Australia is known for its outdoor lifestyle, and people try to take advantage of this as much as they can. When they get home at the end of a long day, they will want to head to their patio or porch so they can breathe in the fresh air and watch the sun go down. Little wonder that so many people pay so much attention to their outdoor space and configure it so that they can fully capitalise. Still, you may think that you are a little behind in this respect as you don't spend enough time out there and this may, in part, be due to sun exposure. How can you tailor your outdoor area so that you can enjoy it as much as possible?
Safety First
It's one thing to be outdoors but it's another thing entirely to be fully exposed to the sun. This can lead to all manner of problems, of course, but it can quickly become unpleasant as the body begins to overheat. To take care of this right away, erect an awning along the side of your property that fully covers your relaxation area. You can choose from a variety of designs these days so that your awning looks the part while it also provides you with the right layer of protection.
Styling Your Space
For example, you can match the fabric and style to your existing patio furniture, or make sure that it is broadly the same colour as the exterior of your home. You can also add another feature that many people overlook and incorporate a valance. This is an additional piece of fabric that is attached to the end of the awning using a rod and is allowed to hang freely. It can provide some extra protection against the sun when it is low in the sky, but it will also flutter freely in the evening breeze. A valance is not an essential part of an awning by any means, but it will certainly help with the aesthetic and every little bit counts when you're trying to enjoy your outdoor space.
Your Plan
Ask your awning supplier to include a valance in your order. It's fairly easy to install using the supplied hardware and it can even be removed during the winter season if you wish. It's quite easy to take care of as well, and you should clean both the awning and the valance periodically to get rid of any dust or mildew accumulation.