Outdoor Fireplaces: Everything You Need To Know

outdoor fireplaces

Outdoor Fireplaces: Everything You Need To Know

During the spring and summer, we like to spend as much time as possible outside. But sometimes the nights and evenings can be too chilly to fully enjoy our backyard and outdoor living space. Fortunately for us, many options cannot only add warmth to those days that “look” warm and inviting, but can also provide hours of family activities and bonding. These options are outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and patio heaters.

Outdoor firepits and propane patio heaters range in style from a simple outdoor fireplace to those that add an elegant accent to an already classy backyard area. Whether you’re looking for a way to enhance your backyard with a cozy fire or to warm up your patio or deck, you can follow these tips on choosing the best outdoor heating solution for your family’s needs.

Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits

There’s nothing like a fire pit to provide countless hours of outdoor fun, family time, and s’ mores! Overall, pool and patio firepits are relatively simple – they allow you to enjoy an open fire in your outdoor living spaces. That being said, there are a few important things to know.

The first thing to consider is what type of fuel you want to use in your fire pit – gas or wood. While wood is the preferred fuel because nothing compares to the smell and sound of a real campfire, some people may just want the heat without the fuss of starting and keeping a fire going.

Second, you need to find the fire pit that best goes along with the rest of your backyard decor. Fire pits come in a variety of different sizes and shapes as well as materials used to build them. As a fire pit fanatic, I recommend looking for a bowl that is built from weather-resistant materials such as copper, stainless steel, or iron. While they may be a bit more expensive, you are getting your money’s worth. The better the fire bowl is built, the longer it will last, and look good too!

Finally, make sure your fire pit has a sturdy cover. While it may seem silly to place a mesh fire screen in the pit while the fire is going, it very well may protect you and your home from jumping sparks like the fire crackles. Also available are off-season covers, to keep your grill clean and dry during times of non-use.

Fire Bowls

This is a good time to explain the difference between a fire pit and fire bowls. Firebowls are usually placed in the corners of pools, or next to a spa. More for accent, less for heat, fire bowls are usually a concave concrete design, filled with river rock. Equipped with a gas line and connected to propane or natural gas source, fire bowls produce a small, adjustable flame. Firepits are a larger affair, not quite a bonfire, but enough to produce some heat and a cooking source.

Outdoor Fireplaces and Patio Heaters

There are many options to consider when shopping around for the perfect patio heater. To start, there are three different types of outdoor patio heaters: propane patio heaters, lamp-style heaters, and infrared heaters.

Propane Patio Heaters

Propane patio heaters are great for backyards and decks. Instead of having to worry about plugging them into an outlet, they are 100% self-sufficient. A propane tank is stored within the base and the heat is completely adjustable. These patio heaters are usually completely metal and are equipped with a safety shut-off – in case the heater ever gets tipped over.

Lamp-Style Patio Heaters

Instead of using propane, Lamp-Style Patio Heaters are powered by 1200 watt halogen light bulbs. All they require is a 120v grounded outlet! Like the propane heaters, they are also equipped with safety shut-offs. That being said, regardless of their height, they can both heat an area up to 12ft diameter – since they are powered by the same halogen bulbs. Lamp-style patio heaters usually consist of a resin body with a steel hood and feature weather-resistant hardware. These very stylish table heaters can add look and a feeling of warmth to your patio or deck.

Infrared Patio Heaters

Infrared patio heaters use infrared waves to directly heat the object or person that they are pointed at. They cost substantially less to operate than propane patio heaters and have no warm-up time. Acting much like an outdoor lamp, they can either be plugged into a 120v grounded outlet. They come in two different varieties: wall-mounted heaters and umbrella-mounted heaters. They require no gas or open flames and since they are permanently installed, you don’t have to worry about storing them when they’re not in use.

Have any questions about outdoor fireplaces? Contact us here!

 

11 Tips for Arranging Patio Furniture

arranging patio furniture

Don’t try arranging patio furniture without reading these tips! Tired of rearranging your furniture over and over again? We’ve put together this list of patio arrangement tips to help you get it right the first time.

11 Tips for Arranging Patio Furniture

No more asking wondering “how do I arrange my patio furniture.” Just make sure you follow these simple rules to create the perfect patio layout.

1. Make it Feel Like You’re at Home

Bring the resort-style feeling to your backyard! Use end tables, side tables, and ottomans to add convenience to your patio. These additional outdoor pieces provide a spot to place loose items, drinks, and snacks.

2. Decide on a Focal Point

Create a focal point that will anchor your outdoor space. This will serve as the primary gathering point and the heart of your patio arrangement. The remaining decor will build off of this area.

3. Accessorize

Don’t be afraid to accessorize with throw pillows, area rugs, greenery, and lighting. Adding in accessories can give your patio the look that people utilize the space.

4. Placement of Outdoor Furniture

Place the longest piece of furniture along the longest wall, facing the focal point. This will add to the area instead of detracting attention. Typically, the longest piece will be a 3 seat sofa or a love seat. Adding several individual chairs will encourage guests to “pull up a chair” and enjoy a good conversation!

5. Find a Purpose for Your Patio

Symmetrical patio furniture arrangements create a formal living space while asymmetrical arrangements are a bit more quirky and have a much more lax, casual feel. Pick which one you intend on creating

6. Consistency vs. Mix-and-Match

When figuring out how you want to arrange your patio, you should decide early on whether you want to have all your furniture from one set, or if you want to mix-n-match your patio sets.

Having your furniture come from one set or color can give your patio a sleek and modern vibe. While mix-n-matching will give your backyard a more rustic and homey feeling.

7. Divide and Conquer

By separating the space into smaller sections, you create a dynamic and functional living area. In this way, you have multiple areas of entertainment instead of one large patio with too much open space. By adding occasional chairs, an outdoor fireplace, or patio heater, you can craft an engaging outdoor living space.

8. Design Like a Traffic Conductor

When deciding on the layout of your patio deck, make sure you direct the flow of traffic in a way that eases congestion. Think about the way that guests will enter and travel through your outdoor space. Is there a clear and unobstructed path to the entrance and exit? Are there areas that will likely become crowded? You should allow 30″-48″ of space for high traffic areas. You can cut this measurement down to 24″ for areas that receive less foot traffic.

9. Organize!

Arranging patio furniture is just one step in the equation, you need to keep it organized as well. You want to keep things tidy just as you do inside the house. Especially if your neighbors can see over your privacy fence. A cluttered patio is one that your guests might not want to sit on.

10. Separate the Outdoor Kitchen

Keep the outdoor kitchen away from your dining area. You want to have some form of separation to differentiate between the two spaces. This also addresses safety concerns associated with the grill. Keep your outdoor kitchen close to the door to make food prep easy.

11. Fill the Perimeter First

On the other hand, if your patio is small, it’s wise to keep your furniture arranged around the perimeter of the space. This opens up more room for you to move through and can visually create the illusion of a bigger space. A fun outdoor rug in the center ties it all together.

Keep in mind that you can always rearrange your patio furniture.
By adjusting with the seasons, you’ll have a new perspective on your furniture that will make you appreciate it and make you feel like it’s a whole new set!

Have any questions about arranging patio furniture or your backyard? Contact us here!

The Early Bird Tent Sale

early bird

Grab the early deals of the season at Cincinnati Pool & Patio’s Early Bird Tent Sale!

Find 75% off all patio furniture, all clearance items, and scratch-n-dent items now through March 25th!

To help you take advantage of this great deal, here are our tips on how to find the best patio furniture for you.

Early Bird Tips

Quality over Convenience

The adage “you get what you pay for” is true for patio furniture. Plastic resin chairs or side tables look great on the shelf and will keep their good looks for a year or two out in the sun. Though, in time they will become brittle and lose their vibrant coloring. The same is true for some wood products and wicker pieces. Shop with care, checking consumer reports and reviews, before making a big purchase.

Think About Storage

Add years to the life of your patio furniture by storing it in a protected location. Such as a garage or basement during the offseason. Even the toughest furniture, such as teak chairs or a wrought-iron settee, will last longer if it is placed in storage when not in use. If your storage space is limited, look for patio furniture that folds or is easily taken apart for compact storage.

Comfort over Style

Take a seat before you buy. Comfortable patio furniture, just like interior furniture, will be used regularly as opposed to uninviting patio furniture, which might have good looks but not-so-good comfort.

Check out our list of patio furniture here! 

If you have any questions about patio furniture or the sale, contact us here!

Backyard Living Trends for 2018

backyard living trends

Backyard Living Trends

2018 is almost here, but are you ready for it? The new year brings on new backyard living trends that you should take notice of.

We’re going to break down some of our favorite trends going into the new year.

Eco-Friendly

Modern backyard designs in eco style are so connected to the nature that use only those plants and flowers that fit harmoniously with the local natural environment, attracting insects and birds and creating the wildlife friendly environment for small animals. Recycling ideas are another eco-friendly trend that is very popular and creative.

Greenery

Natural yard landscaping ideas, local plants, and flowers create harmonious compositions and require less care. Also, perennial grass plants and flowers, evergreen plants, edible herbs, and local flowering plants are great latest trends in decorating outdoor living spaces.

Blending Comfort and Functionality

Portable and multifunctional items, outdoor furniture and yard decorations define the latest trends in decorating outdoor living spaces, blending comfort and functionality with modern ideas.

Planters and stands on wheels, light outdoor furniture, and modular furniture add a contemporary vibe to yard landscaping.

Folding chairs and tables are great space saving ideas that help transform outdoor living spaces and create comfortable dining areas or outdoor seating areas. Outdoor shelving units and storage furniture pieces improve backyard designs also.

Get Geometric

Simple and attractive backyard designs are the most popular trends in decorating outdoor living spaces. Horizontal lines, circles, octagonal or rectangular shapes are simple and versatile. Therefore, these simple decoration patterns and geometric shapes bring interest in backyard designs with green plants and flowers.

Additionally, horizontal stripes can be added to planters and fences painting, garden benches, and other outdoor furniture, bringing modern ideas into backyard landscaping.

Have any questions about how to stay on top backyard living trends for 2018? Contact us here!

3 Ways To Beat The Winter Blues

home in winter

Beat The Winter Blues

During these short, cold days it can seem natural to choose to stay indoors, cuddled on a couch, instead of spending time in your yard in the winter. Yet winter can be an ideal time to enjoy your outdoor space, especially if you implement features that help you capitalize on seasonal changes rather than dread the winter blues.

If you want to have an inviting and unique outdoor living space, Cincinnati Pool and Patio can help! Here are three suggestions to put into consideration to enjoy your yard in winter:

Fire Pit

One way to extend the life of your backyard is a fire pit. Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces allow you to enjoy relaxing outside even in chilly temperatures.

What’s better than enjoying a cup of hot cocoa with your family as you sit next to the warm fire?

Cover It

Open patios are exposed to the weather and subject to wear and tear of winter weather. One way to enjoy this family area well into fall is to make it more versatile. A screened-in patio, or one with retractable canvases, can help shield the area from falling leaves, drizzle or wind. This enables families to use their patios year-round instead of restricting activities to spring or summer.

Patios are a versatile addition to any home and can be outfitted for any use. Adding a heat source and some fall decor can transform your space into an outdoor oasis in any weather. Don’t let the cool weather get you down! Use these tips to extend your stay on the patio.

Get Hygge with it

Perhaps you’ve heard in the past few months about the Danish lifestyle concept of ‘hygge’. Roughly translated to ‘coziness,’ the concept of hygge means creating a warm, inviting, and cozy atmosphere, both inside and outside of the home.

Have any questions about improving your patio or backyard and beating the winter blues? Contact us here!

4 Ways To Prep Your Backyard for Winter

backyard for winter

Prepping Your Backyard

If you’ve put a lot of time into designing your outdoor living space, winter’s probably your least favorite time of year. The cold weather can present challenges for using your space and keeping your accessories in good shape. But no worries – we’re here to help you with all that. Here are 4 areas in preparing your backyard for winter so you can enjoy it all season long.

Coverings for water features, outdoor kitchens, furniture

You’ve invested a lot in the items you put in your outdoor space, so it’s important to make sure they stay in good shape all year long. Winter is one of the hardest times of the years on them, as the excess moisture and freezing temperatures can bring a whole host of problems.

For items like fountains or grills, heavy-duty vinyl covers should keep them safe and dry all winter. For outdoor furniture, look for covers made from water-resistant material to prevent any damage to the fabric. Make sure to get your items covered before the first snowfall!

Lighting Your Backyard for Winter

Though often overlooked, lighting is essential when preparing the patio for winter. The winter months offer the least amount of daylight at any time of the year, which can complicate using your outdoor space. With some good lighting, you’ll get more use out of the area plus have a natural security and safety feature. Your light fixtures don’t have to be fancy – basic ones are usually the best way to go and do better when it comes time to sell the home.

Patio Heating

By far, heating is the most crucial element for any outdoor space in the winter. If you don’t keep it warm then it’s going to be hard to spend quality time out there! Wood burning or gas fire pits always make a great option here, as they can double as both a heating device and a great patio centerpiece.

For the smaller outdoor space, try something like an electric patio heater, which is both powerful and compact, providing plenty of heat without needing a lot of room.

Plants

Plants are one of the easiest ways to add color to the outdoor space, but they can also be some of the most fragile items out there. No time of the year is this truer than winter when the freezing temperatures can damage root systems and the moisture from snow and freezing rain can drown plants.

If you have plants that can be easily transplanted, try moving them indoors before you get your first freeze. For outdoor planters too big to bring inside, wrap them with a heavily insulated material, like burlap, to keep the soil warmer and prevent damage to the planter itself.

If you’re dreading the thought of not being able to spend time in your backyard for winter, put your worries aside. Just keep these 4 tips in mind and you’ll have an outdoor space you can relax in all winter long!

Have any questions about your outdoor space? Contact us here!

Thanksgiving: Backyard Edition

thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: Backyard Edition

A great way to enjoy your backyard during the holiday season is to host your family Thanksgiving outside!

1. Create a plan for keeping your Thanksgiving food warm.

If you are only feeding yourself and your partner or a small party of around four or five people, keeping the food warm during the first serving may not be an issue.

However, if the food is on your outdoor dining table, you can be sure that it will be cold by the time anyone goes for seconds.

Plus, if you are hosting a larger gathering it is very likely that the folks at the end of the buffet line or at the far end of the table are going to be scooping up lukewarm mashed potatoes.

2. Plan for the possibility of Thanksgiving bad weather.

If you are hosting a holiday dinner outside in autumn, you can be fairly certain it is going to get cold, it might be a little windy and it could even rain.

Hopefully, you already have come up with a backup plan after reading tip #1, so you are all set if the weather gets bad enough to force the party indoors.

However, the more prepared you are for cold or inclement weather, the less likely you will need to rely on your backup plan.

If you have a covered patio, then you are definitely ahead of the game and you can more easily make your outdoor living area a comfortable spot for fall entertaining.

Even if you have a fire pit or outdoor fireplace — both of which are great for fall entertaining — you will likely still need one or more patio heaters to accommodate your attendees if your guest list extends beyond your immediate family.

Have any questions about how to turn your backyard into a paradise? Then don’t hesitate to contact us!

 

How To Enjoy Your Backyard In Winter

backyard in winter

Your Backyard in Winter

Winter is around the corner and, no matter how much you are dreading the cold weather, there are always ways to continue to enjoy your backyard in winter.

For many homeowners, the backyard is a staple of summer living that may fade away once the snow starts to hit, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Winter takes away the daylight, the warmth and replaces it with a whole lot of snow. The key to enjoying your backyard in winter is to make up for what Mother Nature took away while making the most of what she provided.

Here are 4 great ways you can enjoy your backyard in winter

Find a new source of light:

In winter, the days are short and daylight is very hard to come by. You could go with a neutral holiday light set and using it all winter long. You could also consider having more permanent lighting installed in your backyard as well.

Find a new source of warmth:

With temperatures plummeting, you need heat to make your backyard more hospitable. There are a variety of options on the market that can address this concern. They include purchasing patio heaters, having a fireplace installed or even getting a hot tub, which is more affordable now than ever before. These pieces are well complemented by other winter-friendly additions such as wooden furniture and gazebos.

Enjoy the snow:

You might as well make the most of the winter by enjoying the one gift it provides that many people don’t actually mind, the snow. The opportunities for fun are limitless, whether you want to make snow angels, a snowman, or even have a snowball throwing contest (where you aim at targets, not at each other!).

Rely on winter plants:

Finally, there is still some plant life out there that can survive and thrive in winter. Additionally, head over to your local nursery to learn more about cold-resistant plants. They can add some much-needed vibrancy to your backyard this winter. Look out for Red Osier, a red winter shrub, and Purple Coneflower, a perennial. Two options that will compliment any winter garden.

Have any questions about getting your backyard ready for winter? Then contact us here!

The Dangers of Backyard DIY

outdoor living

The Dangers of DIY

One of the biggest new trends today is the art of Do-it-Yourself (DIY). These projects are online tutorials for creating everything from your very own backyard water-blob to an entire in-ground pool. Step-by-step instructions seem easy to follow; however, complicated processes have oversimplified or even skipped entirely. We want you to be fully informed and not find yourself in the middle of a costly DIY mistake!

The most dangerous aspect of a water-blob is the risk of it popping and washing away some landscaping or the plastic getting caught in your mower. Neither of these seems like especially horrendous outcomes. That being said, let’s go over a few things to keep in mind if you decide to DIY an entire pool.

To DIY or Not To DIY

First, please watch where you dig. Be sure to double check the placement of any gas pipes or in-ground power line, hitting either of these, especially so early in construction, could be a catastrophe! We do not recommend digging your own inground pool, it’s better to let the experts handle it.

If you live in a more rural area familiarize yourself with your water-waste system. A leak in your brand new pool is not only aggravating but could lead to an infiltration of your septic tank.

Lastly, double check with your city/township what sort of pools are allowed in your area. Also, what building codes apply for any additional structures you may wish to accompany the pool.

If you are looking to add a pool or water feature to your backyard entertainment this summer visit Cincinnati Pool & Patio where we believe buying a swimming pool should enhance your lifestyle without breaking your budget. To best fit your home, we offer a vast variety of affordable in-ground or above ground designs. Along with accessories, chemicals, pump, and filters to make your pool sparkle.

How To Properly Take Care of Your Outdoor Furniture

patio furniture

Your Outdoor Furniture

High winds, dirt, grime, and cold can damage your outdoor furniture, and as a result, you may need to purchase new pieces within only a few years.

Use the following step-by-step guide to help you protect your patio furniture so that you can have a great backyard retreat year after year.

Clean Your Patio Furniture

This step depends on what sort of material your furniture is made of. Metal furniture requires very little cleaning. You can simply spray with a bit of water or mild soap and you should see a clean surface.

Hardwood furniture can last longer once you clean it with penetrating oil to help resist moisture.

Wicker is probably the most difficult material to clean: Spray it with a hose, and for more difficult cases, use a soft brush and mild soap to work out stubborn areas of moss or mildew.

Cushions, canvases, or vinyl covers for outdoor furniture also require cleaning — make sure you allow enough time for it to dry before storing.

Protect with Vinyl Covers

Vinyl covers should be used during foul weather or the off-season. Water-resistant patio table covers with UV protection to help prevent fading are optimal when protecting your outdoor table. Covers that protect both chairs and tables are available, so check the size for what you might need.

Store Your Items During Harsh Weather

For those living in areas that have more harsh winters, storage is the best option. When storing tables, consider also storing them with outdoor table covers on them to prevent damage from moving and from any unwanted moisture from the storage space. Definitely consider storing wooden furniture or furniture with any type of tiling or mosaics, as the fluctuations in temperature can cause damage to these types of pieces.

Have any questions about patio furniture or looking to replace your set? Contact us today!