Tag: Outdoor Life

DIY Outdoor Deck-orating Ideas

Posted on by John Langlois

New or old, sometimes your deck needs a little somethin’ somethin’ to add more appeal. You don’t have to spend a bazillion dollars on outdoor decor, either. You can spice up your deck on a budget by DIY-ing some design elements that makes your space as unique as you. 

Where To Shop For Outdoor Decor

We all know that online is the safest place to shop for anything right now. But, when things go back to some semblance of normal, and they will, shopping for those who like to touch and feel prior to purchasing will be easier. 

In the meantime, depending on what you’re looking for, you can check out:

And of course, there’s Amazon. 

Don’t forget to look for small businesses in your area who may carry cool and unique outdoor decor items to display proudly on your deck or patio. 

Shade Structures

Depending on your budget, pergolas and gazebos can be professionally built. Or, you can find kits and build them yourself. 

Whichever direction you choose, shade structures not only add some, well, shade. They can also create a dramatic effect depending on how you choose to decorate. Think fairy lights and curtains!

Furniture Facelift

If you already own sturdy furniture that’s in decent condition, consider giving those pieces a makeover. 

Metal furniture may need some rust removal before spray painting it back to perfection. Wood, on the other hand, might need some sanding and refinishing. Top it off with all-weather paint or stain. 

Plastic furniture can also be modernized. Hose off all the debris, sand the surface with 0000 fine steel wool, apply a primer made for plastic, and paint away. 

Enjoy your newly updated, outdated outdoor furniture!

Plant Privacy

Decks are usually wide open spaces. But, you can create privacy quite simply by using plants. 

Create some sort of border with tall potted plants. Consider ones you can bring indoors during cooler months. 

A trellis-like structure firmly planted within a deep planter will allow you to grow vines. This can create a beautiful and colorful border wall to make separate spaces on your deck. Or, place it in an area that’s too open to neighbors, and suddenly they can’t see they’re missing out on evening cocktails at your house. 

Add Color With Outdoor Decor

A great way to add splashes of color to your deck is by adding indoor-outdoor decor, pillows, and rugs. 

Rugs are also a good way to separate spaces. For example, the dining area of your patio may have one rug, while the seating area has another. 

Tie all the colors together with some toss pillows on your recently refurbished furniture and you have a place no one will ever want to leave!

There’s nothing better than hanging out on your deck during the warmer months. And, with a little elbow grease and creativity, it can be the most inviting place in your home!

Freshen Up Your Front Porch

Posted on by John Langlois

Is your front porch looking a bit neglected? Is it not bringing you joy? There are some quick and easy ways to freshen up that tired front porch. Give your house a little facelift with the following ideas. 

Fresh Paint

Repainting your entire house can get costly. But, you can still give your house even more appeal by simply painting the door. Pick a color that pops yet doesn’t clash with the rest of your home’s exterior. It’s an easy and affordable way to add personality. 

New Lights

It seems like no big deal, but front porch lights not only light up the front of your house, but it can also add extra visual appeal. If your lights are dull and boring, a new fixture may add a little light in your life. 

House Numbers

Add an artistic flair to your front porch with cool house numbers. You can find these on sites like Etsy or Home Depot. Drop them over your door, or alongside it. Anywhere it’s easily noticeable. There are so many fun and funky designs available to add instant character to your front porch refresh. 

Door Knocker

A touch as unique as your personality, door knockers can be straightforward or ornate. Modern, or antique. You can find cool ones at antique shows or home and garden shops. They’re fun too look at and also fun for guests to use. 

Flowers and Plants

Depending on the size of your front porch, add a splash of color with plants in interesting pots. Add containers of flowers around your front walkway if you don’t have room on the porch. You could also choose hanging plants for a burst of beauty. Spray paint old planters for a new and fresh look. 

Seats and Swings

If you have the room, create a cozy seating space. Or, hang a porch swing. If new porch furniture is out of your price range, look on Facebook marketplace, or go to garage sales. Older furniture could always be refreshed along with your porch. Just add an indoor/outdoor rug and colorful couch cushions and curl up with a good book!

Welcome Mat

A new welcome mat layered on top of a cool outdoor rug can give your front porch a new focal point. Flank with a couple of plastic plants in planters. You’ll have a year-round look and never have to worry about the plants dying. 

Door Decor

For that final touch, just add a floral wreath to your front door. They’re so inviting while changing the entire look of your door. You can make your own, there are plenty of patterns on Pinterest. Just search “wreath patterns”, or you can hit up your local arts and crafts store. Or, buy one already made from your local home and garden or gift shop.  

To give your house a little lift and maximize your home’s curb appeal, changing up your front porch may be all it needs. 

If you’d like to update the structure of your front porch, give Titan Decks a call. 

Growing A Garden On Your Deck

Posted on by John Langlois

Adding garden elements to your deck gives it a highly visual appeal, as well as creating a functional addition. Whether it’s because you don’t have a backyard conducive to plant growth, or you simply want to decorate, growing a garden on your deck is fun and easy. 

Vegetable and Fruit Garden

Space isn’t an issue when growing a vegetable garden on your deck. You can purchase containers at any home or garden shop, along with the proper potting mix soil. Because vegetables are considered ‘heavy feeders’, they ingest a lot of the fertilizers which means you’ll have to add it frequently. 

Good deck-growing fruits and veggies are:

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Herbs
  • Various salad greens
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Fruit trees conducive to your climate
  • Cantaloupe
  • Watermelon

There are many other fruits and vegetables not listed that could easily be grown on your deck. 

Remember to keep them spaced out so they have room to grow, and water frequently. Then, enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor. 

Flower Garden

Arranging potted plants and flowers around your deck can tie the indoors and outdoors together. Create bursts of color and peaceful green spaces by planting and arranging different shapes and sized containers of plants. 

  • First, be mindful of shade and sun areas so you’ll know what types of plants will thrive in those spots.
  • Sunny spots, you can place tropical plants and other full sun-friendly flowers. 
  • Shady spots are loved by green, leafy plants like elephant ears and coleus. 
  • If it’s scents you’re after, consider roses, jasmine, lavender, or hyacinths, to name a few. 
  • Flowering herbs such as thyme and sage are both practical and beautiful. 

All your guests will surely marvel over how your garden grows. 

Small-space Deck Gardens

Tight spaces on your deck aren’t a problem! You just need to be a little more creative in your plant placement. 

  • Hanging gardens: Suspend your plant containers. Using small pots and some rope, you can create beautiful hanging gardens that don’t take up any usable space. 
  • Repurposed ladder: An old wooden ladder can make a perfect place for potted plants. 
  • Pocket Planters: There are planters available that are hangable pockets. Hang them on a vertical surface, and add plants.
  • Stacked Planters: From large to small, stack the planters after the potting soil has been added. Grow flowering herbs or small flowers. You can also use steel tubs for this.
  • Trellis: For a nice accent piece, add a trellis with flowering vines winding its way up and around it. 

For more cool small-space garden ideas, check out this article from HGTV
In the market for a new deck so you can get your garden growing? Give Titan Decks a call and get a free in-home estimate.

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