Outdoor Living Cuts Yard Maintenance, Promotes Relaxation
More and more we have been expanding the use of our yards. We like to be outdoors. We enjoy the fresh air and don’t want to be stuck indoors. There is also a lot more things available today which allow us to use our yards as if we were indoors and make it a comfortable place to be.
I came across this article the other day and it is just what I was thinking about and it gives us another reason for expanding the use of our yards.
Content Provided By Western Red Cedar Lumber Association
Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (ARA) – Four walls and a ceiling no longer define a living space.
Homeowners who want to reduce yard maintenance, bring natural environments into their living spaces, and expand their houses are reinventing the “great” in great outdoors.
It started as a trend toward outdoor kitchens. Now it extends to great-room concepts and other ways to create outdoor retreats from simple to elaborate. Conversation nooks, pergolas, gazebos, arbors, trellises, raised beds, walkways and benches are all being used to turn back yards into tranquil retreats and havens for al fresco entertaining.
“Homeowners are reconnecting with their outdoor spaces, often in creative and imaginative ways,” says Perry Howard, president of the American Society of Landscape Architects. “It’s no surprise that people want to take elements that work so well inside their home and recreate them outside.”
Outdoor living spaces commonly feature natural materials, especially woods like Western red cedar. The wood’s beauty and durability make it a popular material for pergolas, decks, gazebos and other structures. It creates a natural outdoor feel combined with indoor comfort and design.
A movement toward low-maintenance landscaping is contributing to the outdoor living trend. Landscape architects anticipate yard maintenance costs will increasingly influence the size of the traditional grass lawn among cost-conscious consumers, according to a recent American Society of Landscape Architects survey.
Converting part of the lawn or garden to an outdoor living space reduces both maintenance and water usage. Experts recommend that natural materials play a key role.
“People find woods like Western red cedar allow them to spend a lot more time enjoying their surroundings, with minimal investment in maintenance,” says Paul Mackie, or “Mr. Cedar” as he is known in the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. …
I will share “part 2” next time. Western Red Cedar is also great for wood outdoor patio furniture as well as garden structures around the yard. If you are looking for some great Cedar wood outdoor and patio furniture why don’t you check out “Outdoor Cedars” where you will find affordable, quality made Western Red Cedar Outdoor Furniture. When maintained properly it will last you a lifetime.
Continually developing “ideas for living”
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I really like relaxing in my yard when the weather is nice. Looking forward to summer.
I need some relaxation time. Maybe I need to move outdoors
You blog on outdoor living sure is a good one keep up the good work.
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I can t wait to force my husband to build me some of those raised beds LOL Maybe in the spring, or even better, this fall Do you recommend throwing lots of grass clippings and dried leaves on the top to improve soil Is there any particular soil mixture that you like