1. home and garden
2. gardening and landscaping
3. yard and patio

Outdoor Spaces
Choosing Fabric for Cushions and Accent Items After a while the cushions on your porch or patio need updating. The fabric you choose should wear well outside, breathe well to allow the stuffing to dry out, when the cushion gets wet, and if possible, resist mold. Look on the top of the bolt of fabric to determine the care instructions on the fabric you are considering. To help keep the fabrics looking like new: keep them out of direct sunlight, put them up during the winter months, and spray the fabrics well the water repellent especially made for fabrics. The fabrics you choose should complement the others colors you have chosen for your outdoor space. Some fabrics can add to the focal point, while others can take on a background effect. Because the fabric will be outside and submitted to lots of wear and tear, choose fabrics that will last and that you family will enjoy. Bright colored fabrics or wild patterns can help hide the stains, or marks that can be associated with outside living. Lighter colors and stripes will show lots of dirt, dust and stains. Based on the size of your space, you will also want to choose patterns and colors that will blend well and not over power the space. Most decorators will start with a neutral color (tans, greys, creams) and add in color with accent items like rugs, pillows, or wall hangings. In an outdoor space the same holds true. Choose cushions for the furniture with a focus color. Add in accent colors with the rugs and throw pillows. The larger the space the louder the print or larger the stripe. These items will show off the large space and incorporate the design elements. For smaller spaces, choose solid colors and smaller stripes or prints. Care and Maintenance of Furniture and Cushions Basic Upholstery Washing Solution  Any wood furniture should be cleaned yearly. Use 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent stain or paint to update the piece, then seal with 1 quart warm water wood sealer every 3 years. 1 tablespoon borax  Wicker, Bamboo, Ratan or Twig furniture can be Mix solution into a bucket and use with a sponge, or add to a spray bottle and rinse with rinsed off with a garden hose. Do not use a high a garden hose. Let the solution set on the fabric power hose, to prevent damage to delicate weaves. for 15 minutes before rinsing. Apply a marine grade sealer to the furniture yearly to keep the piece looking like new. Basic White Plastic Washing Solution  Metal pieces can be washed yearly. Use paint to 1 gallon warm water
touch up areas of wear and tear. If necessary, use a 3 tablespoons automatic dishwashing detergent
soft bristle brush to scrub on soft metals to prevent (contains a bleaching agent that will whiten the
scratches. plastic)
 Plastic pieces can also be washed using a garden hose. Mix solution into a bucket and use with a sponge, and rinse with a garden hose. Let the Use a brush to work into cracks or weaves from solution set on the plastic for 15 minutes before composite plastics. Use a general all‐purpose cleaner rinsing. and a rag to clean white or colored plastic.  Upholstery needs to be cleaned using a detergent OutdoorSpacesProgram
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solution. Hang the cushions to dry before placing them on the furniture. For any canvas fabric, use Fels‐Naptha laundry soap and a scrub brush. If the canvas is removable, wash in a standard washing machine and put the fabric back onto the chair while it is wet to maintain the shape. To maintain a shine on plastic, resin or metal, use high quality car wax. Wipe the wax off using a soft cloth. Bluff the material to a high shine, then replace fabrics. Building Your Own Cushions If you choose to redo the cushions yourself here are some instructions. The amount of fabric you will need will depend on the size of the cushions you are covering and the number of cushions you are covering. 1. Take some measurements. You will need the size the of top, bottom and sides of the cushion and the thickness. Remember most cushions have a top and bottom and four sides. 2. Add in your seam allowances. Most of your seams can be ½‐inch. Add in 1 inch for every seam you will be making. 3. Once you have all your measurements, you have figure out how many yards of fabric you will need. Most bolts will come in 44‐inch wide, however, some may come in 60‐inch widths. Patio Cushion Dimensions:
Calculations: 20” wide Cushion Dimensions: 20” long 20”(1 square/double thickness) 2.5” thick + 12”( sides—3” wide x 4 sides=12”) + 8” (seam allowance) = 40” of fabric For 1 cushion you would need 1 ¼ yards of 44” wide fabric. To add in a zipper to this cushion, add in an extra 3 inches to the width of one of the sides to accommodate the zipper. Accent Items: Accent items can be the rugs, lighting, throw pillows, or yard art. These items add visual appeal, style and bring space together. Here are some ideas: Flooring:  Break up the area into conversation areas using space rugs  Use standard outdoor carpet for easy care  Door mats can be useful to entry into the indoors.  If you already have a concrete surface and wish to change the color, purchase concrete stain. The stain comes in a variety of colors and is painted on. If you are very creative, you can use a stamp to create a different look.  If you are working with dirt or a new constructed space, consider using pavers to set the flooring. OutdoorSpacesProgram
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Create your own paving using a paver mold and premixed concrete. Repaint wooden decking with a special deck and concrete paint. The paint is formulated to bond to old wooden decking and give the wood a new look. Without the cost of redoing all the wood. Walls  Move up the walls with the décor.  Use various pieces of metal art, candle scones, or wreaths. Covering:  A simple umbrella on the patio table can give plenty of shade from the afternoon sun.  For a space with a roof, but open walls, consider using a curtain to limit the amount of sun when needed. The curtain can also give you privacy when needed.  Pergolas add great cover while allowing sunlight to some through. They also can be a great addition to your landscaping. Pillows:  Use the same type of fabrics that would be used in the furniture cushions.  Make them water repellent by adding a spray on water repellent for fabric  Use a variety of sizes and colors to coordinate with the space  If you are making your own, make sure to use pillow forms or stuffing that is made of self‐draining polyester to avoid mold growth. Lighting:  Choose lighting that can be bright or give off a soft glow.  Choose solar or electric, prepackaged lighting or old Christmas lights to add to the space  Candles, lanterns, and kerosene torches add bug protection and give off a soft glow. Small Tables  Just as you have small decorative tables in your home, add some to your outdoor space.  Be creative with these tables  Choose materials that will weather well. Fans  Whether you install an outdoor ceiling fan or add small portable fans, give the space some air flow. These will come in handy in the scorching temperatures. Sound  Add sound to your space with fountains of running water or wind chimes.  Go High Tech and add outdoor‐type speakers and pipe in music. Heat  If you wish to use your space year around, you may want to consider adding a heat source  Fire pits or chimaeras are great sources of heat, and add a decorative touch to the space. These should be put in a well vented area and not close to the wall of your home, due to the open flames.  For a small table top fire pit, choose a large clay flower pot, river rock and a chafing fuel. Layer the rock in the pot, and around the chafing fuel container. Light the chafing fuel and enjoy the open flame. Chafing fuel can be found in the catering section. OutdoorSpacesProgram
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For a more grand appearance, create an outdoor fireplace. These will require some professionals to build. Portable propane heaters can also heat small areas and leave your space without the smell of smoke. Accent Items on a Budget:  Line a flower bed with colorful old bottles  Use an old daybed or crib for a small seating area. Add a cushion and some throw pillows for comfort.  Use old enamelware buckets or bowls as a planters  Use old tires as planters or cover for use as decorative tables or ottomans  Use old table legs and fan blades as decorative dragonflies for hanging on walls or fences  Use bottle caps for coasters, table tops or wind chimes  Use a large flower pot with a saucer to make an accent table. Paint the flower pot with some coordinating colors.  Use vinyl flooring scraps, painted with accent colors as a rug  Use empty, colored wine bottle as a torch. Purchase metal fittings from a hardware store to assemble a torch for the bottle. Hang the bottle torch or a wall, fence or place on a table.  For curtains or a privacy shade, use a drop clothe and add some color using fabric paints.  For soft lighting, add Christmas lights to the outer edges of the space.  Convert an old chandelier into a hanging flower pot.  Old jars can be a great way to keep candles lit and provide soft lighting. Add some sand or small pebbles to the bottom of the jar, then place a votive or other small candle inside the jar. Make sure the pebbles or sand come up around the bottom 1/3 of the candle.  Use vegetable cans to create luminarias. Use a drill or hammer and nail to create punched designs around the outside of the can. Fit a large bulb light into the bottom of the can, then string the cans throughout the space.  Add a cushion top to a galvanized tank for a bench. The inside of the tank can act as a storage for other cushions, pool toys, etc. Outdoor Kitchens: Outdoor kitchens have become a new style of living. They are not just your standard grill and small table, they include counter tops, cabinets, sinks, and even refrigerators. When planning for an outdoor kitchen, keep in mind that you will want to use natural material or treated lumber and stainless steel. Cabinets should be made from treated lumber. Counter tops can be fashioned from tile, granite, or concrete. Sinks should be from stainless steel and add stain steel fixtures. These materials will keep your kitchen looking great and there will be less wear and tear from the elements. OutdoorSpacesProgram
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An outdoor grill is generally one of the first items that can be found in an outdoor space. All grills must follow the same code requirements as house chimneys. The sides must extend at least two feet above the highest flammable point. Locate the grill so that there are no traffic flow problems around it and the smoke from the grill will not eater the house through open windows and doors. If you are using a movable grill, place the grill on a fire proof space. Cement and stone make excellent spaces, and keep the grill level. However, if you don’t have this type of space, make sure that branches or shrubs and tall grass is not near the grill where embers can start a fire. Because of the wind and other weather issues in Southeastern New Mexico, it is a good idea to keep your outdoor kitchen utensils and other supplies in an airtight container within the cabinets. Plants Any type of plant, flowering or not, will improve the look of an outdoor If using pots and planters made
space. Add in permanent planters and small pots throughout the space. of terra cotta, select only those
The pots will give you the flexibility to change the design up, or move pots that flair out at the top.
the plants indoors when the temperatures change. For larger planters, When temperatures dip below
add items like pine cones, Styrofoam or something lite to the bottom of freezing, the dirt will expand and
the planter to make it easier to move. contract in the pots causing
them to crack and chip. To
When placing the planters around your outdoor space, keep in mind protect the pots further from
that most planters may leak some water and create water stains. Add damage, move them into a
plastic plates under the pots or place them on a plant stand that will sheltered area during the cold
allow air to circulate. This will cause less damage to your wooden Winter months.
decks. Container plants are ideal for an outdoor space.  For a patio, they add in the landscaping that can be found in the rest of the yard.  For a small space like a deck or porch, they bring a small piece of gardening to the space.  Plants can be decorative or useful. Choose plants that repel BAD BUGS or bring in butterflies and humming birds.  Choose plants that will provide vegetables or herbs for cooking.  Plants can be used in the landscaping around your outdoor space to provide privacy or wind breaks  Take advantage of plants like succulents and plant them in a wreath for the wall. They take very little water and will grow into a great decoration.  Care should be taken when picking out the plants, to understand how big the plant will grow and the amount of sunlight it will need. You don’t want plants taking over the space or not thriving due to too little or too much sun. OutdoorSpacesProgram
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