Create A Friendly Southwestern Deck Or Patio



Posted: Friday, May 01, 2009

by Craig Chambers - Mission Del Rey
Mission Del Rey

Everyone is super busy these days so taking time to be outdoors is a nice way to stay healthy. We love spending time outside after working long hours indoors. In recent years, homes are built with outdoor living areas such as a patio or deck where peace and relaxation may be found. Especially if your home is small, a deck or patio is an excellent place to expand your living space for times of relaxation. We should surround ourselves on our deck or patio with the kind of decorating that pleases our sences. Southwestern decorating is an excellent way to show your love of beauty.

There are many creative ideas and artistic designs available to glean from when creating a special southwest space outdoors. A key element, if space allows, is a fire pit. This will possibly become the center focal point of your southwest space. Using a small contained fire to add a slight bit of warmth to the area as well as for toasting marshmallows or hot dogs for a fun family activity is ideal. A fire should never get large and out of control and children should be watched for safety sake.

Cushions in bold colors help tie in the southwest theme on your deck or patio. You may use your existing outdoor furniture or if you decide to purchase new, wrought iron would be a great choice. Your cushions should be in bright colors like red, gold, and green, and made of fabric that is water and mildew resistant especially if your outdoor space is not covered.

Look forward to the most fun and exciting part of your decorating project; choosing your own special accent pieces; Choosing southwest items for your space is a whole lot of fun. You may hang tropical ceramic birds at appropriate eye catching places. Hang red chile peppers in your area to create a real southwest theme. Mexican pottery, mission bells and wind chimes, skulls, used cowboy ropes, horseshoes, old western boots, mounted horns and free standing rustic fountains are just a few of the items you could incorporate. When using these elements together, your outdoor southwestern space becomes a welcoming and warm part of your home. Another nice effect is to have a CD softly playing Indian flute music in the background. Create a warm inviting space and keep the bothersome mosquitoes away by using citronella candles. Tools for grilling, as well as firewood, may be placed in woven baskets for convenience. There are so many options when making a choice about which items to use for your southwest deck or patio.

Plant life should be incorporated into your decorating scheme. For a warm and friendly environment, be sure to add plants to your room. But be sure to take care not to add poisonous or prickly plants within the reach of small children or pets. A plant native to the southwest is the cactus. Place a few in colorful pots around the edge of your patio space as well as on your patio table. The use of proper lighting to brighten up the area after the sun goes down is important especially if you plan to entertain. Rustic wrought iron lighting would serve well and would certainly play the part of giving a southwest welcome.

Your southwest patio or deck will become a favorite part of your home and will be a place where festive memories are made and special quiet times are enjoyed for years to come.

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Craig Chambers is the director of Mission Del Rey Southwest, and offers unique hand crafted southwest patio and deck decor items. Visit his website to get money saving rustic decorating tips and his popular Free Book - The Rustic Southwest Decorating Guide:: Southwest Patio Decor
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