Don't miss the HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, April 12 - 14, 2024 Wilson Logistics Arena  |  Ozark Empire Fairgrounds  |  Springfield, MO
Don't miss the HBA Home &
Outdoor Living Show
April 12 - 14, 2024
Wilson Logistics Arena
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Springfield, MO

Outdoor Living – Article for the Springfield News-Leader

This article will appear in the local real estate section of the Springfield News-Leader on July 27, 2014. On the last Sunday of the month, approximately 10 months a year, the Springfield News-Leader publishes one of our articles. If you have any Ideas, Tips or Trends for your industry, please send them to us so that we might use it in future articles. In addition, we will also be publishing a Quarterly e-Newsletter to the public where your Ideas, Tips or Trends could be published. Send your Ideas, Tips or Trends to Aaron@HBASpringfield.com

Outdoor Living – Ideas, Tips and Trends

You finally have the inside of your home just exactly the way you want it – what’s next? It’s time to focus on outdoor living space! Whether you have a large patio, a small porch, a deck or a large backyard, your outdoor room can easily reflect your style and become a treasured gathering spot for your friends and family.

Planning outdoor living space sounds fairly simple until you start investigating all of the possibilities. What color scheme would work best with your home? Which type of furniture fits your lifestyle the best? Is the grill your focal point? Is the furniture the center of attention? Or do you want to focus on the outdoor landscaping?

We recommend your first step to be consulting with an HBA Home Pro, such as Maschino’s (1715 S Campbell) or Outdoor Home, Inc (3107 E Chestnut Expressway and 404 S. Massey, Nixa) to develop a plan. Developing a plan allows you to look at all the options to determine the styles and colors that reflect your personality and allows you to avoid the frustration of choosing furniture and fabrics that will not survive the outdoor elements or just don’t fit in with your lifestyle.

When it comes to styles and color choices, the sky is truly the limit. No longer are you restricted to two or three basic colors when it comes to selecting an outdoor rug. Is an intricate floral pattern more to your taste? Would stripes draw your eye to the outdoor living space? Do you prefer an abstract pattern, or would something that matches your dining room rug be absolutely perfect? All of these are options to choose from.

What type of outdoor furniture is perfect for your lifestyle? The newest option for outdoor furniture is recycled plastic poly furniture. Plastic milk jugs are recycled to create poly lumber to build outdoor furniture. Furniture made from poly lumber is weather resistant, maintenance free, easy to care for and will not crack, splinter or support bacterial growth. Brands carried locally include Berlin Gardens (Outdoor Home, Inc) and Breezesta (Maschino’s). Other options include wicker, wood, aluminum, cast aluminum, resin, steel and wrought iron.

Now you’ve chosen the best outdoor furniture for your lifestyle – what about cushions? Gone are the days when outdoor cushions lasted one season and then became too faded to continue using. Outdoor fabric companies, such as Sunbrella and Perennials, offer expanded lines of sun- and weather-resistant products that are made to withstand harsh weather. These resilient fabrics are low maintenance and can easily be cleaned by hand. Despite the increased durability of these fabrics, they remain soft and comfortable for everyday use.

You’ve consulted with an HBA Home Pro to develop a plan and your furnishings have been delivered. It’s time to enjoy your outdoor living space, but don’t forget about the following maintenance suggestions:

  1. Protect outdoor furniture with weatherproof covers during times when it’s not in use. Or, bring smaller furniture items inside.
  2. Store cushions in weatherproof containers during the winter weather, or if a big storm is on the way. Make sure these containers are waterproof – you don’t want to find your cushions covered in mildew next spring!
  3. Spot clean spills on outdoor fabric right away to prevent the growth of mildew. Use a mild, bleach-free soap and water solution and rub gently with a cloth or sponge.
  4. Don’t forget to clean your grill at least once or twice a year – this helps extend the life of your grill.

You can always log on to SpringfieldHBA.com or go directly to HBAHomePros.com and search for a Quality, Insured HBA Home Pro to help you with any aspect of your home.