Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

An outdoor rug can help turn your patio into a legitimate outdoor living space with a homey feel. It can hide old, cracked concrete or it can simply define a seating area.

When choosing an outdoor rug, you want to get something that will stand up to the elements and also be durable enough to withstand foot traffic from family, guests, and four-legged friends.

This $200 rug might do the trick, if you don’t mind palm fronds:

“Don’t let the dramatic look make you overlook the practical side of this indoor/outdoor rug. It’s made of durable, fade-resistant polypropylene that’s tightly woven for a look reminiscent of wool or cotton. Dirt and spills go unnoticed…then disappear completely when you get a chance to rinse them away with the hose! Shades of black, muted green and natural suit many color themes.”

If you want to entertain in the backyard, music is a must. We’ve looked at a variety of outdoor speakers that are hidden in the ground or are disguised as a rock or tree stump, but what if you want a unit you can move around and use anywhere?

This portable indoor/outdoor speaker from Hammacher Schlemmer might do the trick:

In evaluations by The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute, this wireless all-weather speaker delivered “great clarity and quality sound,” surpassing all other models for audio quality and signal range… In tests for signal range, the speaker maintained a connection with the included iPod dock transmitter 450′ away when in line of sight outdoors–200′ further then the next closest model. The Best Speaker’s three-channel transmitter operates over the 2.4GHz radio band, instantly jumping to open channels to avoid interference from microwaves and household appliances that jammed other speakers’ signals.

The speaker’s rechargeable NiMH battery provides up to 10 hours of cordless power on a three-hour charge or it can be plugged into AC… Its weather-resistant white ABS cabinet will endure years of outdoor exposure. Transmitter plugs into AC and recharges a docked iPod’s battery.

$800.

Outdoor lighting is a must, for security at night and–of course!–for entertaining purposes. We’ve looked at some cool options before:

• Glass “Night Orbs”
• Solar Light Bricks That Install in a Patio or Walkway
• LED Panels for the Deck Railing

And here’s another unique offering: the Asteroid Garden Floor Lamp.

Designed to rest on your patio or deck (though fine for indoor use too), the Asteroid lamp features 24 facets, each with its own unique geometry. Measurements run 30cm x 26cm x 29cm, and it is available in clear and matt white finishes.

$215: Asteroid Floor Lamp

If you’d love to spend time out in the backyard, reading your favorite book or just snoozing in the shade, a hammock can be a comfortable way to relax. But what if you live in a mosquito zone? You don’t want to fall asleep, swaying in the breeze, only to wake up covered in bites.

Perhaps you need a Netted Cocoon Hammock.

“This is the tented hammock that’s impervious to mosquitoes. The hammock has a fine mesh canopy that provides complete coverage from bugs and other outdoor pests. The netting allows breezes to pass through and is tented with a 4′ clearance to allow loungers to adjust their positioning or raise their head without inhibiting movement. A dual-sided zipper allows easy entry and exit and two pockets inside the canopy provide convenient storage. The hammock bed is made from durable parachute nylon that is triple stitched at each stress point, enabling it to support up to 400 lbs.”

$99.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer: Netted Cocoon Hammock

Garden fountains can really add some tender, love and care to your outdoor living space. If you’re interested in enjoying the weather and soaking up some rays with friends and family, you need the calming atmosphere to make lounging even more comfortable.

This 3 Tier Wall Fountain is hand painted in a classical burnt orange finish, and it features three tiers for the water to flow into. The garden fountain is made from weather-hardy, sturdy resin, and one pound of decorative stones are included, which can be arranged in the middle tier. The pump is also included, making this piece easy to setup and start.

Add a wall fountain to your patio area, and place it next to a cozy conversation set. The sound of flowing water can be so soothing, and it can serve as a nice backdrop to dinner and drinks.

Show the outdoors some love this season, and get outside a little more. Enjoy the sunshine and breeze with friends and family as often as you can, because the spring and summer can go by awfully fast.

The Heart Rattan Lounger can make for a beautiful addition on a patio or deck, because it’s perfect for two. A matching table even comes along with it, so you can lie back and set your drink, reading material or snacks right next to you.

This set is made with a powder-coated aluminum frame, and the seat cushions are in a pretty lilac. Also, the included throw cushions add some striped fun to the mix.This three-piece set includes the lounger, ottoman and table. Add an eclectic mix of furniture outdoors for entertaining friends and family.

Chair ottomans are essential for lounging outdoors. Add them to a patio sofa or a cushioned chair. Along with having a place to put your feet up, you will also have extra seating when family and friends show up.

There are many weather-hardy ottomans available, but the Illuminottoman has much more to offer. These foot rests emanate a soft glow in hues of green, white, red, blue, yellow, purple and light blue thanks to the 58 LED lights inside of these chair ottomans. With the handy remote control, you can adjust the brightness, or create a seamless or flashing transition between colors.

This ottoman has a three-hour timer, and the rechargeable battery provides up to eight hours of light. This 15 3/4” cu. weighs 9 3/4 pounds. Add it to your poolside for a colorful evening party.

Making the outdoors look and feel like the indoors isn’t a challenging task, because there are many elements you can add to pull your patio or deck space together.

The Kingsley-Bate Amalfi Deep Seating Teak Sofa is an elegant piece of teak furniture. It has a roomy 25” wide seat, and the 6” cushions provide sumptuous comfort. The wood exterior is made to endure the elements, and the famous Sunbrella cushions are designed to resist fading.

Setup a casual or romantic setting outdoors, and enjoy a movie under the stars. Or, arrange your patio sofa near a fire pit for roasting marshmallows and other foods. There are so many ways to create a comfortable outdoor living space, and with sturdy teak furniture, you can maintain the patio of your dreams for years to come.

The Big Green Egg has quite a loyal following of fans, and you can be an Egghead too! These kamado-style grills featuring interesting designs, but you can do so much more cooking with it all year round.

The Sole Kamado Compact Crate for Large Big Green Egg is made for keeping your ceramic grill handy on the deck or patio. It features an antique bronze textured finish with a powder-coated steel frame. The heavy-duty casters enable you to move your grill anywhere you please, but they lock when you’re ready to stay put.

The bottom of the crate has a storage space for charcoal while the top keeps your EGG in place. Add a grill cover and you can safely store your grill equipment outdoors.

From roasting marshmallows to cooking hot dogs, you can enjoy the luxuries of a fire pit. Add one to your patio, and host all sorts of social gatherings with family and friends throughout the year.

The Fire Pit for Fire Dancer Ring is a beautiful stone fire pit design. It’s made from artificial stones including concrete, but it still has an authentic appearance. It measures 36” in diameter, and it has a matte finish. The faux stone look makes it perfect for a stone, wood or concrete patio.

Arrange chairs around it during the spring and summer months, or install it poolside so you can warm up quickly after a swim. Fire pits create a relaxing environment outdoors, and they can be so useful for cooking foods or simply keeping warm.