Home & Garden Blog

It’s the time of year when things are getting desperate. If you can’t figure out how to keep your guests cool during summer dinner parties or grilling sessions, then you won’t be able to get friends to stay over your house at all. Believe me, I ran that risk last night, where even the slightest boiling of water in my 3rd floor, un-air conditioned apartment resulted in us packing up the dinner picnic-style and moving out to the waterfront bay down the street. It was all in good fun, though not the most convenient, as we didn’t have a proper bathroom or trashcan, but it ended with some fun pick-up wiffle ball games and a good view of sunset.

I digress. Basically the moral of the story is that, at this time of year, even if you’ve gone the whole summer without sufficient cooling devices, you need them now almost definitely. And luckily, a lot of fans, umbrellas, and cooling devices are on sale because it’s so late in the season!

Top picks on sales and clearances for patio umbrellas:

California Umbrella SMCU758: $165.00, marked down from $194.12

Oxford Garden 6 ft Market Umbrella: $111.97, marked down from $159.95

Umbrella Source 6ft Lifeguard Umbrella: $221.22, marked down from $292.50

Find more affordable patio umbrellas.

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.

What a day to go out and enjoy the backyard! But wait, do you have all the proper necessities?  Food, grills, and jovial company are the perfect ingredients for any backyard get together, but what about the amenities you need to provide to make your guests feel comfortable and taken care of?  Patio furniture, the basics, boil down to comfy chairs (sometimes rocking chairs) tables and an umbrella, which protects against sunburn and the occasional unanticipated rainstorm.  At least until your guests get back inside to enjoy the rest of the party.

Let’s start with some fabulous deals that Smarter.com features in terms of patio umbrellas:

Grandin Road - 8-rib Brella Lights-Patio Furniture for just $59.99, this beautiful spacious umbrella is illuminates your nighttime soirees!  Bathing your guests in a beautiful angelic glow, this umbrella is multi-purpose: it protects against rain and all the other nasties of the summer air, but also provides light so the party never has to stop!  This umbrella can be unplugged to then function as a normal umbrella.

In terms of the furniture, you want something long-lasting, affordable and summer chic: not too many frills or cushions.  The furniture should be able to get wet from rain, or the kids jumping around in the sprinkler and not ruin the entire look.  For this, you want to look at the Anderson Kingston Teak Armchair ($369).  This gorgeous teak armchair will last forever and never look distasteful!

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