Summer has arrived and now that the weather is finally warming up, it’s time to tackle those outdoor projects. The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) has books to inspire and guide you along the way, from outdoor entertaining to building projects such as installing a deck, garage or treehouse.
Whatever you want to accomplish this summer, your Library is here to help you. The sky’s the limit.
If you are simply looking for ways to entertain outside this summer, Selina Lake’s book Outdoor Living provides stylish ways to enjoy your outdoor living area. Her beautiful pictures and colourful ideas will have your guests converging on your backyard. Matthew Mead’s Backyard Style also provides different ways to add character to your backyard space and fun ways to entertain your guests, as well as a handful of delicious recipes.
Starting with a blank canvas can be fun because the possibilities could be endless, but it could also be overwhelming as you try to decide where to actually begin. 1001 Ideas for Outdoor Spaces by Brett Martin is full of coloured pictures providing the reader with a variety of ideas for designing their outdoor space along with information on the many options available for building materials and finishes.
If you would like to add more greenery to your surroundings, TBPL has a large collection of vegetable and flower gardening books. But before you begin to dig, check out Understanding Garden Design: The Complete Handbook for Aspiring Designers by Vanessa Gardner Nagel. Nagel shares her knowledge and expertise to help you from start to end with developing a garden design to adding your own personal touches with garden art and lighting.
Are you a DIY person? TBPL has no shortage of books with DIY project ideas and instructions. Building your own outdoor furniture gives you the opportunity to design furniture that fits your space and meets your needs. The Complete Guide to Outdoor Carpentry has step-by-step instructions with pictures to help you build more than 40 different pieces of outdoor furniture. For more ideas, check out Easy-to-Build Outdoor Project by the editors of Popular Woodworking and Outdoor Furniture by the editors at Skills Institute Press.
Installing a deck can create space to entertain, relax and enjoy the outdoors. The Complete Guide to Decks discusses everything from planning and building your deck to customizing your deck with accessories such as benches and planters. Full colour photographs accompany the step-by-step instructions. Even if you have someone building the deck for you, this book along with others such as Decks Complete: Expert Advice from Start to Finish will give you an idea of the size and look you want.
Sheds and garages can provide extra storage, space to work, and somewhere to park your vehicle. Sheds and Garages: Detailed Plans and Projects for your Storage Needs by Jean Zaputil and Debra Prinzing offers readers different design options to get the space you desire. Add your own stylish touch to your shed or garage using ideas from Sally Coulthard’s book Shed Decor: How to Decorate and Furnish Your Favourite Garden Room.
Backyard Building by Jeanie and David Stiles includes building ideas for treehouses and other backyard buildings. Stiles book includes a few pictures but most projects are shown as sketches with accompanying instructions. For more ideas on creating play spaces for children, check out Playsets: Ideas and Plans for Outdoor Play by Better Homes and Gardens which provides tips and advice for planning your backyard playground and step-by-step instructions for building ten different play structures.
Hopefully we have a beautiful summer this year so we can outside and enjoy the wonderful outdoors.
Lindsey Long
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