The people display plants for many reasons, aesthetic value is one, enhancing the living space is always a great benefit. Keeping in mind the presentation is just as important as the plant, so this is where the plant stand enters. 

What better way to show off your plants then by placing it on a stand. With the right choice the plant and stand will complement each other and add to the ambiance of the room.  Plant stands are crafted from a variety of material like wood, wrought iron, wicker, metal even mirrored glass.  The choice of stand is determined by the style of room decor and the type of plant.  Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities.

Starting with what I believe to be the basic is the pedestal plant stand. This is an excellent way to display the single flowering plant, trailing vines, ferns or even a picky cactus. The pedestal stand is a great way to show off smaller plants like an orchid or violet, allowing the plant to make a statement that says look at me!  The single stand can be placed in empty or awkward corner to brighten the space.

Tiered plant stands are a very popular design. The stand has usually three (sometimes more) individual spots at varies heights for plants hence the word tiered.  This is an ideal arrangement for showing flowering plants that look great grouped together. This type of stand looks wonderful when placed in an area that has a little space, like a foyer or a sun room. Remember to fit the size of the plant to the stand.

Last but certainly not least is the corner stand. This type of unit generally provides a number of shelves that offer spacing for plants and they fit into corners. This stand also allows you to go outside the box.  You can create a grouping of plants such as an herb garden in the kitchen; mix in a few non plant items maybe a cook book or two and a container of utensils. Beauty and function – how great is that!

When you’re looking for a stand you should keep in mind the plant, your taste and personality. Most important though it should bring you pleasure!  Decide the type that will fit with your decor and the plant that you are placing on it.  There is a wide variety out there. Plants stands should complement the plant and enhance the space bringing beauty into your home!

Thank you very much Erika! I say these words to the author of the blog Our Cozy Cubbyhole where i took this article and pictures. I hope your blog will be very popular very soon.

As promised, here is part 2 of our backyard beautification project on Sunday.  While taking out the trash on Saturday, Walker and I saw a piece of furniture left out by the dumpster to be thrown away.  Granted it was ugly and wobbly but it was also free and had a lot of potential!  So we grabbed it and decided to give it a makeover so it could be used as backyard storage.  I think we made a big difference…

It is obviously a huge change so let me break down the steps we took to give this little TV stand a new identity as a backyard plant stand!

First things first, I sanded the unit down to make sure we could paint it.  I discovered that the dark paint was already its first makeover… it was originally white!  But it sanded down well and I loved the multiple layers of paint that will inevitably show when it begins to age.  So I decided to forgo primer (which I would ordinarily use on something this dark) so that the dark paint would show through a bit. I applied the first coat of lime green paint (leftover from my first accent wall in the bedroom) on Saturday afternoon and let it dry overnight.

Obviously I was happy about this project… haha! The next day I applied a second coat of paint, which made the finish mostly smooth (there are still some visible brush strokes and dark paint).  If I wanted to have the finish more even, I would have had to apply at least one more coat.  But since I was hoping the dark paint would begin to show underneath anyway, I figured I would help it out by applying one less coat!

Once the second coat of paint was dry, it was time to make the stand more sturdy.  I started by tightening all existing hardware but it was still pretty wobbly. My original idea was to get a piece of wood cut for the back to make it more sturdy but I really loved the open shelves. So instead I opted for installing 4 flat corner braces (totaling about $7 from Home Depot) to give it more support.  It seemed to do the job just fine (though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend putting anything too heavy on it like a human or an anvil).

Now that we were painted and sturdy, I decided to put some fun detail on the drawer.  Using painter’s tape as a guide, I measured out diagonal stripes on the drawer front. A helpful hint: use the tape as a reference for the space between the stripes you end up taping off (and just remove it before you paint obviously) to keep things nice and even. I used a can of white spray paint I had in the garage to spray the stripes onto the drawer.

After the white paint was dry, I removed the tape and put the drawer pulls back on.  I had to touch up one little area where the white paint got out of the lines also… but let’s pretend it came out perfectly the first time.

The final step was two coats of polyurethane spray to protect the wood (follow the instructions on the can to make sure you do this properly).  I mean I want it to age a little but I also still want it to be standing next week!  The polyurethane will slow down the impact of the elements on our little backyard TV plant stand.  Since I already had all of the supplies for this project except the braces, the entire makeover only cost a whopping $7!!

Once everything was totally dry, we were able to put our new wooden crate planter box on top (with some cut up pieces of wine cork underneath to raise the planter a bit and a piece of plastic to protect the top of the stand from the planter’s water drainage). We decided to only use one of the shelves to allow more space for our tall succulents. Lastly, we placed all of our gardening supplies into the drawer for convenient access!

The best part is that we can always remove the planter crate and use this stand as a bar when we entertain! WOO! Who want’s to come over for backyard cocktails?

One last little thing, as I mentioned in Saturday’s post if you like reading Our Cozy Cubbyhole, please vote for us in the Apartment Therapy Homies 2012 Awards.  We would LOVE to stay on the board to gain more readers!  Your support means a lot to us!! YOU ARE THE BEST! xoxo

Planning your backyard designing and placing of right furniture to fit in your backyard can bring in a great look to your garden. Here we shall discuss how to pick the best lawn chairs suitable for your garden.

• When it comes to placing chairs and garden benches you need to plan them with the right sort of wooden furniture or metal one that fits your garden design.
• Furniture cushion cover also matters a lot as they give a vibrant appearance to your garden.
• Setting up a garden lounge or comfortable rocking chair can also be a wonderful idea once you plan your furniture set up.
• Wicker furniture is usually light weighted and is available in different designs that are well-built to use over longer period.
• You can even extend your living room outside on the patios with perfect finishing of wooden flooring and fence to mark your living room that gives a refreshing look to your home outdoor.

Care on your furniture

It is important to take care on your furniture as you set them at your garden spacing. Changing weather can damage your furniture, so here are some of the effective tips to help you guide on protecting your garden furniture.

• Lacquers and Varnish are best for furniture that restores wood helps them last longer, but the toxic substances in the lacquers are more than that present in the varnish. Some people develop allergic conditions due to the toxic materials being included in the wood protection agents.
• Furniture covers made of plastic, leather and other water proof materials play a major role in protecting your garden chairs as they keep off excess sun light from damaging your garden furniture.
• Some of the common methods to protect your furniture are to protect them with covers, varnish, Tung wood oil or wood polish.
• You can try new umbrella table sets that are available in the markets to give a pleasing look to your garden that is made of wood, plastic or metal with cushion, which is economical and best in utility factor for a dinner and tea time at your garden.

Preparing your patio can help in creating a room for your friends and guest with a pleasing outlooks with freshness all around giving space for your entertainment time.

Repairing your patio can make your decorative activity interesting reducing the cost of purchasing new stuff for your patio. You can even make your patio more effective being beneficial when you plant some herbs, vegetables, fruits, fragrance plants and other medicinal plants that can yield you products for your daily use. We have different designs of patio decorative set ups as follows…

Mobile container garden

Setting up mobile garden is easier than any other gardening activity. All you need to do is get a tub like container, drill a hole at the corners for flow of excess water and for the entry of air in the soil. Fill the tub with sufficient amount of soil and plant some small plants or crotons that look fresh and bright in color all days.

Choosing the containers suitable for your place is more important as they play a major role in giving the right home outlook spreading freshness all around. Mobile container gardens are easy to set up and are convenient to maintain.

Patio design ideas

You can place your decorative furniture which includes outdoor seats, cough, lightings, fountains, patio decorative, placing them with a pleasant set up of roofs with some hanging pots with decorative plants and decors. Wall hangings, drop down décor hangings are some of the best decors for your garden to make them look amazing.

• To start your patio designing activity all you need to do is, analyze your spacing and plan your patio decorative ideas.
• You can get more interesting patio designs from internet checking out for patio designs, pictures that gives you interesting ideas and patterns to bring in suitable ideas to make your garden look beautiful.
• Plan your patio in such a way that they appear pleasing to your eyes with perfect arrangement of potted plants, flowering plants and decorative greeneries.
• You can give some pattern like appearance arranging the plants creating your dream home remarkable.
• You can make your decorative couch cushion covers attractive by picking some attractive colors and designs to make your outdoor patio look eye catchy.

Using wrought iron outdoors is a timeless way to give your home character. Wrought iron is not going out of style anytime soon. It has been used as home décor since the 16th century and continues to be popular today.

There are a variety of wrought iron items available for outdoor use. These items include:

• fences, gates, and stair railings,
• arbors, plant stands, and other garden accents,
• patio furniture.

Fencing, gates, and stair railings made from wrought iron give your home a majestic, almost castle-like feel. When wrought iron is used to enclose your yard, it makes the statement that what it is holding is important.

Wrought iron gates can even be used if you do not have wrought iron fencing as long as it compliments your existing fencing. A wrought iron gate or stair railing immediately gives a distinct character to your home’s entrance.

You can give your garden the look of an elegant Victorian Garden with the help of wrought iron. Use a wrought iron arbor at the entrance of your garden as a focal point and a place to grow a beautiful vine plant.

Or place a wrought iron gazebo or garden bench in the middle of your garden to give you a nice area to sit outdoors. Other garden décor items are available as well, including trellises and plant stands.

Patio furniture that is made of wrought iron is a great choice to accent your home’s outdoor living area. Not only does wrought iron patio furniture look great, but also it is very durable.

Wrought iron patio furniture comes in many different sizes, so there should be a set that is perfect for your outdoor area whether it is large or small.

Decorating your garden not only helps in supporting your fitness but also helps in giving a lovely look to your home as a whole. Garden decorative ideas and plans are usually unique as it depends on the space, one’s creativity and the type of plants they bring in to set their garden.

What makes your garden special?

Gardening activities can be fun and a great hobby to get indulged into with friends and kids having a holiday activity. First step you can do is to think how well you can make use of your back yards space to set up your garden. Have a look at some of the image collections on home gardens, now you can get some idea on what you can do with your space.

Prepare a layout and choose your garden plants that fit your place climate and soil type. A normal garden has collection of plants and a landscape set up, but don’t you feel some thing is missing to attract your visitors? Here are some special ideas to give a lively look to your garden!

• Patternize your garden with some colors on furniture, garden boundary walls, place a wall hanging, or a roof drop hanging decorative; place some garden furniture to give a complete look.

• If your garden is an extension of your living room with a shelter, you can set an effect of sit-out with some bright and pleasant colored sofa set or furniture with small table and decorative floral vase on it. This makes your place look eternally live!

• Garden step stones can also be set in some layout patterns making use of pebbles and sculptures, besides a small pond or fountain set up.

• You can arrange the greeneries and flowering plants as boarders so that they give a step like appearance leaving some empty space at the center.

• Garden lightings give your garden a heavenly look at the evening time pleasant for a tea time.

• You can place some hooks at the garden roof shelter to hand out some small pots with runner plants to give a green drop look with here and there.

A garden can be quite impossible to be nurtured and maintained in limited areas. This scenario has encouraged a lot of manufacturers of garden products to create various types of plant containers.

Along with this prevalent development comes the creation of plant stands which give attractive accent to plant containers to make them look more visible and appealing. They are creatively crafted from durable iron materials to maintain its good standing in the current market.

The Standard Scroll Stands are among the outstanding contributions in the plant stand industry today. It is built with a dimension of 48 inches in length and 9 inches in height which is ideal measurement to highlight various types of plant containers.

This type of stands can be placed in patios, decks, and porches to give a welcoming effect. Most of this type is made in custom sizes or custom lengths in order to fit with the specifications of every customer. This stand also adds extra space to any garden patios. It also goes well with different types of planters to create a perfect accent.

Most plant stands are made of iron materials. They create a melodramatic effect in housing plants and can be an excellent ornament for courtyards, garden terraces as well as verandas. It displays versatility and functionality that suit well with exterior and interior applications.

A plant stand places the plants sturdily in a level that can make it more visible while permitting a perfect drainage for the plants to thrive and flourish well. The powder-coated finish of these stands makes it last for years.

The solid frameworks of metal plant stands are built to withstand harsh weather conditions. It highlights lovely and colorful flowers while creating a perfect balance as they are placed on elegant and sturdy stands.

Garden enthusiasts and even garden product manufacturers can advice and provide some important tips on selecting the best plant stand that complements well with the design and theme of your home and its outdoor setting.

For years now, the demand for plant stands have tremendously increased. In fact, its manufacturers and suppliers consistently design and manufacture these garden products in various sizes, shapes and designs to satisfy the different needs and specifications of various customers.

Whether you want to use your little plot for work, rest or play, we’ve got a host of small-scale ideas that’ll help you maximize your outdoor space. Summer will be gone in the blink of an eye, so now’s the time to spend evenings and weekends enjoying the outdoors and with the perfect garden you won’t need to even leave the comfort of your own home. Even if you have a small city backyard garden or patio, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy nature, grow something green and entertain outdoors and Lazy Susan is here to share a few of our tips for maximizing patio space.

Probably not something a garden furniture company should be saying too loudly, but the key with a small outdoor space is to minimize your furniture if you have a small garden. We’re not gonna be very popular if we tell you to fill your small garden with a 10 seater garden furniture set. No, a love seat, two chairs and a bistro table are plenty for a small patio. Avoid keeping your BBQ in your garden/on your patio, that way the space can be used for living instead of just cooking.

To make the most of your outdoor area, consider furniture with built-in storage, such as benches with space on the sides, cocktail style tables with deeper wells, and planters that can also hold tools or children’s toys. When picking furniture, consider how much light your patio gets. If there’s lots of direct sunlight, then opt for a natural wood such as teak or cast aluminium furniture topped with cushions that will stay cool and not fade under the summer sun.

Make use of any walls and ceilings. Free up the floor by using the walls for your garden decor. Putting candleholders or a wall mounted water feature on the walls can enhance the ambiance without taking up valuable floor space, while outdoor shelving for items such as drinks or plants etc is a great practical space saver. Also consider adding wind chimes or hanging planters to add a little interest. Another good purchase is small fire pit that produces flames that’ll add a little warmth, lighting and mood. Perfect for the UK!

Wall art is another often overlooked garden accessory that should be given some serious thought. Patios and gardens that don’t get a great deal of sunlight are ideal for sculptures, fountains or wall art. A sculpture can tolerate any type of weather, and adding a coat of Thompson’s WaterSeal will keep it looking as good as new for many years to come. And why not go green?

A patio doesn’t have to be huge to be a growing ground for flowers and herbs. You can now purchase small pots made from rice that come with seeds for tomatoes, lettuce and herbs. For those on a budget, plants such as bamboo can be grown on a deck to add a splash of colour. Herbs like basil produce blooms and a lovely fresh aroma.

Meanwhile, those with space for a few annuals can grow bright blooms such as tulips and hyacinth’s. However, one thing you should avoid growingis viney fruits like strawberries in a small area because they can attract bugs. Otherwise, as long as your yard or garden gets direct sunlight, you can grow just about anything your heart desires.

Do a little research and have a look at some of the following top Lazy Susan space saving garden patio accessories:

Corner Plant Stands

An otherwise redundant corner can be brought to life by simply adding a tiered corner plant stand. You can also free up space but still retain ‘green’ interest with a planter fence, a clever way of incorporating a fence and planters all in one, that free’s up space for your Lazy Susan garden furniture.

Wall Shelving Not enough floor space for containers and pots? Then look for space on higher ground such as on window sills and on the exterior walls.

Mediterranean Style

Gardens Give the illusion of more space in your garden by keeping it simple and a Mediterranean style garden is the perfect solution.

The Minimalist Garden

Contemporary surfaces like wood, slate and metal create a garden that looks sleek, streamlined and spacious. A zen-like, minimalist garden can feature built-in seating and storage solutions.

Patio Gardening

If you have no flower beds to speak of and your garden consists of a dull slab of concrete, then bring it to life by mixing up a jumble of planters and containers filled with bright blooms.

Contemporary Decking

To help define your deck while maximising the sense of space, why not add a glass balustrade system to a deck. The new contemporary fusion glass panel system from Richard Burbidge for example adds interest to your deck without obscuring the view or the sun.

Add Colour

If your small garden gets little light, banish the shade by painting exterior walls in a warm, exotic colour.

Mini Water Features

Who says you need a grand stately home garden for displaying a water feature? There are some fantastic compact and wall mounted designs, in both traditional and contemporary styles, that’re are perfect for the smaller garden.

It’s always being said in the media that gardens have now become an extension of our homes, but many of the people who bandy this cliché about don’t really tell us much more than that we should all be embracing the ‘outdoor room’. However, the fundamentals of interior design do begin to become useful when you’re trying to make something of a small backyard or garden.

Small outdoor spaces benefit from the ideas you might usually associate with indoor rooms. For example, light bright paint, mirrors and focal objects can all help to create a delightfully intimate place to sip a coffee and smell the flowers. What you shouldn’t do is treat them like a standard garden.

You won’t benefit from, say, the kind of varied planting that a normal garden can enjoy. Stick to evergreens: box, ivy, camellias, rosemary, maybe grasses at a push. Or no planting at all: beautiful paint colours can do much to improve the brickwork that looms over you in a backyard.

Beware magazine images showing squishy, sofa-style furniture – those piles of cushions have to be lugged indoors whenever there’s a smatter of rain, then stored somewhere. Instead, keep things simple and weatherproof: a near maintenance-free space that needs little more than the odd sweep is the way forward.

The key is to give the eye somewhere to rest, a focal point is crucial in any small garden or backyard. Otherwise, the only thing you’ll be staring at is the back wall at the end of your garden.

To prevent the prison yard feel, think laterally about decorative objects. Anything wall-mounted is perfect. Pick a single idea and don’t elaborate: a focal point is a focal point because there’s only one of them to catch the eye immediately.

Paint is underused in tiny gardens, so render a brick wall, paint it white, dot with a few geraniums and you’re suddenly in a delightful Mediterranean courtyard rather than a claustrophobic urban jungle. Olives, sages, pale greys and blues are the perfect colours for outdoor enhancing light, and Farrow & Ball produce a fabulous range of exterior eggshell colours in a wonderful matt finish.

Cast Iron Plant Caddy, Cedar Dollie Set, and Plant Sconce with Scalloped Edge are some of the popular types of plant stands. Each plant stand is a timeless product creation that can be a stunning masterpiece to display various types of plants and flowers. Plant Sconce with Scalloped Edge is among the most prominent type which is typically made from rust-proof metal for stability and functionality.

It can be mounted on different surfaces conveying a unique style and versatility. This design is built with 13-inch long swivel arms with sturdy base that can hold the plants securely. These are decorative stands that are ideal embellishments in porches, patios, decks and other areas inside and outside of your home or any building. Oak plant stands, pine and cherry plant stands can also be a perfect way to show off your plants in different variations and designs.

Metal plant stands are made to last long and to go well with a range of traditional and modern decors. If you are one of those who love the idea of metal plant stands, you need to take some important concepts or information about it. Primarily, the designs for metal stands should remain simple to avoid pulling emphasis from the live plants or flowers. Next, it is also a good idea to choose a metal plant stand that is proportionally right with the living plants to achieve balance and symmetry.

Small and delicate plants like a pot of Primulas and huge ferns may look great if placed in a sturdy metal plant stand. However, it is very important to make sure that these metal stands are huge enough to hold any type of plant containers or planters to protect it from sudden movements and unwanted damages over time. Such type of stands can be availed from a variety of metals such as brass and cast iron. However, they can be subjected to corrosion or rusting. To make it last longer to use, you need to apply a metal sealant or a metal spray paint to ensure protection and durability.

What better way to enter your garden than with a complimentary wrought iron gate that has the beautiful curves and designs that are exclusive to wrought iron material.

Or, give your garden an inviting look by leaving it without a gate and using a wrought iron arbor instead, providing a beautiful entrance with flowering vine plants.

Smaller accessories for a garden that compliment your wrought iron enclosure and entrance are a must. A wrought iron garden bench located in the midst of your garden provides a comfortable place for relaxing and watching nature around you.

Wrought iron plant stands positioned at just the right places in your garden make it possible to raise the height of smaller potted plants to add visual interest.

So if you are looking for garden décor that is simple yet elegant, consider wrought iron. Using wrought iron throughout your garden is an easy way to unify the area and make it more visually interesting.

By: Amanda Taylor

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Get started home decorating with Wrought Iron today. Wrought Iron Depot can help you find the perfect wrought iron for your indoor or outdoor living area including information about wrought iron furniture, wrought iron railing, wrought iron chandelier, wrought iron home decor. Get the facts and info at www.wrought-iron-depot.com