| Today's garden decor is more of an extension | | | | away from all flammables, of course and place |
| of your living space. Versatile outdoor | | | | some place a few chairs around, to create a |
| spaces can be used for dining and lounging | | | | wonderful area to tell ghost stories and |
| with family members, as well as entertaining | | | | roast marshmallows. Use a canopy in another |
| guests. Decorating your garden for these | | | | area and place an outdoor bed or picnic table |
| functions gives you a fabulous alternative to | | | | under it and this will create a place to |
| the traditional dinner party! With the | | | | lounge in a shaded area and enjoy your |
| wonderful new garden decor trend of creating | | | | garden. Trends are gearing towards mimicking |
| an outdoor kitchen and dining/living area you | | | | your home outside. So duplicating your living |
| are expanding your square footage and | | | | spaces outside is an important aspect to your |
| increasing your home value. According to | | | | garden decor. |
| "Smart Money" magazine, consumers who spend 5 | | | | |
| percent of the value of their home on | | | | Adding life to your garden decor is also an |
| landscaping can expect to add 15 percent or | | | | essential part. There are many different ways |
| more to its value. Entertaining trends are | | | | to accomplish this. Make it a project for |
| following suit with the garden decor trends. | | | | your whole family. Incorporate a vegetable |
| Themed garden parties and of course the | | | | and herb garden, pond or Butterfly garden to |
| traditional American Barbeque is all the | | | | your garden decor. Nothing improves your |
| rage. It's very easy and affordable to double | | | | garden more than the use of plant life, |
| your living space. | | | | trees, native plants, perennials or annuals. |
| | | | Just make sure that they will survive your |
| Add a few comfortable weatherproof chairs, an | | | | climate. Ask your local gardening store for |
| unused table, paint a lasting rug to your | | | | assistance with your selection. |
| patio and you are on your way to doubling | | | | |
| your living space or be inventive...Create a | | | | Ensure that your garden decor includes |
| grass couch, table and loveseat, using a wood | | | | fragrant plants to enhance your outdoor |
| structure covered in sod. Be creative in your | | | | experience. A Butterfly Garden is a perfect |
| garden decor. Center your living/dinning | | | | avenue to take. Not just beautiful plants to |
| space close to your "kitchen" area. In 2004 | | | | view, but an outdoor lab for your children to |
| alone 14.5 million grills were sold, so that | | | | explore. Chose a sunny spot and include |
| along with a small refrigerator, a prep | | | | plants such as Lantana, zinnia, coneflower, |
| serving table and you have just achieved an | | | | butterfly bush and abelia. Butterflies |
| inexpensive outdoor kitchen. You can always | | | | especially love clusters of small tubular |
| build a more defined structure encompassing | | | | flowers. Some species enjoy fennel, parsley, |
| built in appliances. Use your imagination and | | | | dill, and rue which is a wonderful gateway to |
| remember your garden decor is a refection of | | | | incorporate an herb garden. Adding a few of |
| you and your family. | | | | the fragrant plants will assist in drawing in |
| | | | birds bringing in even more life and color to |
| Adding a canopy or fire pit will make a | | | | your garden. Interjecting a birdhouse and a |
| wonderful addition to the completion of your | | | | water source into your garden decor will |
| garden decor. Create different rooms outside | | | | ensure that the birds will come back and will |
| by separating the areas by plants, screens, | | | | provide hours of entertainment. |
| and trellises. Place a fire pit in one corner | | | | |