Outdoor Living Ideas

Yes, it’s starting to get hot out there. If the natural breezes aren’t kicking up and cooling things off enough on your back patio, a fan may be in order. If you have a ceiling in your outdoor living space, you can install a ceiling fan, much like the ones you might find indoors. These models are designed to withstand the elements, however, and they will keep working even after they’ve weather snow, wind, rain, etc.

The Westinghouse Pacific One-Light Paradise shown here is a 5-blade 52-inch ceiling fan available at Amazon for about $200. The blades are made of handsome dark bamboo, and the fan comes with a light fixture, so you can add a cool breeze and night lighting at the same time.

Westinghouse Pacific One-Light Paradise 52-Inch Five-Blade Ceiling Fan

If you live in a warm climate, some summer-time shade is a must if you want to spend time out in the backyard or on the deck. It’s easy to find patio umbrellas that are designed to be thrust into the center of a patio table, but what if you want some shade elsewhere in the yard? Perhaps you want to lounge by the pool or just sit and read, but you don’t have any appropriately placed trees to block out the sun. Here’s a way to make shade anywhere in the yard.

This cantilever umbrella is designed to stand off to one side of your chair. It has a vertical tilt feature and an adjustment knob, so you can angle it just right to block out the sun. Available from Ballard Designs, the umbrella costs $449.00 - $479.00.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com

If you have a backyard swimming pool, and lots of people come over to use it (or your family constitutes “lots of people”), then you may be tired of the beach towels scattered/draped/hung-from all the pool-side furniture you own (and maybe that oh-so-convenient tree branch). Installing some outdoor towel racks or hooks can help towels dry quickly and keep them wrangled into one place.

These whale tail hooks help create a fun nautical theme and will likely be appreciated by young pool-goers. Available from Frontgate, the prices run $20 for a small hook and $70 for a large one. Since you can buy them singly, you can get exactly how many you need.

http://www.frontgate.com

If you’re looking for a birdbath that adds some cheer to your yard as well as giving your feathered visitors a place to hang out, this red roses bath from the Gardeners’ Supply Co. might be just the thing. The colorful European styling comes on a generously sized ceramic bowl that provides room for all the birds in the neighborhood to use at once. A sturdy steel stands means the birdbath should hold up to the elements well, and the product description promises it’s easy to assemble.

The price is $69.95.

Red Roses Birdbath

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

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’m not sure birds really care what their birdhouse looks like, so long as it’s warm, dry, and out of the wind (and there’s some decent grub nearby), but this acorn-shaped dwelling is sure to make your human guests smile. Much less of an eye sore than some of the drab plastic feeders and birdhouses you can pick up at Wal-mart or other unimaginative stores, this cast-porcelain acorn would be a fun addition to your outdoor living space.

The $40 birdhouse is “a charming, woodsy addition to your yard that will stand up to nature’s worst year after year, even in rugged northern climates.” This is thanks to a durable fired-enamel finish. Meant to hang from a branch, the acorn house comes with two cords and swivel clips for stability.

Available at Plow & Hearth