FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e AUGUST 12, 2021 •AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 33
Outdoor living is hot: Tips to keep cool and comfortable
Outdoor living is hotter than ever - in
more ways than one - and creating spaces
that are not only functional but downright
enjoyable is the goal of most homeowners
today. No matter how you like to use your
outdoor environments, you’re probably
looking for ways to maximize your spaces
and make them as pleasant as possible,
for your family and your guests.
Here are tips for optimizing your home’s
outdoor spaces:
Practical and comfortable
seating solutions
When thinking about what type of seating
makes sense for each area, consider
who will be using it, for what purpose and
for how long. Make a list of how you want
to use the space. For instance, do you
intend it to be a kid-friendly area for brief
breaks between active outdoor games?
Will you use it for large family get-togethers
or small informal parties? Do you
need sturdy seating for people engaged in
DIY hobbies or getting together for a simple
outdoor meal? Or do you want a relaxing
oasis where a few adults can lounge
and sip cool drinks (with little umbrellas
in them, ideally) for hours?
Seating that can withstand the elements
is a must, but it’s also a good idea to
be realistic regarding out-of-season storage.
When it’s time to put your furniture
away, do you have enough storage
space? Choose furniture designed for the
outdoors that’s easy to store and care for.
What kind of furniture will get the most
use?
Try seating before you buy. A simple
stone bench, picnic table or wooden chair
may look fi ne, but if you want to make the
most of the outdoors, choose a couple of
options off ering maximum comfort.
Keeping cool
Shade is your best friend when trying
to keep any outdoor or semi-outdoor
space pleasant. If you don’t have shade
trees to block the sun during peak hours,
an awning, canopy or shade cloth works
well. Retractable awnings are very practical,
as you can use them only when needed.
Even a large table umbrella - strategically
placed - can help provide relief
from the sun. Take note when your space
is sunniest, and what direction the sunlight
primarily comes from, so you’ll
know where to install your shade cloth
or awning.
To help cool an outdoor area or semioutdoor
space like a garage, an evaporative
cooler like the Portacool 510 is an
option. A compact evaporative cooler differs
from an air conditioner because it
works with water and the ambient air to
naturally cool areas like your deck, porch
or patio. Unlike a fan, this type of cooler
doesn’t just blow hot air around - and it’s
not a mister, so the area around it won’t
get wet. You can use it in a variety of outdoor
settings to help keep people (and
pets) cooler on hot days. It is also mobile
and compact with rubberized wheels, so
it can be moved into any space where you
need cooling comfort.
Go for ambiance with accents
Strategic accents, whether visual, functional
or sensory, can be eff ective in creating
a mood. Choose either calming or
vibrant colors, depending on your desired
eff ect. Plants and fl owers are an easy addition
to round out your space. For the
ultimate patio or deck oasis in the evening,
a string of fairy lights or vintagestyle
bulbs is a simple lighting option with
a big impact, and lanterns or solar path
lights can add extra charm and ambiance.
Lastly, a good sound system can make an
enormous diff erence. Set up high-quality
and easy-to-use speakers, so you can listen
to music or the big game.
On the fl ip side, if your outdoor area is
all about creating DIY projects or working
on hobbies, set up a sturdy worktable.
Make sure you have all the supplies you
need nearby in waterproof containers and
install appropriate lighting in case you
need to keep working aft er sunset.
When preparing your outdoor space,
don’t be afraid to make it your own.
Outdoor spaces off er fl exibility when it
comes to design and purpose, but don’t
forget to make it comfortable. Visit
Portacool.com for more information on
making the most of your time outdoors
this summer.
— Courtesy of BPT
/WWWo.QNS.COm
/Portacool.com
