Fall Fun On The Patio

As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, it's time to enjoy your patio while you still can. The cooler weather means you can take down that umbrella, and bring out the fire pit or chimenea. Put some warm blankets on the chairs and benches, and take a long walk to work up a hearty appetite for some warm fall-style food over the grill. If there aren't any good places to hike, you can play some games in the yard, like a bean-bag toss, pumpkin seed toss, or musical chairs (with hay bales instead of chairs, of course!).

To keep with the fall theme, decorate your patio with dried corn husks, pumpkins, gourds, and artificial leaves. You may even want to decorate the center of your cast aluminum table set with pumpkins and gourds. The decorations can even extend out into the yard, where you might want to feature bales of hay, a scarecrow, more pumpkins, and perhaps even a wheelbarrow full of straw and a cornucopia in the center. Enjoy the fresh, crisp air, and keep warm with those thick blankets and a roaring fire in your chimenea.

Feng Shui Your Patio

Your patio is one of the few places in your home that's already open and exposed to nature, and can actually serve as a transition between the outside world and the inside of the home. This makes it the perfect place to employ some techniques of Feng Shui. Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shoy") is the practice of arrangement that attempts to mimic nature. So, what better place than your outdoor patio?

Start by featuring comfortable, cushioned chairs in earth tones, such as browns, greens, and oranges that encourage guests to linger comfortably. Calm curvy furniture also creates an atmosphere where guests can sit and relax. Pick up an an all-weather wicker sitting set to promote this.

When considering a table, keep in mind that different table shapes promote different methods of communication. Round tables are perfect for equality, rectangular tables are balanced, and square table promotes stability. Good thing cast aluminum tables come in many shapes and sizes, because they are a perfect addition!

Even though the patio is out in the open, it may also be a good idea to feature some plants around the left side and center to increase and encourage strong ties with family and community. You may also want to feature a tall plant in the far left corner which may have a positive effect on your income.

When making a pathway, it's important to consider which direction the path is headed. A pathway headed north promotes self-discovery and a focus on career goals while a southbound pathway focuses on popularity. A westward pointing pathway should grant you more leisure time, and if it points east may help drive pessimism away while boosting energy. Make sure you grab some mosaic stepping stones to create a peaceful, curved pathway.

Try these feng shui tips for your patio, and let us know what works for you!

Protect Your Patio Furniture

When the warm sun disappears and turns into a cloudy rain, it's important to protect your patio furniture and keep it dry so you can use it when the sun comes back out. To prevent any damage, get a cover for your cast aluminum patio furniture and all-weather wicker, or place them under an awning or in the garage.

Protecting your furniture cushions from the rain is important since it may take them a while to dry, and they could get musty and ruined. If there is rain in the forecast, grab your furniture cushions and bring them indoors until it clears up and take them out when clear skies return.