Home & Garden Blog » Outdoor Furniture

Kohl’s Coupon: Get 15% Off Orders of $100

ernani — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:15:38 +0000

I absolutely love this time of year. The thought of summer reminds me of picnics, swimming, barbeques, biking, and other great outdoor activities. I also enjoy that everyone I see is usually outside their homes working on their backyard, watering their lawn, watching their kids play, or simply just relaxing and enjoying the warm, sunny weather. For those who are looking to improve their home’s outdoor setting, Kohls.com is a great place to find many of your outdoor furniture and decor needs.

Choose from a large variety of home essentials that include furniture collections, patio accessories, antigravity chairs, gazebos, seating, tables and more. You can also find great deals on outdoor dinnerware, drinkware, serverware and table linens.

To help you spruce up your home, Kohl’s is offering 15% off orders of $100 or more through June 1, 2011 and an ongoing offer of free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

Find these and other great deals and promotions on our Kohl’s coupon page. All offers and discounts will be applied at checkout.

Brookstone Coupons: Get $18 Off $150 or More

ernani — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:24:14 +0000

When I think of vacations on a tropical island or any type of beach getaway, I usually visualize myself laying on a hammock underneath two trees and sipping on a drink. Just being able to relax and get away from reality is a dream I’m sure we’ve all thought about at some point. However, because times are still tough and these dream getaways can cost a fortune (especially during the summer), the cheapest alternative is to use your very own backyard!

OK, I know it’s definitely not the same, but with a little imagination and a hammock, it can work out. Just make sure to choose the right hammock. Some hammocks may not be comfortable at all but the ones at Brookstone.com are excellent choices for comfort and durability.

You can choose from a variety of hammock packages that include the Quilted-Weave, Pillowtop and many others. And since a lot of us also don’t have trees perfectly aligned in our backyards to support a hammock, you can also buy separate hammock stands that can be placed anywhere.

Now for the best part: You can get $10 off on orders of $80 or more, $13 off orders of $100 or more, or $18 off orders of $150 or more at Brookstone right now. These offers expire on May 31, 2011, but you can also get an ongoing offer of free shipping on qualifying purchases of $99 or more.

Find these discounts, and others, on our Brookstone coupons page. These offers aren’t only limited to hammocks; they can be applied to any item purchased at Brookstone.com.

Now just sit back, relax, close your eyes, grab a drink and have a great time!

Sears Coupons: Get an Extra $20 Off $200 Patio and Grills

ernani — Mon, 09 May 2011 18:59:20 +0000

When I think of spring and summer, one of the first things that comes to mind is warm temperatures and the perfect time to uncover the barbeque grill. The thought of having grilled ribs, burgers, hot dogs, fish and pretty much anything edible is like a party for my taste buds.

With barbeque season being well on its way, what better way to start off the season than with a brand new barbeque grill to go along with a new patio set? But before you get too excited and head out to the store right away, visit Sears.com to browse through some of their great offers on barbeque grills and patio sets that will have you saving big!

Choose from top selling grills including the Kenmore 4-burner LP Gas Grill and Weber Genesis 3-burner LP Gas Grill and then take a look at all the outdoor dining sets, patio umbrellas, benches, loveseats and more great outdoor patio furniture.

You can also get an extra $20 off purchases of $200 or more (Patio and grills). Just use our Sears coupon and your discount will be applied when you check out. But you better hurry – this discount is only valid until May 15, 2011!

With Sears.com, you’ll definitely start off the season the right way!

Target Coupons: $5 Off $50 for Select Patio Furniture

ernani — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:25:55 +0000

It is finally the perfect weather to be to just sit back and relax outdoors. If you want to avoid spending a lot of money on an expensive vacation, then you can try having your own little mini vacation in your backyard. To feel the warm sun and gentle cool breeze while sipping on your favorite drink is almost vacation-like. All you need is the right outdoor furniture and you’re all set. Target has a special sale going on right now that you wouldn’t want to miss. Visit Target.com and you can save up to 20% on select patio furniture. Free shipping is also included once you make your purchase. Choose from a variety of patio furniture, such as outdoor daybeds, lounge sets, patio sets, gazebos, and so much more. To sweeten up the deal a little bit more, use coupon code CM5OFF50PATIO and get an extra $5 off online orders of $50 or more. This coupon can be combined with the 20% furniture sale. Use by Aug. 1, 2011. Be sure to keep visiting our Target coupons page for more great deals and discounts. Related posts:

Pros and Cons: Lawn Furniture of All Kinds

brock — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:13:10 +0000

With the grass greening and the trees blooming, I want to spend more and more time sitting on my back porch staring at the birds with a nice glass of cold tea in my hand. It helps relieve stress and gives me ideas for projects in the back yard.

I have an unshielded back porch with a large canopy covering most of the concrete. I wish is was completely enclosed with a few awnings for the windows I would inevitably put in, but that’s a project for another time. Ideally, I would have a large gazebo like JC Penney’s Outdoor Oasis Garden Gazebo, but until that time, I’ll just have to make do. Since the porch/patio isn’t covered, I have to be careful of the type of lawn furniture I have outside. There are four main types, and each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Metal: Metal furniture reminds me of growing up in the country. The metal lawn chairs were foldable and portable with a nylon cloth that was not very comfortable. Metal also rusts, so on an uncovered porch that translates to regular replacement. I would not suggest metal lawn chairs for use on an uncovered porch unless you put them away every time you were done. Other metal furniture, such as wrought iron, looks beautiful and is sturdy, but your butt’s going to hurt, and foam cushions just look tacky.

Wood: An old wooden rocking chair, picnic table or some rattan or wicker furniture looks good outside and if sealed properly will handle well against the elements, but it’s not the sturdiest. When your rather hefty Aunt Mable sits down, she’s likely to go right through a wicker chair. They are also prone to small pieces breaking off and littering your porch area and even causing small cuts. Our old picnic table was notorious for leaving splinters.

Plastic: This is my favorite for several reasons. They are cheap. You can purchase some plastic outdoor chairs at most department stories for $10 or less. The are practically indestructible, and even gale force winds won’t break them. They are very lightweight, so the wind may carry them into the neighbor’s yard or possibly the next state if you get a good breeze going. They are relatively comfortable and, unlike wrought iron, cushions on these chairs don’t look too bad. They can be wobbly, though, and you might want to keep Aunt Mable off them, because while they may not break, they will bend.

Concrete: Concrete furniture is nearly indestructible and nothing is going to move it from where it’s at. If there is wind strong enough to move it, then the rest of your house probably went with it, so you have bigger fish to fry. Concrete furniture is beautiful, but it is also very expensive and not the most comfortable to sit on. I like concrete chairs for areas around bonfires because they are sturdy and won’t catch on fire.

My best advice is go with your gut, as always. I have some plastic furniture out on my uncovered porch and am pretty happy with it. My neighbors aren’t, though, when I have to go grab some of the chairs from their backyard after a storm.

Spring Sport Spectacular!

brendan — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:14:24 +0000

I’ve been saying it for a while, but spring is in full bloom, and I keep posting about ways you can enjoy it. I highly recommend that you set up some sort of outdoor court to encourage yourself to get outside more. Here are some thoughts:

Badminton: this sport is often thought of as a backyard tennis and with good reason. It takes up less space than tennis courts do, and oh yeah, most people can shell out the $75-200 to get started with badminton but can’t afford the many thousands to put in a tennis court. There are a few differences in how they are played, but badminton is a much more laid back game in general. The court is smaller; you don’t need to hit as hard. So get a badminton set, and play barefoot. You won’t start sweating buckets – it’s a great game for after dinner.
Volleyball: a fantastically fun game. I have absolutely no motor skills, and I still enjoy it. It’s the perfect game to play when you through your first BBQ of the summer. While you may be no Misty May or Kerri Walsh, you’ll still have a great time chilling in the sunshine. Check out Smarter’s volleyball nets and volleyballs.
Croquet: I had wanted to play this game since reading Alice in Wonderland. I finally got to play it last summer, and I got hooked. The sport is somewhere between pool and bowling, except I think it’s more fun. (Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it, skeptics.) The general idea is that you have to hit a small ball through a series of targets in the right order. After you hit them through, your ball is then poison, and you try to get others out by hitting your ball against theirs. This game takes absolutely no physical exertion, and it is a great afternoon game. (It’s also fun if you throw a Gilded Era themed party.) Get your croquet set at Smarter.
If you want to get even closer to playing backyard bowling, try playing Petanque. Petanque (which is very similar to bocce ball) is a French game, and it is as easy as it is fun. You play with several people. First, you roll a small wooden ball out at random, and then each person tries to roll their own (larger metal) ball as close as possible to the first one. Read up on the sport here.

Let me know what you think. If you have any thoughts/questions post those too. Happy gaming!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2212905631/sizes/s/in/photostream

Reclaim Your Backyard!

brendan — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:38:09 +0000

So the snow has melted, and you are looking forward to finally being able to use your deck, patio, porch space, and backyard. You’re not alone. Why don’t you take this opportunity to clear out the old junk and use some of the following ideas to enjoy the outdoors all spring and summer long?

Redo the Front Porch: The Country Classic

Seating: Think classic pine or wicker rocking chairs with a matching wooden loveseat and simple pine or wicker table. Don’t forget the lanterns or the mosquito candles. You can always add some outdoor lamps for your evening card games.

Spruce up the Patio & Grill. Take the time to grill your dinner outside. It’s healthy, easy, and festive. Stock up on your bbq supplies.

If you don’t have any yet, consider getting some outdoor eating area. There are so many things you can do with your table arrangement. You can go for a classic table and umbrella combination, though these tend to not seat that many people, which is a minus if you ever do any entertaining. You could go with a larger square table that will fit more seating, and cover it with a sun shade or standalone patio umbrella. Or, if you live in a humid, buggy area, you may just want to go for a netted tent.

For by the pool, spring for some new lounge chairs. You know your old ones are in need of replacement. I prefer cedar, though you can go with anything from canvas to wicker.

Deck lighting can go several different ways. Of course you are familiar with path lighting, but you can always hang Japanese lanterns overhead on your porch or patio to give your backyard a festive air. You can also recreate your living room outdoors, complete with outdoor floor and table lamps.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you’ll use it. That is the point after all. Don’t buy new chaises if you won’t go tanning. It is, however, completely acceptable to buy things that will lure you back outside. Perhaps my favorite item in this category is an outdoor telescope. There’s nothing like a little stargazing on a warm spring evening. Also excellent is an outdoor fire pit. Nothing says summer is coming like some s’mores. Also: get a hammock. It’s never a bad decision.

Let me know what you do with your backyard! Until tomrrow, happy designing!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/exalthim/337922724

Doormats on Sale

colleen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:55:05 +0000

Smarter.com features stores that have a whole array of special sales and clearances, but today I wanted to focus on a need-based item. The weather is turning brisker, and for me that means that I need to start prepping my house for the onslaught of winter boots, wet rain boots, sludge, and the general wintery (and autumnal!) mix. Smarter.com’s helps you find products that you need at the most affordable prices, and does all the legwork for you to shop around the Internet and compare each seller to find the thriftiest deal. Here are some of the top picks for doormats to protect your home:

1. Poinsettia Doormat : 19.95 (you save $3.00!)

2. Buckinham Doormat : $26.9

3. Glorious Fall Doormat : $22.95 (you save $7!)

Find a variety of affordable doormats at Smarter.com.

Seasonal Highlight: Concert Going

colleen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:52:32 +0000

Summer is a fantastic time for outdoor entertainment: sporting events, concerts, outdoor theater, shakespeare on the green/ lawn/open spaces, etc. You want to be packed and prepared for the events, though, or else an event-filled afternoon at the local park may turn into a disgusting, sweaty, uncomfortable mess. Some points to keep in mind, when packing for an outdoor event in the summer:

1. Check the weather!! If it’s going to rain, can you get shelter? Will an umbrella or tent suffice, or is it going to be so hazardous that the event isn’t worth it? Is it going to be over 100 degrees? Make sure you bring all the proper equipment, sunscreen, water bottles, coolers, snacks, etc.

2. How long is the event/ what will parking and travel be like? Will you have to take a 2 hour car ride to NYC for the All Points West concert? Will you only have room in the trunk to pack? Think about the ratio of necessary equipment vs. time at the event/ traveling to the event total. You don’t need to pack for a marathon weekend if you’re only going down the block to see an outdoor movie projected on the side of the bank.

3. Seating. Will it be provided? Will there be a lawn? Should you bring a blanket (so you don’t disrupt the view of your fellow audience?) or should you bring a chair to have a fantastic view, but irritate everyone around you?

Some necessities for every concert goer, outdoor eventer, or summer partier:

High Boy Beach Chair with Cupholder from EverywhereChair.com: Pair of chairs for $230.95

Supersize Primaloft Comforter on sale at The Company Store.com: $107.00 for twin size, $188.00 for extra-warm king size.

Better than a beach towel or sheet, a comforter actually gives some support and is thick enough to protect you from the moist ground.

Coleman X-Treme Wheeled Cooler 62 Quart: $45.86

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more beach chairs and coolers.

96 Degrees in the Shade

homegarden — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:16:30 +0000

Has the sweltering heat gotten to you yet? Here in Southeast Texas, it certainly has! And although our region is known for barbecues & outdoor grilling, all I can think about is an ice cold lemonade, a cool breeze & shade. The heat is definitely on, but these fun and functional outdoor umbrellas will definitely help.

Ballard Designs Tilt Umbrella: $359

We live near the gulf so once in a while, a breeze comes. A tilt umbrella will certainly help that umbrella stay in place.

Frontgate European Sun Umbrella: $699 on sale (Was: $999)

Have to be different? Umbrellas don’t have to be in the middle all the time.

Half Umbrella Grandin Road: $299

Ok, so not everybody has a huge yard, some of us have very small balconies or patios. No problem! The half umbrella is designed for your outdoor space!

Solar Powered Umbrella Plow & Hearth: $149.95 (Umbrella); $79.95 (Base)

It looks like a regular umbrella but Plow & Hearth’s version is the eco-friendly kind. No need to put outdoor lanterns, this one already has lights installed in it!

So, enjoy summer & stay in the shade!

Find at Smarter.com: Shop for more patio umbrellas.