
Temps are rising, the water is warming, and it won’t be long until the kids are out of school. Spring is roaring its way toward summer, alright. Are you planning to spruce up your outdoor space, say, purchasing new patio furniture, maybe? Hop on your search engine. There are some great deals online right now.
The world of online shopping opens so many avenues to explore. Your options are unlimited. You can shop nearly anywhere in the United States from your living room. You may even discover deals from other countries that are too good to pass up… if you can tolerate waiting a while for the goods to arrive due to shipping that is.
In addition to the large department store chains and home improvement giants, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot, you can shop at smaller mom-and-pop establishments. Like the big guys, small local stores need to move their older merchandise for different reasons, though, perhaps.
Large stores likely place their orders months in advance. Mom-and-pops may not already have other merchandise on the way, but local shops are motivated to keep merchandise moving just the same. It keeps the locals’ interest peaked. Take patio furniture, for instance, if the same set is on display year after year, people may be less inclined to keep returning to the store assuming they won’t see anything new.
Don’t be shy about bartering
Whether shopping with the big name stores or smaller local establishments, don’t be shy about throwing a lower price at the staff member assisting you. If they are unable to cut a deal, they will seek out their manager who does usually have that authority.
A good rule of thumb is to ask for a bit larger price cut than you expect to receive and work backward from that point. If you’re not in the habit of bartering, give it a go! You may be surprised to find you have the knack! And even if you appear a bit awkward, remember, they want the stuff off the floor so no harm no foul as far as we’re concerned!
Lots of places already have their merchandise marked way down, but you won’t know how far they are actually willing to go until you ask.
It’s so easy to shop around!
Online shopping also makes comparison shopping a breeze. If you have a specific maker in mind or have found a set of furniture that you want, a mere copy and paste of the item name produces a list of comparisons. From there, you can consider whether or not any provide free shipping—which could immediately be the deciding factor, right?
Completely change the ambiance
Scoring a good deal on new patio furniture may leave enough in the budget to make other changes. For instance, outdoor rugs are popular for outdoor living areas. Choosing one that matches your decor theme can help completely change the ambiance throughout the space. Potted plants or small water features are great mood setters too. They convey comfort and serenity creating a very relaxing environment.
Once everything is in place, you may choose to take things a step further and enclose your space. Some companies offer a customization feature. You provide them with a digital image or choose one from the company catalog and they reproduce it directly onto the screens. Thanks to technology advancements, the dyes are infused with anti-fade properties that keep the images vibrant for years. Even here in Florida!
Homeowners rave about the transformations they achieve. It’s entirely possible to create a backyard getaway spot that is so inviting you will never want to leave! Just knowing it’s there waiting will get you through the reality of work and other obligations that tend to stress us out from time to time.
- In addition to increasing your sense of privacy, screen enclosures provide homeowners with several benefits you and your family can enjoy year-round.
Bug blocker
Mesh screen enclosures are finely woven preventing all manner of bugs and insects from invading your space. No more permeating the air with the distinctive aroma of insect repellant or sitting amid a mass of citronella-filled tiki torches either.
Gather up the fly swatters and store them away because they won’t be necessary anymore either. Imagine sitting outside in the evening and not having to slap at a mosquito even once!
While we’re on the subject of keeping things out… snakes, the occasional gator, and other small wildlife won’t show up unannounced.
Stays cleaner
Your patio, pool, or lanai stays cleaner after putting up your enclosure too. Your enclosure keeps storm and ordinary yard debris out in the yard where it belongs! That means no more cleaning up before you can sit and enjoy the fresh air after the rains pass.
UV Protection
Mesh screens filter the sun’s rays so your skin isn’t exposed to the full strength of the sun. Not only will your family and friends receive some UV protection, but your new patio furniture won’t suffer sun fade as quickly. That’s a big plus too!
Bringing it home
Whether or not you find the perfect patio furniture or make this the year that you create that awesome getaway spot, the importance of spending time with your family remains paramount.
We get that.
Home is where your heart is. So ultimately, creating a different environment for your family to enjoy is for having a space where you come together and “do life.” Whether that’s family game night, hosting Grandpa’s birthday party, or finding a quiet space for a much-needed heart-to-heart, the emphasis is on banding together.
A strong family bond is more important now than ever.