Home Decorating - Inside Out

Hot Trends in Patio Furniture for Spring - Summer

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I'm a homeowner as of one year, and can't wait to use my patio once Summer hits. I'm looking to buy patio furniture that will create a welcome environment for my friends in those hot months. The patio was of course one of the main selling points to me. Any tips for trendy patio furniture?

Sincerely,

Posh Outdoors

April Masini's advice:

Dear Posh Outdoors,

The new trend in patio furniture is bringing the inside out. More and more, patio furniture is resembling indoor furniture. More and more, outdoor furniture is looking like the living room is ... outdoors?! There are lamps and even outdoor rugs that you can now purchase for your patio or porch. In addition, chaise lounges no longer come just for one. Double chaise lounges and round, double chaise lounges bring the bedroom outdoors. Hammocks are not just contraptions that hang between two trees. They are substantial pieces of furniture with imposing wooden stands.

Even kitchens have come outdoors with the modernization of the Weber grill into full fledged stainless steel kitchen set up. It's not long before outdoor refrigerators are on their way into backyards across America.

Lush plants are the ideal way to bring the outdoors in and will immediately make a house feel warmer, happier, and homier:

- If you buy flowers make your first purchase some easy to care for plants like orchids.
- Philodendrons are what I call ìno-killî plants, and make a great choice if you don't have a green thumb.
- Bamboo, used in Feng Shui and very popular, is great for a casual area, and requires almost no maintenance.

Don't have a green thumb? Don't worry.... these days you can get all kinds of great, live-looking, silk plants, flowers and trees.