The spring is almost here. Soon the flowers will be in bloom, and the butterflies and the bees will be moving from flower to flower sipping the nectar and pollinating the flowers. Then the birds will be singing and hopping. The squirrels will be running about trying to hide their nuts in the tree holes. Even then, most of the human race will be staying indoors glued to the electronic gadgets that produce nothing but positive oxygen ions that destroy cells and cause physical and mental degenerations.

Where will your children be then? Where are they now? Are the glued to their favorite cartoon program? Or are they sitting in front of the computer engrossed in the latest games that you have bought? If you had invested in an outdoor heater instead, you would have had them outside playing in a natural environment now. Spending more time in the outdoor atmosphere, playing with sand, soil or even snow makes them healthier and brighter. Outdoor heaters make that possible through out the year.

Look at the BHU of the heater before you buy it. The BHU indicates how powerful the heater is and how far can it keep warm. Nevertheless, just as one swallow does not make a summer, one outdoor heater does not make your patio alluring enough to drag your family out of the comfortable cocoon they (or the circumstances) have created around them.

Before I come to patio furniture, let me talk a little about patio umbrellas first. Like the outdoor heaters these too have become an integral part of the outdoor living today. Of course, we as an individual are not much to blame this time, or may be we are because the society as well as the state is made up of individuals only. Our collective sin has made holes in the ozone layers and so we are forever destined to stay protected under patio umbrellas and sun tan lotions.

Patio umbrellas are important for another reason too. There is nothing like one to set the mood. Buy a Tiki umbrella to start a tropical patio. Add some raffia like umbrella cover to give it an authentic tropical look. Try oriental patio umbrellas for Japanese feel. An aluminum umbrella with tilts and lights sets a contemporary mood.

Be careful while choosing the outdoor furniture if you are working on a mood. If you have chosen a contemporary setting, choose the furniture with it in mind. Outdoor furniture come in all sizes, shapes and make. Choose the suitable furniture and accentuate it with the right kind of accessories. I am not only talking about patio cushions, which should not only be thick and comfortable, but also bright and colorful. I am also talking about lights, heaters and patios umbrellas, murals, water bodies, fountains etc. etc.

If you have tropical setting in mind, you can try outdoor wicker furniture made from synthetic wicker. They look and feel like natural wicker, but needs no maintenance at all. If they become too dirty, just a wash with mild soap and water will do. Make sure the cushions that will come with your wicker furniture are also easy to wash and easy to dry. The cushion fabric should preferably be of woven acrylic blend with an open cell structure, so that the water flows out of it easily.

Apart from natural and artificial variety, outdoor wicker furniture can also be traditional as well as modern. Many prefer the traditional designs because:
-    The traditional chairs are large and comfortable. They are fit as much for lazing in as for sitting up and doing some useful work. Some are so slanting that you can easily have a nap in it.
-    They are the cheapest way you can provide a touch of class to your patio.
-    They go well with plants and so if you are for some greenery in your patio (and you should be) outdoor wicker will easily blend with the setting.
-    Knickknacks made from outdoor wicker are easily available and easily affordable.

Some outdoor wicker furniture have sleek look too. If you have space, you can set up separate eating area or a bar with wicker stools and all. You can also use the outdoor wicker as potholders. Knickknacks made from outdoor wicker can accentuate the whole setting, as nothing else can. However, do not make a clutter of the place. Leave enough space for your children to have a game of hopscotch or a corn toss. Otherwise, they may go back to their computers and TV shows.