IDEAL INTERIORS : Decorate your verandah

A veranda is a roofed open gallery or porch. It is also described as an open pillared gallery, generally roofed, and built around a central structure. It is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of a structure or more commonly a house. A veranda can be used as a family place to spend time together telling stories, planning for the future, hearing each others out and bonding. After dinner a veranda is also a useful place for one to relax before going to bed. So this place also needs a little touch here and there so as to give it a warm feeling. Verandas come in all kinds of styles and shapes. There is the gazebo style veranda, which gives an open-air feel and enables you to enjoy the fresh air while being sheltered from the sun. Then there is the curved roof veranda. This benefit from it’s shape of the roof, which is higher at the centre of the curve, giving a feeling of openness and extra space. Some people believe the verandas are designed only for larger properties. But this is not true. Verandas can be created in different sizes to suit the properties for which they are intended. Even if you have a small property and a small garden the right style of veranda can enhance what you already have. Flowers & Plants It is no secret that a veranda or other outdoor space can look sensational when different flowers and plants are added to it. They certainly soften the overall look beautifully. Don’t aim for too much to begin with though; start with just two or three plants and see how you get on. The best plants to try will vary depending on several things, including where you live, the type of soil you have in your garden and what type of weather you generally get. You also need to bear in mind which direction your garden is facing in, since this will affect how much sun it gets during the day in the summer months Pot plants are the most suitable to add to since, they are easy to manage and will not demand so much of your resources to get them. Also, they can be moved from place to place so as to necessitate a change from time to time when it becomes too monotonous to have them in one place. First step is to decide where to place them and the space they shall use. This will, resultantly, give an idea of the design, size and type of the pots to purchase and also, the plants that shall be suited for the spots selected. Lastly, all you have to do is purchase the flower and pots then plant. It is important to always water them. Outdoor furniture If you are already have a veranda and have never thought about what furniture to use, then read furniture magazines, visit your local furniture shops or Google around for more information about what kind of furniture are suitable for outdoor. The first consideration when it comes to choosing your furniture is how big your veranda is. Do you have more than one area that you could use to place furniture in? Some people like to save their bigger pieces of furniture to use on their veranda for something a little more intimate and peaceful. In this case you might find that instead of going out and buying a brand new large veranda table and chairs, what you actually need is a small set for the bottom of the veranda. By considering what your needs are you will find it much easier to organize your furniture in a way that will ensure it is used much more often. Outdoor dining When the weather is good there is nothing to match the experience of eating outdoors in the company of friends and family. And there is no doubt that having a veranda big enough to accommodate everyone is the ultimate in luxury.But if you are fairly new to the idea of dining outside, how do you really make sure it goes well without hiccups? Let’s assume first of all that you will be accepting your guests during the early evening. That means it may be light when they arrive, but dark by the time the meal is finished. Lighting is therefore a top concern, as you don’t want to be caught out running around trying to find some candles while the sun is going down! Choose some elegant candles of a color that matches any table linen you are using; white or cream always looks good if you are unsure. It also pays to choose ones that have a long burning life. Cheaper candles don’t tend to last as long and you don’t want to be up and down replacing them the whole evening. If there are children present make sure the candles are well out of reach. Enjoy your veranda as it lasts! Ends

Lifestyle

IDEAL INTERIORS : Decorate your verandah