Fireplaces can add a warmth and friendly atmosphere to any room. The problem with traditional wooden fireplaces is that they create pollution and mess, what if you had the chance to produce clean and efficient heat via that same fireplace? This is where gas fireplace inserts come into play, as they will do exactly that.
So What Are Gas Fireplace Inserts?
Basically, as pointed out above, a gas fireplace insert will transform existing traditional wood fireplaces into an energy efficient gas system, making it cleaner and safer. New technology makes gas fireplaces look just as real as their wood counterparts; in some cases a gas fireplace insert will look even better. It will generally come with a thermostat or a remote control, and is operated with a simple on and off switch. This makes operating your fire incredibly easy, especially compared to a wood burning fireplace.
Gas fireplace inserts prices tend to range from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars. There are lots of different styles available, such as traditional masonry as well as more contemporary selections.
Types of Gas Fireplace Inserts
So what is considered the best gas fireplace inserts, well the question is best answered by investigating the various types of inserts that are available.
Direct Vent
A direct vent gas fireplace insert has two gas pipes that lead outside of the home. One of the pipes uses combustion air from the outside, and the other pipe is for venting the exhaust gases. This setup adds a lot of safety and operates very well, and due to this it is a popular option. Because this setup is so popular, there are many various styles to choose from and they are reasonably priced. This type of insert would be considered by many to be best gas fireplace insert.
Top Vent
A top vent gas fireplace insert is installed directly into an existing fireplace, and uses the actual chimney as the exhaust vent. The air for combustion is drawn from within the home itself. This type of insert tends to work better with a wood burning insert, as it is not as efficient as the other types of vents.
Vent Free
As the name suggests, this type of insert does not have an exhaust vent. What it does have is sensors that detect gas levels within the house, and the gas is automatically turned off if low levels of oxygen are sensed. It can be placed where is no chimney, so a fire mantel that is not attached to anything can receive this kind of fireplace insert. It’s quite heat efficient, because there is no opening that is leading out of the house for the heat to escape.
Are Gas Fireplace Inserts More Efficient Then Traditional Wood Fireplaces?
When searching for efficient gas fireplace inserts, this question undoubtedly rears its head. So are gas fireplace inserts more efficient then their wood counterparts? The answer is YES! An older wood burning fireplace is typically about 5-10% efficient due to the open combustion design. However a gas fireplace insert can increase efficiency to over 65%.
If you’re thinking, ‘Oh I don’t know about this, it’s all too hard!’, then consider just getting yourself an electric fireplace, there are certainly other options. Gas fireplace inserts prices tend to vary depending on where you are purchasing them from, and the size, style and trim that you are after, but you should expect to pay at the minimum a couple of hundred dollars. You will also want it to be installed by a licensed professional (don’t be messing around with gas if you don’t know what you are doing!).
Gas fireplace inserts can look fantastic, and the way technology is going they can appear amazingly realistic. There is a boatload of benefits too, primarily the fact that installing one of those leaves you with absolutely no mess to clean up. They are energy efficient, and there are numerous styles to choose from. So definitely consider a gas fireplace insert to add a clean, warm and energetic fireplace to your home as an alternative heating source.
You know what? Being outdoors in summer is better than being indoors. It’s a fact. That’s it. You cannot even argue with me about this point. So what, you like to be on the computer? Get a laptop then! Sit out on your patio or in the backyard getting some fresh air instead of being cooped up indoors, fresh air and some sunshine does everyone wonders. And that’s where a decent set of wood outdoor patio furniture can really come into its own. You can be comfortable and in the fresh air doing whatever it is you love, whether it is reading, art or surfing the web.
Different Types of Wooden Patio Furniture
I have a saying (and I may have just made it up then), but it goes like this: “Wherever there is wood, there is wooden furniture”. We all need something to sit on, and wood is the perfect solution due to its ability and willingness to be carved and shaped, as well as its durability and sturdiness in all types of weather conditions.
Let’s look at some of the different types of wood patio furniture.
Teak
This is the most expensive type; it will cost thousands of dollars for a decent set of teak patio furniture. It can be well worth the price however, as if cared for properly teak furniture can last for decades. Teak is special as it is easy to work and has natural oils that help protect it from the elements. It is durable even when not being especially treated due to those natural oils.
Cedar
This is a fragrant and hard wood which has a natural immunity to rotting and cracking. Untreated cedar furniture is known to last over 8 years if left outside the year round in all types of weather. Another great bonus is that the natural strong aroma of cedar wood can act as an insect repellent, which is fantastic for evenings outside.
Bamboo
Bamboo is actually grass, but it is so durable and hard, that it often gets classified as a wooden product. Bamboo is lightweight, sturdy and has a beautiful natural color. It is very affordable as it grows so quickly, and is a great inexpensive way to decorate your patio with furniture.
Oak
There are two types of oak, what is known as Red oak, or Chinese oak. Red oak is a great quality wood, but more manufacturers tend to use Chinese oak, as it is naturally resistant to fungi, and it does not rot or crack easily. A majority of manufacturers will actually treat Chinese oak patio furniture with a kiln, this process involves drying it to a point where they can almost guarantee it won’t twist or splinter from severe heat or sun. It is also a much more affordable option then Teak.
As you can see, there are lots of choices available. As with anything, prices can be as expensive as you like, depending on where you decide to buy your patio furniture and whether you want a brand name or not. Whatever you choose though, please ensure that it is built for outdoors use. You don’t want to end up with some furniture that was built for the indoors, and has not been treated correctly to deal with outdoor weather conditions.
What About Paint?
Paint is a brilliant way to breathe fresh new life into your old wood patio furniture. Alternatively, it is a great way to get some fantastic new pieces by simply recycling older furniture. Search for some cheap wood patio furniture at a second hand store and be prepared to roll up your sleeves and give it a lick of paint! If you put in the work, it will look as good as new.
If you want something bold, pick a nice bright color like a vivid red, yellow or blue. A bold primary color will really stand out on your patio. Or you can be a little more conservative, there are lots of paint colors to choose from, just talk with your local paints dealer to get an idea and help them pick a paint that will go well with your furniture. Remember to apply a primer to the wood before painting; this will stop the paint being absorbed into the surface of the wood.
With some older furniture, sometimes the ‘aged’ look works perfectly. If this is the case with your wood patio furniture, try finishing it with a crackle glaze. A crackle look is easy to achieve and will combine a variety of base colors that can fit the atmosphere of your patio décor. All you need to do is sand down the wood, follow the directions on the glaze bottle and ensure you let it dry the right amount of time as per the instructions. Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area.
If you are artistically inclined, you might even want to jazz it up a bit! A chess board painted on your wooden patio table? Or maybe a funky pattern across the back of a chair? Use your imagination! And remember that this will take time, so give the room and the time to dedicate yourself to the project. Trust me, when you finish it will give you a feeling of satisfaction that is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want a brand new piece or plan on refurbishing some recycled or second hand pieces, there is always a place to purchase discount wood patio furniture. Shopping online is a great place to start, and this will give you an idea of the prices available. There are many different types of wooden patio furniture available, so pick one that is going to match your needs and outdoor environment. Teak is the most expensive option for a reason, because it is a great hard wood – but all of the choices have their own merits and advantages.
Boat shoes, once only popular with those in the boating niche, are now a funky and stylish shoe made by a lot of prominent shoe manufacturers, Vans included. Vans boat shoes tend to be aimed at the younger generation, and provide a ‘retro’ look that is very popular and looks great. This article will give you an in-depth look at vans boat shoes, how they came to be and what options are currently available.
A Brief Look at the History of Boat Shoes
Let’s first look at a bit of general boat shoe history, as there is a quirky story to the invention of the original boat shoe. They were invented by Paul Sperry in 1935, and the story goes that he noticed his dog’s ability to run easily over the ice and snow. So he attempted to mimic this process by cutting thin slits across the rubber surface of his shoes (a process which is known as siping). This inspired a shoe that was perfect for being on a boat.
Boat shoes are also known as deck shoes or top-siders. They are typically canvas or leather (to help repel water), and they have rubber soles which have ‘sipings’ cut into them, this helps provide grip and traction on a wet deck.
Vans Boat Shoes Men
Vans boat shoes for men are a popular choice for stylish dress. Whether you are going on a boat or not, these shoes give you that boating and retro style that simply looks great, especially if you live somewhere with sunny weather and a laid back atmosphere. The most popular line of vans boat shoes is the Zapato Del Barco line. They come in a variety of different styles and looks, but are built just like traditional boat shoes with a canvas upper and rubber soles.
Vans Boat Shoes Women
There is also a Zapato Del Barco shoe line for women. It has all the trademarks of the classic Zapato line, but is made specifically with women in mind. Why wear flip-flops on the boat or at the beach when you can slip-on a pair of stylish boat shoes.
Vans boat shoes are usually quite unisex, so browse the men’s range too and see what styles you like best. Just keep in mind that the shoe sizes between men and women are different, so you will need to compensate for this wherever appropriate.
Dressing With Boat Shoes
The first rule of boat shoes, is don’t wear socks with boat shoes. If you follow this simple rule, then you and all the other boat shoe lovers will get along just fine. A simple pair of white vans boat shoes can do wonders for a nicely dressed yet casual appearance.
Here are some general tips for dressing with boat shoes:
- Casual pants or shorts work best, ie khakis, chinos, jeans or cargo pants. The shoes are designed for water enthusiasts, and they will give off a ‘sporty’ look. Don’t wear boat shoes with dress pants.
- Any kind of t-shirt, sweater or hoodie will work, just make sure its leaning more on the casual side of things. I personally prefer a plain black or white tee.
- Boat shoes are great for helping you ‘dress down’. If you want to wear a button up shirt on a date so you look nice, then boat shoes will dress you down so you don’t look TOO nice, if you know what I mean.
Since boat shoes have come into fashion with the younger folks aiming for the retro look, vans boat shoes are a fantastic choice to meeting that need to perfection. There are lots of styles to choose from in the Zapato Del Barco range, so you can surely find a pair to wear to almost any casual or outdoor event.
If you have not heard of a sleeping bag liner, then chances are you have a dirty sleeping bag. The whole point of them is to minimize the dirt and sweat that you are sure to produce whilst camping from working its way into your sleeping bag and meaning a trip to the Laundromat to rid it of that funky smell.
There are a couple of different types of sleeping bag liners available on the market, cotton and silk being the most common. They all have their own advantages, from price to weather conditions of your trip, deciding which will be the best sleeping bag liner for you is the name of the game. Read on for the good stuff!
Types of Sleeping Bag Liners
Silk
Silk is the lightest option, and is great because it won’t take up much room. It adds a bit of warmth to your body, but its real value lies in the luxurious feel of real silk against the skin (as well as protecting your sleeping bag of course). The only negative to silk liners is that they can become extremely uncomfortable if they get damp. So don’t take a silk liner camping where there is lots of moisture in the air.
Cotton
This is my favorite type of liner. Nothing to me beats the feel and comfort of clean cotton when going to sleep. But then again, I’ve never been a silk man. Cotton liners are cheap, effective for protecting your sleeping and will provide you with warmth without being too affected by moisture in the air.
Fleece
The best reason to get a fleece sleeping bag liner is for warmth. They are perfect for camping in colder environments, or if you are not camping in the summer months. They provide a great cozy feeling, and will allow you to snuggle into your sleeping, but they will take up a lot more room in your backpack then silk or cotton. For this reason, they are not very convenient for hikers or people who are travelling with all of their belongings in a backpack.
Wool
Some people love wool over fleece, as it is such a natural product. Just like fleece liners, wool liners provide a great deal of warmth. Wool liners are the most expensive type of sleeping bag liner; however a lot of people have a skin sensitivity to wool and don’t like the feel of it directly against them. For some folks, it makes them itchy and uncomfortable. If you are one of those people it’s a good idea to get a type of liner.
Mummy Liners
Mummy what? What ARE you talking about Tom, I hear you cry. I’m here to read about sleeping bag liners not mummy liners.
Bear with me, and I will explain. If you have already decided on your type of fabric (see list above), you still need to decide if you want what is called a mummy sleeping bag liner or a regular liner. Let me first clarify what mummy sleeping bags are, as the liners are merely built to suit the bags. Mummy sleeping bags are smaller at the feet, and then try to match the body shape of a person as it comes up towards the head area and entry point of the sleeping bag.
The idea behind them is that it will be closer to the body, and therefore warmer due to the increase in heat efficiency. Mummy sleeping bag liners are made to fit into mummy sleeping bags, HOWEVER you can use you a mummy sleeping liner inside of a regular sleeping bag. This type of liner may keep you just that little bit warmer than a normal sleeping bag liner, but I don’t think it’s really a big deal either way. At least now you will know what retailers are talking about when they say ‘mummy liner’.
Let’s List the Benefits
We’ve already discussed the benefits for having a sleeping bag liner, such as protection from outside dirt and bodily fluids, and the extra warmth it will provide, especially in a colder environment.
It will also feel more comfortable inside your sleeping bag if you use a liner, and they are relatively inexpensive, normally ranging from about $15.00 – $50.00 depending on what type of liner you want and brand names as well of course. It is also possible to get double sleeping bag liners, if you share a double sleeping bag with that special someone.
As you can see there are lots of options available, but the type of liner you need will depend completely on you. Where will you be camping, and in what weather? How much do you want to spend and will you only have limited room in a backpack? These are the questions that you need to ask yourself when determining what type of sleeping bag liner you need.
If you already know exactly what you want, for example a cheap silk sleeping bag liner, then shopping online is probably your best option due to the large range and variety you have access too. Otherwise, checkout your local outdoors or camping store, they should have a decent amount of sleeping bag liner stock to choose from.
Pocket knives are amazingly useful little tools, whether you are camping, around the home, or out at work they can be a valuable tool to have on hand. You can be Macgyverish as you like about the never-ending uses of a decent pocket knife, but this article will give you some insight into the benefits of this product, as well as what’s considered to be the best folding pocket knife in the world.
The Benefits of a Pocket Knife
Pocket knives date back to early roman times, so they’ve certainly had a lot of time to develop. A big benefit of a quality pocket knife is that they are smaller enough to take with you camping or hiking. On camping trips they can be used to slice food like cheese or fruit, cut rope, whittle marsh mellow sticks, and so many more things I’m not going to list them all here. On a hiking trip, it would probably not be needed, but if you were (god forbid) put in a position where you had to survive, a pocket knife would become invaluable.
If you care for your pocket knife, it will last for many, many years. You should be sharpening it immediately when it is dull, and cleaning it regularly. Keep it securely clipped to your pack or person at all times, that way you will not lose it.
So What Is The Best Pocket Knife In The World?
Ahh, the big question. The answer is, well, that there is no ‘answer’ (sorry). It all comes down to personal taste and opinion, what you need it for, and the style of the knife that you want. I can tell you one thing though, one of the most popular and well known pocket knives in the world, is of course, the Swiss Army Knife. There is a reason these knives are considered to be the best pocket knife brand, it’s because they are of an extremely high quality.
The Swiss Army Knife
It used to be known as the offiziermesser, but that was way too difficult to pronounce for english speakers, so it became known as the swiss army knife. It’s easily recognized as all the knives are stamped with the swiss cross logo.
They come with such an insane amount of various tools that it can be a little mind boggling. It has two blades, a main blade and a slightly smaller one, a corkscrew, a can opener, a bottle opener, a flathead or phillips head
screw driver, nail file, scissors, saw blade, regular file, a hook, a scaler to help clean fish caught in the wild (see what I mean about lots of tools – don’t worry, it gets better!).
It has lots of other amenities as well, such as personal hygiene features including tweezers and a toothpick. The list goes on, with a magnifying glass (can be used to start a fire), ball-point pen, a hex wrench and pliers too. The recent models even have an LED light and an MP3 music player, a 32 GB flash drive, a digital clock and an altimeter. All with bluetooth capability.
They come in two main primary colors of red or black. Of course, you don’t need to get one with every single item listed above (although you can), you can pick and choose models based on what tools you require. The Swiss Army Knife is considered by many to be the best pocket knife in the world, with a rich history and a track record of quality products.
Swiss Army Knives can seem like a bit of overkill for some people, and there are a bunch of other great brands available. If you are wanting something simpler, check out best pocket knife brands such as Case, Gerber, Buck or Kershaw.
Some Final Points
There are a number of excellent quality products available when it comes to pocket knives. Visit your local camping, hunting or outdoors store. The internet also has a great variety of pocket knives, and is a good place to do some price comparisons to find yourself the best deal. If you are going to purchase online, I would suggest sticking with the popular brands that are well-known to make quality products time and time again.
Pocket knives are an extremely valuable asset to any serious camper or hiker, or anyone that loves the outdoors.
Cheap paper lanterns are a brilliant and inexpensive way to provide lighting to your home or outdoors area. Traditionally from Asian countries, such as Japan and China, paper lanterns are now popular world wide. They are a great way of adding some class and elegance to your outdoor environment here in the west, whether you are going for an ‘asian’ theme or just want some soft lighting to create a beautiful ambience, cheap paper lanterns are the perfect solution.
A Brief History
Paper lanterns have been around for a very long time, and it can be enjoyable to learn a little history of an item before buying it yourself. Let’s look at a brief history of paper lanterns.
Earliest records indicate that paper lanterns have existed in China since 250BC. The lanterns saw a massive increase in popularity due to the mid-autumn festival, which is also known as the lantern festival. This festival is part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The tradition of the lantern festival is said to date back to the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 to A.D. 907). During this period, an emperor organised the construction of 30 giant and precious gem ornate lanterns. Since then, the tradition of lanterns has taken hold in Chinese culture.
The lantern festival delights in the display of paper lanterns, and they are fashioned into hundreds of different shapes and sizes, from paper rabbits to dazzling fish to colorful planes. During night time at a large Chinese city, these lanterns are a brilliant sight.
Types of Paper Lanterns
Seen as how cheap paper lanterns are made from paper, imagination is normally the only real barrier. They can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, such as stars or dragons, and are often brightly colored or painted with Chinese or Japanese calligraphy. These days, paper lanterns are normally lit by an interior bulb which is either battery operated or attached to an electrical cord.
Your most common type of paper lantern is round, and it is easy to purchase round paper lanterns cheap via online vendors or at large discount stores.
The Benefits of Cheap Paper Lanterns
A real advantage to this type of lighting, is they are cheap, portable, and easily disposable. The other obvious benefit is the festive atmosphere they can create, especially in the outdoors. It’s not difficult to buy or make strings of multiple cheap white paper lanterns that will produce a soft and elegant glow for an outdoor function or event, but they work equally well inside the home as well. The soft lighting also lends itself well to romantic events such as a date night with that special someone or even a wedding.
Another great bonus, especially for simple white paper lanterns, is that they are extremely easy to personalize. You can paint or write on the lanterns yourself. Do something that will look awesome with the ethereal light that cheap white paper lanterns can produce.
There are so many options and possible ideas for lighting your outdoor even when it comes to paper lanterns. Coloring, personalization, shape & size – none of these pose a problem whatsoever, as the range of choice for this product is immense. It’s not difficult to find cheap paper lanterns wholesale if you were wanting to purchase bulk, but I find the easiest way if you were wanting some for a party or function, is to simply purchase them from Amazon or another similar online retailer.
Outdoor shower enclosures can mean a number of things. It could mean a deluxe outdoor shower to add another whole feature to your outside living space, or it could mean a portable outdoor shower enclosure that you can take with you on a long camping trip. Or anything in-between. This article will take you through all of the relevant and important points, and will shower you with information. Yep, that pun WAS intended.
Reasons to Own an Outdoor Shower Enclosure
Showering outside truly does allow you to reconnect with nature. Sure, it all sounds a little cliché, but washing in the morning with twittering birds and the fresh air of a crisp morning can be pretty amazing. If you are after a portable outdoor shower enclosure, this can be extremely useful for camping or being on the road. Alternatively, you could get something for your poolside so you can rinse off the chlorine when you are done swimming.
Types of Outdoor Showers
A ‘Real’ or Fixed Outdoor Shower
This sort of shower needs to be installed by a licensed plumber, but it is a full shower enclosure with all the benefits of an indoor shower – just outside. It is perfect to relax after a hard days gardening or on the property, or just too simply be at home yet still outdoors in nice weather enjoying a shower. Privacy is an important feature here, unless you live in an area where no-one is likely to see you shower, or perhaps it doesn’t bother you if they do! Position is another point to examine, as cost will need to considered if you want the shower far from the house (the cost of pipes and plumbing). You may place it in a spot surrounded by greenery and trees, to make it a pleasant outdoors experience.
These outdoor shower enclosures work just like a normal shower, and are normally built with stone or wood as these materials do well against the external weather elements. You can use a real bath tub as the base for the shower, and having a bath outside can be just as wonderful as a shower. If you are interested, get in touch with a professional, there are outdoor shower enclosure kits available for you to choose from.
Poolside Shower
These showers are simple constructions, designed to rinse off the salt or chlorine from your outdoor swimming pool. This means you can get dry and go inside without needing to have another shower. A solar powered shower is an excellent choice for these showers, as they are perfect for those sunny days by the pool. They are normally a simple stand-alone affair, with a base, pole and nozzle. There are other quirky options available though, such as a round base shower that you stand on, that shoots water upwards into the air.
Portable Shower
You may be searching for an outdoor camping shower enclosure, and you will definitely want something portable. A handy product when you are on the road or at a secluded beach or camp site where general amenities are not to be expected. Privacy is something to think about, but an outdoor portable shower will often come with its own private enclosure screen. Otherwise, just wear your swimming shorts!
These showers will often have the option to heat the water using your cars cigarette lighter, and some more advanced models can even heat water through your car’s engine if you know how to set it up correctly.
Obviously, long showers are not feasible here, but a quick scrub down and rinse with a bar of soap under an outdoor camping shower enclosure can work absolute wonders to your spirit and moral if you are feeling dirty from a rough patch of camping.
Some Final Thoughts
So whatever outdoor shower enclosure you are interested in, there is definitely a type and style to suit your needs. Shopping online will give you the largest range and best choice, and it has never been easier with sites like Amazon, even Wal-Mart has their own online presence now.
If you have never tried a shower in the outdoors, I highly recommend it and suggest you give it a go! Go on, get out there!
For outdoor garden lovers, a solar powered lamp post can be a brilliant addition to your home’s atmosphere. Using the free power provided by the sun everyday, these lights come in a variety of different forms. From the classic lamp post look to the smaller lantern style, there is a design to suit your solar lighting needs. They are not only great for your garden; people often put them beside their driveways or on their outdoor patios. The beauty of a solar powered lamp post is that once installed, they will give you natural lighting outdoors that won’t burn a hole in your wallet when the electricity bill arrives.
So How Do They Work?
It’s easy for me to say, ‘well they are powered by the sun, okay?’, but that doesn’t quite answer the question. The first thing to realise is that solar lamp posts do not require any external wiring, and are extremely easy to install. Let’s have a quick look at how solar lamp posts actually work.
A solar lamp post will consist of its casing, a solar cell on top, a ni-cad battery, a small controller board, an LED light source, and a photoresistor to detect when it is dark.
That is all well and good, but how is it actually producing light?
Without getting super technical, it happens like this. The solar cell is wired directly to the battery, and will use the energy it gathers from the sun to charge the battery. It will always reach maximum charge except on winter days or days that are heavily overcast.
At night, the solar cell will stop charging the battery (as there is no sunlight). The photo resistor will indicate to the controller board that it is now dark, which in turn will allow the fully charged ni-cad battery to begin powering the LED lights. And hooray, you have solar light for your outdoor area!
All of this generally happens in the encapsulated lantern area, the rest of the lamp post is just for elevation and decoration.
Advantages of an Outdoor Solar Lamp Post
Traditionally they are used to light a garden at night time, but there are variations of the solar garden lamp post that can assist with lighting your patio area. They work great for lighting your driveway, or creating a path for a late night walk, or simply to help you enjoy the beauty of your property from your porch or patio. And the real benefit, as we discussed briefly already, is that solar lighting is completely off the grid, and won’t consume your paid for electricity in anyway.
Here are some other great benefits of a solar lamp post you may not have thought about:
- They don’t get very hot, so they don’t pose a fire risk to your property.
- They can help to discourage trespassers.
- They are extremely ‘green’ friendly, as there are no emissions being released.
- There are lots of styles available and recent leaps in solar technology have made them quite affordable.
Realistically, you may need more then one to properly light a larger outdoors area, but solar lamp posts are a great product that is good for the environment, and is an asset in the sense that they will pay themselves off every night. Solar technology has really come a long way, and will only continue to improve, so consider a solar lamp post for your garden today!
There are a lot of outdoor lighting ideas and options available, almost to the point where it can all be a little overwhelming trying to figure out what it is that you need. This article will touch on multiple points regarding outdoor lighting, including why it can be so important for your outdoor setting. There is also a quick guide to outdoor lighting ideas included that will summarize the variety of choices available to you.
Why Outdoor Lighting is Important
Outdoor lighting can be such an essential and exciting addition to any outdoor décor. There are many excellent reasons why outdoor lighting is worth the cost.
Atmosphere
When you are thinking about outdoor lighting ideas, it’s crucial to consider the ambience that different styles and types of outdoor lights can produce. Softer lighting can create a more relaxed or romantic mood, whereas brighter lights may be more suitable if you plan on playing games or entertaining.
Safety
A big plus of outdoor lighting is safety. It is possible to get lights that turn on automatically whenever someone approaches your house, this is great for yourself if you are coming back late, but also excellent for deterring any unsavoury people that may be near your house during night time.
Garden
Outdoor lighting can make your garden or driveway look fantastic when the sun goes down. Solar powered lights or low voltage lights are possible choices here, and they can add a lovely element to your outdoors garden.
Entertaining
Outdoor lighting is brilliant for parties in the summer months, don’t sit inside the house when you can enjoy a beautiful summer’s night on the patio or in the backyard with friends and family. There are lots of outdoor party lighting ideas.
Why Do You Want Outdoor Lighting?
Knowing what you want in terms of lighting for your outdoor setting will definitely help with brainstorming ideas.
Do you want something simple for backyard parties, but don’t want permanent light fixtures? Then you may be looking at a portable stand-alone model that can be setup with relative ease and stored in your garage. Or perhaps you want lights for your patio that can cater for both soft romantic nights and bright parties using lights can be dimmed. Maybe you aim to light up your garden, or perhaps you want some lights along the driveway to give house members and guests a safer route.
Establish exactly why you want outdoor lights, and where you want them to go. This will help you immensely when you are researching types and styles of outdoor lights to purchase.
The List – A Quick Guide to Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Solar
There are many outdoor solar light options available in the marketplace these days. The technology has made leaps and bounds in recent times, and they are now inexpensive enough to really make a difference to the electricity bill. Solar lighting produces a natural, soft light, and is an excellent choice for the garden or driveway. They are ideal for anywhere where electricity would be annoying or a hazard to setup.
Lanterns
Lanterns are perfect for those with cheap outdoor lighting ideas in mind. You can get hanging or tabletop lanterns, or even paper lanterns in a Chinese or Japanese style. Varieties when it comes to lanterns are almost endless, and paper, metal, and glass lanterns can all be lit with electricity or candles. Lanterns are the best selection to create that soft romantic ambience.
Outdoor Table Lamps
These lamps are perfect for patio tables or side tables, and they are generally built to live in the outdoor environment (popularly made from bronze or stainless steel). If you are looking for outdoor patio lighting ideas, then definitely consider some outdoor table lamps.
Step Lights
These lights, as the name suggests, will light up your steps at night time. They are brilliant for the obvious safety reason (taking the steps in pitch black darkness is always a recipe for disaster), but they will also give your outside steps an appealing appearance.
Flood Lights
This is a simple yet effective way to accentuate parts of your outdoors area. Do you enjoy a bit of night basketball around the house, or working on a project well into the night? Flood lights are the perfect solution here.
Don’t be afraid to be creative with your outdoor lighting ideas! There are so many selections you can certainly experiment. What about underwater lights for your garden pond or water feature? What about outdoor chandeliers, or even a simple construction of your own that hosts a natural light source such as candles. Whilst experimenting, please keep safety foremost in your mind, and don’t play around with things that you have no idea about (fire and electricity spring to mind here).
An outdoor bar set can add that extra spark to your backyard or patio when entertaining friends and family. They come in a variety of styles, types and sizes, and your options range from a simple stand alone bar all the way to the more expensive and complete bar package. Complete outdoor bar set packages will generally contain a bar as well as multiple stools. Let’s have a look at some important points when it comes to outdoor bar sets, as there is a wide selection to choose from.
Materials & Style
Outdoor bars will come in a variety of materials such as tiki bars (bamboo), wood, wicker or stone. Your tiki and wicker bar sets are normally built to be a little more portable, and they are a great option for the patio or to setup quickly in the backyard. Stone and hardwood bars are normally built specifically to one location and fixed in place.
Outdoor bar sets are a popular item these days, especially during the summer months, so there are many styles available, both contemporary and more traditional. With a bit of effort and research on your part, it won’t be hard to find the perfect bar set to match your outdoor décor.
Why Do You Want One?
Let’s start with the simple question of why you actually want an outdoor bar set. It’s important to establish your needs, as the type and style of the product can change dramatically depending on what you require.
Is it for your covered patio area for example, you will know that you don’t need a built-in roof enclosure for your outdoor patio bar sets. You may also want it to be lightweight so it can be moved easily around, so you will be looking at a portable design made from wicker or another light wood material.
If you are after something for a specific and elaborate backyard bar setup, a stone or hardwood fixed outdoor bar set may be more to your liking. This way the bar will be locked into place, and you can ensure that it matches the outdoor theme that you fancy. These bars will also often be ‘wet bars’ (have running water) – so they are a extremely self sufficient.
How about something portable and easy to move that can be setup in the backyard for parties? It is possible to get outdoor tiki bar sets that are often the complete package. They can have a shade roof to provide people working and sitting under the bar with protection from the harsh summer sun. They are also relatively lightweight and will often come with their own bar stools.
Where to Get One & How Much?
The best place to find cheap outdoor bar sets via an online shopping retailer (such as Amazon), but your local home depot store should have a decent range of stock as well.
In terms of prices, an inexpensive and simple stand alone bar will normally set you back about $100 – $200. If you want the complete package, then it is very dependant on the materials used and other aspects (such as how many bar stools or chairs come with the set). Outdoor tiki bar sets are around $500 – $1,000, and a high quality wicker bar set will span into the thousands. If you are wanting a built-in stone or wood outdoor bar set, then you are looking from a couple of thousand to $5,000 plus.
If you’re particularly handy or work with wood or stone, you could consider building your own outdoor bar set. Otherwise source your prices online from Amazon, and compare them against other large retailers and speciality online stores – and pick the one that meets your quality and price expectations!
In the summer months and hot weather, it’s hard to beat sitting on your patio or in the backyard with a cool beverage that was served up from your very own outdoor bar set. Whatever your price range, there is sure to be a product that will suit your needs and match your outdoor setup.
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