ARE YOU MAKING THESE TOP OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE DESIGN MISTAKES?

Rushing through outdoor living space design? Hold your horses, or you could be the victim of unwanted consequences. For a pretty patio you’ll enjoy for years to come, slow down and make sure you’re not committing these common patio design mistakes…  

• Failure to plan. 
  Proper patio design involves proper measurement. Eyeballing your outdoor environment won’t cut it. Dimensions must be properly accounted for to ensure fit. Space must be examined for possible obstructions, such as walkways and door clearances. Mapping out your design ideas with chalk or tape prior to purchasing, and shopping with dimensions in-hand, is integral to functional, lasting results.  
• Glossing-over quality. 
  Impulse buys of attractive, but cheaply-made patio fare are likely to get you in trouble. Remember the saying, ‘Buy cheap, buy twice’ here to avoid buyer’s remorse. Thoroughly research each purchase, including brand and reputation, as well as how materials are known to withstand long-term exposure to sun, rain and snow, and use-and-abuse by your family. 
• Not considering climate/location. 
  Before purchasing items, envision them in each season’s weather. How will those metal chairs feel in the summer sun, or winter’s chill? Will those cushy chairs hold-up to the constant exposure of their poolside location? Is wicker furniture the best choice beneath the copious needles of that sap-dripping pine?   
• Neglecting the test drive. 
  Sitting in a chair or at a table, or picking up and pretending to use items, can quickly demonstrate benefits/faults. Customer reviews by others who’ve uncovered product facets you may have overlooked are also highly helpful.  
• Ignoring future care needs. 
  Failure to research can lead to the inconvenient acquisition of high-maintenance materials. Are you ready to repaint that wooden pergola annually to prevent rot? Regularly treat cushions to prevent mildew? Thoroughly researching materials/items before each purchase ensures compatibility with your lifestyle.  
• Overlooking function. 
  ‘Real life’ use of your space must be considered alongside looks: Do you have the surfaces necessary for your family to lounge with a book? Enjoy a cold beverage? Is your space equipped for enjoyment after work (lighting), or to extend use in the best of weather while safeguarding your family from sunburn, heat and rain (shelter)? 
• Failing to consider the importance of protection. 
  It can cost a pretty penny to create a pretty patio space. If you don’t want to repurchase items year-after-year, you’ll need to buy wisely to protect your investment and ensure prime use of your space.  

Safeguard Gear & Extend Outdoor Enjoyment with a Pergola

 
From protecting your prize patio furniture to providing a cooler, more comfortable patio space while still offering you access to the sun, Amazing Pergolas adjustable louvered pergolas have you covered – or uncovered! Dial-in just the right amount of sun or shade with 170-degrees of rotational flexibility, or protect your party from the rain with leak-free precipitation protection. Make adjustments quickly and easily via remote control or smartphone operation, pre-programming settings or automatically managing rain and wind with optional sensor technology. Fully-extruded, powder-coated pergolas are easy to care for, heat-reflective and built to withstand any weather Austin can dish-out, even hurricane force winds, safeguarding your patio space and furnishings.  

Protect your patio space and furniture, extending your time outdoors no matter the weather. Learn how to add more fun, functional space to your home with the help of Amazing Pergolas today.  

This post was originally published at http://austinpergola.net/are-you-making-these-top-outdoor-living-space-design-mistakes/