Lakeside Patios ? The Water Makes Decisions For You

If you are putting in a new patio on a lakeside, you have unique considerations that other homeowners do not have when it comes to purchasing patio furniture.

We built a new patio on a 700 acre lake and I had to look around for just the right outdoor furniture. It can get very windy on the lake so you don't want furniture that will blow right into the water. That leaves out PVC, plastic, lightweight aluminum etc. My choices were wrought iron, or any of the hardwoods. Our lake is located in the North woods so I thought wrought iron would be too fancy. The look of scrolled wrought iron did not match our wide timber stairway leading down to the lake and patio. The timber stairs and trim are rustic cedar that fits our setting perfectly. Wrought iron would be lovely in a urban or suburban setting or backyard, but it just didn't match our house. I don't think wrought iron is very comfortable and not good for lounging on a lazy weekend. We entertain a lot and I wanted furniture that people would feel comfortable to sit around in and relax while enjoying the action on the water.

Seat cushions were going to be apart of whatever furniture I picked out so I needed cushions that had ties so the wind wouldn't send them into the lake. You'd be surprised how many cushions out there do not have ties. I also needed fabric that would resist the elements such as a Sunbrella fabric. These cushions are quite exposed to wind and rain so the choice of Sunbrella was perfect for our setting. There is new technology out there in the marine fabric industry, but right now Sunbrella is one of the best when it comes to outdoor fabric.

I narrowed my search to cedarwood because we like Adirondack styled furniture and it fits our location perfectly. The heavy furniture won't move in the wind and it is extremely comfortable. We elected for a cedar glider too because I can remember being on a glider when I was a kid and it was so much fun. I wanted that feeling again while sitting on my patio. The natural color of cedar is warm and inviting. We may need to refinish it every few years, but that's the price of owning wood. Our patio is not large, so we don't have room for a large table and chairs, but it is just the right size for a bistro set. The small table and two chairs work well for us because we don't have a huge family and many summer nights are enjoyed at lakeside while eating dinner. I needed a little extra seating without a lot more chairs so I elected to purchase an old antique tool chest that looks worn but is in great shape. I use it as a bench and also for a table for appetizers and cocktails. Think outside the norm when it comes to accessorizing the outdoors. You don't need to have fancy things, just add something unusual. Our 20" copper fire pit completes the setting with pots of annuals adding the beauty and color. We elected to put in copper lighting so the whole theme of the patio is in warm tones of copper that blends well with cedarwood.

I did not install the kitchen at this time, that's next year's project. I already have the refrigerator in the boathouse so I do have a head start on my outdoor kitchen. We will need a new gas grill and some counters installed. We already have a large fire pit next to the boathouse that we use for utilitarian burning or leaves and branches for spring and fall cleanup. I would love an outdoor fireplace, but there isn't enough room. I guess I can't have everything.

We had to really plan ahead when it came to our patio, not only for the furniture selection, but we are on somewhat of a hill and this too makes a difference while building the patio. I didn't want to terrace the whole hill because it would have looked like a solid row of timbers. Not soft enough for me. I wanted perennials around the lake and I got a head start on transplanting some of what I already owned. Perennials can be quite expensive, but they certainly are worth the money. I don't want to spend my summers planting flowers. I want them to come up on their own year after year and that is exactly what will happen.

Landscaping is not my fast ball but I certainly had fun in the planning stages. I just had to get in there and do it. No rocket science here, just treat your hill as a large canvas and start painting. I filled in the background with hosta and the center focal point is hydrangeas. I also have a combination of lily of the valley, ajuga, mother of thyme, sedum, ferns, day lilies and more. It's a showplace if I say so myself. There is still much to do and I will move a few things next fall.

If you are planning that outdoor patio by pool or lakeside, consider the weight of your furniture and how it will hold up to the elements. Consider comfort and how you like to entertain. Let the water make your selections for you; just make your patio a complete outdoor room and a place you will enjoy for years to come.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying gas grills, above ground pools, patio furniture, picnic tables, outdoor kitchens and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions. Her many articles can be found at http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com

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