Do you have a pooch? I do, and I know that she loves the outdoors just as much as I do. She also enjoys my patio. How do I give her access without cutting a hole in my wall or marring my beautiful patio doors? Is my pooch forced to wait for me to let her out before she can enjoy the patio?

Don’t despair, there are a variety of options for pet lovers with patios!

Some sliding glass doors come with the option of a pet panel. These attractive dog patio doors are designed to fit right in with your beautiful sliding glass doors. Far from an eyesore, these allow fido to come and go as he pleases without obstructing the beautiful view your sliding glass doors afford you.

Already have an older sliding patio door? No problem, there are many third party “one-size-fits-all” options available. An endless variety of colors and styles await the savvy shopper. Start, as always, on the internet, then move to your local store armed with the knowledge you need to spot a deal!

If you have a larger dog and are worried about security, never fear. Make sure your dog patio door comes equipped with a sturdy and handy door cover and latch so that you can leave home with the peace of mind that fido and your belongings are safe and secure!

As with any purchase, look for a guarantee. Seek out customer reviews online before you buy so that you can spot any potential issues. Go to the store with the proper information handy - dimensions of your door, preferred color, security needs and anything else you think you may need to make an informed dog patio door purchase!

Happy times on you patio, and tell fido he’s welcome!

During the day a patio umbrella can be a lifesaver. They keep the harmful sun rays off of your skin and keep your patio nice an cool for you and your guests. But what about the evening time? I know that nighttime is one of my favorite patio-sitting times. What good is an umbrella at night, though? Do they just take up space and create hassle as you struggle to take them down?

The answer of course is “absolutely not”!

There are a variety of lights available for umbrellas. Thats right. Patio umbrella lights can turn your daytime shade into nighttime bliss, in some instances at a very nominal price.

There are many patio umbrella lights available to enhance your current umbrella. No new umbrella required, these little beauties can be hung from your existing umbrella with ease. Most styles are attractive and unobtrusive, so you can leave them up all day when you sunbathe and simply switch them on when the sun goes down.

If you’re on the market for a  new umbrella, you’re in luck as well. There are some great patio umbrellas available with patio umbrella lights built right in! These have an undeniably classy look while being extremely functional and easy to use. If you’re like me and enjoy a cool night out on the patio with a margarita and a few friends, you wont regret purchasing one of these.

Don’t let your umbrella go to waste as soon as the sun goes down. Get some patio umbrella lights and use that umbrella to shed some light on your next nighttime patio party!

Sliding patio doors are a great looking option to consider when choosing a style of door for your patio. Sliding patio doors allow for maximum light penetration into your house and offer a sweeping floor to ceiling view of your patio from indoors. There are a variety of styles to choose from, from solid glass doors to attractive paned models.

Screens, either vinyl or metal, are installed. These are great - they let the breeze and wonderful outdoor smells inside while keeping unwanted visitors out. If possible, find a vinyl screen. They stand up to the test of time better than traditional aluminum screens do.

A great look isn’t the only benefit you get from your sliding patio doors (though it shouldn’t be understated, they ARE beautiful). Sliding patio doors can also help with your heating and electrical bills. Many models come with automotive style glazing and quality weather stripping ensuring an ultra tight seal - much tighter than you can expect with a traditional set of french doors. This keeps the heat (or the cool for that matter) inside where it belongs.

When building your new patio, don’t overlook the traditional beauty of sliding patio doors.

Wicker patio furniture is designed for light and bright patios. When you decide to go with wicker patio furniture, your number one concern is usually a balance of price and style. Wicker furniture is loved by ever age group and demographic.

Being popular with nearly every age group is what makes wicker patio furniture appealing to many people. When you have great quality wicker, the resale value of that patio furniture set is tremendous. Many people don’t consider the used sale price of their wicker patio furniture when they are purchasing their first set.

If you’re an experienced wicker furniture buyer, you know that there are a variety of types and qualities. If you end up with a low quality wicker patio furniture, you will be disappointed in a few months time when the wood of the wicker begins to unravel. Instead, save your money for a few months and buy the best quality wicker patio furniture you can afford.

After you buy wicker patio furniture keep in mind that it requires some upkeep. Don’t let the wicker patio furniture sit in the rain or in water. While wicker is designed to be able to take a beating, rain and standing water (puddles) will really make the wicker furniture last only a few years.

Paint your wicker if it is losing color. Most wicker patio furntiure is white. Most people like white for their patio furniture. Your wicker patio furniture is the exact same.

How do I paint wicker patio furniture?

Instead of grabbing that paint brush, grab a can of spray paint instead! Wicker patio furniture can be easily painted with a white spray paint can. Some companies are even making a wicker color paint. This paint is designed for the outdoors and should be purchased if available.

“Cheap” and “Discount” are bad words according to some people. But the savvy shopper knows different. So don’t shy away from discount patio cushions - unless you enjoy paying more than you need to.

When it comes to discount patio cushions, you want to look for a few things. First and most importantly, are they comfortable? You should always give a cushion the “sit test” before buying. Chances are if it’s poorly made, lumpy or uncomfortable in the store, it will be at home. Dont be afraid to test out all of the display models. You can even ask a salesperson to help you try a cushion not on display. Don’t be shy!

Next, look for weatherproofing. The most comfortable patio cushion in the world is no good to you if a little moisture ruins it. Ask your salesperson or search online for the manufacturers website. Find out whether or not the cushion you are looking for is indeed weatherproof, and whether or not a manufacturers guarantee covers any water damage to the product.

Finally, Pick a cushion that fits your patio’s motif. Discount patio cushions come in an endless array of colors, patterns, textures and fabrics. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Buy what looks good to you, after all, it will be you that sits around your patio fire pit, enjoying the comfort of your nice new discount patio cushions.