2020 Summer Home and Garden

2020 Summer Home and Garden Lincoln Daily News June 11, 2020 Page 5 If you have a pool, consider putting out a towel rack or basket full of towels to add flair. Just adding a few pieces can enhance water features. As Dennis says, these examples show why décor is so important in outdoor living spaces. [See the Outdoor living décor layout] To choose the best furniture for an outdoor oasis, Lauren Petroff and Kai Ethier share several tips in “How to Design the Perfect Outdoor Space.” Ethier says first it is important to plan and lay out your space. You should decide where you want your furniture, keeping in mind how big it is. Petroff says you need to know both the traffic flow and how you will use the space. You need to know exactly where your seating will be because once it is in, it’s not going anywhere. Ethier says you consider the size of access and entry points into a space to know whether you can get large furniture into the backyard. Accessibility will dictate what furniture you can bring in. Second is knowing how you will use your space and whether you will be by a pool, dining or lounging. Think about how many will be using the space most of the time. Do not just fill it up with furniture for just one event. Comfort is something to think about, so make sure the pieces you get suit what you will use them for. Third, find your style whether it be casual, modern or traditional. With so many different styles, you consider your outdoor space the same way you do your indoor space. Decide whether to keep all one style and you can buy a set. You can also mix and match pieces from different collections. As Petroff says, outdoor furniture is not just folding chairs you keep stacked in your garage and haul out every summer. There are beautiful pieces you can leave out and enjoy for months. Fourth, consider how to personalize your space. There are many options for fabrics, textiles, colors and sizes for outdoor furniture. Outdoor LED lights also have various color options. Fifth, Petroff says when it comes to patio furniture, buy the best you can afford. If you buy something cheap, there is a good chance you will be replacing it. For instance, a chair made of hand-woven rope is durable and can be left outside. Choose durable and weather resistant materials that will last through both summer heat and winter cold. Find quick drying cushions so when they get wet, you can leave them outside. Many fabrics are now sun and fade resistant too. High grade CONTINUED u