Outdoor Living Ideas

Got a garden space that people can wander through on their way to admire the plants and flowers? You could invite them along the path with a welcoming plaque such as this one. This “Welcome friends” sign can be hung from the side of the house or perhaps a fence. A flock (well, I’m not sure 5 is a flock exactly) of friendly birds paints an inviting picture.

The 9″ wide garden stone plaque is available from Fine Home Decor for just under $11.

Fine Home Decor

With our increasingly clutter-filled lives, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing more and more furniture with the dual purpose of providing hidden storage as well as seating. That trend has come to the outdoor living space too. Just take a look at this handsome wooden bench. Not only is it a place where guests can sit their rumps when they’re munching your latest barbeque entrée, but it’s also a place to hide extra cushions, hose reels, garden pots, or anything else you can think of.

The wooden storage bench is specifically designed for outdoor use and comes with a finish that will hold up against the weather. According to the product description, it’s rot-, mildew-, and insect-resistant. You can also get an optional cushion, if you’d prefer to sit on something softer than wood.

The bench is available from Brookstone for $250:

Hardwood Storage Bench

This piece is toted as an “outdoor sofa” over at Country Gear, but I think I’d just call it a nice looking bench. Manufactured by Dante Negro, it’s part of the Griglia collection. The wooden seat contrasts nicely with the green metal frame. There’s not much information up on the product page, so that’s about all I can tell you about it. You can browse more furniture in the line or other styles at the retailer’s web site: http://www.countrygearltd.com

Some people want really classy custom-built/hand-made birdhouses that add elegance to their trees, their yard, and their house. Then there are people who have a sense of humor and want it reflected in their lawn and garden accessories. These 5th wheel, trailer-park birdhouses could be a fun gift for the latter type. I think they’re cute and whimsical, though I’m not sure I’d buy them myself. Maybe I just feel the birds that visit my house a little classier.

If you’re interested, however, you can snag the wooden birdhouses from Uncommon Goods for $30. Each one features a door that opens and locks, a “window” the birds can fly through to come and go, and even a trailer hitch for added realism. No chemicals have been used to treat the wood, so the trailer will age over time (just adding to that trailer park feel, hah).

5th Wheel Birdhouse

I don’t care whether you have a charcoal grill or a gas one; that grill plate gets dirty. This is especially true if you do a lot of marinated meat. All those sizzling juices char and build up on the grill. That’s why you, hopefully, scrape everything clean once in a while. A tedious chore by hand, but here’s a gadget that can make it easy:

This motorized grill brush from Brookstone has rotating bristles that do the work for you. “Now you can spend more time cooking and less time cleaning. Rotating brass bristles polish away sticky grime and residue, while the built-in stainless steel scraper removes tough buildup, keeping your grill sparkling clean and ready for the next use. Simple, one-button operation. Comfortable ergonomic handle helps reduce wrist strain. Includes hanging hole for out-of-the-way storage. Brass brush removes for easy cleaning.”

Brookstone

I’ve always been a fan of Adirondack chairs. I guess they just look a little classier than your typical plastic pool furniture (okay, they look a lot classier than your typical plastic furniture).

The chairs pictured here are made from handsome white oak, which is a sturdy durable wood that can last for many years with the proper care. (All types of wooden furniture need to be re-sealed regularly if they’re going to live outside.)

The Adirondack chairs cost $225 from Bench Smith.

An outdoor shower can be a great idea for the backyard if you’ve got a swimming pool, hot tub, or you’re just out and about getting dusty all day (i.e. if you have a vacation home and you’re out hiking or horseback riding or the like). These showers let you wash off (or wash the kids off… or the dog) before tracking grime into the house. They also let you get that chlorine off from the pool before you lie down to sunbathe or whatever else you want to do.

This one is called the “Cactus” pool shower (take a look at the shape) and is available from HomeClick for $1,685. It comes with all the parts you’ll need to install it, and there’s even a separate foot shower, in case you live by the beach and you just want to wash the sand off your feet before tromping into the house.

The Pool Shower “Cactus”