Montgomery Decor

There’s something about the rustic look that makes an area not only look but feel warm and inviting. Turn your outdoor patio or entertaining area into a treasure trove of yesteryear with some simple solutions to brighten up the dullest space by using some of these ideas.

1. Rustic outdoor furniture

Transform the area instantly with the use of wood or wrought iron furniture. Old and worn out timber pieces can be neatened up with a light sanding, followed by a rich stain and a coat of varnish.

Wrought iron benches, love seats and tables scattered around the patio provide additional seating for informal gatherings. Create your own rustic furniture with logs and leather.

2. Ornaments or plaques

Liven up the walls with some relics from the past. Wire candle holders will also add to the atmosphere for night time entertaining.

Get creative with those bits and pieces you were going to throw away. Take an old clock and put a timber or cane frame around it. Hang a weathervane or bird feeder from the rafters of the veranda.

3. Heritage colours

It is no accident that heritage buildings give a sense of stepping back in time. Using the accepted heritage colours on painted surfaces gives a genuine feeling of the past. Use colours such as clotted cream, mission brown or rivergum green to brighten up an old dresser.

4. Wind chimes

Wind chimes not only look appealing they have the added benefit of filling the outdoor patio area with sound.

Make your own with heavy pipes and wooden chucks or hefty hollowed out bamboo poles.

5. Straw and bamboo furnishings

Floor mats or blinds made from straw and bamboo are pleasing to the eye and have practical uses as well. Position a blind to protect from the afternoon sun. Use straw or cane matting as placemats or drink coasters on the table.

Fill some cane baskets with pine cones, pot pouri or other seed pods.

6. Plants

Plants in clay or terracotta pots or hanging baskets will remind you of your childhood holidays spent with grandparents or weekends in the country.

Train vines and creepers along a wrought iron trellis or arches. or hanging baskets will remind you of your childhood holidays spent with grandparents or weekends in the country.

7. Lighting fixtures

Keep it old with wrought iron frames that use iron cups for encasing the light fixtures or use candles in wire holders hung along the edges of the veranda. Scour the second had shops for others cast offs. You’ll be surprised what a quick clean and fresh coat of paint can achieve. Add a new shade in nostalgic fabric and tassels.

8. Garden Bridge

Wooden bridges over fish ponds can give any yard an instant rustic feel. Use recyled hardwood timbers for the hand rails and railway sleepers for the floor. Bridge kits can be bought on line if you want to build your own. Not only do bridges provide a walkway from one side of the pond to the other but they are aesthetically pleasing to the eye and create a focal point while looking out from your patio.

9. Handcrafted items

Nothing says rustic as well as handcrafted items. Use left over scraps of fabric or timber to create wall plaques and table ornaments. Line an old cane basket with a hand sewn placemat as a bread warmer or hand the drinks around on a tray made out of wooden triangular off cuts. The internet is a great source for ideas on hand made goods or head down to any charity fete if you’re not so handy yourself.

What about a timber or wrought iron wine rack hanging on the wall or ceramic statues on timber shelving? Don’t stop with these nine ideas to create a rustic look for your outdoor patio. The only limits are your imagination.

Install-a-Veranda is Australia’s leading supplier and installer of verandas, patios, pergolas and carports. For a free consultation please visit Verandas.

When the weather is perfect, Aussies tend to spend more time on their verandas or under their pergolas than inside the house. Whether you need to build a veranda or perk up an existing area, a bit of thought, imagination and planning will see you on your way to enjoying more of your leisure time in the great outdoors. Create a space that’s warm and inviting by following these five simple steps.

1. Lights for Ambiance

Unless you only use your house patio for afternoon teas, chances are the bulk of time spent on your patio will be at night. A bit of thoughtful planning can have the area bathed in a soft glow emanating from cleverly placed lighting.

Instead of traditional lights it is well worth looking into the cheaper and easy to install alternatives. Solar lights along paths leading to the veranda are cost and energy efficient and easily installed. Freestanding lamps can be found at flea markets and garage sales. Spruce them up with a new shade and energy efficient light bulbs. Stand them either side of the entrance to your pergola or veranda for an instant lift.

Is there anything warmer or more inviting than candle light? Candle holders can vary from recycled glass (think honey jar or wine bottle) to clay lanterns. Use citronella candles and you have protection from mosquitoes as well.

2. A Firepit for Cooking or for Warmth

Why not move away from the traditional barbecue that you see on other verandas and use a fire pit for cooking? A built in firepit can also be the focus of the area with seating strategically placed for cosy gatherings around the fire on those cooler nights. Add a grill plate or rotisserie and you can have your guests helping to cook their own meal.

Imagine slow roasting one of the larger joints of meat or a whole fish in the ground in the Polynesian fashion or vegetable packs wrapped in foil and hidden in the coals. The possibilities are endless.

3. Landscaped Areas on the Verge of the Patio

Not only do you want the patio area to look good it is important that the surrounding areas are inviting too. Pergolas are the perfect spot to introduce some greenery. Train a grape vine and in a couple of years you’ll be eating the fruit as well as providing a shady spot in summer when you need it.

Build a rockery and garden beds around the edge of the veranda and plant them with marigolds and petunias for colour and vibrancy.

4. Add Some Awnings or Blinds to Keep Out the Sun

If the budget allows, installing awnings or blinds can be a great investment, are a stylish addition to verandas and keep the area protected from the sun.

Bamboo blinds are a cheaper alternative and may lead you on to creating a tropical theme. If you are keen enough you can even make your own. There are plenty of web sites providing instructions. Source the materials from your local hardware store and you’ll be shaded in no time.

5. Create a Water Feature

For so many of us living in suburbia the cooling sound of a rippling brook is out of reach. This is easily remedied with a simple water fountain. Incorporate a fish pond in to your plans before you build a veranda or make it an additional feature if the veranda is already established.

By using a little imagination and creativity your outdoor area can come to life in a weekend providing a relaxed atmosphere for family and friends.

Install-a-Veranda is Australia’s leading supplier and installer of verandas, patios, pergolas and carports. For a free consultation please visit Pergolas.