Sustainable and Eco Friendly Outdoor Decor Ideas
Make this fall greener by creating more eco-friendly outdoor living spaces. From switching out traditional furniture with sustainable alternatives and installing water features, these patio projects can help reduce environmental impact while enjoying nature.
Make an easy switch to solar-powered lights for walkways, lanterns and string lights that charge automatically through sunlight; or consider opting for natural swimming pools that use plants and rocks to naturally filter and oxygenate their waters.
Solar Lights
Solar lighting can make an excellent addition to patios and other outdoor living spaces, powered by solar panels and rechargeable batteries that store energy for use at night. Solar lights require no wiring plug-in and offer cost-effective ways to lower energy usage and carbon footprint.
Most solar lights are built to withstand harsh weather conditions like rain, wind, snow and heat; many feature built-in protection to extend longevity and performance. To be on the safe side, however, non-fixed solar lighting should be brought indoors during severe storm events like hurricanes or tornadoes to avoid damage and injury.
Solar lights can be utilized in multiple ways to create light and ambience. Some types of solar lighting are designed to illuminate pathways or garden features like flower beds, trees, sculptures or other landscaping elements; other forms may be mounted to buildings or posts for security lighting; decorative types might include string lights strung around patios and porches for festive looks or brightening walkways and stairs; flameless solar candles/torches also provide warmth without the risk of fire or spilled hot wax dripping down onto surfaces below them.
Solar lights work simply. A flat solar panel at the top of their fixture captures sunlight and converts it to direct current electricity using photovoltaic cells, before travelling through wires to be stored in batteries for later use. At night, when used for illumination purposes, this battery powers an LED (Light-Emitting Diode).
Some solar lights include a light sensor to determine whether it’s day or night, usually via a photoresistor that changes resistance depending on how much light is reaching its sensor – low for bright daylight and higher at night. This information is then relayed back to a controller circuit that turns LEDs on or off as needed.
Solar lighting often fails due to an undersized battery, making charging ineffective. To correct this design flaw, consult a reliable provider who offers accurate solar sizing.
Natural Pools
Natural pools utilize aquatic plants to form a self-cleaning ecosystem that adds beauty and serenity to any landscape, creating an idyllic place for swimming and relaxation. Ideal for large properties, natural pools provide a more organic aesthetic than conventional chlorine-filled pools while still complementing surrounding natural features like gardens or waterfalls.
These pools feature separate zones for swimming and water filtration, with up to 75% of their surface devoted to swim-ready areas. Water is circulated through a regeneration zone which filters out debris while plants like water lilies, cattails and Frog’s Bit act as natural swimmer-safe filters to keep the water clean and pure.
As with any outdoor feature, pools require periodic maintenance in order to remain healthy and safe for use. Regeneration zone maintenance includes thinning out plants to prevent overgrowth that could interfere with water flow; swimming zone checks should also be made regularly as safety issues should arise. These simple tasks can make an enormous difference when it comes to overall pool upkeep; for example reducing chemical treatments while creating eco-friendly alternatives to traditional pools.
As one way of increasing the sustainability of your outdoor living space, consider replacing plastic or paper products with biodegradable alternatives that are both more durable and come with biodegradability benefits. You could also start a compost pile to reduce food waste that ends up in landfills while simultaneously enriching soil by creating rich fertilizer-rich compost for fertilizing plants – keeping them happy and healthy in turn!
Make a commitment to reduce waste by opting for handmade decorations made with sustainable materials that you have made yourself. Not only will you reduce waste, but this allows you to craft unique conversation pieces!
No matter if you want to add a swim-up bar or simply need somewhere to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, these sustainable patio decor ideas can easily fit into your backyard paradise. Just remember how your decisions affect the environment before making any definitive choices.
Permeable Pavers
Permeable pavement systems differ from conventional asphalt or concrete pavement in that water can infiltrate into the soil rather than running off into storm drains, helping reduce pollutants that would otherwise enter local streams and lakes, as well as alleviate stress on local ecosystems. Permeable pavement systems are considered part of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI), which helps treat and reduce runoff at various applications and sites across various landscapes; this fact sheet provides technical details regarding design, installation, operation maintenance crediting for permeable pavement systems to inform planners engineers landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects landscape architects as well as local government officials about permeable pavement systems for permeable stormwater infrastructure (GSI).
Permeable paver products such as plastic grids, gravel and grass pavers all share the ability to absorb water and reduce stormwater runoff. When compared with asphalt or concrete surfaces, permeable pavers tend to be cheaper, durable and easier to repair while providing less erosion risk while creating habitat for wildlife by retaining soil nutrients and sediments.
Permeable pavements can become clogged with debris and pollutants over time, necessitating regular maintenance schedules to avoid clogging and maintain full functionality. Common maintenance tasks include regular inspections, cleaning, and removal of material causing blockages – for which checklists may be available from pavement organizations and local agencies.
Permeable pavements’ ability to absorb and store heat allows them to help cool urban runoff temperatures, thus decreasing the amount of salt necessary for deicing in winter time. Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have discovered that permeable asphalt requires only 0-25% of what would normally be applied as deicer in regular asphalt; saving both money and the environment. Permeable paving is just one element of green parking which also includes trees, rain gardens, art, solar covers and other creative elements designed to optimize parking lot performance; for more information visit The Green Parking Council website.
Water Feature
Water features can add visual appeal, provide a calming atmosphere, block noise and add movement to the landscape. They make great focal points, with options ranging from small bubblers and fountains to larger scale ponds, streams and waterfalls – not forgetting supporting animals and pollinators while improving soil. However, before diving in head first it’s essential that you understand all aspects of water features so you can decide if this idea suits you and your yard.
Fountains are among the most commonly seen water features, ranging in shape and size and from sculptures to simple pondless water features. Many fountains can even be solar powered for an eco-friendly option.
Another choice would be a fountain connected to a decorative statue or fountain, adding an artistic flourish to the landscape. Or you might opt for waterfall features as they’re ideal for turning an uneven or sloped backyard into a relaxing haven. Waterfalls also tend to come equipped with their own retaining wall and can make for dramatic focal point additions for larger yards with multiple features that require creating focal points.
Water features can provide both sound and sight soothing pleasure while simultaneously improving natural environments, drawing birds and wildlife to visit your garden. Certain water features even support beneficial insects like frogs and bees which provide additional ecological benefits.
How water features work depends on their size and type, but most require a reservoir for water storage, along with a pump to move it around the feature or into an adjacent basin or sump. Sometimes this pumping happens automatically while at other times (such as with a waterfall), water must be manually added when needed.