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Outdoor parties can be a hit, especially during fine weather when your guests can bask in the sun or dance under the stars on a clear summer night. Outdoor parties are fun, different and memorable. To pull one however, you need to plan carefully and ensure that you have the right infrastructure in place. In this article, we give you a checklist of things to tick off as you plan your next out door party.

Weather matters

It goes without saying that rain and snow don’t go well with outdoor parties. But even beyond the obvious, there are some other less obvious areas that you need to watch out for. For example, having an outdoor party on a moonlit night can be magical if you minimize the artificial lighting and allow for some of the areas to be lit by the moon.

On dark nights, you might want to increase the amount of artificial lighting so that there are no dark spaces. Remember to alert your guests about the nature of the party so they come dressed appropriately.  You don’t want your guests shivering outside on a chilly night because they came dressed for an indoor party.

Foods and drinks

Foods and drinks are the life and soul of a party. Ensure that the guests always have a constant supply of foods and drinks. Depending on the number of guests, you can use the help of your family members to serve the refreshments. For larger parties, consider getting hired help ranging from professional wait staff to recruiting a few young people from your neighbourhood to help out. Having an outdoor kitchen and bar would come in handy in ensuring that the food and drinks are within reach of your guests.

While setting up an outdoor kitchen and bar might seem like a sizable investment, it will add sizzle to your outdoor parties and enhance the beauty of your house. There are many professional contractors that can help you install your outdoor kitchen and bar in Toronto and it is worth having a look at what they have to offer.

Music and entertainment

This is an essential ingredient to any party. Ensure that in the selection of your play list, you have thought through the tastes and likes of your friends. This means that if you are into off-the-beaten-track kind of music, remember that your guests might not and so go with music that is a little more mainstream.  This goes for entertainment as well. If you are hosting a children party for example, a clown act might be far more appropriate for such a setting while the same might look a little odd for an adult party.

Keep in mind that most cities have laws on noise and ensure that you comply with the law on this. The last thing you want is the police showing up to shut down your party because you are making too much noise for your neighbours.

Outdoor parties can be incredible fun. Having the right infrastructure in place will make it much easier to host such parties. In this sense then, investing in an outdoor kitchen and bar is something you should seriously consider. Thinking about entertainment, food and the weather in advance will also go a long way in making your party really fun!

A pergola does not need to be a boring structure in your garden. With its function to provide a shady path or sitting area in your garden, you can double its purpose by making it a striking feature or a highlight within that space of yours. You don’t have to settle with vines alone to make it look inviting.

Be it an extension of a building, a link between pavilions or a free standing pergola, you can do a lot of things to make it an interesting garden feature. But before you start to give an old pergola a makeover or if you are planning to have one, read on and know what is ‘in’. Here are ideas on the latest designs and features for these outdoor structures.

Adjustable roof panels

Traditional pergolas used wooden slabs and panels for roofs. Today, adjustable roof panels are now available even in DIY marts. This is essential in controlling the amount of sunlight you get.

Trees in the background

A good idea to build a pergola is to wrap it around a sturdy tree. This will not only serve as a post but will provide a good shade especially during the summer season. Its blooms will be useful in adorning the roof of your pergola. Another option is to have a tree for a backdrop.

Timbre as a material

Timbre, especially cedar or redwood are perfect for gardens. These colours will blend well with nature and could match with other items. It will add more to that woody ambiance thus promoting a more relaxed feeling.

Patio and deck inclusions

A pergola can be beautiful on its own but its appearance can be accentuated by incorporating its structure with a patio or deck. Both structures can benefit if this is the case. When placed strategically, a patio or a deck can serve as a ‘traffic zone’ for the seating area.

Two open sides instead of the usual four

Ideally, a pergola has four open sides but you can opt to have two open sides only with the two adorned with trellises. Just see to it that the plants woven to it blend well with the landscaping and with the rest of the garden greens.

Use of light weighing fabrics

A good way to uplift a dull looking pergola is to hang lightweight fabrics that extend from its beams to the floorings. It should be on an light shade that matches the colour of the cushions or sofas. To stay on the safe side, opt for a semi-transparent white cloth.

Emphasis on ceilings and columns

As for more advanced designs, this architectural structure plays with multiple ceiling heights and with bolder columns. Much emphasis is given to the roof as this is has a great impact on the overall appearance of the structure.

Concave pergolas

For those who want to make a change, have your pergola constructed apart from the traditional square or rectangular design. Have it in a concave style. This can be made either from wood or stainless steel metal.

Add-ons

If budget is not a concern, a small swimming pool in the middle or in a corner can be a highlight. To give warmth on cold evenings, a fireplace can be built but its colour should not deviate from the main theme. This does not only make you feel warm but will also be an attractive piece to adorn your pergola.

As you have seen, there are a lot of great things you can add to the traditional-looking pergola. If you want, you can check our gallery of custom outdoor structures to have an idea of what you want for this architectural inclusion that will enhance your outdoors.

Do you doubt whether a pool cabana is a good fixture on your property? A pool cabana, which is most cases a small house beside a pool, can greatly complement a backyard. It is what will transform your backyard on a whole new level. Summer is here and many people love to enjoy swimming at any time in their home without having to go to a hotel. Don’t you consider yourself lucky because you have a pool at home? It is only fair that you exploit it as much as you can. There is no better way of doing this other than having a cabana built. Do you want to know its benefits? Here are some of them:

Extending your entertainment space into the outdoors

We all love pool parties, don’t we? If you have a pool at home, you certainly know how such parties are enjoyable. The turnout is normally very high because everyone wants to have fun by the pool side. Are you organizing a birthday pool party for your husband? Then a cabana is all what you need. You would wish to entertain your friends, but you don’t want them to have to go back to your house to change into their swimming costumes. That can be very inconveniencing, right?

A cabana will limit your guests only to the pool area. They will use the washrooms there instead of the ones in your house. A cabana is also a place where guests can change into their swimwear and so there will be no traffic in your home. You will also have plenty of space to serve them with food and drinks. Additionally, you will not need to monitor your guests because they will all be in one place. Isn’t that what you want? Have a cabana constructed.

To provide an extra space for storage of items

Just like a basement, a cabana can be a perfect area to store your items when it is not in use. This is especially during winter when it is extremely cold. It is an ideal place to keep all the toys your kids use to play with when they are in the pool. You can also store the chemicals which are normally used to clean the pool.

Do you have extra deck chairs and tables? Store them in the cabana. Store anything else there that is not needed in the house. When summer comes you will only need to arrange them in the cabana as opposed to moving them from the house. Create a large playing area for your kids in your house by keeping some of the unused items in the cabana.

To increase the value of your house

Where else a pool in a backyard increases the value of a home in the real estate sector, a pool cabana increases it even higher. If you are planning to sell your home in the future, then you should definitely have a cabana. The real estate market is very competitive and you need to have a better strategy if you want to get a good price for your home.

If you sell it with the cabana, you will make more money. The cabana will attract more potential buyers and they will all be competing for your house. It could even result into a bidding completion where the highest bidder gets the house. A buyer can even offer double the amount of what you are asking for just to purchase the property.

It can act as a home gym

Apart from just swimming for pleasure in a pool, people also exercise in water. A cabana can be the perfect area where you can have fitness equipment. By doing so, you will have a private gym in your house. The equipment doesn’t have to occupy all the space in your home, you can have specific time set only for exercising. Moreover, you can enjoy the cabana throughout the year.

There are different styles and designs that you can choose from

Cabanas come in a wide variety of styles and designs and so you can choose one among the many. You don’t have to plan the design yourself because there are professional companies which specialize in the construction of cabanas. You can inform the experts what you want your cabana to look like and then leave them to install it for you.

You can even ask them to install a hot tub in the cabana for more comfort. A kitchen, a bathroom and a changing are all standard inclusions, but you can choose whichever design you want. Whichever idea you have, it can be transformed into reality. There is no limit to creativity when it comes to the cabanas and you can help the professionals create your dream pool cabana.

There are many more benefits of having pool cabanas. The ones explained above are just some of them. Give your home a new look by having a pool cabana in Toronto. You will never regret having made this decision!

If you do not have the luxury of time to visit the beach very often, why not bring the beach right into your homes? Yes, you can make this happen by adding some beach-inspired designs for your outdoor space. Here are some of the ideas you can consider:

Colourful porch

People these days are no longer afraid of playing with colours for almost anything that they have built. Now, you can choose to have a colourful porch that highlights greens depicting that of nature. You can add vibrant hues inside the porch and use some asymmetrical designs for your throw pillows. You may also opt to paint piece of furniture with nature-inspired colours to bring in that beach vibe into the outdoor structure.

An intimate porch

The beach is a perfect getaway for couples who want to have a romantic day together. Choose to have a second-floor porch in your home so it will be easier to keep things private between you and your partner even when the bright lights of the sun are up. Use solid railings and overhanging eaves to make the entire idea more perfect. Bring in some cosy, dark-coloured furniture pieces in the area to make it more romantic. Make sure though that the cushions go more on the lighter colour.

The tropical porch

The beach is often associated with the tropical theme and what better way to have a beach-inspired outdoor theme than to have a tropical porch designed for you. Turn your casual gatherings into an alfresco setting with a porch that comes with louvered doors that seem to open to a better view of your garden or your swimming pool. Since a tropical porch typically is mostly made of wooden materials, you can add a soft touch to it by using some canvas curtains for more privacy within the area. You can accentuate the whole area with furniture pieces or pillows that come in a blue colour hue for added beach-inspired effect.

An outdoor structure for fish prep

If you want to enjoy the beach even more, you will certainly love the idea of a fish prep station in the outdoors where you can cook the freshest catch for the day. You can choose to have it designed right into your garage. Save some space for your very own fish grilling station too just in case you feel like eating your fish hot off the grill.

Fully-functional outdoor kitchen

You can use that small area in your porch to have a tucked-in kitchen where you can cook food whilst dining out with friends and loved ones. Designing this are using white colours will bring in that beach atmosphere into the addition. Paint everything white and add some touch of wooden furniture pieces to the idea. You can also include a charcoal grill in that cosy space of yours.

The perfectly-built sunroom

The beach is always associated with the sun thus it will be a good idea to have an outdoor space with a sunroom if you feel like bringing in the beach right into your own home. You can have a sunroom attached into your home and enjoy your very own breathtaking sceneries in your garden even with the most adverse weather outside. You can opt to have some sides of the structure open too so you can breathe in some fresh air if you want.

Asian-themed pergola

Some Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia are best known for their beaches thus if you want a real feel of the beach, why not incorporate an Asian-themed design into your pergola? You can have a comfortable seating area in your pergola and plant some vines so that when these plants grow, you will be able to enjoy your very own canopy that seems to be growing out of nowhere. Yes the vines will be able to create that canopy for you. You can also draw inspiration from the beaches in Bermuda and the Mediterranean.

An open-air pavilion

If you want to have that breathy, comfortable of the outdoors similar to what you experience when you visit the beaches around town, you can build an open-air pavilion near your pool area. You can use the same place when you want to entertain guests at night time or even if you want to take time out from the scorching heat of the sun during pool parties. You can mix and match colours in the area but it will be best to have some blues and whites all around. You can put in wooden lounging chairs into the pavilion then add a porthole-style window just near the pavilion’s roof. Canvas curtains can be used in it too.

Try browsing through our pool sheds and cabanas and see which one amongst our designs will spark up the perfect beach inspiration for your home. Feel free to consult us for any designs that you have in mind as we are able to customise the outdoor structures you desire for your outdoor living space.

Have you always wanted to add an outdoor structure to your existing exterior living space? Well if you have that in mind then you have to understand very well which type of structure will fit into that space of yours. There are plenty of them you can enjoy and whilst you think every outdoor structure is the same but differ in terms of purpose they serve, you have to realise that there are other differences to take note of.

Understanding outdoor structures

Before digging deeper into the different types of outdoor structures available for you to choose from, let us have an overview of what outdoor structures are. These multi-functional structures must feature a lot of things, the most notable of which is how it will protect you from weather elements considering that it has to go through all those as it stands there in your outdoor living space. Also, they are something that should offer you comfort when you feel the stresses of daily living. They should also be able to define that space of yours so you can have a better way to enjoy the outdoors.

What makes these outdoor structures highly favourable for many is the fact that you can already have them customised according to your purpose. There are even structures that can now be used in more ways than you can imagine. With that, let us get to know each outdoor structure even better.

Pergolas

Pergolas are often confused with other outdoor structures like the trellis or arbour but the truth is it can be different from the other two. These are free-standing structures that have columns or posts used to basically support the trelliswork’s open roof. In order to accentuate your pergolas, you can train plants and vines allowing them to climb on the structure for that rustic, mesmerising charm. Likewise, you can add a canopy for added protection from the weather outside. If you want your pergolas to look more romantic and private, you can consider adding pergola curtains.

Trellises

Another structure to add to your outdoor living space is the trellis. Trellises, like pergolas, are designed with an open framework and come with a lattice where climbing plants can be placed to beautify the structure. You can choose trellises made out of wood or metal or vinyl. Some trellises can be free-standing whilst others can be attached to your home depending on your choice. You can make use of them too if you need extra room but there is not enough in your home.

Arbours

Arbours, the other type of structure often mistaken as a pergola, are actually smaller than trellises or even pergolas for that matter. They are actually used in dividing various outdoor rooms or for framing a focal point in your backyard or garden. They can also define a point of entry to your home. Often, arbours are made out of rustic lattice or metal where plants like vines or even roses can climb.

Patio covers

If you want a more solid outdoor structure, patio covers are the perfect choices you can make. They are often built with lattice or trellis and also have a solid roof on them. Patio covers are great choices for you to enjoy the outdoors all-year round. They can serve as a space where you can welcome your guests or where you and the rest of the family can dine out anytime you want.

Gazebos

These octagonal structures also come with a solid roof like those of patio covers. They provide you with a full shade whilst you enjoy the views from the outdoors. They are perfect additions if you have either French or an English inspired garden. You and your family, neighbours or friends can enjoy an intimate get together and at the same time have a breathtaking view of nature when using a gazebo. These gazebos can be flexible choices too since you can add o hot tub in the area or even put on some screens to guard you from insects.

Cabanas

If you want something to compliment your pool area then cabanas are great additions to your outdoor living space. These covered areas bring in a breath of fresh hair during those warm summer days. Some come with outdoor drapes thus allowing you to use the structure as a changing area after you have taken a plunge from the pool. Enjoy your snacks in the cabana’s lounging area or have some time to relax after a day’s dip in the swimming pool. You can also use it for entertainment purposes.

These are but some of the few choices you have when it comes to outdoor structures for your outdoor living space. It is good to note that no matter how varied they are from each other, you can now have custom outdoor structures to meet your needs. Feel free to contact us for such options!