Patio Tips

[val2525]

Okey dokey….for those of you who are stuck with just a patio and no dirt to play in, discuss here. Because that's me, and I need ideas!!!!

My tip for patio lighting - buy the LED rope lights and lay them flat on the ground, outlining your patio/screen porch etc. You may need more than one strand (I have to use 3 of the 18' for my patio). If you do need more than one strand, buy all strands at the same time, so the connectors will match (all the same brand).

I have mine on a timer set to go on at dusk/off at sunrise. They outline the patio, lying on the ground where the wall meets the concrete floor. It gives a nice glow at night, bright enough to help with safety issues if you get home after dark, but not so bright that the neighbors complain. I use the clear ones.

[Shirley U Geste]

For a quick pop of color check out Family Dollar.

I bought some cute little metal tables there last year for $5 and I saw them there again this year.

I got turquoise, hot pink, lime green, and purple. They also had them in orange and in silver.

They are about 18" tall with a 12" round top that has a cut out floral design.

They make great places to put pots of flowers or to put your coffee/drinks when you are outside.

Which reminds me I need to get mine out of the shed and put them back in the yard.  Gotta have that color!

[val2525]

On the rope lights, they'll last a year or more depending on your climate. In Tamapa (FL), I'd easily go 2+ years before any sections burned out. Here, NM, we have 4 seasons, so I have to replace my stands about once a year. I buy them at Christmas every year. They're the same lights as the ones labeled "yard & garden" but cheaper priced.

[Shirley U Geste]

Do you have the plain white ones or the colored ones?

I've seen them and wondered about putting them around the top of the big gazebo in my yard.

[val2525]

The clear (which I guess is white). Some of the neighbors where I lived in Tampa had them around the top of their gazebo. That's where we got the idea to put them around our screened patio, but at the bottom instead.

[Shirley U Geste]

Thanks, and a great tip to get them at Christmas when they are cheap.

It's amazing how many 'garden' items you can get cheaper at other times of year when they are used for other purposes.

[kritter]

I bought a bunch of new net lights last Christmas that I am going to put on the sides of the cat pen.

At least that is the plan. 

[val2525]

That sounds kinda cool.

[Deleted]

I have a balcony, does that count? I use a 25' string of globe lights from Big Lots (around $10 I think) and they go all the way around - they last about 2 years, on a timer to go on around dark and off around 10 or 11 pm. Here are a few pictures from 2 summers ago - the cheap-o green chairs have been replaced with outdoor wicker/iron ones (but I secretly kinda liked the plastic ones better) and my pillows all faded this year so I need to make new ones for 2015. Will probably repaint the two little tables (both ts finds) since I'll probably use different colors. The iron baker's rack was an indoor piece I was bored with but love outside. I keep one of those little jars with a spout (like for ice tea or lemonade) out there in case I notice a wilty looking plant I can dump a cup of water on it without having to go back inside. I finally realized geraniums were a better choice for me for potted plants because they actually like hot, dry and lots of sun and the petunias don't. That tropical thing I can't kill and it is now twice the size. The cats are allowed out with me but they have to keep all 4 paws on the ground at all times. 

[Shirley U Geste]

What a cute little space.

You really made the most of it with a beautiful variety of color and textures.

[Deleted]

Your patio looks really fresh and cute. I love those bird pillows.

[Deleted]

Your patio is darling! Is that what is looks like now? If so I am jealous!

[Deleted]

oops I meant balcony, Fashion!

[Deleted]

Haha. I wish. Today it looks more like this (about half that amount of snow):