Create an outdoor retreat

Eye for Design
By Lorette Mawson

It’s time to create an outdoor haven to relax; whether you are dealing with a small budget or one that allows you to splurge, summer is about having a place to kick back, relax and entertain.
With today’s selection of patio furniture, staying on budget is an easy task. Basic chairs and tables can be jazzed up with inexpensive seat cushions, tablecloths, and various-sized lanterns. These can be found pretty much anywhere, from hardware stores to home decor stores. The same goes for outdoor rugs, which you can find in sizes and prices to fit any budget.
For splurging, canopies are a wonderful way to enjoy dining in the great outdoors. They come in many price points, with some that have closed-in sides to keep pesky critters at bay.
Even if you only have the space for a little corner, making it comfortable with a great lounge chair for soaking up the sun, along with a small side table for a nice cold drink, you should create a spot to enjoy. If only our summers would outlast our winters, we could really get into some outdoor lounging.