Key features for an outdoor TV room
By METRO CREATIVE
An outdoor living area can provide a welcome space for residents and guests to gather on beautiful days and nights. The appeal of outdoor living is undeniable, and homeowners working with a blank canvas in their backyards, or working with an aging area in need of a complete overhaul, can tailor their spaces to meet their own unique wants.
Many homeowners are building outdoor living spaces around a TV room where they can host movie nights and game watches under the stars. Data from the National Association of Realtors® indicates that such spaces are worth homeowners’ investment, as a new patio can recoup as much as 95% at resale. When planning an outdoor TV
room, homeowners can look to these features to make the space as enjoyable as possible.
• Outdoor TV enclosure: The cost of an outdoor TV enclosure will depend on the size of the TV, but it likely won’t break the bank regardless of how large a TV is. Many enclosures for TVs up to 65 inches can be had for less than $500. Enclosures are important because most are weather-resistant and some are shatterproof. In addition, an enclosure protects the TV when no one is home or outside, ensuring windy or stormy afternoons when debris or branches might be flying near the TV won’t damage the device.
• Sound capability: An outdoor TV room likely won’t be used as frequently as indoor spaces, so a sizable invest -
ment in a sound system to accommodate outdoor viewing may not be necessary. But you may want to enhance the sound for outdoor movie nights or game watches. If you’re mounting the TV on an exterior wall, a pair of speakers can flank the TV on each side. If the TV is going to be placed on an outdoor TV stand, a soundbar built for outdoor use should suffice.
• Lighting: It’s easy to overlook lighting when planning an outdoor TV room. However, once the sun goes down, it may feel odd and a little uncomfortable if the only light is coming from the TV itself. Some ambient lighting that’s attached to a pergola or built into a pavillion can help illuminate the space where you’ll be watching TV.
• Comfortable seating: It’s unlikely
you would feel comfortable watching a movie or game indoors if you spent the whole time sitting in your dining room chairs. And it’s equally important to prioritize comfortable seating in an outdoor TV space rather than just dragging patio dining table chairs or even adirondack chairs over to the TV area when you’re about to watch something. Some cushioned outdoor furniture will enhance the viewing experience for everyone.
• Fan: A ceiling fan attached to a pavillion or a wall-mounted fan or two directing air toward the seating area can keep pesky bugs at bay and provide a little cooling relief on warm nights.
Outdoor TV rooms are wildly popular. A few creature comforts can make these spaces even more inviting.
Plants that can deter insects and wildlife
By METRO CREATIVE
Few things can upset an otherwise beautiful and relaxing day spent in an outdoor living space more quickly than insects and pests. Whether it’s mosquitoes trying to bite homeowners and their guests, flies looking to land on food or wildlife leaving trails of excrement throughout a yard, these unwelcome guests can make it hard for people to fully enjoy an outdoor living space.
Some people might be unknowingly inviting insects and wildlife into their yards with the plants they’ve chosen to decorate their properties. But some strategic choices regarding plants can greatly reduce the risk that insects and wildlife show up uninvited.
Preventing deer
Deer are majestic animals but they also can wreak havoc on a property. Deer tend to leave lots of droppings on properties they visit frequently. And
the frequency of visits may be governed by the food sources on the property. While the Farmer’s Almanac notes there’s no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant, there are some deer typically avoid, including:
• Boxwood
• Coneflower
• Daffodils
• Flossflower
• Foxglove
• Lamb’s ear
• Lavender
• Peonies
• Russian sage
• Salvia
• Snapdragons
Rabbit-resistant plants
Rabbits are another backyard guest that can be difficult to dislike. With their big ears and small frames, rabbits are undeniably adorable. But they’re also an adversary to gardening enthusiasts because they tend to eat plants without regard for the effort gardeners
put into preparing soil and planting beautiful blooms. If rabbits are wreaking havoc in your garden, these plants tend to be less pleasing to them, and it’s worth noting many of these also are among the plants deer tend to avoid.
• Artemisia
• Calamint
• Catmint
• Daffodils
• Flossflower
• Hummingbird mint (agastache)
• Lamb’s ear
• Peonies
• Russian sage
• Sedum
• Thyme
Insects
Scent bears significant influence over biting insects that can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor living spaces to the fullest. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that mosquitoes are drawn to their victims by odors those victims give off, including body odor from
sweat. Scented plants can help block the receptors that alert insects to such odors. Such plants include:
• Basil
• Citronella grass
• Lavender
• Lemongrass
• Lemon thyme
• Lemon balm
• Petunias
• Rosemary
Homeowners whose backyards attract both insects and wildlife are urged to work with a local landscaper or garden center to identify how to keep such unwelcome guests away from their outdoor living spaces. While the plants noted above can repel some unwelcome guests, they might attract others. For example, petunias are effective at repelling some types of insects, but they’re also known to attract rabbits. While that doesn’t mean homeowners are helpless, it does mean a multifaceted, professionally orchestrated solution may be necessary.
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Low maintenance landscape features
By METRO CREATIVE
Outdoor entertaining spaces have come a long way over the last several decades. While a simple deck or patio might once have been the norm, outdoor entertaining spaces have now evolved into multi-purpose spaces featuring full kitchens, living rooms equipped with TVs, and areas to gather around a fireplace or built-in firepit.
While hardscaping garners considerable attention when planning an outdoor entertaining space, landscaping should not be overlooked. Many homeowners want to enjoy their outdoor entertaining spaces without having to spend too much time tending to the surrounding grounds, which can make these low-maintenance landscape features the perfect fit.
• Native plants: Native plants are low maintenance because they are naturally adapted to the local climate. That means homeowners won’t have to expend extra effort and energy watering plants or amending the soil. Non-native species may provide some bold colors, but that comes at the cost of additional maintenance. There’s also an environmental cost when planting non-native species, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that non-native species typically displace natives, which can adversely affect the local ecosystem.
• Perennials: Homeowners looking to accent their outdoor entertaining areas with flowers can choose perennials over annuals. Perennials live for three or more years, and some species can even live for a decade or more. While they might require some seasonal pruning, perennials will not need to be replanted each year like annuals.
• Tolerant plants: Plants that can tolerate the local climate generally fall under the native category. But it’s especially important that homeowners who don’t want to expend much effort on landscape maintenance look for plants that can tolerate drought. A recent study from researchers at UCLA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and CIRES predict drought conditions will last longer, cover wider areas and become more severe as the climate continues to warm. Drought-resistant plants may still require some watering if such predictions hold true. However, such plants will not require as much maintenance as those that are less equipped to handle drought. Homeowners who choose plants with drought-tolerance in mind won’t have to spend as much time watering and also can protect their financial investment.
Outdoor entertaining spaces are meant to be enjoyed. And homeowners may enjoy such spaces a lot more if they opt for low-maintenance landscape solutions.
Areas where insects may gather in your yard
By METRO CREATIVE
Outdoor entertaining is a big part of life when the weather warms up. An afternoon and evening spent enjoying warm weather in the backyard is the ideal for millions of people come summertime.
An idyllic day entertaining outdoors can be compromised by insects. Biting insects may drive some people indoors,
while others may avoid outdoor entertaining spaces entirely at times of year when mosquitoes and other bugs are most active. Bug spray can be a quick and effective remedy against insects, but homeowners also can identify spots on their property that insects may seek out as a food source, breeding ground and/or hiding place.
• Standing water: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note
mosquito larvae and pupae live in water with little or no flow. Standing water around a property can be an ideal spot for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Containers that hold water, like bird baths, flower pots or water bowls for pets, may be inviting mosquitoes to lay eggs in your yard. The CDC also notes that mosquitoes may even lay eggs in tree holes that collect water. Remove bird baths from your property if you’re having mosquito issues, and turn over water bowls and empty planters before going inside each night.
• Leaves: Fallen leaves that are not collected and discarded or added to compost piles may be providing a breeding ground for unwanted insects. Slugs and beetles hide and breed in fallen leaves, so it’s imperative that homeowners promptly address spots where leaves have fallen.
• Untidy areas: The landscape solutions experts at BioAdvanced® note that keeping a neat and clean outdoor environment is the simplest way to eliminate insect habitats on a property. Insects hide in buckets, boards, bricks and even toys. While it can be a chore
to keep up with the exterior grounds of your home, particularly when the weather is warm, a nightly scan of the property and some light tidying up will make your outdoor entertaining spaces less appealing to various species of insect.
• Food gardens: Gardening is an enjoyable hobby that studies have shown benefits gardeners’ mental and physical health. But food gardens can serve as primary food sources for insects. However, that does not mean you cannot have a food garden and still enjoy a relatively insect-free outdoor entertaining space. Homeowners are urged to speak with a local garden center for advice on plant diversity. Some plants, like mint and dill, may attract beneficial insects that keep harmful insects at bay. Local climate can affect what works and what doesn’t, so work with a local professional to identify your options.
Insects are unwelcome guests when entertaining outdoors. But there’s much homeowners can do to keep insects from setting up shop on their properties.
Weather-resistant materials for outdoor spaces
By METRO CREATIVE
Outfitting backyard living areas can make these popular spaces more comfortable and inviting. However, nature is a relentless adversary that can compromise the integrity of outdoor furnishings over time. Between the bleaching that occurs from UV exposure to the corrosive nature of humidity to the results of temperature swings, backyard gear faces a constant onslaught. Today’s Patio says on average, backyard furniture can last between five and 15 years, depending on the material
and climate.
According to market research from the International Casual Furnishings Association, these outdoor furniture materials are considered particularly durable.
• Poly-lumber: Also known as high-density polyethylene lumber, this material is low-maintenance and made from recycled plastics. It is non-porous and infused with UV inhibitors. Leading manufacturers say HDPE can withstand various conditions and temperatures for more than 20 years without degradation.
• Power-coated aluminum: Alumi-
num does not rust, unlike iron or steel. When aluminum is treated with a high-quality powder coating, it becomes much less vulnerable to rain and humidity.
• Teak: Homeowners who prefer the look of real wood over other materials often find teak is the gold standard for outdoor items. It contains high levels of oils and rubber to serve as built-in water repellents. Teak can turn silvery-gray over time, so to keep the golden color, homeowners may need to oil it annually.
• Performance fabrics: Certain fabrics on outdoor cushions and pillows
will not stand up to the sun and weather. Solution-dyed acrylics, like those offered by the brand Sunbrella, are much more durable. The fibers are saturated with pigment to the core, instead of other printed fabrics where the color merely sits on top.
Of course, the climate where one lives will dictate which materials to use. UV- and heat-resistance can be paramount in desert climates, while non-porous materials are better in high humidity to combat rot and mold. Investing in quality outdoor materials will help them withstand the test of time.
RICH HANSEN
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