Accessories, more for outdoor living

Accessorizing an outdoor living area used to be pretty much limited to color-coordinating your citronella candles.

But my, how times have changed.

Manufacturers have taken the term “outdoor room” literally, creating decorative accessories and other items that make outdoor spaces just as beautiful and livable as indoor rooms. Here are some of the goodies we’ve found:

Outdoor lighting: Table lamps, floor lamps and chandeliers designed for outdoor use look almost identical to indoor versions, with shades made of weather-resistant fabrics. One table lamp we liked at B&G Fireplace & Patio, made by Catalina Lighting, is designed to fit into the umbrella hole of a patio table and has a clamp that holds it in place, even in the wind.

Umbrellas: Sure, you can buy an umbrella big enough to shade a table. But what about one that’s big enough to shade an entire deck or hot tub?

A number of manufacturers are making 11-foot-wide, cantilevered umbrellas that swivel and tilt in any direction you want, and the coverage area is big enough that you don’t have to keep readjusting, notes Michael Cortina of The Great Escape in Jackson Township.

Another cool umbrella option is Hampton Bay’s solar-powered version. This 9-foot umbrella has four solar panels to soak up the sun’s energy and provide up to four hours’ worth of power to the white lights that twinkle on the spokes at night. The umbrella is being sold exclusively to Home Depot stores. Because not all stores carry identical merchandise, it’s wise to call first.

Storage ottomans: These little stools can prop up your feet, hold a tray of drinks or serve as extra seating, and their lift-off lids reveal space for storage. Pier One has storage stools that come with either a green, blue or violet cushion to match its rocking director’s chairs.

Rugs: While outdoor area rugs are becoming more popular, many aren’t all that soft underfoot. One exception is Tyndall Creek Furniture Co.’s plush polypropylene rugs. They resist mildew and fading, and they come in stripes, tweeds and solid colors with contrasting borders. Names of dealers can be found at www.tyndallcreek.com.

Heaters: Propane-powered patio heaters warm up a chilly evening and extend the season for those of us in colder climates. The propane tank is hidden in the bottom of the unit, but the heating element is overhead, out of harm’s way.

One unusual variation is the All Season’s Table from O.W. Lee Co., which puts the patio heater in the center of a 54-inch round, wrought-iron table with a top made of tumbled-stone mosaic, granite or faux stone. The heater can be replaced with an umbrella in the warmer months. Find dealers at www.owlee.com.

By Mary Beth Breckenridge

,small>Source: ohio.com/