Just because your balcony is small doesn’t mean that you should leave it as an empty space.There are lots of things you can do to make it a little more stylish, such as plants, furniture and small decorative touches. Here are a few ideas you can explore:

Small Furniture
Adding small furniture is a smart way to enhance your balcony. It can be just a table and chair. While it may not be ideal for practical use because of its small size, it can certainly still create a homey and cozy feel. Opt for wooden chairs over plastic, and add a small cushion and decorative table cloth for a little more style and personality.

Plants and Flowers
There’s no a better way to decorate your outdoor patio than to add plants and flowers. Try using hanging plants to add some dimension and variety to the space and to bring a softer, more organic feel to the balcony. Another advantage to hanging plants is that they create a little added privacy, as well as shade. You can also make use of the wall of the balcony by having vines and climbing plants run up the walls. Beautifully painted flower pots can also help take your look to the next level.

Artwork
Small statues and paintings can also add some sophistication to your small patio. One or two pieces of stylish art can make a big difference to a small area.

A Stylish Rug
A rug can be another decorative feature of the balcony. There are lots of outdoor designs that are weather resistant and that go well with plants and pots.

Lights
A lamp is a great touch for your patio. It won’t take up much space and it will illuminate the entire space. It will also make a handy addition to the space for anyone hoping to read in the evening. Some lights work better than others, so you should be a little selective about what kind of lamp you use. You can even use candle lights (preferably electric ones) to enhance the patio at night.

Decorative rocks
Rocks can actually be surprisingly decorative to a patio. When they are placed in the right way, they can make a good background. If you want to go further you can have these rocks painted or decorated. They don’t have to be large, of course. You can use small rocks to complement the flowers and plants that are already there.

As more condos are being built and more people are choosing small economical places in the city, it’s more important than ever to get used to small patios. Make the most of your patio by making it your own, settling in, and making it a comfortable place to relax on a sunny afternoon.

Have you ever looked at parts of your home and wondered why they go unused when there are lots of things you could do with that space?

Pause for a moment and consider how you spend your week — do you use it trying to unwind from a tough day at work? If so, then a bar could be a great way to relax in your spare time, making it a worthwhile investment into your home. The best part of having a patio bar is that you’re spending time outdoors, getting fresh air and using your backyard, which for most people are largely underused.

The opposite of a dive bar

Sometimes the bars that you end up going to aren’t very warm and inviting, which really takes away from the experience of having fun on a night out. You are in charge of your patio’s design, so imagine what would make you feel cozy and happy A fire pit is a great addition that will help you stay warm, establish the mood, and impress even the toughest of friends and family. They’re easy to use and only require inexpensive fuel to keep the flame roaring!

Cozy furniture
Outdoor furniture is built to withstand all types of weather, so don’t be afraid to buy seating with fabric as part of the upholstery or pillow treatment! For a more upscale look, choose plastic wicker chairs with high backs and wooden legs, and for rustic appeal, sofas with plush cushions are sure to make it easy to take a quick nap in the sun while lying outside on the patio with a drink (that was mixed in the outdoor bar!) in hand.

Patio enclosures
Patio structures that provide some shelter from the weather come in a variety of options. They can be waterproof to hold back the rain and snow, or open to allow maximum sunlight through during the day. Having a roof over your head means you can read, relax, and even prepare food or drinks regardless of rain or shine.

Green is relaxing
The best garden patio bar combines nature as the perfect backdrop and an outdoor bar stocked with your favourite drinks. Green gardens don’t have to be fancy to be great; there are plenty of plants with interesting shapes and silhouettes to beef up your garden.

Infinity Gardens offers a wide variety of plants to make your garden your perfect paradise! Take a look through our selection for inspiration on your next big garden renovation, and contact us today for more information.

An outdoor fireplace is about the classiest choice for upgrading your patio there is, but there are so many options available that if you took the time to review them all, your head would spin!

It’s important to start with the basics when you’re looking to invest in an outdoor fireplace to help narrow down your choice once it’s time to make your purchase. Let’s go through some of the categories and features of fireplaces on the market to get a broad overview of the best that outdoor fireplaces have to offer!

Looking at the materials
Fireplaces can be made from a variety of sturdy materials to endure the weather, so your main consideration is how it looks. Different materials will leave a different impression, and it’s key to making the right choice.

Although it is possible to refinish your fireplace, it’s better to simply make the right decision in the first place! Here are a few important factors to keep in mind:

• Red brick brings a warm colour to the surroundings, and it’s a classic choice when it comes to fixtures that get really hot, such as fireplaces and ovens;
• Stucco is cheap and leaves a unique finish in a variety of colours, with the brightest hues in yellow or blue;
• Stone looks expensive, and its appearance reflects its cost.

Gas or wood?
There are two typical ways of fueling chimneys. Gas fireplaces are more predictable, quick to start up, and less finicky, while wood chimneys are authentic. There is nothing like the smell of burning wood from a fireplace, and you can even do classic things like roast marshmallows or chestnuts over the open fire.

You can even install the necessary hardware to turn the hearth into a cooking fireplace where you can roast meals in the traditional style of food preparation.

Sizes and shapes
For outdoor fireplaces, you largely aren’t as restricted by space as much as you would be if you were adding an indoor fireplace. As such, there are many options when it comes to the external design, ranging from height to the shape of its silhouette to choosing detailed architectural work.

Your outdoor fireplace can be used throughout the year, and you might even find yourself using it more than your indoor fireplace. Adding this fixture to your yard is a great way to spend more time outdoors, especially since for most people, backyards are underused!

Outdoor fireplaces, patio furniture, and patio enclosures are some of the ways to spruce up your yard. For other, greener ideas, consider sprucing up the garden with new plants. Come take a look at what we have in store for your next outdoor project!

When flipping through your favourite interior design magazine, you’ll find great inspiration for your home. What the stack of lovely magazines on your coffee table can’t help you with is turning that inspiration into a complete transformation of your space. In this article, we’ll discuss affordable makeovers that will upgrade the look of your back yard in simple, do-able steps!

Gazebos for beauty and function
Gazebos can cost anywhere from under $100 to a few thousand dollars, which gives you a wide range of options when it comes to accommodating your budget. Gazebos are made in a variety of styles:

• large or small
• wooden, metal, or plastic structure
• glass or fabric roofs
• foldable or permanent

They not only add visual interest to your yard, it helps you enjoy the outdoors in rain or shine.

Tip: the key to making the most of a gazebo is ensuring that it’s not too small or too large for your patio.

Night lighting for ambience
Being outdoors shouldn’t be restricted to when the sun is up, which makes porch lighting a priority over some other decorations in your yard. There are even more options when it comes to setting up lighting!

Using string lights suitable for the outdoors gives an ad hoc, quirky but romantic feeling to your patio, whereas professionally installed in-ground or ensconced lighting makes it more permanent and less susceptible to damage in bad weather. Outdoor lighting ranges from less than $50 to several hundreds of dollars, with a large selection at your local home hardware store.

Tip: opt for lights with solar panels to reduce energy use.

Barefoot on the patio
There is nothing like feeling organic materials on your skin, so if your patio is not safe or comfortable enough to walk on barefoot, you might consider renovating the flooring. The most affordable options are clay tile or leftover concrete and brick. If your budget allows, the better the quality of the flooring, the more luxurious your patio will seem. An expensive stone isn’t everyone’s style — in fact, reclaimed wood is another amazing option that will give a perfectly rustic charm to the area.

There are endless creative ways to make your patio a favourite spot for you and your friends. Regardless of how much effort you put into your patio, it won’t be half as enjoyable if the yard is lackluster. Gardening is a very easy and rewarding hobby to get into, so contact our experts if you have any questions about lawn care or a garden makeovers!

If you’re thinking of building your own patio (or hiring a professional to do it), you may be wondering what type of materials to use. Wood is durable, sustainable, and stands up to the elements. Although we may only use our patios during the summer months, wood stays intact during the winter so it doesn’t need to be replaced after every season. There are many woods available for patio building, but there are six in particular that are best suited for this type of construction.

1. Mahogany

This is a tropical hardwood that ages incredibly well. Mahogany is resistant to rot and pests that like to make a meal out of patio wood. As it ages, mahogany takes on a silvery hue but still preserves its natural beauty. It is both durable and easy to maintain.

2. Redwood

This wood is soft and turns grey as it ages. Redwood is rot-resistant but needs to be sealed at least once a year to avoid blackening. However, that does not mean that redwood won’t last. It is a very dependable wood that ages well.

3. Cedar

Cedar is a very common material used in the construction of patios. It ages well and stands up to moisture, heat, rain, sun, and cold. Cedar requires little maintenance and can last as long as your home does.

4. Ipé

This bug and rot resistant wood is gaining popularity because of it’s beauty and heavy weight. Ipé is so dense that it is as difficult to burn as concrete. The only issue with this type of wood is that is considered “designer wood” and can be quite pricy.

5. Acacia

Acacia trees grow everywhere, so much so, that they are considered an invasive species. This wood is easy to find and ages nicely. Acacia stands up to the elements, especially water, and when treated, will rarely discolour and preserve its golden brown hue.

6. Cypress

This type of wood is stable, barely shrinks or swells, and doesn’t require a tonne of maintenance. Cedar doesn’t rot easily and holds its own against insects. As it ages, cedar turns a silver grey, but like Ipé, is a little pricier than the other wood options.

The wood you choose should be cultivated responsibly. If you are purchasing it yourself, ask the clerk at the lumber yard where the wood comes from and how it was harvested from the tree. Most woods bear proper certification that show that they were not taken from protected areas like national parks or rainforests.

For more information about patio wood, or to have Infinity Gardens build one for you, contact us. We’ll do all the work so you can enjoy a gorgeous wooden patio that lasts a long time.

If you’re planning on selling your home, there are certain things you can do to increase its resale value. Even if you’re simply looking to do some renovations, it’s never a bad idea to add a few special touches to your property. When most people think of resale value home tweaks, they often concentrate on the inside of the house; however, it is the backyard that can give your property a good financial boost.

If you’re not sure where to begin, try one of these five property value increases:

1. Fences

Adding fencing along your property provides security and creates boundaries. Fences make your house more secure and have the added bonus of keeping out pesky animals that will eat and dig up your grass and garden. Fencing, unless it is chainlink, adds value to your home, but remember that you will need to check with your city’s bylaws to see what height is acceptable.

2. Retaining Walls

These special walls add colour and texture to your backyard. They can double as walkways and offer stability to a deck or patio. Retaining walls also offer an option to get rid of useless backyard space and limit erosion caused by water runoff.

3. Patios and Decks

Decks and patios create an extra room, except instead of being inside, this room is outside of the house. Patios and decks add space to barbecue, and provide a place to entertain and hang out. With wood and stones, you can add a long-lasting deck or patio to your property that can increase its value by up to 80%.

4. Proper Irrigation

When it comes to backyards, many people ignore irrigation. There’s only so much that rain can do to keep your lawn and garden hydrated. Installing a proper irrigation system adds value to your home and keeps your lawn and gardens looking fresh, so when your property is shown to potential buyers, they’ll be impressed by your gorgeous, lush lawn.

5. Landscaping

Total yard makeovers are a great value add for any property. Landscaping can even increase the total square footage of your home and make a smaller property appear bigger.

Although it may be tempting, do not add a pool. They are not cost-effective and actually decrease your property’s value. Unless you live in a climate that allows for year-round swimming – which our Canadian weather does not – adding a pool doesn’t make sense.

When it comes to construction and home renovations, it’s always best to use the services of a professional. For more information and resale value ideas, contact us. Let Infinity Gardens provide your home with the right add-ons to start a bidding war over your property.