9/19/2008
Take Your Living Room Outside - Denver Business Journal
Bring Your Living Room Outside
Consumers are bringing indoor comfort to their outdoor spaces
By: Brian Engstrom, Patio Furniture Buyer for Christy Sports
Not so long ago, the word patio called to mind a concrete slab on which you stationed generic plastic chairs, a table and an umbrella. Today, more and more homeowners have embraced the concept of outdoor living. Patio design has become synonymous with the creation of outdoor rooms, which are filled with fire pits, lighting fixtures, outdoor rugs and furniture that looks like it belongs in the living room.
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, the leisure lifestyle industry is now a $6.5 billion industry. A patio or deck is one of the top three features most requested of new home buyers. Americans spent nearly $150 billion on home remodeling in 2005, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau; one-third of those dollars went toward outdoor living areas.
Consumers have an incredible selection of products to make the outdoor living space one of the most enjoyable areas of their home. To provide this new type of living area, consumers need furniture and accessories that are modified for outdoor use, and it seems that patio furniture manufactures are delivering. This year as you plan your outdoor spaces, consider the following:
Deep Seating ??? Sit back and relax
The biggest trend in outdoor furniture design has been in the deep seating category. Deep seating furniture can include love seats, sofas, rockers and lounge chairs with 6?????? ??? 8?????? cushions. This furniture has the same look as furniture seen in a living room, but designed for the outdoor elements. It is set apart from conventional outdoor furniture by offering abundant table height and side table options.
Color ??? Look to Nature
Color is a wonderful tool to set the mood in your outdoor living area. Breathtaking shades derived from mother-nature like, terra cotta, henna, and light hues of your favorite yellows and greens are available for this year???s fabrics. If natural tones are not for you, utilize brighter colors in a colorful pillow or throw to liven up any setting.
Fabrics ??? Textured
In recent years, outdoor fabric selections have greatly increased and improved in quality. Today???s fabrics look and feel like indoor furniture materials such as leather, linen, cotton and chenille but are actually solution-dyed acrylic for outdoor use. Textured materials that are woven are becoming more popular giving the fabrics depth and style.
Materials ??? More than just appearance
Long gone is the plastic or steel-frame patio furniture of the past. Today, outdoor furniture manufactures are leveraging textiles, including cast aluminum, synthetic wicker and wrought iron.
It is extremely important to note your environment when selecting outdoor furniture. In the West we are concerned with wind and UV intensity from the sun. Furniture that is made from cast aluminum, synthetic wickers and wrought iron are all made to withstand the strong winds. The finishes used, as well as the materials in cushions are designed to limit fading from intense sunlight.
A quick test is to pick up a piece of outdoor furniture and see how heavy it is ??? that will indicate if it is quality built and made to withstand our climate. Often times big box stores don???t take into account the local weather concerns, but buy their goods based on year round outdoor living markets like Florida or Southern California.
Fire Pits ??? A warming trend
For this region, one of the hottest decorating trends in outdoor accessories has been the fire pit. Outdoor fire pits enable people to sit around the fire in comfort. Fuel preference is a key factor in selecting your fire pit. For the authentic crackle of a fire, wood is your best option. If you prefer a cleaner, more convenient option, there is propane. If all you are looking for is the flick of a switch you can hard line natural gas to your fire pit.
Outdoor Rugs ??? Enhance your setting
Another big trend for patio furnishings are outdoor rugs. Consumers can cover concrete patios or other surfaces with beautiful all-weather rugs, which are easy to wash and maintain.
Outdoor Lighting ??? Warmth
The days of motion sensor spotlights on the side of the house are gone. Today outdoor lamps, which mimic the look of indoor lamps, are available in many shapes and styles. Designed to withstand nature???s elements, yet complementing the d??cor of your outdoor living area.
Consumers now have a variety of choices when it comes to outdoor living. When shopping for outdoor furniture, it is recommended to purchase products at specialty stores. This will ensure products are superior in quality, warranties will be fulfilled and other accessories will be available to purchase at a later time.
The number one question every consumer must ask themselves is: What do you want to use your patio for? Whether it is for dinner parties, the morning paper, or sitting around the fire, patio furniture manufacturers have stylish options for all your needs. The outdoor living boom is clearly more than just a trend ??? it has become a lifestyle.
_____________
Brian Engstrom is currently the patio furniture buyer at Christy Sports (www.christysports.com), a specialty retailer that has been providing quality outdoor furniture for more than 24 years throughout Colo. and Utah.
Consumers are bringing indoor comfort to their outdoor spaces
By: Brian Engstrom, Patio Furniture Buyer for Christy Sports
Not so long ago, the word patio called to mind a concrete slab on which you stationed generic plastic chairs, a table and an umbrella. Today, more and more homeowners have embraced the concept of outdoor living. Patio design has become synonymous with the creation of outdoor rooms, which are filled with fire pits, lighting fixtures, outdoor rugs and furniture that looks like it belongs in the living room.
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, the leisure lifestyle industry is now a $6.5 billion industry. A patio or deck is one of the top three features most requested of new home buyers. Americans spent nearly $150 billion on home remodeling in 2005, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau; one-third of those dollars went toward outdoor living areas.
Consumers have an incredible selection of products to make the outdoor living space one of the most enjoyable areas of their home. To provide this new type of living area, consumers need furniture and accessories that are modified for outdoor use, and it seems that patio furniture manufactures are delivering. This year as you plan your outdoor spaces, consider the following:
Deep Seating ??? Sit back and relax
The biggest trend in outdoor furniture design has been in the deep seating category. Deep seating furniture can include love seats, sofas, rockers and lounge chairs with 6?????? ??? 8?????? cushions. This furniture has the same look as furniture seen in a living room, but designed for the outdoor elements. It is set apart from conventional outdoor furniture by offering abundant table height and side table options.
Color ??? Look to Nature
Color is a wonderful tool to set the mood in your outdoor living area. Breathtaking shades derived from mother-nature like, terra cotta, henna, and light hues of your favorite yellows and greens are available for this year???s fabrics. If natural tones are not for you, utilize brighter colors in a colorful pillow or throw to liven up any setting.
Fabrics ??? Textured
In recent years, outdoor fabric selections have greatly increased and improved in quality. Today???s fabrics look and feel like indoor furniture materials such as leather, linen, cotton and chenille but are actually solution-dyed acrylic for outdoor use. Textured materials that are woven are becoming more popular giving the fabrics depth and style.
Materials ??? More than just appearance
Long gone is the plastic or steel-frame patio furniture of the past. Today, outdoor furniture manufactures are leveraging textiles, including cast aluminum, synthetic wicker and wrought iron.
It is extremely important to note your environment when selecting outdoor furniture. In the West we are concerned with wind and UV intensity from the sun. Furniture that is made from cast aluminum, synthetic wickers and wrought iron are all made to withstand the strong winds. The finishes used, as well as the materials in cushions are designed to limit fading from intense sunlight.
A quick test is to pick up a piece of outdoor furniture and see how heavy it is ??? that will indicate if it is quality built and made to withstand our climate. Often times big box stores don???t take into account the local weather concerns, but buy their goods based on year round outdoor living markets like Florida or Southern California.
Fire Pits ??? A warming trend
For this region, one of the hottest decorating trends in outdoor accessories has been the fire pit. Outdoor fire pits enable people to sit around the fire in comfort. Fuel preference is a key factor in selecting your fire pit. For the authentic crackle of a fire, wood is your best option. If you prefer a cleaner, more convenient option, there is propane. If all you are looking for is the flick of a switch you can hard line natural gas to your fire pit.
Outdoor Rugs ??? Enhance your setting
Another big trend for patio furnishings are outdoor rugs. Consumers can cover concrete patios or other surfaces with beautiful all-weather rugs, which are easy to wash and maintain.
Outdoor Lighting ??? Warmth
The days of motion sensor spotlights on the side of the house are gone. Today outdoor lamps, which mimic the look of indoor lamps, are available in many shapes and styles. Designed to withstand nature???s elements, yet complementing the d??cor of your outdoor living area.
Consumers now have a variety of choices when it comes to outdoor living. When shopping for outdoor furniture, it is recommended to purchase products at specialty stores. This will ensure products are superior in quality, warranties will be fulfilled and other accessories will be available to purchase at a later time.
The number one question every consumer must ask themselves is: What do you want to use your patio for? Whether it is for dinner parties, the morning paper, or sitting around the fire, patio furniture manufacturers have stylish options for all your needs. The outdoor living boom is clearly more than just a trend ??? it has become a lifestyle.
_____________
Brian Engstrom is currently the patio furniture buyer at Christy Sports (www.christysports.com), a specialty retailer that has been providing quality outdoor furniture for more than 24 years throughout Colo. and Utah.