Monthly Archives: October 2017

Creating a Cozy Patio for Fall Weather

Saying goodbye to warmer temperatures doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your patio. There are lots of ways you can still put your backyard to good use when the air gets cooler. In fact, fall weather is great for entertaining outside! Here are some ideas for prepping your patio for autumn.

1. Make it welcoming.

One of the primary functions of a patio is to extend the comfort of the indoors to the outdoors. There are several ways to do this, but one of the easiest is to make sure you have comfortable seating. An outdoor sectional can go a long way in terms of comfort and durability. Set up some small outdoor tables to have a surface to set down drinks or plates, and pair them with an outdoor rug to add some color and create a soft barrier between your bare feet and the cold cement. A rug keeps the aesthetic warm and inviting, and is an easy way to cozy up the space. You could also consider setting up some screen or bamboo walls to give the area a bit more structure and to help block cold drafts.

2. Stay warm outside.

It doesn’t get much cozier than cuddling in blankets around a crackling fire. With the crispness to the air and the earlier nightfall, a fire table makes the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor fun. Host a smore-making night where you and your guests sit around the fire, roast marshmallows, chat, and warm your hands with mugs of hot cider.

In addition, you may want to look into outdoor space heaters for those extra chilly nights when the fire by itself isn’t sufficient. Put some blankets in a basket where they’re easy to grab for extra warmth.

Another option is to build a roof of some kind over your patio. It’s an investment, but it’s one your family can enjoy throughout the year. Not only will it protect your outdoor furniture from rain and snow and contain the warmth a bit more, but during the summer it keeps it shady and cool. It can also help add to the aesthetic – a metal roof, for instance, can be incredibly therapeutic to sit under when it rains.

As the season moves more toward winter, it’s a good idea to invest in some waterproof furniture covers to protect your things from sun and weather damage while it’s not in use.

3. Add extra lighting.

As winter nears, twilight creeps up earlier and earlier each evening. Extra lighting on your patio will help you squeeze even more patio time out of the year. Not only will it let you stay outside later, but it’s also a safety precaution, especially if your patio has stairs. There are many lighting options to consider, depending on your patio setup – overhead lights, tiki torches, lamp posts, etc. String lights are great for adding to that cozy, magical feeling. If there are steps, consider installing low-voltage lights on railings, or marking the edge of the steps.

Don’t let the cooler weather keep you indoors. Make a few adjustments and enjoy the fall weather and your patio this year.

Hosting Your Halloween Party At Home

It’s that time of year again. The kids are back in school, leaves are changing, there’s a chill in the air, and Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re planning to host a party – whether it’s spooky and haunted, or rustic and autumnal – we’ve got your Halloween festivities covered.

Here are three ideas for making sure your Halloween party at home is one your guests will never forget.

1. Design a spooky living room.

Use your decor to set the tone for the party. In your living room you could toss around some furry accent pillows to give things a “monster” feel, and place some decorative coasters on your coffee table for guests to use. Then try out some of the following ideas for a more spooky feel.

  • Drape “cobwebs” over doorways and furniture.
  • Create eerie lighting with candles and red/orange-tinted lighting.
  • Decorate with cute items like dolls and teddy bears- placed in the right spot with the right lighting cute cute toys become creepy.
  • Cutout figures out of cardboard (like monsters or witches) and place them in your windows–at night with the lights on inside it will create some spooky silhouettes.
  • Play a spooky Halloween soundtrack in the background to set a ghostly atmosphere.

No matter what, you want to make sure you have enough comfortable indoor seating for your guests. If you’re hosting a large party you may want to maximize space by setting up additional indoor and outdoor seating areas.

2. Break the ice naturally.

You want to get your guests talking, but not everyone appreciates the typical icebreaker activities because they can feel awkward and forced. Instead, consider giving some of your guests assignments, like passing around the hors d’oeuvres or checking on people’s drinks. For guests who struggle striking up conversations with strangers, this provides an open door but doesn’t hold the same pressure as coming up with a cool story or unique fact about themselves as most of the standard icebreakers do.

For a Halloween-themed party, a fun way to get people mingling could be a pumpkin-carving activity. Set up a carving station out on your patio; and keep things cozy with a fire table or space heaters. With everyone seated around a long outdoor table, it’s a great way to get some natural face-to-face interaction started.

3. Create a haunted house.

For a truly haunted and memorable party, you may want to consider transforming your home into a haunted house. First of all, be sure to keep it age-appropriate. If your guests are adults, have fun spooking things up and go all out with the scares. But, if you’re going to have children running around, maybe leave out the chainsaw-wielding zombies, and focus instead on design elements – such as creating a spooky atmosphere.

Some fun haunted house ideas include:

  • Drape white sheets over sofas and chairs.
  • Create a haunted graveyard in the backyard with styrofoam cutouts of gravestones.
  • Go crazy with glow-in-the-dark stickers.
  • Turn your dining room into an “operations room”.
  • Write scary phrases on the wall with red lipstick.

The next step is planning out the haunted path through your house. What do you want the guests to see? Do you want to go all out in every room of your house, or just focus on a few? Outdoors, indoors, or some of both? This can be as grand- or small-scale as you want it to be.

Now that you have a few ideas for a haunted Halloween at home. Decide just how scary you would like your party to be and happy planning!

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Gazebo

Do you own a gazebo or pergola that is in serious need of a facelift? One of the quickest ways you can give your space a fresh, updated look is to add new furniture. No matter if you want to create an edgy space with modern furniture, or a cozy place to entertain family and guests, RST brands can help you find the style that fits all your wants and needs. Check out the following six design styles to make your gazebo furniture dreams come to life.  

 

The Bohemian

Transform your gazebo into a calm, serene outdoor bohemian oasis by incorporating natural outdoor decor elements like potted plants, a comfortable hammock, and a deep outdoor sofa or sectional.  When choosing your gazebo furniture, try to stay away from plain and neutral colors and instead opt for vivid patterns, and mixed colors. Also, utilize warm elements such as cushions, pillows, blankets, and curtains.

 

The Outdoor Greatroom

An outdoor greatroom is the perfect use for patio gazebos or pergolas that are connected to the home. Make this space another great place for lounging with the family or enjoying a relaxing afternoon by implementing furniture pieces like outdoor club chairs, ottoman slings, multi-piece couch sets, and much more. A fascinating focal piece such as a waterfall or a fire table can set your outdoor greatroom apart.

 

The Entertainment Zone

Give your guests a unique place to gather by transforming your backyard gazebo into a welcoming entertainment zone. Along with statement pieces like a fire table or hammock, you should also consider bringing in a variety of different seating options to accommodate your guests. In addition, be sure to include fun decorations like patio string lights, a surround sound system, television, and other elements that make your space as welcoming and enjoyable as possible.

 

The Dining Den

Put a new twist on the way you and your family dine by creating an inviting outdoor dining room in your gazebo. Whether you want a small, high-top table for four or an expansive table that can seat all your friends and family, RST Brands has stylish, high-quality, durable dining sets to fit your needs.

Give your space your own unique touch by choosing from a variety of cushion colors, material types, and more. And finish off the space with soft lighting, plants, and subtle decor.

 

The Bar Star

Design a welcoming outdoor bar in your pergola or gazebo and let the fun begin. After selecting the type of bar you want, whether it be a wet or dry bar, bring in bar stools and other comfortable furniture. When you set up your seating think of how you can situate the furniture to create a great space for socializing with your guests.  Be sure to incorporate additional elements like music, lighting, and decor to really bring your gazebo bar to life.

 

The Lounge

What’s better than having a go-to place to relax and unwind? Make your gazebo this place by bringing in high-class, loungers and accent tables. Create a relaxing atmosphere with additions like plants, water features, umbrellas, and more.

Don’t let your gazebo or pergola suffer from neglect any longer. Start designing your dream space today and discover the benefits of having a unique, outdoor space with top-of-the-line furniture and thoughtfully chosen decor.

A Fall Home Decor Guide For Your Living Room

As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, you may feel an itch to update your living room to match the season. Without a little advanced planning, the frequent holidays can make you feel as if it’s time to take down your decorations as soon as you get them up. Use this guide to simplify your seasonal update and bring the joy of autumn into your home.

 

Start with Strong Base Pieces

Fall home decor comes in phases. September might feature basic harvest decorations, but as the autumn months roll by, so do the holidays. The first step of decorating for fall is starting with strong base pieces that you can build off of from holiday to holiday.

Fortunately, Halloween and Thanksgiving home decorations tend to follow a similar color scheme. Neutral, warm colors allow you to add more colorful, but coordinated, accents throughout the season.

Well-picked furniture like classic couches, bookshelves, rugs, and coffee tables will coordinate nicely with any holiday decor throughout the year. Wood pieces are particularly suited for creating a classy autumn ambiance.

 

Let Mother Nature Guide Your Color Choices

When you think of fall colors, you might think of browns, oranges, and yellows. However, if you look to nature, you may find that your color palette is larger than what you might think. As the Fall leaves change, you’ll find stunning purples, reds, blues, and greens. While warm colors like brown might make a solid base, you can choose great accent pieces in a variety of colors.

Another great resource for selecting a color palette is Pantone’s Fall 2017 Fashion Color Report, which features a mix of traditional autumnal colors as well as unique accent colors like Golden Lime and Ballet Slipper.

 

Lean Into the Rustic Look

Fall is a perfect time to bring the cozy, rustic farmhouse look into your home. If you plan it right, your harvest decorations will complement any Thanksgiving or Halloween decorating you choose to do.

Nature can do a lot of the heavy lifting for your decor. Select some fall foliage (either fresh or faux will do) to tie in some natural colors into your living room. You can also add a tasteful wreath that matches your color scheme.

Bring the harvest into your home with decorative squash, gourds, and pumpkins. Healthy pumpkins can last 8 to 12 weeks under the right circumstances, which means your decor can likely last for the majority of the fall season.

Bowls of fruit can add to your decor. As you inch closer to Thanksgiving, consider adding in a cornucopia of flowers, fruit, and corn.

If you’d like a more understated rustic look, add subtle accents using wicker baskets, burlap, and lace.

 

Add Relevant Holiday Decor

If you’ve chosen a good base of fall-friendly furniture and decor, decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving won’t be too much of a chore; half the work will already be done. When it comes to holiday decorations, you can be as subtle or ostentatious as your personal style dictates.

For those looking for a more subtle holiday look, choose pieces that flow naturally with your established decor. Rotate your normal throw pillows and blankets for festive, holiday-themed options. Place decorative, holiday wooden blocks on your bookshelves or mantle. Simple pieces such as themed coasters shaped like jack-o-lanterns for Halloween or turkeys for Thanksgiving, can bring the holiday spirit into your living room without dominating it.

Instead of carving pumpkins for Halloween, paint them so they’ll last longer without rotting. Those looking for a trendy option could try painting patterns on pumpkins in gold paint. Those same pumpkins, if subtly painted, may go well with your Thanksgiving home decorations. If not, buy a few more heirloom pumpkins in November.

Fall offers so many opportunities to play with vibrant colors and textures in your living room decorations. Take advantage of these decor tips and transform your home into a celebration of autumn.