Are they the same as fish tanks? Though water-gardens can contain ornamental fish, primary function and goal of a water-garden is to display a number of aquatic plants as well as other features like fountains, waterfalls, rocks, under-water lights, and other architectural features like a small bridge, benches and other things. The water-gardens add to the beauty of your landscape and garden.

Are water-gardens big or small? Water-gardens can be of any size, shape and placed anywhere in the garden; away from the walls of your home or right adjacent to the home along one wall. Formerly water needed to be diverted from a river, lake or a spring. Today, thanks to the modern water pump, it is possible to create a water garden anywhere. Water gets recirculated with the help of motor and remains fresh and oxygenated.

Are they indoors or outdoors? Today it is possible to have a small-size water-garden right in your drawing room or balcony if you do not have any or enough garden space. While the out-door area water-gardens can also vary in sizes – right from a small area of green oasis, today it is possible to have an indoor container water-garden – having almost all the features you can enjoy having in your outdoor water-garden – but in a miniature size.

What are the kinds of plants you can use? You can have submerged plants, marginal and floating plants. Floating plants are generally kept to a minimum as some fast growing free-floaters can hog the entire water surface. Sunshine is important to the plants, but algae can result and sometimes can become a menace which can be controlled with aquatic plants.

Along with mechanical filters, aquatic plants also function as filters to keep the water clean keeping out debris. Containing the algae growth, and utilizing all the nutrients, they offer a beautiful way of keeping the eco-balance perfect in your water-garden. Here are some beautiful looking water-gardens from Water Garden Design Build.

With Many Aquatic Plants

With Stone Bench to Enjoy

With Bubbling Waterfall Feature

Under the Greenwood Tree

Right Next to Your Home

Pretty Looking near the Entrance

Colourful Water Garden with Lights

You can have an all equipped outdoor kitchen if you have enough space in backyard, front yard or in the garden. But even if you have only limited space – like a balcony or a terrace, you can still set up a mini outdoor kitchen with a portable kitchen island with a stove or an oven that can be connected to a power outlet in the terrace. All it takes is planning.

A barbeque may be cheaper but if you want to do all kinds of cooking, you may need more appliances. Especially for a poolside or a place some distance from your indoor kitchen, you may need a refrigerator as well. It is not imperative that you have to buy all immediately. You can slowly add stuff to make it as comfortable as you want it according to your budget. Whether it is a terrace outdoor kitchen or a garden outdoor kitchen, you may need a parasol or sunshade over the table and some shade over the cooking area as well – options like pergolas. Storage also is a must as you may not be rushing into your indoor kitchen for every requirement. You can talk to your interior decorator or surf the net for options.

Here are some beautiful outdoor kitchens from Preferred Properties Landscaping. All are fully equipped and offer exciting options for you to have nice outdoor parties. Look at the parasol fixed to the kitchen countertop for shade.

Hope you will also find something to your liking and have a great time with your outdoor kitchens.

Spick and Span Looking Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen with Sea View

Outdoor Cooking Range

Neat and Comprehensively Done Outdoor Kitchen

Hot and Spicy Meal Times

Granite Countertop with Built-in Folded Sunshade

Countertop Set Adjacent to Indoors

Beautifully Furnished Outdoor Kitchen

What kind of area you are furnishing as sitting area? Is it 24/7 exposed to elements? Is there a shade which can offer some cover for you and the furniture? Do you need an umbrella or sunshade put up? These are the details that you must take into account when selecting the material of your furniture and adding a parasol/sunshade to the purchase. Check again where you are thinking of putting it. Is it in a part of a garden/lawn or is it on hard floors like deck, terrace? A terrace/deck with firm flooring can put up with a lot of weight. You can go for wrought iron chairs, tables and coffee tables, big cantilever sunshades and one or more loungers as well. But lawn furniture must be light and portable and not harming the grass.

Nothing looks as classy as teak wood furniture but the cost can be high. Cast aluminium, full aluminium, wrought iron furniture and synthetic resin over aluminium frames can last long outdoor and wear well. Polycarbonate & fibreglass chairs, and chairs made from recycled materials are also available – light-weight and vividly coloured. You can use chair covers cushions, bolsters and pillows to add to the comfort and color to your patio. Make sure you have a space nearby to store them and the material used does not fade and stands well to exposure. But go for high-quality stuff, reduce time spent on maintenance and have great looking outdoor furniture.

Here, check out some beautiful outdoor furniture from RODA.

Rocker for Sunday Morning Reading

Relaxing Times in Comfort

Pool Side Relaxing Defined

Nice and Comfy for Relaxing

Front Yard Sitting Comfort

Cosy Tea Deck Set

Beautiful for Blissful Sunning

Outdoor garden furniture is available in traditional as well as contemporary styles. Traditional teak or oak wood furniture looks classic and is long lasting. It should be treated regularly with wood preserver and kept indoors under extreme weather conditions. Rattan furniture is the best option for those who are looking for a contemporary look. Hand woven natural rattan furniture looks stylish and makes an impression. It looks equally stylish as indoor furniture. With plump cushions and sleek glass tables rattan furniture sets create an elegant ambiance for an indoor living room or lounge. Another advantage of rattan furniture is that it is light weight and weather resistant. Synthetic rattan that looks like natural rattan is also available. It is much more durable and maintenance free. Synthetic rattan furniture is water and frost proof and UV resistant.

Another option for outdoor furniture is to opt for aluminum, metal and mesh furniture. Aluminum and metal are ideal materials for exclusive garden furniture, as they are sturdy, light weight to move around and rust proof. They can be left outside throughout the year. Also they are affordable and hard wearing. If space is an issue garden chairs can be folded and stacked away after the use. There is another elegant range of garden furniture available made from mixed material. They are made from the mix of metal, wood and glass. This range of furniture looks vibrant and distinctive. Glass finish can cheer up even the cloudiest, dull day with its sparkle. For an ultra modern, sleek look you can select a silver framed table with black glass top, chairs with black wooden slat and a colorful parasol. This will brighten up your dull day.

Image Courtesy: The Green Scene

Outdoor Garden Furniture Zen Garden

Outdoor Garden Furniture Wrought Iron

Outdoor Garden Furniture Poolside Patio

Outdoor Garden Furniture Patio Pergola

Outdoor Garden Furniture Bold Contrast Colors

Outdoor Garden Furniture in White

Patio And Outdoor Garden And Deck Design Ideas

Lavish Patio And Outdoor Garden And Deck Design Ideas

Beautiful Outdoor Garden And Landscaping Design Ideas

Beautiful Outdoor Garden Water Fountain And Landscaping Design Ideas

Beautiful Tiles Modern Landscaping Design Ideas

Stylish Outdoor Garden And Landscaping Decor

Romantic Outdoor Patio And Garden Landscaping Designs

Romantic Outdoor Landscaping And Beautiful Patio Designs

Luxurious Beach House Outdoor Patio And Garden Landscaping Designs

Lavish Beach House Outdoor Patio And Garden Landscaping Designs

Luxurious Beach House Outdoor Patio And Garden Landscaping Designs

Luxurious Beach House Outdoor Patio And Garden Landscaping Designs

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Single Seat And Double Seat

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Side View

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Side Accessories

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Couple Seater

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Romantic Garden Furniture

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Brown Seater Furniture

Attractive Garden And Outdoor Furniture Designs – Black Seater

Italian Chair Manufacturer Black And White Lounge Chair – Garden Chair

Italian Chair Manufacturer Black And White Fabric Lounge Chair – Garden Chair

Italian Chair Manufacturer Black And White Lounge Chair – Patio Furniture

Italian Chair Manufacturer Black And White Lounge Chair – Garden Chair

Outdoor Garden Furniture Using Free Hanging Swing – White Frame Design

Outdoor Garden Furniture Using Free Hanging Swing – White Frame Design

Outdoor Garden Furniture Using Free Hanging Swing – Brown Frame Design

Outdoor Garden Furniture Using Free Hanging Swing – Single Swing Large Size

Outdoor Garden Furniture Using Free Hanging Swing – Black Frame Design

Fireplaces are integral to a home in a cold climate although some homes in hot climates too like to have ornate fireplaces only for the attractive and old world ambience that they can lend to a living space. As opposed to the traditional fireplaces in old houses, the fire places today come in a variety of models. Most of these fireplaces are portable which are especially useful when throwing outdoor parties. If you are planning on hosting a garden party on a cold winter night, a couple of these portable fireplaces strategically placed about the garden will give a cosy ambience. Huddling around these portable fireplaces with drinks and snacks and reminiscing about the good old times will surely make this a party which you will always look back on with nostalgia.

These fireplaces are all very contemporary as opposed to the traditional fireplaces made from brick and stone and the facade, hearth and the mantel. Whether traditional or contemporary, there is no doubt that a fireplace adds character to a living space and inevitably becomes the focal point of the room where friends and family can gather around with their drinks and chatter. Neoclassicism became the rage through 19th century Europe, drawing inspiration from Napoleonic and British influence which also had elements of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Fireplaces in the classical mould were marked by a blend of refined materials and graceful proportions. Traditional, Country European, Arts & Crafts Laid-Back Lodge, 20th-Century European and Smooth Southwest are some of the other Fireplace styles.

A fireplace consists of the facade, hearth and the mantle. The facade is the decorative border around the fireplace. The traditional fireplaces had the brick or stone facades but the contemporary style fireplaces now have been experimenting with alternative materials such as concrete, glass or metal. The hearth is the floor of the fireplace and generally extends into the room. It is mostly paved with brick, flagstone or cement. Hearths shield the floors or the walls from damage by burning embers. You can give a traditional or a contemporary twist to the hearth by the choice of materials such as stone tiles, unglazed Terra-cotta Tiles, hand painted tiles, mosaic glass tiles or Black slate tiles. The most traditional are the stone tiles and using large tiles with rough surfaces will give the farmhouse effect. Mediterranean countries are partial to terra-cota tiles which are versatile and blend easily with the traditional and contemporary decor. You can use unglazed terra-cota tiles to give a charming rustic look to the fireplace. Furthermore, hand painting these tiles will give the rustic look a touch of elegance.

Mosaic glass tiles are ideal if you want the contemporary look and these come in a variety of finishes ranging from matte to iridescent. In the same vein black glass tiles also give a modern look to the hearth. Fireplace mantels also known as mantelpieces can trace their origin to medieval times as the hood that protrudes over the grate to block the smoke. But today, mantels have also come to include the decorative framework around the fireplace and these intricate designs can also extend to the ceiling.

Outdoor Fireplace For Patio

Outdoor Fireplace For Your Garden

Outdoor Fireplace At The Entrance Door

Outdoor Fireplace Along The Verandah

Outdoor Or Indoor Enclosed Fireplace

Outdoor Fireplace Along The Swimming Pool

Decorative Fireplace Along The Terrace Walls Of Balcony

Indoor Decorative Fireplace For Coffee Or Dining Table

Indoor Decor Fireplace Inside A Wall

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Outdoor White Furniture For Terrace And Garden

Black And White Furniture For Terrace And Garden