By COLLEEN JOHNSON
cjohnson@dnj.com

Gazebos, screens, arbors, dark furniture, lighted umbrellas add life to back yard

With warmer temperatures, folks may be inclined to bring the indoors out, transforming their backyards into usable living space.

“The outdoor space has evolved from the stand-alone grill and patio set in the back yard to a complete outdoor living room,” said Patti Price, vice president of merchandising for seasonal living at Lowe’s, “and homeowners have abundant resources at their disposal to design their own unique space.”

The hottest item this year could possibly be the modular gazebo, predicts the American Home Furniture Alliance, an organization devoted to furniture industry research in the United States. Other popular items include removable screens and elegant canopies.

In Rutherford County, gazebos “are a good mover,” said Tim Percell, a salesman at Martin’s Home & Garden. “They’re seasonal, but I have sold them in December and January, too.”

If a gazebo is slightly out of your price range or your available space, many less expensive and more compact choices are available.

For the back yard, products such as awnings, canopies and the ever-popular umbrella provide shade and comfort during the warm months. Home Depot and Lowe’s make a solar-powered umbrella with dozens of little white lights that light up at night.

At BVI Patio & Casual Center in Murfreesboro, the newest umbrella is thatched straw, giving your back yard a “tiki look,” said salesman Dustin Richardson.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s popular,” he explained. “But it’s a head-turner because a lot of people look at it.”

Most patio umbrellas can either be placed in the center of a table or freestanding, which is perfect for small spaces, like balconies and patios.

Another bestseller at BVI is any furniture made with cast aluminum, said Richardson, who noted that, because cast aluminum does not rust or rot, it is virtually maintenance- and worry-free.

Cast aluminum is equally as popular in stores such as the Co-op Garden Center, where stylish bistro table-and-chair sets are selling well. Bistro sets are small and can be placed inside a gazebo or on a small patio.

The tables come with a variety of coverings made of marble, wood or tile; and the chairs can be cushioned for added comfort.

Wicker furniture is not as popular at BVI than in past years, but it is certainly in demand at the Co-op, where you can find a new line of black wicker.

“Black is a new color for us this year,” said Roger Young, assistant manager at the Co-op Garden Center. “And it’s working well because we’re almost sold out.”

Wicker bar sets that come with two bar stools and a bar could fit easily into the outdoor living space of someone who likes to entertain friends.

“We’re also selling all types of outdoor arbors, in cast aluminum and wood,” explained Young.

This type of outdoor accessory can create an elegant entry to your garden hideaway.

Lighting your outdoor living space can be fun with many creative ways to do so. Candles, torches, stringed lights and solar walkway lamps are all ways to illuminate your open-air haven.

This year, some planters have evolved to be more than just a home for your flowers; they can light up the patio, too.

“They light up at night and look beautiful on a patio,” said Young. “A lot of people don’t realize you can still plant in them.”

When it comes to choosing a color scheme for your outdoor living space, earth tones are definitely the favored choice across the board.

“Earth tones have been popular for a couple of years now,” said Richardson. “People really like the dark browns.”

Customers will see a lot of dark greens and blues, as well, which helps create a natural, serene retreat.

When the American Home Furniture Alliance conducted consumer research last year, the organization found that 86 percent of homeowners felt “relaxing” is the most important quality their outdoor living space should have. Nearly 60 percent indicated it should be a “hang out” spot for friends and family, and 57 percent wanted a private “sanctuary.”

Whatever your preference, an outdoor living area provides a unique way to enjoy the outdoors.

Before you begin to create your own personal outdoor living space, you should consider what you want to use the space for and what features you’d like to include. The following is a list of tips provided by Lowe’s:

1.Establish a focal point and select a color palette and mix of textures.

2.If frequent evening entertaining is the goal, the outdoor area should feature lighting that is functional, enhances the atmosphere and improves safety.

3.Add a trellis, fence or natural barrier of evergreen plants to establish private areas.

4.When adding spas and water features, be sure to have convenient access to spigots.

5.Choose outdoor furnishings that offer style, as well as comfort and durability to endure unpredictable weather.

6.Be sure that chairs and benches are properly sized and match the decorative scheme.

7. Add a chimenea, with a grouping of comfortable seats to create a cozy entertainment area.

8.For patios and garden paths, choose a paving material that will complement the home, such as brick, cobblestone or tile.

9.Dress the deck or patio floor with an outdoor rug that unifies the decor in the space.