Tag: patio

What are the best fire table shapes for different patio layouts? The top 5 options

What are the best fire table shapes for different patio layouts? The top 5 options

When you’re planning the perfect patio layout, the shape of your fire table plays a key role in the overall design. Different patio sizes and styles may call for specific fire table shapes; like round, square or rectangular. Understanding the benefits and uses of each shape can help you make the best choice for your outdoor space.

Round fire tables are popular due to their ability to provide a cosy, social gathering point. These tables allow everyone to enjoy the warmth evenly, making them a great choice for intimate settings. Whether you’re looking to create a dining area or a relaxed seating space, exploring fire tables for different patio layouts can offer plenty of inspiration and options.

Round fire tables: Perfect for central placement in circular patios

Round fire tables are a great choice when you have a circular patio. They fit naturally into the shape of the space, giving a pleasing look.

These tables distribute heat evenly, making them ideal for gatherings. You and your guests can enjoy sitting around the table with warmth, reaching everyone equally.

When placed at the centre of the patio, a round fire table becomes a focal point. It encourages conversation and creates a cosy atmosphere. The design lets everyone have an easy, clear view of the fire.

If you’re deciding on patio furniture, consider how you’ll arrange seating. Adirondack chairs or curved sectionals pair well, improving both function and style.

Square fire tables: Ideal for corner setups in symmetric patio layouts

Square fire tables with symmetrical designs are a great choice for patios. Their equal sides make it easy to fit them in a corner or centre spot, creating balance in your outdoor area.

If your patio has sharp lines and angles, a square fire table can match this look perfectly. It gives a modern feel, adding a clean and organised touch to your space. With various options, you can find one that matches your style and needs.

These tables often provide a central point for gatherings. Their shape allows seating on all sides, which is perfect for social events. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening or hosting friends, square fire tables offer a cosy atmosphere.

Consider materials like concrete or metal for durability. Many designs come in versatile colours, making it easy to coordinate with other patio furniture.

Rectangular fire tables: Suited for narrow patios or elongated spaces

Rectangular fire tables are a great choice for long or narrow patios. Their shape makes them perfect for saving space while still providing a cosy area for gatherings. These tables can fit along the length of a patio, allowing you to use your outdoor areas more efficiently.

In elongated spaces, a rectangular fire table can become the centrepiece. It offers plenty of room for people to sit around, making it ideal for larger gatherings. Whether entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet evening, these tables can meet different needs.

For long patios, consider placing rectangular fire tables along one side. This placement allows for easy movement around the table, making it a versatile option for various patio layouts. Whether your patio is narrow or elongated, rectangular fire tables can help maximise the space and provide a great spot for relaxation.

Hexagonal fire tables: A unique choice for eclectic or modern patio designs

When you want to add a unique touch to your patio, hexagonal fire tables are a great choice. Their shape stands out, making them perfect for modern and eclectic designs. These tables can be a focal point in your outdoor space, drawing attention and sparking conversations.

Their geometric shape complements various patio setups. If you have curved seating arrangements or an eclectic mix of furniture, a hexagonal fire table can fit well. It brings an interesting visual contrast that adds character.

Another advantage of hexagonal fire tables is their ability to provide warmth and style without taking up too much space. They’re functional and stylish, offering a cosy place for gatherings.

Oval fire tables: Complement larger patios with soft lines and ample space

Oval fire tables are a great choice for larger patios. Their curved edges provide a smooth look that can soften the overall appearance of your outdoor space. These shapes work well when you want a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

The size of oval tables allows for more guests to gather around comfortably. This makes them perfect for hosting gatherings or family get-togethers. The ample space creates room for chairs without feeling cramped.

Choosing an oval fire table can also add a unique style to your patio. Its shape stands out compared to more traditional square or round options. If you have a spacious patio layout, this may be a good fit.

Oval tables are available in various materials. Whether you prefer a classic or modern look, you’ll find an option that suits your taste. These tables can be a centrepiece in your outdoor area, drawing attention without overpowering the space.

Conclusion

When choosing a fire table for your patio, the shape plays a big role in both function and design.

Round fire tables create an intimate atmosphere and are great for smaller gatherings. They also fit well in tight spaces, like circular or smaller patios.

Square or rectangular fire tables are more suitable for larger areas. Their linear design complements modern patios and allows for more seating options.

Select a shape that complements your outdoor space and fits your lifestyle needs.

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5 essential tips for designing a patio you’ll love

5 essential tips for designing a patio you'll love

A patio is always a great addition to a home, and it’s easy to see why you may be considering it. Before you take the plunge, though, it’s worth making sure you get it perfect. You’ll need to design a patio you love if you actually want to enjoy it long-term.

There’s often more involved in this than many people first realise. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. Focusing on a few details should be more than enough to help with this. By considering them all, you’ll end up having an amazing patio that you’ll use regularly for years.

1. Consider verandas & awnings

You’ll want to use your patio year-round, but this can be difficult because of the weather. By installing verandas or awnings, though, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. These give you protection from wind, rain, hail and snow so you can use your patio whenever you want. You shouldn’t have to worry about inclement conditions. You’ve no reason not to install them.

2. Don’t overlook the entryway

Your patio will have to be accessible from within your home, it’s worth making sure this entryway is as appealing as possible. Don’t just settle for a random exterior door, though. It’s worth investing in one that’s visually appealing and as functional as possible. Folding Doors 2 U is a great option for many of these, and it’s worth going with something you love.

3. Mix up materials

When you design your patio, it’s worth considering using a range of materials instead of just sticking to one. This helps you add a contrast of textures and visual appeal to your patio. Mixing wood with stone or brick with metal could be great options.

4. Choose the right furniture

You’ll naturally need to include furniture on your patio, so it’s worth spending a bit of time making sure you choose the most practical and attractive options. This doesn’t just mean furniture that looks beautiful. You’ll also need to ensure that it can withstand being outside in the elements year round. Stylish, durable options are always worth investing in so they continue to look great long-term.

5. Create zones with plants

Alongside the furniture and other accessories on your patio, you could use plants to create zones within your patio. This lets you separate it into an eating area, a sitting area and so on. Good positioning of plants and planters could end up making your patio much a more usable and visually appealing area.

Conclusion

Designing a patio can be an appealing and advantageous project for many reasons. Ensure that you design and construct a patio that you actually want to spend time in and will enjoy using. There’s often more work involved in this task than many people first assume. Thankfully, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be complicated.

By taking into account a few tips and tricks, you’ll have nothing to worry about. You’ll end up with a patio you’ll love and that you’ll use for many years to come.

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Securing your back yard

Securing your back yard

There are plenty of seasonal things that you can do with your backyard to make it stand out for summer, but not everything in a garden is seasonal in nature. For example, you may plant flowers or vegetables seasonally, but security is a year-round thing. There are certain times of the year that you would worry more about your backyard security than others. For example, in the summer, you may forget to pack away the BBQ. In the wintertime, you might be worried about the darker evenings, meaning your home is more susceptible to a break in.

Either way, making your backyard more secure is a great way to ensure your insurance company is happy with the way your house is protected, and it gives you that peace of mind that you need as you lock up your home at bedtime. Let’s look at some tasks you can carry out that can help you with securing your back yard.

  1. Install outdoor security cameras

    Having outdoor security cameras is a great idea, especially if you have a tall fence that you’ve installed so that you can have the cameras on top of it. Security cameras can be positioned so that every nook and cranny of your backyard is visible on the tape. When you have cameras that have great resolution, you’ll be able to see what you need to see and feel secure in the knowledge that your garden is not a hidden zone for people to hide in.

  2. Get a video doorbell

    You can use these for the front door and/or the back door so that you can log into your property at any time from any place with a wireless connection. If somebody rings your doorbell when you’re at work, you can check your app and see who’s standing waiting to be let in. It allows you to see and speak to anybody present via two-way audio, which can be really helpful if you’re worried about checking the front door, and you’re not expecting any guests.

  3. Add practical lighting

    Outdoor security lighting can be added around the perimeter of your home, and they can be done with motion sensors. You don’t want to choose anything too bright so that it disturbs you or your neighbours, but having it is better as a deterrent than you think. Not only will your backyard be bathed in light so that the camera can pick up whoever is sneaking around out there, but having that lighting can be an immediate deterrent for somebody who’s looking to break into your home.

  4. Lock up valuables in your garden storage

    If you have an outdoor pizza oven, barbecue or similar, you need to secure it. You can fix some things to the floor via concrete or via chains, but with items that you can’t, it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re kept in some kind of outdoor storage or shed that has a weatherproof, rustproof combination padlock. Having one of these can prevent thieves breaking in.

  5.  

Often, a very tall fence with unclimbable paint or thorny hedge is a great way to make sure nobody is going to break into your home. It keeps your garden secure and makes you and your family feel like you are protected.

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Gazebos vs pergolas: What’s the difference?

Gazebos vs pergolas: What's the difference?

Gazebos and pergolas are two types of sheltered structures commonly found in gardens around the UK. But what’s the difference between them? Are they just two words for the same thing? This post compares the two; gazebos vs pergolas.

What’s a gazebo?

Gazebos can come in many different forms. Some are fixed structures that are built into the ground. Others are pop-up structures that can be easily moved or disassembled if need be.

What makes a gazebo a gazebo is the fact that it has a solid roof. This is designed primarily to provide shade in the summer. Gazebos can also provide shelter from the rain or direct sun, however usually fabric walls are needed to provide extra shelter from these elements.

Gazebos can be constructed out of various materials. Some are constructed entirely from wood. Others are made from metal with a wooden or tile roof. Others are more like tents and are made from metal or plastic with a fabric roof.

A marquee may be referred to as a gazebo in some cases, although generally marquees are for commercial pop-up purposes and always come with fabric walls to give them more of a tent-like appearance.

What’s a pergola?

Like gazebos, pergolas can come in many different forms. Some are attached to the ground, while others are freestanding. Pergolas can also take the form of awnings attached to walls.

Unlike gazebos, pergolas don’t have a permanent, solid roof. They instead have a wooden or metal latticed/slatted roof that offers partial shade from the sun. These slats can also be used to grow climbing plants around or wrap lighting around. You can also position fire pits or barbecues under them (depending on the slat materials and height).

Some pergolas have the option of closing slats or a full retractable roof. This can help to give them the full coverage of a gazebo. In some cases, retractable roofs may be made from clear, toughened glass to allow light through while providing shelter from rain. In other cases, the retractable roof may be opaque.

These opening slats and retractable roofs were, once upon a time, manually operated. However, in recent years, the motorised pergola has become a very popular option. These are activated by a button or switch. Some can even be controlled using a remote control pad or via an app on a smartphone.

Which is right for your home?

Gazebos are the better option if you’re looking for permanent shelter from the sun and rain. A pergola is the preferred choice if you still want to let some sun through, or if you like the idea of being able to adorn overhead slats with plants or lighting. Both can otherwise be attractive features and could add value to your home (if they’re permanent).

A basic pergola will usually cost less to buy and install than a basic gazebo because it’s the simpler structure. That said, if you want to buy a pergola with a retractable mechanised roof or slats, this will cost more than any gazebo. This is something to consider if you only have a modest budget.

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