainably harvested so as not to impact the environment.

As the product description says, the wooden bench makes a “dramatic sculptural statement that defines an entire garden.” There are lots of piece of cheap patio furniture out there; this isn’t one of them. You’ll pay handsomely for the teak bench, but the high-quality of the piece is enough to turn it into an instant family heirloom. Over time the teak will weather and turn a beautiful silver-gray.

The Spirit Song is available from Gardeners Supply for $4,320 for the straight version and $4,990 for the curved version.

American Eco-Teak Bench

If you’ve never gone hot tubbing in the winter with the snow falling, you’re missing out. This is a great time of year to buy a new hot tub. The J-210 from Jacuzzi is small, with a circular footprint that saves space, so you could easily fit it on a deck or patio (or even indoors) without taking on extensive renovations. Despite it’s smaller size, the spa can fit 4 bathers comfortably.

This is one of Jacuzzi’s smallest, most affordable models, and it doesn’t come with a lot of expensive extras, but you can always accessorize if you have more to spend. You can get a built-in TV, stereo, automatic cover lifter, and other hot tub indulgences.

http://products.jacuzzi.com

Who says you can’t buy outdoor furniture online? The 7-piece Burma patio furniture set can be used indoors or outdoors (it’s specifically designed to withstand the wind, water, rain, etc. of the elements, though you might want to cover it in the winter if snow and ice will be gathering on your deck).

The set comes with a glass-top coffee table, 2 chairs, a loveseat, and weather-resistant back cushions for all the seats in order to make them comfortable. The whole set comfortably seats 4 and gives you room for drinks, food, and whatever else you want outside when you’re relaxing. Made from strong, rust-proof aluminum, the Burma outdoor furniture is lightweight and (according to the product description) easy to maintain.

Though the set requires some assembly (something you’re going to run into whether you buy online or at a local department store), the review on Amazon says it wasn’t very difficult to get everything together. The patio set costs $700.

Burma 7pc Outside Deep Seating Patio Set

Shopping around for a bench to add to your outdoor furniture collection? It’s always nice to have a seat that’s suitable for two, especially if you have a view or a water feature, something that draws you outside in the morning or evening. You can sit and enjoy the scenery over a cup of coffee or tea.

The “broomSTIK” bench from The Terence Conrad Shop combines “traditional and modern elements to form an unusual but practical seat.” The bench is made from pre-aged pine wood that’s supposed to age to a handsome silver-gray color. The price is $775, and it should last for many seasons.

Conrad Shop

Looking for a way to extend your backyard entertaining season? With a few of these heater lamps mounted on the walls, you could be barbecuing and eating outside all through winter (well, as long as there isn’t a foot of snow covering the chairs and tables). At the very least, you could be entertaining outdoors comfortably in the spring and autumn.

Available from Frontgate, these quartz patio heaters use short-wave infrared technology, so “heat is instantly summoned with the push of a button and keeps you cozy outdoors, completely unaffected by wind.” The heater lamps mount on the walls of your house with adjustable steel brackets. They can be hard-wired or plugged into an existing outlet. Since they operate on electricity there’s no gas smell or dangerous emissions. You will have to pay a few pennies for this outdoor living luxury however. One lamp will run you $350.

http://www.frontgate.com