have a fabulous backyard space wit hout a huge
budget. This was not the case before. Products are now so readily available and at such
great prices that you can have your garden
paradise right in your own backyard and on
your budget!
QWhat are the things to really avoid
Ain setting up an outdoor room?
Too many colors and lack of a point
of view!
QMaintenance is always an issue. Are
there ways to streamline that process
Aduring the planning stages?
If you want to keep things low maintenance, choose a style that doesn’t need a
lot of plant material, such as a desert garden
or a rock garden. Choose grasses and plants
that don’t require a lot of water, deadheading
or pruning. You can also cover the ground with
other elements besides ground cover, such as
brick, flagstone, gravel or river rock.
Add more hardscape and small patios,
but if you still want it to be intimate, make
sure you vary the materials used. For instance,
you could change the size of the rocks if you
are using a lot of river rock but keep the color
the same. Soften the areas with plant material, but the entire space does not need to
be planted.
QUltimately, how can an outdoor room
Aadd to your life? Why bother with this?
The outdoors of your home is something
you’re paying for each month, so you
might as well add on to the square footage of
your home, go outside and enjoy it! Host parties, relax in the afternoon with a book or
watch the kids play. Outdoor spaces can host
so many different activities, and once yours is
set up you won’t be confined to the square
footage of your indoor spaces. C
and a cast-aluminum chaise lounge with
wheels (Item #663011). It’s a great value for
furniture of this quality.
■ The Sunterra Waterfall Gardens pond
kit (Item #781212) offers an easy way to install
Costco is offering a complete line a complete water garden in your yard.
of “must-haves” for your outdoor ■ The American Cypress hammock
room this spring. The best way (Item #663004), featuring reversible Sunbrella TM
to see the entire collection is to fabric, has a quilted bed and striking wooden
browse at your local warehouse or online frame. It’s as comfortable as it is attractive.
at costco.com (go to “hardware & outdoor ■ The 11-foot market umbrella
living,” then “patio furniture & accessories”). (Item #663005) features a unique three-tier
Many of these products have been upgraded design and Sunbrella fabric that allows the
this year with new fabric or stronger materials umbrella to stand up better in the wind.
such as stainless steel. ■ The Penzance Collection patio set on
Here are just a few of the highlights. costco.com combines Old World styling with
■ The Agio 10-piece sling patio set with modern cast aluminum. It’s offered in seven-
a stone-top tables (Item #662634) is a beautiful piece (Item #837379) and five-piece (Item #837312)
centerpiece for your outdoor room. The cast- sets. The swivel chairs are a fun addition.
aluminum construction means these pieces
will handle the rigors of weather and time.
Complement this set with Agio’s sling chaise
lounge (Item #662649).
■ If you prefer wood, consider the seven-piece wood dining set (several item numbers).
Costco wooden outdoor furniture now uses
only sustainable, nonthreatened types of
woods. You’ll love the style and functionality
of this set—and the fact that it’s environmentally sensitive.
■ The Kirkland Signature TM by Brown
Jordan line is an exciting, stylish collection
from this well-respected name in furnishings. ■ Also on costco.com, Leon deep
ARTICLE FEEDBACK
The collection consists of a nine-piece cast- seating collections are available in various
aluminum dining set (Item #663009), a five- configurations (several item numbers, includ-
piece cast-aluminum café set (Item #663010) ing the Lead Patina Five-Piece Collection,
item #863168, above), featuring elegant pat-
terns with matching cushions.
Other outdoor essentials at Costco
include patio sets in woven resin, wooden ice
chests to keep beverages cold, three-
person swings, slate fire pits, bird-
baths and bird-feeder sets, lanterns and
patio torches, mosquito traps and much more.
The great outdoors is truly great!
—Jim Nelson, Costco lawn
and garden buyer
Relax with the 11-foot market
umbrella and the American Cypress
hammock, right. At left, the Sunterra
Waterfall Gardens pond kit.
