Are you planning a home renovation? Do you have plans to spruce up your patio? Does your living room need a facelift? No matter what your project might be, make sure your decorations are up to par with furniture that makes your space look it’s best. These five expert tips can help you determine the best color scheme for your furniture.

1. Play Off Patterns

Does your living room or patio have a large area rug with a unique pattern? Maybe you’ve got brilliantly patterned upholstery or a captivating piece of artwork. Instead of choosing a furniture color that competes with this centerpiece, pick two to four colors that you like from the pattern and use these as the color scheme for your large furniture pieces. Keep the color of the walls in mind too, as to avoid selecting colors that will wash out your room or create a chaotic feel. For neutral wall colors, pick out light, natural colors from the pattern; for dark wall colors, look to the pattern’s cooler hues.

2. Consider the Color Wheel

If you’re at the point of shopping for furniture during your remodel or makeover, you’ve probably already determined how you want your space to feel. Whether you want a casual, relaxing space, a cozy, warm nook, or a vibrant, exciting area, choosing the right home furniture can be the best way to bring ambiance to your room.

When shopping for your furniture, keep the color wheel in mind. By choosing colors next to each other on the color wheel – analogous colors – you can bring your space to life. Choose blues and greens for informal or private spaces where you want to feel rested and calm. Lean towards reds, oranges, and pops of yellow to bring warm energy to a room.

3. Dress Your Room Like Yourself

Take a glance into your closet – what do you see? Do you tend to wear soft, neutral colors or dark, basic pieces? Do you have lots of patterns and bright colors or do you tend to stick to a more conservative design? Whatever the case, chances are you’ve bought these clothes because they look good on you and you feel good wearing them. Shop for home or patio furniture the same way! Along with the color, consider how it makes you feel when you sit in it, think of different ways you could accent the piece, and make sure you like the way it looks.

4. Remember the 60-30-10 Rule

Expert designers swear by the 60-30-10 rule, where you divide your room’s color scheme into three different components; 60 percent of the space should be a dominate color (typically the walls, floors, and ceiling), 30 percent a secondary color (think furniture and upholstery) and the last 10 percent an accent color (accessories like pillows and artwork). Not only does this rule help to ensure that your color scheme is balanced and your furniture color works with the space, but it also helps you get the perfect amount of pop that makes guests go “ah!”  

5. Go Gray

If you’re hesitant about picking the right color scheme or don’t have time to shop for hours for the perfect furniture – go gray. Gray is the trendiest neutral in the designer world today because of chameleon-like qualities. Whether you’re wanting a cool, calming space or a warm, welcoming space, gray pairs perfectly with virtually any color – from soft pastels to bold brights. Choosing gray for your furniture also gives you the chance to really play up accessories like pillows, throw rugs, artwork, etc.

Having a wooden deck or patio is a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature. Whether you’re entertaining guests at a dinner party, reading your favorite novel, or enjoying a mid-day snack with the kids, your outdoor space is an extended area of your home that offers endless benefits. However, without properly caring for your deck or patio, the wood can quickly become mistreated and dangerous, causing it to splinter, erode, and even rot.

Make sure your wooden outdoor areas are in prime condition and looking their best with these four simple maintenance tips.

1. Wash Away Winter

After several months of winter weather abuse, your deck needs a thorough cleaning come late spring. By neglecting this critical step, you’re essentially asking for mold and mildew. Thankfully, cleaning your deck is easier that you might think:

• First, clear away any debris that might have taken up residence over the winter. Use a putty knife for hard to reach areas like in between boards and areas where the decking crosses with the joists.
• Cover plants or shrubs with plastic to protect them from debris that might shake loose during the cleaning process.
• Using a standard wooden deck cleaner (found at any local hardware store) use a paint roller, garden sprayer, or stiff push broom to evenly spread the cleaner across your deck. Avoid letting the cleaner pool, and try not to let it dry until you’ve thoroughly scrubbed it into the wood.
• Rinse well with cold, clean water.
• Repeat the process to clean wooden railings.

Note, too, that the best time to clean your deck is during a cool, cloudy day when the sun won’t evaporate your cleaning solution. After two days of letting your deck completely dry, you can then move on to tip number two: sealing your deck.

2. Seal for Summer

Now that you have given your deck a good, hearty clean, it’s time to seal the wood to prepare it for harsh sun rays and endless summer activities. Sealing your deck is best done in late spring, just before summer kicks into full swing. Visit your local hardware store to pick up the deck sealer of your choosing. Below is a list of popular options to consider before making the trip:

• Transparent sealers are the perfect option if you want to highlight the natural tones and grains in the wood.
• Toners allow the natural essence of the wood to shine through but also provide a minimal amount of tint that helps protect the wood from UV rays. This is a good option for decks that only get a few hours of sunlight each day.
• Choose a semi-transparent stain for added color that still shows a bit of the natural grain.
• Solid stains completely cover the grain and color of the wood but provide the ultimate protection against weather damage and heavy traffic.

Mark out a two-day period on your calendar when you’ll have time to complete the project, making sure to avoid high temperatures, wind, and rain. Sand away any scuffed up marks from washing and replace or repair any nails or screws that have come loose over the winter. Use a large roller brush to completely cover the base decking and a paintbrush or small roller for railings and benches. Apply three coats for best results and be careful not to let the sealant or stain pool in any one area.

It’s important to remember that while solid stains and opaque finishes should be applied every other year, clear sealants and transparent toners must be reapplied annually to maintain optimum effectiveness.

3. Check The Deck

A good scrub and a thorough seal will help maintain your deck for most of the summer. However, to ensure it’s properly maintained, it’s a good idea to schedule a midsummer inspection. Make a checklist for your walk through:

• Look for rot. Areas that are six inches above the ground, close to water spigots, or surrounding planters are often prone to excessive water damage which can cause the wood to expand and rot. Use a flathead screwdriver to gently probe prone areas, stairs, and perimeter posts. Rot is typically indicated if your screwdriver sinks more than a quarter-inch into the wood.
• Go underneath your deck. Check the ledger, or section of framing that connects the deck to the exterior of your home. Use a flashlight to ensure that the ledger is still connected with lag screws as well as nails and make sure the metal sheet covering the top of the ledger – the flashing – isn’t rusting or deteriorating.
• While you’re underneath the deck, inspect other joists, posts, and beams for rot. Look joist hangers and nails over for rust. If you sense you have a structural issue, call a professional for repair.
• Finally, check for rotting or splitting deck boards or railings. If the wood seems to be splitting or cracking, seal it with an exterior adhesive and replace with a new deck screw.

4. Prevent Winter Problems

Come early fall, it’s time to start thinking about ways to protect your deck during the upcoming winter.

• Consider washing and sealing your deck again, or if you didn’t get a chance to do so in the spring.
• Trim surrounding trees and bushes to at least 12 inches from the deck to prevent mold, fungus, and rot.
• Sweep away fallen leaves, pine needles, dirt and other debris.
• Relocate chairs, tables, planters, benches, etc., to prevent discoloration over the winter.
• Clean and repair gutters and downspouts to ensure excessive moisture stays off of the wood.

With your deck in mint condition, make sure it looks its best and makes you feel right at home with unique, functional patio furniture from RST Brands. Check out our full line of innovative designs and visit our website for more information and decoration ideas, today.

Between work, cooking dinners, and transporting kids to functions, it can seem like the last thing you have time for during the week is yard maintenance. With these ten tips you can limit the time you spend maintaining your yard and spend more time enjoying it with family and friends.

1. Start with a Master Plan

Before pulling your first week, take a moment to plan a course of action. Map out your approach by area of your yard, and give targeted attention to the areas that require the most work. Your work will be more focused, and you’ll get more done in less time.

2. Take Preventative Measures

Save more time in the long run by taking measures to prevent weeds before they grow. Using a pre-emergent herbicide will control crabgrass and other weeds by preventing their seeds from sprouting. Eliminating weeds before they grow eliminates the time spent pulling them out by their well-established roots.

3. Minimize Grass Area

Minimizing your actual lawn space will save time and energy spent on mowing, weeding, and watering. Limit your grass area to only what is necessary and dedicate the rest of your backyard on hardscapes and thrifty perennials.

4. Maximize Hardscapes

Use pavers and planters to create a low-maintenance yard space. Produce different elevations by dividing backyard space into separate locations for an outdoor fireplace and even an outside dining area. Explore RST Brands for fabulous fire tables and outdoor dining sets.

5. Soften Hardscapes with Water-Thrifty Perennials

Forgo any plants that have to be replaced annually and supplement your lawn with native plants and succulents. These types of plants can offer filler around pavers and stepping stones as well as bring pops of color to your outdoor oasis.

6. Plant Trees & Shrubs

Trees and shrubs require little annual maintenance and have a big impact on your landscape. They will add appeal, flowers, and fragrance to any outdoor regions.

7. Compost

Whether you create your own or get quality compost through your local garden center, use nutrient rich compost to yield healthy plants. The healthier your plants, the less time you’ll spend trying to revive or remove them.

8. Train Fido

Large yellow dead spots caused by pet urine are difficult to fix and are an eyesore for your lawn. Train your dog to use only one spot in the yard or make a gravel or mulch dog run to keep your grass and shrubs safe.

9. Create Focal Points with Decorative Planters

Vibrantly colored and artistic containers can double as garden art while housing your plants. Grow a cluster of plants with similar needs in attractive containers placed strategically around your outdoor space to create focal points in each direction.

10. Impact > Quantity

Build one or two key garden areas with exotic-looking plants for maximum impact as opposed to multiple beds and borders in all corners of your yard. Center your efforts to the areas you will visit most, like surrounding your porch or deck, to be able to most enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Low-maintenance features will eliminate your time spent sustaining and allow you to spend more time admiring your yard. Enjoy your beautifully simplified space from the comfort of your outdoor patio furniture.

Did you know that roughly 72 percent of U.S. households have a grill? That means more than 200 million people can enjoy one of summer’s greatest activities: grilling on the patio. If you’re one of the millions of lucky Americans who takes advantage of “grilling season” (mid-May through mid-September) there are several things you can be doing to ensure that your grill is properly cared for so you can grill up delicious flavors all summer long.

Know Proper Maintenance Techniques

First, you should regularly check for propane leaks throughout the summer by running soapy water along the gas line and connections. Bubbles indicate a leak that can be fixed by tightening the connection or replacing the line.

Second, to maintain your grill it’s important to keep it covered when not in use. If you can’t find a grill cover, try to keep it stored in a location where it will be safe from the elements to avoid rusting.

While thorough cleanings are essential for increasing the lifespan of your grill, quick, regular cleanings are also important and should be done after every use. Make sure you brush down the grates and wipe down the exterior with a wet rag or Windex.

Deep Clean Your Grill Annually

If you are a seasonal griller, experts recommend deep-cleaning your grill once or twice every year. If you grill year-round, however, deep-cleaning should be done every few months. Keep an eye out for gunk build-up to know when your grill needs to be cleaned. Between veggies falling through the grates, marinade splattering on the hood, and burger grease coating the burners, it’s fairly easy to determine when your grill is ready for a hearty deep-clean.

When the time comes, follow these instructions for quick, effective grill cleaning.

1. Scrub

Give the grates a hard scrub with your grill brush. Even if you are meticulous about brushing the grates before and after use, you should begin every grill-cleaning session by using a little extra force to make sure you get off all the chunks of charred veggies, meats, or fish. Don’t be afraid to use the brush’s metal scraper to tackle those super-stubborn spots. Once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed the top side of the grates, remove them from the grill and repeat the necessary steps to ensure the bottom sides of the grates are equally scrubbed.  

2. Wash

After removing the grates, you’ll likely notice the grime built up on the burner protectors. These protectors are designed to keep grease and other matter from clogging the actual burners and tend to need the most attention when cleaning. Remove these protectors and place them in a bucket with warm, soapy water. After letting them soak for a few minutes, take a kitchen sponge and give them a good scrub. The grime should come right off.

3. Wipe

While the burner protectors are drying, remove the actual burners and rinse them with soapy water. If your burners are difficult to remove, take a damp sponge and give them a thorough wipe-down. Even though they are protected, you’ll be surprised at the amount of grime that you remove.

4. Scrape

With the grates, protectors, and burners all clean, it’s now times to tackle the biggest step of grill cleaning: the bottom plates. Remove these underneath plates – they should pull right out. Using your grill brush, scrape and scrub off big chunks of char. Depending on the level of grime your grill has, you can use the sponge and soapy water to remove even more dirt, though this is not essential for the cleaning process.

While these plates are out, use your grill brush to scrape away any chunks and debris from the bottom tray. Most of these trays are easily removable, allowing you to dispose of loose grime by simply tossing it in the trash. If you can’t remove your tray, use a vacuum to remove the debris. Again, you can use your soapy sponge for an added level of cleaning if desired.

5. Re-assemble

With all grill elements clean and dry, it’s time to re-assemble your grill. Carefully replace the bottom tray, and slide in the plates. Cover the burners with the clean protectors and secure grates in their prospective areas.

With your grill in tip-top shape, it’s time to get the rest of your patio perfect for summer get-togethers. Visit RST Brands today to see how you can spruce up your patio and create your ideal outdoor living space.