(BPT) – The bright, sunny days of summer are your favorite time of year and when the season arrives, you spend much of your time outdoors. Your yard becomes your living room and you move your cooking to the grill.Summer is grilling season and there is …
(BPT) – The bright, sunny days of summer are your favorite time of year and when the season arrives, you spend much of your time outdoors. Your yard becomes your living room and you move your cooking to the grill.Summer is grilling season and there is …
(BPT) – The bright, sunny days of summer are your favorite time of year and when the season arrives, you spend much of your time outdoors. Your yard becomes your living room and you move your cooking to the grill.Summer is grilling season and there is …
(BPT) – Whether you go to a restaurant or stay home and dine in, you want what you eat to be fresh and full of flavor. This movement toward tasty, locally grown food is illustrated by the rise in farmers markets, food subscription boxes, and a renewed …
(BPT) – Whether you go to a restaurant or stay home and dine in, you want what you eat to be fresh and full of flavor. This movement toward tasty, locally grown food is illustrated by the rise in farmers markets, food subscription boxes, and a renewed …
(BPT) – Everyone looks forward to a shift into summer mode, with its sun-soaked days, flower-scented breezes and velvety nights under the stars.
Now’s the time to take advantage of a golden opportunity right outside your door. Celebrate summer and all it offers by recreating your outdoor space. Whether it’s a balcony, a patio or a deck, a few touches are all you need to turn it into a highly functional living space.
When done right, a patio makeover is like a boost to your home’s square footage of living space without straining your wallet. Think of the patio as a summer room, and the possibilities really open up.
One approach to making your summer room perfect is to start by thinking of your needs and what you love to do. If you could add any room to your home, what would it be, and what would you use it for? Then, turn to a resource like Big Lots, which offers everything you need to build that summer room, while keeping you within budget.
Your summer living room
Transform any outdoor space into a relaxing oasis that’s perfect for unwinding and summer daydreams. Your key piece is a comfortable outdoor couch you can really sink into.
It’s always best to start with a neutral-colored cushion, then work the accessories and accent pieces, including side tables, brightly colored throw pillows and outdoor lanterns to make the space feel extra homey and just like an authentic living room. These decor pieces can be easily and affordably switched out year-over-year to make your outdoor space feel fresh and new.
With an easy assembly gazebo, you can also keep the space cool and comfortable in the heat of the day.
Finally, if your patio faces an open or public area, a row of evergreens planted in large colorful pots will transform it into an intimate space with a perfect touch of nature.
Your summer party room
With the right pieces, you can set the scene for any gathering of friends and family. Start with ample seating. Add to the traditional living room setup with an outdoor cushioned bench, and position some accent chairs and tables in a nook or two for conversation clusters. A patterned outdoor rug also helps to delineate spaces on a large patio or deck.
A fire pit always creates a natural centerpiece and gathering spot. Some designs take this up a notch and incorporate the soft glow of fire right into a tabletop, making it easy to talk long into the summer night. As a finishing touch, be sure to have a wireless speaker and playlist ready to set the mood with music.
Your summer kitchen
The downside of summer living is building up unwanted heat in the kitchen from cooking dinner. The best solution is to take it outside. Don’t limit the grill to weekends and burgers and brats. Explore the many grilling recipes out there to expand your repertoire. While you’re doing this, set up your patio as an outdoor cooking station that’s ready to go whenever you’re ready to start cooking.
Set up a sturdy table for prepping veggies and meats and a selection of lightweight, outdoor serving dishes. The variety of colors and designs are endless and add to the space aesthetic. (Just as you would indoors, make sure the surface is clean before you get started.) Use colorful crates to keep grilling tools, potholders and outdoor dishes and glassware organized and handy.
Finally, pick up some bright-colored pots that match your decor style and plant rosemary, parsley, basil and other herbs so they’re within easy reach to add fresh flavors to your grilled fish and chicken, as well as those tasty summer veggies. These potted plants also make for beautiful, easy centerpieces.
Your summer dining room
Dining outside is a fun and relaxing way to enjoy food as well as the company of your family and friends. When you choose a patio table, choose one with ample seating, and keep things comfortable and colorful with waterproof cushions. Umbrellas can throw shade on a sun-drenched deck or patio, making daytime dining (or your morning coffee time) more pleasant and easy on the eyes. If you’re looking for something different, a patio umbrella outfitted with lights on the underside will let you linger over dinner longer.
Creating beautiful outdoor spaces can be easy, but it also doesn’t have to break the budget. Big Lots has a wide variety of affordable patio furniture and décor so you can create an outdoor scene with indoor style. Visit BigLots.com or a store near you for all your patio and outdoor accessory needs.
(BPT) – Everyone looks forward to a shift into summer mode, with its sun-soaked days, flower-scented breezes and velvety nights under the stars.
Now’s the time to take advantage of a golden opportunity right outside your door. Celebrate summer and all it offers by recreating your outdoor space. Whether it’s a balcony, a patio or a deck, a few touches are all you need to turn it into a highly functional living space.
When done right, a patio makeover is like a boost to your home’s square footage of living space without straining your wallet. Think of the patio as a summer room, and the possibilities really open up.
One approach to making your summer room perfect is to start by thinking of your needs and what you love to do. If you could add any room to your home, what would it be, and what would you use it for? Then, turn to a resource like Big Lots, which offers everything you need to build that summer room, while keeping you within budget.
Your summer living room
Transform any outdoor space into a relaxing oasis that’s perfect for unwinding and summer daydreams. Your key piece is a comfortable outdoor couch you can really sink into.
It’s always best to start with a neutral-colored cushion, then work the accessories and accent pieces, including side tables, brightly colored throw pillows and outdoor lanterns to make the space feel extra homey and just like an authentic living room. These decor pieces can be easily and affordably switched out year-over-year to make your outdoor space feel fresh and new.
With an easy assembly gazebo, you can also keep the space cool and comfortable in the heat of the day.
Finally, if your patio faces an open or public area, a row of evergreens planted in large colorful pots will transform it into an intimate space with a perfect touch of nature.
Your summer party room
With the right pieces, you can set the scene for any gathering of friends and family. Start with ample seating. Add to the traditional living room setup with an outdoor cushioned bench, and position some accent chairs and tables in a nook or two for conversation clusters. A patterned outdoor rug also helps to delineate spaces on a large patio or deck.
A fire pit always creates a natural centerpiece and gathering spot. Some designs take this up a notch and incorporate the soft glow of fire right into a tabletop, making it easy to talk long into the summer night. As a finishing touch, be sure to have a wireless speaker and playlist ready to set the mood with music.
Your summer kitchen
The downside of summer living is building up unwanted heat in the kitchen from cooking dinner. The best solution is to take it outside. Don’t limit the grill to weekends and burgers and brats. Explore the many grilling recipes out there to expand your repertoire. While you’re doing this, set up your patio as an outdoor cooking station that’s ready to go whenever you’re ready to start cooking.
Set up a sturdy table for prepping veggies and meats and a selection of lightweight, outdoor serving dishes. The variety of colors and designs are endless and add to the space aesthetic. (Just as you would indoors, make sure the surface is clean before you get started.) Use colorful crates to keep grilling tools, potholders and outdoor dishes and glassware organized and handy.
Finally, pick up some bright-colored pots that match your decor style and plant rosemary, parsley, basil and other herbs so they’re within easy reach to add fresh flavors to your grilled fish and chicken, as well as those tasty summer veggies. These potted plants also make for beautiful, easy centerpieces.
Your summer dining room
Dining outside is a fun and relaxing way to enjoy food as well as the company of your family and friends. When you choose a patio table, choose one with ample seating, and keep things comfortable and colorful with waterproof cushions. Umbrellas can throw shade on a sun-drenched deck or patio, making daytime dining (or your morning coffee time) more pleasant and easy on the eyes. If you’re looking for something different, a patio umbrella outfitted with lights on the underside will let you linger over dinner longer.
Creating beautiful outdoor spaces can be easy, but it also doesn’t have to break the budget. Big Lots has a wide variety of affordable patio furniture and décor so you can create an outdoor scene with indoor style. Visit BigLots.com or a store near you for all your patio and outdoor accessory needs.
(BPT) – Everyone looks forward to a shift into summer mode, with its sun-soaked days, flower-scented breezes and velvety nights under the stars.
Now’s the time to take advantage of a golden opportunity right outside your door. Celebrate summer and all it offers by recreating your outdoor space. Whether it’s a balcony, a patio or a deck, a few touches are all you need to turn it into a highly functional living space.
When done right, a patio makeover is like a boost to your home’s square footage of living space without straining your wallet. Think of the patio as a summer room, and the possibilities really open up.
One approach to making your summer room perfect is to start by thinking of your needs and what you love to do. If you could add any room to your home, what would it be, and what would you use it for? Then, turn to a resource like Big Lots, which offers everything you need to build that summer room, while keeping you within budget.
Your summer living room
Transform any outdoor space into a relaxing oasis that’s perfect for unwinding and summer daydreams. Your key piece is a comfortable outdoor couch you can really sink into.
It’s always best to start with a neutral-colored cushion, then work the accessories and accent pieces, including side tables, brightly colored throw pillows and outdoor lanterns to make the space feel extra homey and just like an authentic living room. These decor pieces can be easily and affordably switched out year-over-year to make your outdoor space feel fresh and new.
With an easy assembly gazebo, you can also keep the space cool and comfortable in the heat of the day.
Finally, if your patio faces an open or public area, a row of evergreens planted in large colorful pots will transform it into an intimate space with a perfect touch of nature.
Your summer party room
With the right pieces, you can set the scene for any gathering of friends and family. Start with ample seating. Add to the traditional living room setup with an outdoor cushioned bench, and position some accent chairs and tables in a nook or two for conversation clusters. A patterned outdoor rug also helps to delineate spaces on a large patio or deck.
A fire pit always creates a natural centerpiece and gathering spot. Some designs take this up a notch and incorporate the soft glow of fire right into a tabletop, making it easy to talk long into the summer night. As a finishing touch, be sure to have a wireless speaker and playlist ready to set the mood with music.
Your summer kitchen
The downside of summer living is building up unwanted heat in the kitchen from cooking dinner. The best solution is to take it outside. Don’t limit the grill to weekends and burgers and brats. Explore the many grilling recipes out there to expand your repertoire. While you’re doing this, set up your patio as an outdoor cooking station that’s ready to go whenever you’re ready to start cooking.
Set up a sturdy table for prepping veggies and meats and a selection of lightweight, outdoor serving dishes. The variety of colors and designs are endless and add to the space aesthetic. (Just as you would indoors, make sure the surface is clean before you get started.) Use colorful crates to keep grilling tools, potholders and outdoor dishes and glassware organized and handy.
Finally, pick up some bright-colored pots that match your decor style and plant rosemary, parsley, basil and other herbs so they’re within easy reach to add fresh flavors to your grilled fish and chicken, as well as those tasty summer veggies. These potted plants also make for beautiful, easy centerpieces.
Your summer dining room
Dining outside is a fun and relaxing way to enjoy food as well as the company of your family and friends. When you choose a patio table, choose one with ample seating, and keep things comfortable and colorful with waterproof cushions. Umbrellas can throw shade on a sun-drenched deck or patio, making daytime dining (or your morning coffee time) more pleasant and easy on the eyes. If you’re looking for something different, a patio umbrella outfitted with lights on the underside will let you linger over dinner longer.
Creating beautiful outdoor spaces can be easy, but it also doesn’t have to break the budget. Big Lots has a wide variety of affordable patio furniture and décor so you can create an outdoor scene with indoor style. Visit BigLots.com or a store near you for all your patio and outdoor accessory needs.
(BPT) – As the natural extension of a home’s interior, making sure the backyard is an attractive and functional exterior space for entertaining family and friends is important to many homeowners. Described by some as an outdoor room, it requires as much thought, creativity and commitment to design a backyard living area as it does the rest of a house. Following that logic, a paver patio is an ideal focal point for building a beautiful outdoor living area. It literally serves as a blank canvas for benches, fire pits, fireplaces, water fountains, grills and other outdoor features.
While other materials can be used to construct a patio, concrete pavers are strong, durable and extremely versatile. In fact, homeowners can choose from hundreds of styles, sizes, shapes, colors and textures from a single manufacturer like Pavestone. With such a wide array of options, pavers give homeowners the ability to coordinate the patio to match the look and feel of their home in an outdoor living space that will be the envy of neighbors.
Steps for installing a paver patio.
Wearing eye protection and work gloves is recommended for this project.
* Outline the size and shape of the patio on the ground with spray paint.
* Place wooden stakes about 1 foot outside the corners of the outline and run string between the stakes at the desired patio height, establishing a slope away from the house of 1 inch for every 8 feet to aid drainage.
* Excavate the area about 6 inches beyond the outline to allow for 4 inches of compacted base, 1 inch of bedding sand, and the pavers.
* Pour 4 inches of all-purpose gravel into the excavated area and pack with a tamper or plate compactor to create the base.
* Place two 1-inch-thick PVC pipe on the base as a screed guide, then pour paver sand and screed with a two-by-four.
* Lay the pavers one-by-one next to each other in the desired pattern, being sure not to slide any pavers across the sand. If uneven, tap with a rubber mallet.
* In the event partial pavers are needed in the patio, cut the pavers with a masonry saw to desired length or shape.
* Pour a concrete toe edge restraint around the patio perimeter using QUIKRETE Crack Resistant Concrete Mix.
* Pour a layer of paver sand across the completed patio, sweep the sand into the joints, and use a compacting machine to lock the pavers into place.
A polymeric jointing sand like PolySweep can be used instead of standard jointing sand to help prevent erosion, insects, weeds and other elements that can be harmful to the paver patio. For more information on properly installing a paver patio, including a step-by-step how-to project video, visit the QUIKRETE website or Facebook.
(BPT) – As the natural extension of a home’s interior, making sure the backyard is an attractive and functional exterior space for entertaining family and friends is important to many homeowners. Described by some as an outdoor room, it requires as much thought, creativity and commitment to design a backyard living area as it does the rest of a house. Following that logic, a paver patio is an ideal focal point for building a beautiful outdoor living area. It literally serves as a blank canvas for benches, fire pits, fireplaces, water fountains, grills and other outdoor features.
While other materials can be used to construct a patio, concrete pavers are strong, durable and extremely versatile. In fact, homeowners can choose from hundreds of styles, sizes, shapes, colors and textures from a single manufacturer like Pavestone. With such a wide array of options, pavers give homeowners the ability to coordinate the patio to match the look and feel of their home in an outdoor living space that will be the envy of neighbors.
Steps for installing a paver patio.
Wearing eye protection and work gloves is recommended for this project.
* Outline the size and shape of the patio on the ground with spray paint.
* Place wooden stakes about 1 foot outside the corners of the outline and run string between the stakes at the desired patio height, establishing a slope away from the house of 1 inch for every 8 feet to aid drainage.
* Excavate the area about 6 inches beyond the outline to allow for 4 inches of compacted base, 1 inch of bedding sand, and the pavers.
* Pour 4 inches of all-purpose gravel into the excavated area and pack with a tamper or plate compactor to create the base.
* Place two 1-inch-thick PVC pipe on the base as a screed guide, then pour paver sand and screed with a two-by-four.
* Lay the pavers one-by-one next to each other in the desired pattern, being sure not to slide any pavers across the sand. If uneven, tap with a rubber mallet.
* In the event partial pavers are needed in the patio, cut the pavers with a masonry saw to desired length or shape.
* Pour a concrete toe edge restraint around the patio perimeter using QUIKRETE Crack Resistant Concrete Mix.
* Pour a layer of paver sand across the completed patio, sweep the sand into the joints, and use a compacting machine to lock the pavers into place.
A polymeric jointing sand like PolySweep can be used instead of standard jointing sand to help prevent erosion, insects, weeds and other elements that can be harmful to the paver patio. For more information on properly installing a paver patio, including a step-by-step how-to project video, visit the QUIKRETE website or Facebook.