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The Benefits of an Outdoor Umbrella

  There are many things to consider when buying a patio umbrella. Outdoor furniture allows you to enjoy nature, without sacrificing style or comfort. As spring and summer arrive, you’ll spend more and more time outside entertaining or lounging poolside. To keep you and your guests cool and protected from the hot sun, it’s important to have ample shade.    Solar radiation can dramatically change the temperatures of an object that it hits, heating it far above the actual air temperat ....

Outdoor Project: Four Tips for Creating an Ideal At-Home Retreat, from Willis Furniture

As spring turns into summer and the days get warmer, it’s the ideal time to transform your patio, deck, garden, or even your entire yard into a serene lounge space. Think about setting up your outdoor living space much like you would when planning your interiors. These days, we’re spending a great deal of time at home: Not only are we working from home and relaxing there in the evenings, too, we’re also hosting small, distanced gatherings in our outdoor spaces and planning staycations. H ....

How to Create a Welcoming Front Porch

Your porch should be an extension of your interior decor while also creating curb appeal for passersby and approaching guests alike.  Here are 5 ways to create a relaxing and welcoming front porch: 1. Landscape and Seasonal Blooms Even though they’re not on the porch itself, the plants you include in the landscape leading toward your front door can have a huge impact on how your porch looks and feels. From the street, colorful plants create a great focal point and also help to add privacy ....

How to Keep Your Outdoor Furniture Looking New

Patio furniture is bound to take some abuse from the elements, especially in Virginia Beach, as well as all the local cities of Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk and even the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Eastern Shore of Virginia are impacted by the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean and  Chesapeake Bay. Salt water creates a unique challenge in caring for furniture use outside on patios even if it is an open sunroom space. That’s why it’ ....

How to Create an Outdoor Living Room

Creating a relaxing, stylish outdoor living space or outdoor room can greatly increase the appeal and value of your home and provide an oasis for friends and family to enjoy the great outdoors in supreme comfort. Decorating outdoor spaces has some minor differences from interior decorating, mostly due to the fact that you want items that can withstand the elements. But overall, the same design concepts apply. It is all about comfort, functionality, and style. Here are some tips to start creat ....

5 Benefits of Indoor/Outdoor Living

1. Indoor/Outdoor Living Areas are the Ultimate Open Floor Plan If you are lacking square footage in your home or would like more space to entertain, expanding your indoor/outdoor space is something to consider.  This is a great way to expand your home without investing in an addition or expensive remodel.  Homeowners can easily entertain and enjoy the indoors and outdoors without feeling limited with a versatile, multi-use space.  2. Indoor/Outdoor Living Spaces are great for Your Health ....

How to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

With spring in full swing and summer quickly approaching us, it’s a great time to think about what your outdoor space may be missing.  We are all spending a lot more time at home and have the perfect opportunity to show our outdoor spaces some extra love.   Patio BBQ Along with great physical health benefits, grilling can be a mood lifter. Grilling tends to be a social activity in the summer months and gives people the opportunity to entertain guests. While we may not be entertaining a ....

Our Guide to Purchasing Outdoor Furniture

Consider your budget. It is possible to find very inexpensive outdoor furniture, but realize that less-expensive furniture often does not wear as well and will need to be replaced over time. What materials will be best for your climate and home aesthetic? Think about comfort and family lifestyle. Better cushions and a quality umbrella can make a huge difference on how you spend your time outdoors. Here are examples of quality materials you will find here at Willis:   Brown Jo ....

Our Top 3 Picks for a “Next Level” Outdoor Experience

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer.  Here are our top 3 picks to elevate your outdoor experience!   1.     Treasure Garden AKZPRT Plus Cantilever Umbrella Solar radiation can dramatically change the temperatures of an object that it hits, heating it far above the actual air temperature. The proper shade over your dining or seating areas can reduce the temperature up to 20%. A sweltering 95° can become a comfortable 80° with the proper shade! With a quality umbrella ....

4 Tips on Caring for your Outdoor Furniture

Invest in quality materials. Start with choosing better quality materials like Sunbrella fabrics, solid teak, resin wicker, and powder coated aluminum. Investing in quality materials will increase longevity of appearance and construction. The sun, salty air, wind and moisture can affect your outdoor furniture, so it’s important to know what you’re buying if you expect it to last. Invest in outdoor furniture covers that are made to preserve, protect, and extend the life of your purch ....