A backyard should be a comfortable oasis. You should be able to escape there after a long day without squinting through the sunshine or worrying about the wandering eyes of nosy neighbors. If you want to turn your backyard into a concealed haven, you need to know how to add shade and privacy to your home's exterior.

When it comes to learning how to add privacy in an appealing way and creating shady areas in your yard, there's a lot to consider. This guide includes things to think about as you design your perfect backyard and unique ways to add some quiet and shade.

Jump to Sections:

• Improving Your Home's Privacy
• How to Add Shade to Your Backyard
• Tropical Elements for Backyard Privacy and Shade
• Enhance Your Backyard With Tropical Products From Forever Bamboo

Improving Your Home's Privacy

Maintaining a bit of privacy and security in your backyard will help you feel more comfortable. No one wants to worry about neighbors' prying eyes while relaxing outside. But if your yard borders a neighbor's or a roadway, you could feel like passersby will see you. Learn how to improve the privacy of your home with these tips to maintain a secluded retreat.

1. Note Direct Lines of Sight

The best way to learn how to add privacy to your backyard is to see what's out in the open. Look at your home from the perspective of your neighbor's house and the street. What places would passersby be able to see or see into? From there, you'll have an idea of what you need to cover with fences, walls or different structures. Remember that if you're in your yard or home and you can see someone outside, they can see you. Places you may need to cover for some privacy include:

• Windows
• Doors
• Decks and patios
• Pools or hot tubs

2. Lock What You Can

Part of maintaining as much privacy as possible in your backyard is keeping out unwelcome guests. If you can lock something in your backyard, do so to get security and privacy for your home. Install locks or use existing ones on entryways and places like:

• Gates
• Sheds and garages
• Pool areas

You may need to install additional features in your yard to use locks. Consider tall fencing options to go around the entirety of your yard and install a gate that you can lock to keep the space safe.

3. Balance the Coverage

Before installing fencing, walls and curtains to isolate every area in your home and backyard, consider balancing the coverage. You don't want to put excessive cover by entryways into your home. That could allow intruders to enter your home unseen. Instead, stick with adding coverage around the borders of your yard and using sparse coverage in other locations.

How to Add Shade to Your Backyard

Knowing how to increase shade coverage makes your backyard a much more usable space. In the shade, you could feel a temperature difference between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit, noticeably improving the comfort level. Sit outside and enjoy your backyard no matter how bright it is when you learn how to shield the sun at home with these tips.

1. Consider the Sun's Movement

The sun spends the day traveling across the sky, and therefore across your yard. Think about the sun's path throughout the day to determine how to add shade to your backyard. You may even wait for a day with clear skies and watch every hour or so to see what areas of your yard need the most coverage.

2. Cover Areas You Like to Use

Unless you use every square foot of your yard to relax and entertain in, it doesn't all need shade. Prioritize areas you like to use in your backyard. These are places like the poolside, patios and decks that, without shade, can become hot and uncomfortable to use.

3. Remember Your Plants

If you have plants in your backyard, factor them into your plans to add shade. Some plants thrive better in sunlight, while others need indirect exposure. Cover plants that need it and let different ones have their time in the light. If you require shade in a specific area of your yard, but your plants need light to thrive, consider moving them. As a bonus, taller plants will increase the shade coverage in your backyard.

Tropical Elements for Backyard Privacy and Shade

Get a bit of shade and keep out nosy neighbors, all while maintaining a stylish, tropical look in your backyard. If you've ever dreamed of stepping out your back door into a private oasis, now's the time to create one. Tropical elements complement each other well, and when you use them throughout your backyard, you add shade and privacy to your home's exterior. Incorporate one or more of these elements and products for backyard coverage.

1. Bamboo Fencing

One of the best ways to add some privacy to your backyard is fencing. Bamboo makes the perfect addition to the tropical oasis that's right outside your door. Create a border around your backyard, or use it in sections where you need the most privacy. Fencing is a versatile way to create concealment, and tall enough fences can even offer a bit of shade at specific times of the day. You'll also enjoy other benefits of fencing in your backyard, including:

• A decorative touch
• A safer environment for pets and kids
• A sound barrier
• A clear marker of your property line

Bamboo fencing, in particular, is eco-friendly and pest-resistant. That, along with its quality and durability, makes it suitable for exterior applications. If you're considering bamboo to have natural-looking fences for some privacy, you'll find various heights and colors to consider. Decide between these shades for your bamboo fencing.

• Natural bamboo fencing is a classic component of tropical décor. Its light tan color evokes luxurious resorts or thrilling destinations, creating the perfect feel for your yard. Add the most popular and versatile shade of bamboo fencing to your home with this material.
• Natural black bamboo fencing has a deep caramel brown color. It's a rare material, but sought-after for its color, which results from using no dyes or stains. Homeowners use the dark shade for contemporary applications to get a modern take on a tropical feel.
• Caramel brown bamboo fencing resembles the sophisticated color of natural black bamboo fencing, but with a different production process. The caramel brown fencing is equally suitable for backyards that combine the tropical with the contemporary.
• Natural burnt bamboo fencing features a variegated pattern. The natural tan color of bamboo serves as the base, and irregular burnt areas provide a natural dark brown. The resulting unique appearance is ideal for yards that lean into the tropical theme with a fun twist.

Once you install the fencing, apply Amteco Total Wood Protectant (TWP) to help maintain the material. From there, care is simple. Check the fencing after extreme weather conditions, and clean it when necessary. After about a year, depending on its exposure to the elements, you can re-seal the bamboo to maintain its appearance and durability.

Homeowners with tropical backyards prefer bamboo to other materials, primarily because of its appearance. Traditional wooden or plastic fences are too clunky for an oasis feel. They're typical and expected in a backyard, but bamboo shakes up tradition and transforms a backyard into your personal paradise. Thanks to TWP's variety of colors, you can also stain natural bamboo fencing to suit your yard's design scheme.

2. Bamboo Poles

For smaller areas of your yard or to complement bamboo fencing, use bamboo poles. The material comes in various heights from 5 to 8 to 10 feet. Bamboo poles create versatile structures to provide some privacy in your yard and similar backyard fence advantages. Their durability and flexibility make them suitable for various uses throughout your yard. Incorporate bamboo poles with these projects and tips:

• Increase the height of sections of fencing that border a neighbor's yard.
• Create a privacy screen by a hot tub or pool.
• Add a wall to outdoor structures or patios for extra shade and some privacy.

If you have a flat surface, like a low wall, where you'd like to add a bit of privacy and tropical style, consider split half-round bamboo poles. Their split style makes them moderately simple to attach to flat structures. The material provides extra height and coverage from the sun and passersby. Apply TWP to whole or split half-round bamboo poles as you would on bamboo fencing. That lets you customize natural bamboo poles and provide extra durability against the elements.

3. Patio Umbrellas

You want to sit and relax on your deck or patio without worrying about the sun. In that case, an umbrella will come in handy. Select a Tiki umbrella that features natural materials or artificial ones that mimic authentic thatch. Add a round umbrella to your patio table or a seating area in your backyard. No matter where you put it, you can select from these products to shade the sun.

• Viroreed has a clean, layered look. The artificial thatch replicates authentic materials, but can withstand exposure to extreme elements. The maintenance-free design resists rotting, decaying and shedding.
• Viro Java palm thatch mimics natural grass materials. Like Viroreed, Viro thatch doesn't require maintenance. It's also 99% waterproof, making it suitable for various conditions.
• Tiki grass features a natural, textured appearance. The foldable design makes it easy to close and store a Tiki grass umbrella when you're not using your backyard.
• African Cape Reed thatch features neatly trimmed panels in a tiered design. The material overhangs the umbrella frame to provide you an extra bit of coverage.
• Mexican palm thatch offers a classic tropical look. Its textured appearance is the result of a hand-woven design. The tan and golden brown hues within the material complement anything from natural bamboo to chocolate brown shades. It comes in an artificial variety, as well, for a maintenance-free design.

4. Pavilions and Canopies

These shade structures suit larger yards that have enough space for them. If you're lucky enough to have the room for a pavilion or canopy, you create a functional and versatile area in your backyard. Use it as an entertainment space, a poolside seating area or a place to enjoy the outdoors without sitting in the sun. To make a tropical pavilion or canopy, add elements like these.

• Thatch has helped people create shade structures for centuries, so you can trust it to offer coverage in your backyard. Install thatch for shade protection on top of pavilion structures, either to create a roof or decorate an existing one. Thatch comes in various textures and materials that have different lifespans, depending on where you live. You could also enjoy your material longer, depending on where you live, with synthetic thatch.
• Bamboo poles add dimension and texture to an exterior shade feature like a pavilion or canopy. Attach split half-round bamboo poles to an existing structure, or consider creating one out of bamboo poles. Order varieties that match or complement different bamboo elements in your yard, like natural bamboo or natural black bamboo poles.
• Curtains add a flowing, resort-like feel to your shade structure. Select from a wide array of fabrics and patterns to find what suits your style and your backyard. When you add curtains to the sides of canopies or pavilions, you increase shade coverage and privacy.

5. Tiki Huts

Emphasize the tropical design of your backyard with Tiki huts for shade. These shade structures may not suit every home, but for those who want to transform their backyard into a tropical retreat, Tiki huts will fit right in. The huts are smaller than the average pavilion, making them suitable for smaller yards, decks or patios.

A Tiki hut kit will make installing your shade protection a moderately more straightforward process. You'll only need one other person to help you assemble and install your shade structure. Watch your backyard transform into a themed tropical escape right before your eyes. You can even enhance the motif by adding a Tiki hut over a Tiki bar area for a whimsical touch.

6. Plants and Trees

Rely on greenery to create natural shade improvements for your home and add privacy. This solution will be ideal if you select evergreen trees or live in a climate where trees keep their leaves year-round. Otherwise, you'll lack shade or seclusion during late fall and winter. You'll also have to find trees that suit the aesthetic you want for your backyard, which will be tricky with some styles. A tropical motif, for instance, doesn't complement evergreen pine trees.

Luckily, tropical plants can provide a bit of shade and privacy. Tall palms and ferns have leaves that spread out and create protection from the sun. Plant them around the border of your yard to enhance the seclusion you already have with fencing and various structures.

Enhance Your Backyard With Tropical Products From Forever Bamboo

Turn your backyard into a paradise with products from Forever Bamboo. We offer a collection of tropical décor that provides a natural touch and adds shade and some privacy to your home. Whether you're in search of bamboo, thatch or other decorative elements, you'll find that and more with Forever Bamboo.

Browse our assortment of natural and tropical products to find what you need to create a backyard oasis. Need help finding the right décor for your home? Contact us at 877-912-2244, and our knowledgeable team will assist you.

For whatever reason, you're tired of your current décor. Perhaps it's out of date, you need a change of scenery or it doesn't match your style anymore. No matter why you want to give your home a makeover, you likely want to get a look you can afford. You have some ideas, but you also have a limited amount to spend. To make your dreams a reality, learn how to decorate your home on a budget. So, where do you begin? That's where we can help.

We've gathered everything from tips to managing your budget and design inspiration to help you redesign your home. Discover how to afford your dream home décor on a budget below.

Jump To Sections:

• How to Determine and Manage Your Décor Budget
• Get Design Inspiration
• Make Your Older Furniture Look New
• Choose Forever Bamboo to Achieve Your Home Décor Vision Without Breaking Your Budget

How to Determine and Manage Your Décor Budget

Your décor budget will depend on how much you have to spend. Because you're looking to know how to decorate your dream home, you'll need an adequate amount of money to get everything you want. But you still need to maintain your budget and avoid going over. Estimate what you'd be able to spend, and try to factor in some wiggle room if your project gets more expensive than you expected. To determine and manage your décor budget, follow these tips.

1. Decide What You'll Redecorate

Creating your home décor budget starts with deciding what room or rooms you'll decorate. Common spaces to redecorate include:

• Bedrooms
• Home offices
• Living rooms
• Sunrooms and patios

Remember, bathrooms and kitchens can rack up a higher redecorating budget, primarily if you replace plumbing, counters or countertops. Keep your redecorating plans simple to have a significant impact while staying under budget.

To manage your décor budget, you may need to prioritize one room. Choose a space where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom, or one where you often entertain guests, like the living room. If you want to redecorate your entire home on a budget, plan an amount for each room.

2. Make a Wishlist

If you shop without a plan in mind, you could go over your budget. Look around your room and decide what you need. Your preferences, the purpose of the room and any items you want to keep will also factor in. Consider these categories for your décor wishlist.

• Seating: Couches, chairs and ottomans are functional pieces that also serve as decoration. If you don't want to get new couches or chairs, add decorative accents to your furniture. Pillows or blankets bring in your new theme without breaking the bank.
• Surfaces: Depending on the room, you could add side tables, coffee tables or a dining table. Keep possible future redecorating ideas in mind and select versatile pieces for different styles.
• Lighting: Lights are essential for any room, so use them to add a decorative touch. Floor and table lamps are easy to find in your style and simple to put in your home. Chandeliers are more complex to install, but they'll dramatically change the look of your room.
• Wall décor: Decide if you want hanging art, wall molding or other decorative accents for your walls. These elements make a room feel complete. They're among the most versatile decorative items, meaning you're sure to find options that suit your style and budget.

3. Estimate the Cost

With a wishlist in mind, you'll be able to estimate the cost of your redecorating project. Look up general estimates for items or find specific décor you want for accurate prices. Add up the total and see if the result fits into your budget. You may have to compromise on some items or look for affordable home décor alternatives.

Get Design Inspiration

To create your wishlist and budget, get design inspiration for your redecorating plans. Having a decorating direction will help you stick to your finances. You'll avoid buying pieces that you won't need later with a specific look in mind. Try these recent home decorating trends.

1. Tropical

Tropical home décor makes your house feel like a summer paradise year-round. Create a style that's anything from sophisticated and relaxing to vivid and fun. You could also combine a tropical home décor theme with others to create a unique look for your home. Whether you have a straightforward tropical style or mix it up, elements of tropical home décor include:

• Vivid colors
• Leaf-patterned furnishings
• Bamboo
• Thatch
• Tiki masks
• Tropical plants

2. Coastal

You don't need to live near the ocean to use affordable beach house décor. Much like a tropical motif, a coastal design brings the summertime vibe to your home all year. You could even combine elements of both to make a tropical island oasis. To bring in the coastal feel, use these design features:

• Blue and white accents
• Whitewashed wood tones
• Natural touches
• Nautical artwork

3. Modern

A modern style includes a variety of interior design themes. You could go Scandinavian with simple lines or industrial with eye-catching, machine-inspired touches. For affordable home décor, select a contemporary, minimalist style that requires little decoration. Whatever substyle you pick, add elements like these for modern interior design:

• Black and white neutrals
• Dark wood tones
• Metallic accents
• Sleek, straight lines

4. Classic

Classic home décor ranges from vintage-inspired to timeless. This option could be right for you if you want longevity in your design or a flexible style you can adjust parts of down the line. Incorporate these and other elements to get a classic look:

• Neutral colors
• Light wood tones
• Rounded accents
• Floral prints

5. 20th-Century Themes

Art Deco and midcentury modern styles are among some of the popular designs from the 20th century. They combine everything from a vintage feel to modern accents. Get 20th-century inspiration for your home décor with features such as:

• Vivid colors
• Geometric patterns
• Mirrored elements
• Curved features

6. Eclectic

Eclectic interior design may suit your home if you have varied tastes. If you can't choose one theme for your interior remodel, take your favorite elements from multiple. The result could become anything from industrial-chic to a transitional look. Choose a statement piece, pattern or color for your room in an eclectic style and add other features that tie into it.

Make Your Older Furniture Look New

Work with existing furnishings or furniture to create affordable home décor. Putting a bit of time and energy into your old furniture is the best way to transform your space and decorate your dream home while staying within your budget. Tap into your creativity and try these ways to make your old furniture look new.

1. Transform Wood and Other Materials With Stain

Refinishing furniture like tables or dressers is one of the easiest ways to create affordable home décor. Wood furniture or wood substrates take well to stain and breathe new life into your existing pieces. You could also stain materials like bamboo to create tropical designs for home décor. Depending on the material and the type of furniture you want to refinish, you'll have a few moderately simple steps to follow.

• Sand off any existing coating to expose the wood surface and ensure the stain will adhere.
• Clean the surface with an appropriate cleaner. For bamboo, use a solution of water and bleach or water and detergent.
• Air-dry the surface for at least two days or until it's completely dry before applying the stain.
• Work in ideal conditions to ensure a quality finish. Don't work in humid or cold conditions, as that affects how the stain will dry.
• Apply the seal in a thin coat before staining the surface and allow it to dry.
• Apply the stain with a brush or sponge, wiping excess stain with a rag. Work with and against the wood grain to get adequate coverage.
• Apply another coat of sealant once the stain dries. If the color isn't your preference yet, apply another coat.

For a convenient furniture makeover, use Total Wood Protectant (TWP) that serves as both a sealant and a stain. That eliminates a step because you'll only have to apply one product. TWP comes in various shades to help you transform your wood or bamboo furnishings, so consider the following.

• Light cedar is a tan shade that resembles some varieties of natural bamboo. This color would suit classic, tropical and specific 20th-century themes.
• Cedartone is a slightly darker tan shade. Again, this stain would fit classic, tropical or some 20th-century options.
• Dark oak is a versatile rich brown with a red hue. Use this beautiful stain in modern or classic designs and everything in between.
• Black walnut is a sleek, dark caramel brown. Its deep tone is ideal for modern or tropical interior designs.

2. Use Matting or Panels

If you want affordable beach house décor, go tropical. Natural and synthetic paneling and matting are moderately simple to apply to your furniture or room. The result is an inexpensive tropical décor transformation that uses your existing furnishings. Add products like these throughout your home for an exotic feel.

• Thatch adds a textured and more overt tropical touch. Use a product like a Mexican palm thatch runner as table skirting or facing for a bar to get a Tiki feel.
• Bamboo paneling comes in a variety of textures and colors. Add it to hard surfaces with contact cement or construction adhesive to create wainscoting or wall and ceiling coverings.
• Tropical matting often features a woven pattern of natural or synthetic materials. Homeowners can select smaller rolls of the material for affordable tropical home décor.

3. Add Texture to Furniture in Other Ways

Not every piece of furniture that needs a revamp will have broad, flat surfaces. Or maybe they do, but you want to add more. In either case, use materials on the legs, frames and trim. Twine or jute creates furniture that goes with coastal or shabby-chic designs. For a tropical result that suits various looks, consider bamboo poles.

Split half-round bamboo poles attach moderately easily to flat surfaces. They'll save you money and time on cutting full poles in half. Instead, all you'll have to do is attach them with a construction adhesive or a similar method.

If you have bamboo poles leftover from your project, you can still use them in your home. Try different ways to use bamboo indoors. Decorate planters or place them freestanding in corners to add subtle, yet affordable, tropical touches.

4. Attach Mirrors to Furniture

For a 20th-century-inspired home, make your surfaces shine with mirrors. Mirror materials are inexpensive, and you can cut them to fit various furnishings. As a bonus, mirrored surfaces can make a room feel bigger, enhancing your budget redesign.

Attach the reflective surfaces with strong construction adhesive or whatever suits the service you're putting them on. Add a sophisticated DIY touch to areas like these:

• Doors
• Wardrobe drawers
• Dresser drawers
• Tops of side tables or coffee tables

5. Replace the Hardware

Replacing the knobs and handles on your furniture is a simple secret for an affordable refresh. Combine this step with refinishing or adding matting for a complete transformation. When you replace the hardware, you only have to pay a small price for new handles or pulls. Most pieces of hardware are straightforward to swap out, and all you'll need is a screwdriver or drill. Consider updating the hardware on furnishings and furniture like:

• Kitchen cabinets and drawers
• Bathroom cabinets and drawers
• Dresser drawers
• Closet door handles
• Doorknobs and hinges

Choose a hardware material that suits your new theme. Sleek, straight metal options fit into an array of modern designs. Unique ceramic or painted hardware complements classic décor. For a tropical theme, use split half-round bamboo poles for unique, textured handles and pulls.

6. Reupholster Your Furniture

Seating with cushions offers an opportunity to create new décor on a budget. Reupholstering your furniture requires a bit of time, upholstery fabric and tools, including scissors and a staple gun. If you've never sewn or reupholstered furniture before, you may want to pick a solid color. That means you won't have to deal with pattern matching, and you can focus on the process itself. To reupholster a chair, follow these general steps.

• Remove the old fabric, disassembling the chair as needed. Take photos of the chair and label pieces "top," "front" or "back" to help with reassembly.
• Replace the batting if it's worn or stained. Repair any internal components, like springs, if needed.
• Refinish the frame and legs if you like. Now would be a good time, since you won't accidentally stain your new fabric.
• Cut your new fabric to fit the seat. Use the old material as a guide if it's intact. If not, measure the cushion and have enough excess fabric to cover the sides and back.
• Apply the new cover, placing it onto the batting. Pull the fabric tight and staple it to the frame. Go around the surface, ensuring the material is taut and wrinkle-free before you staple.

Depending on your skills and how much time you have for this project, you could get fancy. Make welting, the covered cord that goes over the seam of a chair. Or, choose a complex pattern that complements your theme. For a tropical feel, for instance, find fabric that features motifs of palm leaves and tropical florals.

7. Layer Textiles or Fabrics

Not every piece of furniture is a cinch to reupholster. Instead, go an easy and affordable route. Layer materials over surfaces like flooring, headboards and tables. The result is a simple DIY that you can quickly swap if your tastes change over time. Layer these types of textiles throughout your home.

• Rugs tie in your theme while covering old flooring. No need to rip up existing floors when you can cover them in a rug that complements your new style.
• Tablecloths or runners cover the surface of larger dining tables. Use tablemats or cut fabric down to size for side tables. Pick a unique pattern or a color that ties into the rest of the theme.
• Blankets can become semipermanent decorative additions to areas like headboards. Drape them over the vertical surface for the look of a brand-new bed with minimal effort.

Choose Forever Bamboo to Achieve Your Home Décor Vision Without Breaking Your Budget

Ready to bring tropical designs for home décor to life? Decorate your home on a budget with Forever Bamboo. We offer an assortment of tropical products that'll let you transform your home into your private paradise. Free shipping is available on a selection of our products, including bamboo sealer, thatch products and tropical decorations.

Browse our wide array of tropical products today. If you need help finding something for your redecorating plans, give our knowledgeable team a call at 877-912-2244.

Wood, plastic, bamboo — oh my! Who knew picking the right stakes for healthy plant growth could be so complicated?

With gardening season just around the corner, it's crucial to select the best plant stakes for your flowers, herbs, fruits and veggies — one that'll help your garden thrive and bring other benefits to your backyard.

Jump To Sections:

• • What Are Plant Stakes For?
  • What Are Common Plant Stake Materials?
  • Comparing Wood, Plastic, Metal and Bamboo Plant Stakes
  • What Is the Best Plant Stake for Plant Growth?

What Are Plant Stakes For?

Plant stakes provide essential support for flowering perennials and produce expected to grow over a few feet tall or those with heavy, bulbous flowers.

Without a sturdy vertical post to cling to, the stems on these tall plants are susceptible to snapping, both during inclement weather and across its regular growth stages.

Plant stakes can be used alongside other plant-support structures added to your garden, including:

• Trellises
• Arbors
• Mesh cages or chicken wire
• Natural fencing
• Hoops
• Half-walls
• Plant cages

Each provides a decorative touch and a functional addition to your backyard. However, dedicated plant stakes still offer the best spot support for plants as a whole. Individual stakes will help nurture optimal vertical plant growth, spacing and overall garden shaping, making them an ideal choice when prepping your garden.

To stake, use twine or string to loosely entwine your selected plant's stem to its adjacent stake. Ensure you're entwining a majority of the plant's stem to its stake for proper, long-term strength and support.

Common garden plants that require staking for optimal growth include the following:

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Sweet peas
• Bell peppers
• Melons
• Pumpkins
• Squash 
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Dahlias
• Delphiniums
• Peonies
• Hibiscus
• Lillies
• Zinnias

What Are Common Plant Stake Materials?

There are several materials that solo-plant stakes are made from. The most common staking materials today include:

• Wood or wood composite
• Plastic
• Metal rebar
• Bamboo

While planning your upcoming garden, consider the pros and cons of each material, noting how each will work with your chosen garden plantings, area climate, garden size and preferences.

Comparing Wood, Plastic, Metal and Bamboo Plant Stakes

Use the following guide as a resource when determining the best plant stake for your garden.

1. Wood and Wood Composite Stakes

Wood and wood composition plant stakes are a common type used by gardeners. 

Pure wood stakes can come in split or spawn cuts and are fashioned from organic materials, preserving the natural look and ambiance of your garden. Nearly any kind of wood can form the material base for outdoor garden stakes.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of wood and wood composite stakes:

• Advantages: Wood and wood composite stakes are lightweight yet durable for single-season usage. Adding wood stakes to your garden beds is a natural-appearing and fairly unobtrusive staking option. Raw, unfinished and untreated stakes won't expose your soil beds to unwanted chemicals or byproducts.
• Disadvantages: Wood stakes are susceptible to cracks and breakage themselves, especially during initial installation when digging into your dirt beds. Wood stakes may also warp in sunlight, particularly if stakes are two-inches or thinner. Wood stakes will also generally need to be removed at the end of the gardening season. Some varieties may last two or more seasons but will require diligent care, especially if you use a mallet to pound stakes into your garden beds.

2. Plastic Stakes

Plastic-based garden stakes are another common choice when supporting garden perennials and produce-bearing plants.

While inexpensive and widely available, gardeners should be vigilant about the exact composition of their chosen plastic-based stakes. Some states assist consumers by requiring labels warning against using plastics in certain applications. Take care to check municipal environmental statutes or resources before driving any plastic-based garden products into your yard.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of plastic stakes:

• Advantages: Plastic stakes are common and easily available online or at local hardware stores. They are a budget-friendly and reusable form of garden staking.
• Disadvantages: Some plastic garden-stake varieties carry the concern of chemicals and toxins leaching into soil beds. Some municipalities may even prohibit the use of certain plastic products in outdoor environments, including residential gardens.

3. Metal Rebars

Metal rebars, or slender rebars, are another common garden stake variety.

Many are made from thin serrated steel or similarly reinforced or galvanized metals. Compact metal rebar varieties are also available, though plants may outgrow these by the end of the season and must be monitored closely.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of metal stakes:

• Advantages: Metal stakes anchor well, providing a robust and immobile scaffold for plant growth. Metal stakes drive and wedge easier into dirt beds than wood-based stakes, making them simpler to install and position while also withstanding inclement weather. Metal-based stakes are also extremely durable and can last for several seasons, depending on the quality of the galvanized metal and the care taken when inserting them in and out of the ground.
• Disadvantages: Metal rebars can add an industrialized look to your garden before plant foliage grows, particularly if you require many of them. The cost-per-stake or cost-per-bundle will also be higher than other types of garden stakes.

4. Bamboo Stakes

Lastly, bamboo stakes are another popular pole type to ground and support your garden plants.

Bamboo is perhaps most lauded as an eco-friendly natural material used in fabricated products and building construction, so long as it has not been chemically treated. This is largely due to how fast bamboo grows — making it a quickly replenished crop — as well as its ability to adapt to a surprising range of climates and conditions.

However, there are several additional benefits of bamboo plant stakes, including:

• Advantages: Bamboo plant stakes are an increasingly popular option because they are eco-friendly and easy to use. This versatile and long-lasting alternative will keep your plants upright and your garden looking polished. At Forever Bamboo our stakes are sourced from high-quality bamboo and dried in kilns to minimize cracking, mildew and mold. Using bamboo plant stakes maintains that effortlessly organic appearance of your growing garden before and after foliage sprouts. They are available in various natural-looking shades of beige, yellow and tan.
• Disadvantages: Like wood and wood composite stakes, most bamboo-based plant stakes will need to be replaced at the end of the gardening season.

What Is the Best Plant Stake for Plant Growth?

We recommend bamboo plant stakes for most residential gardens. A bamboo-based stake provides a range of advantages compared to other staking materials, including:

• Cost-conscious
• Widely available
• Eco-friendly
• Naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
• Minimal invasive pest risk
• Sturdy and supportive
• Aesthetically attractive in your garden

Shop today and put our premium bamboo stakes to the test this gardening season!

As you look out on your backyard or your company's pool, you may want something more. Maybe you need a relaxing escape to kick back and unwind in or a fun space where you or guests can swim, splash and play. Whatever you want to do with this exterior space, you're probably wondering how to create a tropical oasis in your backyard or outdoor space.

Whether you're transforming the exterior at a public pool or resort or want to learn how to enhance your backyard, these poolside decoration tips will help. Discover how to make your yard stand out with ideas and products from Forever Bamboo!

Jump To Sections:

• • Tips for Decorating Around Your Pool
    
  • How to Decorate Around Your Pool
  • Transform Your Backyard With Forever Bamboo

Tips for Decorating Around Your Pool

Maybe you've never decorated an exterior space or want advice before renovating a backyard area. Don't worry — some tips will make it an easier process. Learn how to decorate around your pool with these ideas:

• Have a theme: If you feel you have too many ideas for poolside decor, narrow it down with a theme. Select something beachy, tropical or floral or brainstorm different possibilities to keep you on track as you find decorations.
• Use exterior products: Avoid using products meant for interior design as you decorate around the pool. Search for UV-protected products if it's always sunny and durable materials that can last longer against the elements.
• Use water-resistant materials: Select waterproof or water-resistant materials for your exterior decor. Whether the elements or water from the pool gets on your decor, you'll want them to stay intact. If you want poolside decor that isn't waterproof, keep it in a covered area or remember to put it in storage if you're expecting a storm.
• Secure lightweight items: Heavy exterior accents have a better chance of withstanding the wind. If you add lightweight decorative touches throughout your yard, bring them inside if you're expecting severe weather. Signs, cushions, table decor and various items could blow away or get damaged.
• Combine practicality and decor: For a functional exterior space, use elements that are decorative and practical. Dress up seating, fences, bars and other elements that take up a significant part of your exterior layout. Adding function and beauty is also an excellent way to learn how to improve curb appeal.
• Be creative and have fun: If you have fun with your tropical decor for by the pool, it'll show. Poolside decorations should be fun or creative and inviting, so use your imagination as you design your backyard oasis.

How to Decorate Around Your Pool

Now it's time to begin decorating, but what should you put around your pool? Envision how you want to transform your backyard for you and your guests, and fill it with poolside decorations that suit your vision. Discover how to make your yard stand out and become a slice of paradise with these poolside decor ideas:

1. Bamboo Fencing

Backyards transform with the addition of a simple fence. Along with some privacy, you can emphasize the tropical feel of your poolside spaces with bamboo fencing. You'll find bamboo fencing in a variety of colors and sizes that'll suit your exterior needs and the rest of your poolside decor, so consider your options:

• Natural bamboo fencing is light tan, beige and yellow, perfect for a classic tropical feel.
• Natural black bamboo fencing is a deep and rich caramel brown, giving you a warm and inviting exterior space.
• Caramel brown bamboo fencing mimics black bamboo's high-end look at an affordable price.
• Natural burnt bamboo fencing combines light tan, beige and yellow with dark brown burnt patterns, making a unique addition to your backyard.

Use those bamboo decoration ideas along the edge of your backyard for a practical and stylish border. Bamboo fencing is also a stylish choice to help incorporate an above-ground pool into your tropical theme. Install fencing around the pool or around the pool pump to disguise them.

2. Tropical Matting

Tropical matting features woven fibers to give every sheet its own unique pattern and texture. The versatile material is ideal for transforming a backyard into an oasis, thanks to its many uses. Get tropical matting products and use them as:

• Wallcoverings: Transform the walls in a pool house or on the outside of a shed with tropical matting. Bac Bac matting is a sturdy choice for lining walls and carrying tropical touches to these large surfaces.
• Ceiling coverings or underlayment: Don't forget the ceilings or roofs of exterior structures. Use lauhala tropical matting as a practical underlayment for extra coverage from the sun or add it to ceilings for tropical texture.
• Pool wall decor: If you have an above-ground pool, incorporate it into your tropical design and install matting on the walls. ViroSurface matting is durable and has resistance to the sun, chlorine and harsh elements, making it suitable to install in sections along your pool's walls.
• Table runners: Use matting for decorative purposes to tie in the material from other structures. Abaca is a flexible matting with a similar texture to burlap. It would be an excellent table runner, place setting or material for arts and crafts.

Apply a clear coat of polyurethane or varnish to your tropical matting to protect it from the elements. That'll help prevent damage in certain conditions and provide an eye-catching sheen for your exterior applications.

3. Bamboo Furniture

Sometimes the best way to spend a day is lounging by the pool. But you need the right furnishings to make that possible. For practical yet stylish ways to relax and accent your backyard, consider bamboo decoration ideas with furniture. Bamboo furniture provides the ultimate tropical look that suits resorts and homes alike. Here are some of the bamboo furniture options you may need to decorate your backyard:

• A bench and chairs to fill a seating area by the bar or overlooking the pool.
• A combination shoe rack and bench for guests' convenience and to keep everyone's shoes in one place.
• A lounger to lay down and relax on by the pool.
• A low table that you can add decor to or use for placing a drink on as you or guests relax in your oasis.
• Shelving to hold towels or pool supplies in a pool house.

Select bamboo furniture that's sealed for resistance to the elements, giving your furnishings a maximized lifespan. Bamboo is already among the hardest woods for making furniture, and it's swell- and scratch-resistant. Bring bamboo furniture inside if you're expecting high winds because it is a naturally lightweight material. But that does give you the benefit of easily rearranging your furniture to suit your needs.

4. Tiki Huts

Provide visitors with shade from the heat and the sun with a Tiki hut. Tiki huts are versatile structures, suitable for spaces like your:

• Patio
• Deck
• Lounge area
• Bar area
• Poolside area

Picture walking out to your exterior space, admiring your impressive Tiki structure and lounging underneath its shade. It's a luxurious addition to any pool area, and one worth considering if you have the space.

For simple installation, purchase a Tiki hut kit. You'll get custom-made structures with a moderately easy to install setup. There's no need to purchase separate hardware, poles, a frame or thatch covering for your Tiki hut if you order a kit.

5. Umbrellas

If you don't have the space for a Tiki hut or want a structure with a lower profile, decorate with a Tiki umbrella. You'll have coverage for lounge chairs or other seating areas so you or guests can lounge by the pool in style. Tiki umbrellas come in a variety of materials and textures, like:

• Viroreed is an artificial material with a clean, sleek appearance.
• Viro Java is another artificial material, and it's 99% waterproof.
• Tiki grass has a natural, tropical feel, and these umbrellas are available in folding varieties.
• Mexican palm thatch is available in sizes like 7-feet, 9-feet, 12-feet and 14-feet.
• Artificial Mexican palm is maintenance-free and mimics the woven look of natural Mexican thatch.
• African Cape Reed thatch has trimmed panels for a tiered look that's natural yet neat.

A Tiki umbrella could last up to 10 years, depending on the climate and conditions where you install it. Choose a folding style if you can't use your backyard year-round. You'll be able to store the umbrella conveniently in the off-season.

6. Tiki Masks

A handcrafted Tiki mask is a unique addition to your backyard decor. Enhance your home's or company's poolside areas with fun and intricately detailed designs. Possible applications for Tiki masks include:

• Using them in place of garden gnomes among your plants.
• Hanging them in Tiki huts or bars.
• Lining a pathway with a few Tiki masks on either side.
• Attaching them to arches or structural poles for umbrellas and huts.

With so many colors, sizes and styles to choose from, you'll find a whimsical Tiki mask that'll match your poolside decorations. They're a unique touch to add to a Hawaiian-themed party or to leave up all the time in a lighthearted tropical theme.

7. Tropical Signs

Add whimsical touches or enhance the theme in your backyard with tropical signs. These additions to your poolside decor are ideal for any variety of areas. Add them to a bar, a patio, a deck, fences or walls and areas that need something extra. Fill a blank space in your design with:

• Retro signs or retro-inspired designs for a vintage feel.
• Humorous signs to add personality to your poolside decorations.
• Floral signs for a pretty, tropical touch.
• Palm signs for a classic tropical decor element.
• Beach-themed signs to add a coastal feel to your poolside decor ideas.
• Paddle signs for a hand-carved addition to your decor.
• Surfboard signs for a large, eye-catching option.

Combine tropical sign styles for an eclectic, beach house feel. If you prefer a more uniform look, keep your design within a theme and select one category of tropical signs to use.

8. Tropical Plants

If you need pool landscape ideas, carry the tropical theme into your plants. What will flourish in your backyard will depend on the climate and how much shade you have. Typical tropical plants have broad leaves, vivid greenery and bold, colorful blossoms. Consider plants like these, but see if they'd thrive in your climate, as well:

• Hibiscus provides a pop of color with its blooms.
• Elephant ear plants add large green leaves to your space.
• Croton is low-maintenance and has colorful, leathery leaves.
• Palms add texture and greenery in various sizes.
• Bromeliads are colorful plants that enjoy the shade.
• Potted bamboo plants match bamboo furniture and accents.
• Begonias add pops of color in hanging baskets or pots.

Depending on your climate, you may have to use these tropical plants as indoor decor during cold seasons. Incorporate faux plants if you aren't familiar with plant maintenance, don't have the time to upkeep the plants or have an unfavorable climate. Decorate with faux yet realistic plants in covered areas or use UV-resistant and waterproof options that won't fade or get damaged by the elements.

9. Lighting

Enjoy an evening or night by the pool with a spectacularly lit exterior space. Use lighting in and around your pool and seating areas to create a comfortable and safer space for you and guests. While lighting is practical, it can also be decorative, depending on what styles you select. Incorporate lighting for your backyard and poolside, such as:

• Torches give a tropical feel and soft glow.
• String lights hang through trees or above seating areas and provide soft lighting.
• Lanterns come in various looks from modern to vintage.
• Spotlights highlight your outdoor landscaping accents.
• Floodlights are practical lighting for patios, decks and other areas.
• Step lights are another practical choice to make deck stairs safer.
• Garden lights are for natural areas and come in fun or simple styles.
• Bollard lights line pathways and walkways in your yard.

Lighting makes your pool and backyard feel like an inviting oasis. Even if you or guests want to relax outside as the sun goes down, it's possible in the comforting glow of your lighting choices.

10. Water Features

The flowing sounds of a water feature create a tranquil backyard oasis and create a unique pool setup. Create the water feature near a seating area for a relaxing spot or add it to the pool to make a literal splash. Wherever you put them, consider installing outdoor landscaping accents like these:

• Fountains come in a variety of styles and sizes. Have them flowing into your pool or install a separate unit elsewhere in your yard. No matter where you put it, it's sure to improve curb appeal.
• Spouts create narrow streams or arcs of water. Use multiple along the edge of a pool, and find programmable versions to change the flow of the water. You can even get spout water features that light up or synchronize with music.
• Rock water features bubble and dribble water for a soothing structure. A rocky water feature can be small and simple, suitable for backyards with minimal space. If you have the space, you could create a dramatic assortment of rock water features. Accent the structure with durable artificial rocks to have more control over the structure's appearance.
• Ponds create a natural and peaceful backyard. If you don't want to add this water feature to your home or business, make an inground pool look like a pond. Add tall greenery and rocks around sides of the pool to make it seem natural and integrated into the landscape.

Ensure that all the materials you use for your water feature are waterproof and durable. That'll prevent you from putting in the effort to install a water feature only to have it become damaged shortly after.

Transform Your Backyard With Forever Bamboo

Create a tropical oasis in your backyard with products from Forever Bamboo. At Forever Bamboo, we specialize in exterior items that transform an area into a tropical paradise to transport you and your guests. With commercial-grade materials, customer support available Monday through Friday and free shipping on most products, you'll get quality service and stunning products for your backyard.

Browse our bamboo and thatch products, tropical matting and decor and our Tiki huts and umbrellas. Find what you need to create a backyard paradise with Forever Bamboo!

The weather's getting hotter, and you'll naturally want to prepare your home decor for summer as soon as possible. Begin by varnishing wood furniture, dusting off your Tiki torches and pulling colorful accessories from your garage or attic. As you do so, you may realize you're missing a few essential items. If you wish to follow this summer's style guide for tropical-themed decorations and design, read on for the most popular and pervasive trends.

Transform your home or business into an oasis by gathering one or two — or all — of them and enjoy summer in paradise. You won't even have to board a plane!

Poolside Paradises

In an attempt to escape the summer heat, many people opt to take a refreshing dip in the nearest pool. However, the water won't be much relief if there isn't any shade or comfy lounge chairs to sink into. Turn pool areas into cozy wonderlands with the latest fads.

Thatch Umbrellas and Huts

Provide some poolside shade with thatch products for tropical decor. For example, round thatch umbrellas or Tiki huts are great for use in backyards, theme parks, zoos and resorts, converting typical pools into a vacation getaway. They'll also help protect benches, tables and lounge chairs from the elements.

Choose from high-quality products like Seagrass, African Cape Reed and Mexican Palm thatch. Some of these materials act as insulators to moderate cold and warm air. When guests sit under round thatch umbrellas and Tiki huts, they'll likely be cooler thanks to both the shade and insulation.

Tiki Torches

Are you wondering how to make your home feel tropical? Festive lighting can add a hint of paradise to exteriors. Use Tiki torches to line walkways, light patios, illuminate pool areas and gardens. Doing so will help guide the way at night and keep guests safe. Plus, they produce a warm, welcoming glow wherever you place them, providing an everyday paradise for families, tourists and guests. Insert Tiki torches in the ground, put them on tables or hang them from ceiling beams to create magical lighting effects.

Tropical Patio Furniture

Another popular staycation summer trend is tropical patio furniture. From leaf-print cushions to wicker lounge chairs, beachy seating is in. Furniture in bright oranges, teals and yellows can also make spaces feel more tropical. Give your family or guests a comfortable place to sit, enjoy the ambiance and soak up the sun by investing in comfortable chairs and tables. Ensuring they're high-quality will make the experience even more luxurious.

Bamboo Fencing

Complete your tropical oasis with rolled bamboo fencing, available in caramel brown,  black and natural shades of beige, tan and yellow. Even a few feet of fence can add a tropical touch to your interior or exterior space. Install them on top of wood or chain-link fencing for some extra privacy and tranquility. You can even place bamboo fencing within your resort, home or business to create a more tropical-themed interior space.

Bamboo is also 100% renewable, with some species growing up to 35 inches per day. The plant's quick growth rate means it's one of the most affordable and eco-friendly fencing materials available today.  Plus, our products grow organically, without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Therefore, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, our bamboo fencing is an excellent choice.

Bold Colors

Gray walls and white kitchens are now a thing of the past. This new decade has marked the arrival of natural, saturated tones and bright pops of color. Of course, this lends itself well to trending tropical decor and paradise themes.

Accent Walls

Bright colors may be trending, but that doesn't mean an entire room must be lime green or hot pink to create a tropical oasis. Instead, consider painting one or two walls a bolder color. You might also paint the accent wall the same color as the others, but a few shades darker to add a vibrant pop to the room. These accent walls will liven up interior spaces and create a focal point without overwhelming guests, employees or residents.

Colorful Accessories

Create a cohesive space by adding accessories that complement the color scheme. For instance, if the walls are a bright turquoise blue, consider decorating with throw pillows of similar shades and one or two other colors like light apricot or green. You can also introduce more color with vases, throws, rugs, wall art and other decorations. Even furniture, curtains, drawer pulls and coasters can help enhance the tropical atmosphere if they're the right colors.

Bright Patterns

Adding a tropical-print wallpaper to one — or all — interior walls is also entirely acceptable this summer. Coat the entire bathroom in palm-leaf print or choose a tribal motif to create an accent wall in the lobby, bedroom or common area. You might also take a more subtle approach and incorporate bold, vibrant design with accessories and decorations. Abstract motifs also lend themselves well to tropical spaces, adding a smattering of pattern without being overly busy.

You can incorporate patterns with tiles, too. Cover bathroom floors with bold, colorful tiles or use small ones to create a colorful, tropical backsplash in kitchen areas. Bright tiles also work well on patios, in garden walkways and around pools.

Beachy Furniture

If walls, accessories and floors already display bold colors, furniture can serve as a natural contrast. Placing neutral or light-colored furniture in these areas will break up the patterns and colors, giving the eyes a place to rest.

Light, Natural Woods

While a darker wood like cherry or mahogany may make a home feel like paradise, lighter-colored woods are trending right now. Birch, ash, bamboo and other light woods are an excellent addition to both exterior and interior tropical spaces. Even reclaimed or limed oak can create a rustic, airy feel with the right amount of palm greens and tropical ornaments.

Rattan and wicker furniture are also making a comeback. From beds to lampshades, these natural, rustic materials can complement a tropical-themed resort, home, business space or common area.

Swinging Chairs

A hammock strung between two palm trees is the height of tropical luxury. Bring this island staple to your space by incorporating hammocks in both exterior and interior spaces. For a more refined and elegant aesthetic, consider a swinging chair instead. Hang from ceilings or rafters or find a chair that comes with a stand for a functional tropical flair your guests, employees or family members will enjoy.

Canopy Beds

While regal canopy beds with heavy tapestries and clunky headboards may have fallen out of fashion, modern versions are holding their own, especially regarding tropical trends for summer home decorating. Opt for a natural wood frame in place of metal or acrylic and drape it in breezy, sheer material. You might even wrap growing vines around the posts for a wilder, jungle oasis feel. For a simpler, calming look, keep the frame bare and add accents with pillows and warm lighting.

Sustainable Materials

Sustainable materials are a major staple in nearly every home decor trend right now. Indeed, more than two-thirds of shoppers consider sustainability before purchasing an item. Moreover, one-third are even willing to pay more for sustainable products. Thus, if you want to create an earth-conscious tropical paradise, it's smart to choose sustainably sourced and eco-friendly materials. You might accomplish this by upcycling, repurposing and making specific design elements by hand.

Rainforest Vibes

Sandy toes and salty skin aren't the only things that come to mind when people envision a tropical paradise. Rainforests have an alluring appeal, too, especially regarding decor. From zebra prints to living greenery, emulating the Amazon with tropical decor for summer is just one more way designers are hopping on this trend.

Rain Showerheads

Nothing screams rainforest quite like rain showerheads. These unique fixtures are a must-have in any tropical-themed bathroom and make showering a luxurious experience. Typically, you install the head on the shower's ceiling, although some newer models may affix to the wall. As most homes have a stereotypical showerhead with a thin stream, adding a rain fixture will upgrade your shower and make many feel as if they're vacationing on an exotic island or showering in the rainforest itself.

Tropical Interior Plants

From orchids to bamboo, tropical plants are practically essential to complete summer tropical trends and create a rainforest aesthetic. If you have enough room, incorporate larger plant varieties — like palm trees and elephant's ear — into your exterior and interior design scheme. However, it's also possible to place smaller plants throughout a home, resort or business and still create a tropical atmosphere. Consider the temperature, space, humidity and sunlight exposure a plant might require before deciding on greenery.

Animal Prints

Embrace the wild side of the tropics by incorporating animal prints in and around your space as well. From tiger-print cushions and pillows to cheetah-print rugs and accessories, there are numerous ways to add little pops of color and pattern to a space. You might even consider covering the walls or an accent wall in a light, neutral shade of zebra print. Combined with other motifs, textures and greenery, prints can quickly add flair and turn rooms into tropical escapes.

Industrial Metal

While patterns and greenery may be trending, no one wants to get lost in a jungle of a room. After all, you want guests, visitors, family and others to feel comfortable and be able to relax. Thus, in the same way that light-colored furniture can break up a room, industrial metal can keep it from becoming overly busy and obnoxious.

Try combining a dark green sink with brass hardware or white kitchen cabinets and drawers with tribal-print pulls and handles. You might also outfit spaces with glass and industrial metal by adding large mirrors and shiny side tables, light fixtures and appliances.

Tropical-Themed Decorations

Of course, animal prints, bright wallpaper and plants are all technically tropical-themed decorations. However, depending on the space you're transforming, you may want to include a few more essential items. The following pieces will help create a more cohesive tropical atmosphere and add the finishing touches to interior and exterior oases alike.

Tactile Weaves

The boho aesthetic and wall hangings aren't new to 2020, but they're still trending and make for great tropical decor for summer home decorating. Hang tapestries, woven mats and similar art pieces and even braided Seagrass on walls as decoration.

You might also plant your tropical flowers and greenery in woven baskets and place them around the home, business or resort. You can incorporate the light, caramel tones of bamboo by placing woven mats throughout a space. Use them as table runners, placemats and even wall or ceiling decor, cutting the material to your desired length to fit each space.

Bamboo Rugs

Use bamboo rugs to prepare for wet feet and dripping swim trunks as people return from the pool. Instead of deteriorating or becoming frayed over time, these rugs can withstand daily use. Placing them on interior floors will extend their life. However, they're quite versatile and will add a touch of tropical elegance to bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, living areas and lobbies alike.

Tropical Signs

It seems every Tiki bar has an "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" sign — and yours wouldn't be complete without one, either. Set the mood and make guests feel welcome with bamboo or wood signage that encourages them to kick back and relax — with or without a piña colada in hand. Hang them from ceilings, walls, rafters, the sides of your bar or place them on shelves.

Coastal Wind Chimes

The sound of seashells or bamboo clinking together isn't likely going out of style anytime soon. The unique melody can lull almost anyone into a relaxed state of mind that naturally comes from spending time in the tropics. Thus, coastal windchimes made this year's list of tropical trends for summer home decor. Hang a natural bamboo wind chime in your Tiki bar, over the back deck or right inside a breezy window to enjoy classic island sounds all summer long.

Bamboo Tropical Decor

If you're wondering how to make your home or business feel like paradise with bamboo furniture, signage, wind chimes, Tiki huts, round thatch umbrellas, fencing, matting, rugs or Tiki torches, look no further. At Forever Bamboo, we are proud to offer all these products and more. Our U.S. warehouse has one of the largest selections of green building materials in the industry. Cost-effective and versatile, our products can be a perfect addition to your tropical summer decor.

As the world becomes more environmentally aware, we also understand how valuable sustainability and durability are to our customers. That's why, when it comes to sourcing our bamboo, we only partner with suppliers who maintain ethical business practices and a low environmental impact. Our team will work with you to recommend products that will complement your home or business.

As you shop, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team with any questions or comments you might have. We'd love to hear from you. Give us a call at 877-912-2244.

Whether you're just starting to design your home garden or looking for something special to make your garden stand out, bamboo may be the answer. Whether it be a statement piece like a bamboo fence or the subtle addition of a bamboo hanging planter, this versatile material can take your home garden's design to the next level.

The advantages of designing your home garden with bamboo products don't stop at aesthetics. Bamboo is trendy, affordable, sustainable and eco-friendly, so it's something you can feel good about adding to your garden. In this guide, we'll discuss what the advantages of using bamboo products in your home garden are, how you can bring bamboo into your home garden design through easy DIY projects and what kind of bamboo to get started with.

Why Should You Use Bamboo?

Bamboo products, such as bamboo stakes, have a host of benefits that will help your garden's aesthetic appeal and practicality. Gardening novices and experts alike choose outdoor bamboo products for their home gardens because bamboo is:

1. Practical for Planting

Depending on what types of crops you plan on growing in your garden, they will need support to prevent stems from snapping and fruit from drooping. Bamboo stakes are the perfect support for your plants because they're sturdy, stylish and sustainable.

Bamboo is an incredibly hardy plant. Some species of bamboo even boast a tensile strength greater than that of steel, which means it is more than stable enough to keep your garden's crops upright. By simply placing bamboo stakes around your plants in strategic areas, you can provide your plants the support they need to ensure a great harvest.

Bamboo is effective to use in your garden, and it's easy to incorporate. The versatility and visually appealing aspects of bamboo make it the ideal gardening accessory. In addition to supporting your crops with bamboo, you can use it as a planter for smaller plants like flowers or even as decor.

Unlike other more cumbersome materials like hardwood, bamboo is relatively easy to cut and bend. Thanks to its pliable nature, bamboo can be used for various crafts and DIY projects to spruce up your garden design.

2. Decorative for Designing

There are many visually attractive ways to include bamboo in your home garden. As bamboo continues to gain popularity in the home gardening world, more and more people are beginning to recognize bamboo for the beauty it possesses.

"Natural aesthetics" was named one of the top five home garden trends of 2020 by the Royal Horticulture Society, and one of the best ways to achieve that natural look is by incorporating bamboo products into your exterior design.

Many gardeners value bamboo for the natural aura it can bring to their garden designs. Because bamboo lends your home garden a natural, earthy quality, it creates a serene sanctuary no matter how close to the bustling city you live.

Bamboo can also be used to build a more tropical setting. If you're trying to achieve a tropical atmosphere and make your home garden stand out, bamboo is your most valuable resource for tastefully adding an exotic flair.

3. Eco-Friendly for Earth

Using bamboo to craft a more visually appealing garden will benefit both your home garden and the planet. This is because bamboo is an eco-friendly and sustainable gardening option.

Bamboo absorbs more carbon dioxide and produces more oxygen than most plants. In fact, a grove of bamboo generates up to 35% more oxygen than a hardwood tree grove of the same size, while taking in four times as much carbon dioxide. A high carbon dioxide uptake helps slow global warming by clearing more carbon dioxide emitted by cars and factories from the atmosphere.

Bamboo's powerful combination of oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption abilities make it the perfect resource for the environmentally-conscious gardener.

Bamboo is known as a renewable resource that helps prevent deforestation because it grows rapidly when given the right conditions. In fact, bamboo can become fully mature in as little as seven years, which is an extremely short amount of time when compared to most types of trees. A plant's rate of growth is important because it indicates how quickly the plant is able to replace forested areas.

While many other plants require the assistance of pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers to grow well, bamboo does not need any of these harsh and potentially harmful substances to flourish. Thanks to its additive-free and rapid growth rate, bamboo is an excellent alternative to traditional hardwoods. Considering all of the eco-friendly benefits it adds, from increasing oxygen to reducing deforestation, bamboo is one of the best products for designing a natural garden.

How to Use Bamboo Products in Your Garden

The number of ways that bamboo can be incorporated into your exterior decorating is nearly endless. From large structures like privacy screens and bamboo borders to smaller items like mason bee houses and wind chimes, bamboo can be used as the foundation of many home garden accent pieces.

Of course, you can always order already made and ready to use bamboo furniture to enhance the appeal of your garden's design. But if you're feeling crafty, there is a vast variety of DIY bamboo projects for your home garden that you can create with your own two hands. Here are just a few of those project ideas:

1. Bamboo Tomato Cage

Instead of using an unsightly wire cage, support your tomato plants in style by constructing a cage out of bamboo. Simply use bamboo poles and twine to build a sturdy structure around your tomato plant, then use smaller pieces of bamboo and twine to create tiers spaced sporadically up the cage's frame to guide the plant's growth vertically.

2. Bamboo Garden Trellis

Similar to the bamboo tomato cage, a bamboo garden trellis can be used to support other high-climbing plants like vine vegetables, pole beans, cucumbers or even some flowers. Once again, some bamboo and twine are all that's needed to construct a basic A-shape trellis.

First, cut your bamboo poles to about the same length, then use twine to tie pairs or triads together. Place the untied ends in the soil and put crossbars across them as a separation barrier for your crops. Lastly, string the A-shaped frame with vertical twine climbers by tying the string at the bottom of one side, going over the top bamboo bar and tying the string on the bottom of the opposite side.

3. Bamboo Privacy Screen

To add a little privacy to your garden, first, have some thin wood pieces cut to the desired size of your privacy screen and secure the two outside pieces of the frame with L brackets. Then, add cup hooks to the top and bottom of the frame before positioning the bamboo fencing on them. Finally, close up the frame with the other two wood pieces and secure them with L brackets, as well.

4. Bamboo Hanging Planters

To make these savvy hanging planters, cut a piece of golden bamboo around a node, which will serve as the base of the planter, depending on how deep you want your planter to be. Next, drill holes for drainage and to string the wire that will hold the planters through. After that, add the wire and hang your new planter wherever you'd like.

5. Bamboo Planter for Small Plants

For an easy bamboo planter that holds smaller plants like succulents, create one out of a large half round bamboo pole. Drill a few drainage holes before filling the bamboo half with soil — and your planter is complete.

6. Bamboo Wind Chimes

Cut thin pieces of bamboo to a variety of lengths. Use hot glue to connect some of the pieces together to form a triangle, which will serve as the base of your wind chime. At the tops of your remaining bamboo pieces, glue wooden beads, so you can loop yarn through them to attach them to your triangular base. Loop additional long strands of yarn around the base, tying them in a tight knot at the top, so you can hang your wind chime from anywhere.

7. Bamboo Mason Bee House

Tying a bundle of bamboo reeds together and placing it in a tree is an easy and chic way to offer shelter to mason bees, a type of bee that doesn't bite.

8. Bamboo Borders

Bamboo borders add an element of natural charm to your garden and require minimal effort on your part. Wrapping them around your plants in increasingly tighter circles to create a spiral garden is just one of many creative twists on the basic bamboo border.

9. Bamboo Bench

For the more advanced bamboo builder, a bamboo bench can be a nice addition to your home garden. Bamboo's strength makes it a reliable material, and its pliability makes it simple to use.

Start by cutting large-diameter bamboo poles to form the bench's legs. Then, make the bench's sitting surface by connecting multiple bamboo poles together, either by tying them with twine or drilling holes for wire. Finally, drill holes, spaced vertically, in each of the four legs, and insert thinner bamboo poles into them in an X shape before securing with glue to give your bench cross support.

10. Bamboo Fence

Bamboo fences have become a home garden staple because they're easy to install and far more attractive than regular wooden or chainlink fences. To make your own bamboo fence, purchase however many rolls of bamboo fencing you need, then use screws or zip ties to attach the bamboo fencing to your pre-existing fence. Don't forget to form a barrier between your bamboo and the soil — try treated two-by-four boards — if the fence runs over your garden's soil.

What Are the Best Bamboo Products for Your Garden?

Now that you have some DIY ideas for how to use bamboo products in your garden, you will have a better idea of what type of bamboo to shop for. Go over the details of your bamboo project and determine which size bamboo would best suit your DIY needs. Then, you will be more prepared to explore your bamboo pole options.

Other than size, bamboo can differ in color and cut. Based on the design of your home garden, choose whether natural bamboo, which is the lighter tan color we traditionally associate with bamboo, or black bamboo would look fit best within your color scheme. Then, decide whether you should get your bamboo stalks pre-cut in half if your project is going to require you to use bamboo halves at some point.

Similarly, there are other decorative items, like fencing, that you can get ready-made to save yourself the trouble of stringing heavy bamboo stalks together yourself. Make sure you explore all the products available to you before wasting your time and energy struggling to construct something you could have easily bought.

Other aspects to keep in mind when choosing your type of bamboo is what kind of temperatures the bamboo will experience in your garden. Because bamboo can be found naturally across a wide range of climates, choose one that will do well in your area and be able to tolerate your lowest temperatures.

Bamboo stakes are the best type of plant stake for DIY crafters because they are easy to cut and manageable to work with. Bamboo stakes will save you from frustration and headaches, and they will do their job of supporting your plants as a resilient, durable plant that can thrive in several seasons and weather conditions. For those just venturing into the realm of exterior designing with bamboo, the many advantages of bamboo stakes make them a great way to begin your bamboo journey.

Bamboo Bonus Tips

Although bamboo is naturally an easy material to work with, here are a few extra pointers for how to build a garden with bamboo to ensure your DIY project goes smoothly:

1. Staining: If you can't find the exact shade of bamboo you want, you can customize your bamboo's color by painting or staining it. It is suggested that you buy natural bamboo if you plan to customize it because the lighter color will show off the new color or stain better.
2. Security: When securing bamboo pieces together, create a figure-eight pattern with the twine or string and then knot it tightly. If using screws, drill holes in the bamboo and then sink your screw instead of nailing directly into the bamboo.
3. Safety: Always cut bamboo safely by using a fine-bladed hacksaw or a power saw. Using the right cutting tools will keep you from injury, and using the right saws and placing masking tape over the portion of bamboo you plan to cut will also prevent splintering and produce the cleanest cut possible.

Get High-Quality Bamboo for Your Home Garden From Forever Bamboo

To ensure you get high-quality bamboo for your home garden projects, order your bamboo from Forever Bamboo. At Forever Bamboo, we offer a wide variety of bamboo products as well as other tropical exterior decorating products, like thatch and matting. Although we are located in San Diego, CA, we ship our products internationally — with free shipping on many products.

Whether you're still feeling uncertain about how to start implementing your bamboo home garden design or ready to jump in and start seeing the advantages of bamboo products, contact Forever Bamboo today.

Unfortunately, circumstances beyond your control can postpone or cancel your vacation plans. It's tough to stay home when all you can think about is the beach-side resort you booked months ago.

While you can't predict what life might throw your way, there's no reason you can't make the best of your time at home. If you were going to take the week off of work anyway, you might as well spend that vacation time making your home as relaxing as possible.

What could be better than the relaxation of paradise paired with all the comforts of home?

No matter how stressful life becomes, if you make your backyard or home its own paradise, you'll always have a spot to lounge and drink piña coladas — even if they aren't out of coconuts.

Here are some ideas on how you can replicate your tropical vacation without ever leaving home.

Jump To Sections:

• • International Travel
  • Bringing the Resort Experience Home

International Travel

When looking for a chance to get away, people often look for a vacation that comes with these four things:

1. A change of scenery: Sometimes, you just need to switch up your sights to change your point of view. When people see breathtaking nature and luxury resorts, they can easily forget the stressors of the office.

2. Fine dining: Entering a new culture means enjoying the local cuisine. There's something exciting about trying new flavors you've never experienced before.

3. Pampering: When visiting luxury resorts, most people are looking forward to the complete spa treatment. Few people get the chance to fully indulge themselves at home.

4. Relaxation: When your flight takes off, it's easy to leave all your everyday worries on the ground. You can enter a new mindset that is more conducive to serenity and inner peace.

When your plans get canceled, it might seem like all those opportunities go away. However, with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can bring all these things to your backyard.

Even if your plans have to change, you can still bring the elements of international travel into your backyard. Whether you were headed to Kenya for a safari or an island for a tropical getaway, you can take parts of those trips and incorporate them into your time at home. With just a few accent pieces, you can make your home look like a vacation destination.

African Safari

While your local neighborhood cat might be the biggest animal you'll see on a home-based safari, you can still recreate an African resort in your backyard.

To start building your own paradise, you'll want to focus on maximizing your time in the sun. Make your backyard a place where you can catch some rays or spend time in the shade while enjoying a tall glass of your favorite cold drink.

Adding some paradise-inspired, summer-themed furniture to your home will make your space comfortable and start to look like a resort. Getting bamboo furniture for your home takes you to an exotic vacation far away from any stressors. For sunbathing, make sure you have a comfortable reclining chair you can lean back and face the sun in. When you want to enjoy the weather under some shade, set up an African reed umbrella to cover your table to better set the tone for your African-themed backyard vacation. Measure the area you're looking to cover, so you can determine which size works best. That way, you can get full coverage on whatever size table you have.

Do you already have a covered structure in your backyard that offers shade? You can still give it the appearance of an African resort by attaching African reed thatch panels to the roof.

Since your backyard is probably not home to a cape parrot or bearded vulture, you might miss the sounds of birds soaring through the skies. Try adding a wind chime to your backyard to add an auditory element to your backyard experience.

If you were looking forward to discovering wild animals on a safari, bring out a laptop or tablet and find a documentary to enjoy. With the quality of modern video, you could watch lions and elephants with better detail and closer zoom than you could expect on your own safari.

Mexican Siesta

Were you planning a Latin American vacation to experience the beautiful beaches of Mexico? While you can't bring the deep blue waves to your porch, you can still bring some of the best elements of a Mexican resort to your backyard.

One of the most memorable parts of a Mexican vacation is the unique cuisine. Find a recipe and cook some authentic chilaquiles or tostadas to bring some new flavors into your home. There are thousands of recipes available online for any dish you could imagine, so don't be afraid to get creative. Here are some popular Mexican dishes to consider trying:

• Carnitas: Braised or simmered pork in a small taco with cilantro, onion, refried beans, salsa and guacamole.
• Enmolada: A corn tortilla filled with cotija cheese and chicken and covered in black mole with cheese and sesame seeds.
• Rajas con queso: Taco filled with Poblano chiles, rajas, and crema de poblano.
• Salbut: Puffed tortilla deep-fried and topped with avocado, pulled meat, lettuce, pickled red onion and tomato.
• Taquito: A rolled tortilla filled with some combination of beef or chicken and cheese that's fried.

If your dish doesn't turn out as expected, order take-out from your local Mexican restaurant. Finish off your dish or take-out, with a homemade margarita or Aguas Frescas.

Once you've experimented with your latest creation, enjoy your Mexican meal under a palm thatch Mexican umbrella. If you already have one on your deck, placing an umbrella cover over your current umbrella transforms the existing space. Play a recording of the sounds of waves crashing and seagulls chirping. 

Fiji Oasis

If you have a pool in your backyard, a great theme to build on is the beaches of Fiji. Known for its stunning vistas and native culture, you can see from the pictures alone why it is such a desired vacation destination.

Even if you can't go hiking on Mount Tomanivi or snorkeling by the Yawasa Islands, you can incorporate elements of island time back home. Appreciate the beauty of nature in your backyard with planters of colorful flowers. This gives you something to admire while floating in the pool. Even if you don't have your own poolside bar, enjoy a tropical fruit cocktail of your own making while lounging poolside.

To make your own Fijian bar, add a Tahitian Palm Thatch to your outdoor structure to make your backyard feel like a resort with a poolside cabana. Getting a sustainable bamboo wine rack gives you a great place to store your spirits and adds to the feeling of a tropical poolside bar. 

If you're missing that ocean wildlife, you can find aquarium livestreams online that show shark, jellyfish, coral reef and tropical fish tanks. They're relaxing to watch while you unwind in the pool, and sometimes you can catch aquarium directors narrating the livestream and taking questions from viewers. If you get nervous in the ocean, this is an excellent alternative for you to appreciate the beauty of wildlife without worrying about what might brush up against your leg. Plus, you don't have to worry about a wave knocking over your glass of wine!

Hawaiian Luau

Known for its beautiful beaches, Hawaii is home to both natural beauty and cultural entertainment. While you won't have fire dancers in your home, you can incorporate tiki elements into your backyard to have a luau of your own.

The traditional luau celebrates joy and happiness. During your vacation, take the time to celebrate the simple joys in your life and find delight in the world around you. By making your backyard feel like a luau, you remind yourself that the little moments in life deserve just as much celebration as the big ones.

For some staycation decoration ideas, add tiki masks, tropical signs and hanging birds to your backyard. For a special twist, hang a bamboo tiki bar wind chime to add some musical tones with every breeze. 

To start a part of your own, make some fun tropical drinks and finger foods to enjoy. Good choices for a menu include meats and fruits cooked on a grill, and make sure to add seafood to incorporate the island theme. Sweet, fruit-based marinades are excellent options, and using a pineapple garnish adds color and flavor to each dish. 

Creating authentic dishes to pair with the tropical decor of your home will bring cohesion to your relaxing staycation. To really make your home feel like a vacation spot, here are some Hawaiian-themed dishes to try creating on your own:

• Ahi poke: This simple dish only includes a few ingredients, so the tuna gets to be the star of the show. Only try this dish if you have a local market with high quality, fresh fish.
• Chicken long rice: With a Chinese food inspired taste, this stew features clear mung bean noodles and chicken with a ginger flavor — it pairs well with many Hawaiian dishes.
• Luau stew: A dish with multiple iterations, this famous stew focuses on cooked taro leaves and has ingredients like onion, ginger, pepper, seaweed and coconut milk. A popular version includes brisket.
• Acai bowl: These combinations of banana, granola, berries, honey and acai have made their way into local coffee shops in North America, and for good reason — they're delicious. Beginning your relaxing staycation as soon as you wake up is the best way to turn your home into a tropical oasis.

Staying home does not mean you cannot take the time to celebrate you. Throw your own luau as a testament to your accomplishments of the year and give yourself an escape from the demands of your workday. Take this time and make it all about you.

Bringing the Resort Experience Home

If you booked a stay at a luxury resort, you might feel disappointed now that you can't enjoy some much-needed pampering. However, with a bit of creativity, you can bring the resort experience right into the comfort of your home. Think about some of your favorite resort perks and consider how you can best adapt them into a personalized experience that gives you a bit of paradise inside the comforts of your own home.

Spa

If you were supposed to enjoy a spa vacation with your partner, you could work together to give each other a relaxing spa experience. Take turns giving each other massages, guiding the other on where you feel the most tension. Work on your communication with each other and spend quality time helping your partner unwind.

Take the time to unwind with facial, foot, skin and body treatments you've never tried before. Always test new products on a small part of your skin 24 hours before doing the full procedure to make sure you have no adverse reactions.

If you treat yourself with a higher-end product than usual, you're still spending less than you would at a spa, so don't hold back from trying out that luxurious skin care cream you've had your heart set on.

A home spa experience can take many forms, so think about what procedures you gravitate towards at the spa and adapt them for at-home use. Think about what part of the body you want to focus on and what sorts of sensations help you relax:

• Touch: Do you enjoy soaking in a relaxing bath? Could your skin benefit from a special sugar scrub?
• Taste: Does a specific herbal tea help you relax? Do you love indulging in high-end chocolate?
• Sound: Is there a particularly relaxing type of music you enjoy? Does the sound of the waves bring you peace?
• Smell: Is there a specific candle that makes you feel relaxed? Do you want to try a new essential oil in your diffuser?
• Sight: Do you like watching a crackling fire? Is there a small water fixture you like to watch?

If you want to enjoy lounging in the sun with a bit of increased privacy, consider installing bamboo fencing over your current fence. Then, you can enjoy a face mask and cucumbers without being easily spotted by neighbors. 

Cuisine 

The best part of a staycation is that you aren't limited to one country's signature dishes. You can sample all sorts of food when you try different recipes on your own. Every night can bring your taste buds to a brand new part of the world.

Here are popular foods from different countries around the world to give yourself some inspiration:

• Spain: Seafood paella features different fish and crustaceans along with white rice and herbs.
• Vietnam: Pho includes fresh rice noodles in beef broth that can be customized with so many different ingredients that you're sure to find one to best fit your palate. 
• Poland: Pierogis are the polish take on dumplings, and like pho, you can customize them with different ingredients for the filling. Potatoes, sauerkraut, various meats or onions are just a few of the popular options.
• Japan: Sushi is a popular dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Pair with miso soup and rice for a well-rounded meal. If you're feeling adventurous, try fixing yourself a sake cocktail.

Try recipes with ingredients you've never seen before. Shop at a local market other than a chain grocery store to get more authentic, niche ingredients. If you have a partner, involve them in the cooking process, so you can have a couple's cooking night as you learn new techniques. You're trying something new, so feel free to make some mistakes along the way. The food will taste even better when you develop a newfound appreciation for its process's complexity. 

When you've finished whipping up your masterpiece, eat outdoors, if possible, to appreciate the sunset or stars. Set the table with candles and use your finest dishes. You're treating yourself, so pull out all the stops and indulge in a wine you've never tried before. For that extra flair, set up sconce torches to give your backyard more of a resort feel and to add additional lighting.

Meditation 

One of the best parts of any vacation is the ability to completely unwind. You have a more natural mindset that gives you a sense of peace, knowing that your troubles are far away. Practicing deep meditation gives you the skills to feel deep peace wherever you are. Cultivating this skill will help you even beyond your staycation, giving you the ability to shut down the parts of your mind that are wired with anxiety.

One thing that can help your mind enter a place of meditation is arranging the space around you. Add a tropical candle or a bamboo rug to a quiet, clean room in your house that you don't associate with stress. Maybe this is a guest bedroom, a finished basement or any space you don't do much work in. You can set that space aside in your mind, so that when you enter the room and see those relaxing objects, you know to start the process of relaxation.

If you want to incorporate movement, you can follow along with a peaceful yoga tutorial as though you have your own private class. Meditation is all about shifting your focus from what brings you anxiety and drawing attention to what you can control, such as your breathing. We are always so focused on the externals — like stressing at work, worrying about current events or wondering what the future holds — that we forget to focus on ourselves internally. Through meditation, you bring awareness to each part of your body while slowing down your racing thoughts.

Meditation is difficult and takes practice. The most important thing to do is give yourself grace to make mistakes. You won't be a master immediately.

If you're just getting started, try a simple body scan or grounding exercise. When you are ready to begin, settle into a space on the rug with your back on the floor and your legs outstretched or slightly bent. Place your hands at your sides with you palms facing the sky or on your stomach so you can feel your breathing. There are plenty of apps you can find that lead you in guided meditation, but if you don't want to commit to a subscription, you can find plenty of free meditation sessions on YouTube. 

Cultivating the skills for meditation takes time, so don't feel frustrated with yourself if you don't master it right away. Taking the time to start these habits during your designated vacation gives you the skills you need to bring meditation into your everyday practices.

Start Making Your Own Paradise Today

While it's hard to beat the peace that comes with a change of scenery, through some creative thinking and adaptation, you can bring a slice of paradise into your home. Spend the time you already took off from work investing in yourself and your relaxation. Self-care is an essential part of feeling rested and rejuvenated, and you shouldn't let canceled flights or refunded resort rooms stop you from taking care of yourself.

Forever Bamboo gives you a great place to start transforming your home into a paradise of its own. Looking through our extensive collections of fencing, decor, huts, umbrellas, artificial rocks and thatching can help you reclaim your vacation and focus on the relaxation you deserve from the comfort of your home.

A staycation doesn't mean you have to stay in your bathrobe all day eating cereal and watching Netflix — unless that sounds like your personal paradise. For those who love the glitz and glamour of a tropical vacation, there are tons of ways to bring the oasis to you. Here are some things to do on a staycation to make it feel

Thatch umbrellas are beautiful, exotic fixtures that transform any place into a tropical paradise. They're also eco-friendly, easy to install and long-lasting. However, to keep your thatch umbrella looking and performing its best throughout its life, you'll need to perform a few simple maintenance tasks from time to time. In this article, we'll cover the types of thatch commonly used for thatch umbrellas and what type of upkeep you can expect to do for each.

Jump To Sections:

• How to Care for a Thatch Umbrella
• Preventative Care for Thatch Umbrellas
• How to Protect Your Thatch Umbrella From the Elements

How to Care for a Thatch Umbrella

At Forever Bamboo, our thatch umbrella products are available in various kinds of thatch. While they all share many similarities, each type calls for a slightly different maintenance routine. In this section, we will describe each kind of thatch umbrella that we offer and provide maintenance tips for each.

1. Mexican Thatch

Mexican thatch, one of our most popular umbrella materials, is a uniquely beautiful material consisting of woven sun-dried palm leaves. The trees these leaves come from are not harmed during harvesting, which means this product is endlessly renewable. Additionally, palm trees don't require many resources to grow, so our supply chain's carbon footprint is relatively low.

Mexican thatch lasts for two to three years, depending on your climate and how well you maintain it. Generally, you can expect your Mexican thatch to last longer in dry, warm climates. If you'd like to alter the size or length of your Mexican thatch umbrella, you can do so by cutting it with a razor blade or sharp scissors.  For the best look, we also recommend you "double layer" these umbrella covers. Double layering helps to give you a fuller look to your umbrella and can extend the life of the products.

2. African Reed Thatch

Our African reed thatch umbrellas are made completely from African cape reed thatch. The strongest, most durable natural thatch product, African reed thatch has been used for roofs for hundreds of years and stands up particularly well against strong winds. It is particularly popular for its natural color combination of greens, yellows, browns and charcoals, which are great for enhancing a wide variety of environments and are commonly used in theme parks and beach resorts.

Our African thatch, which is exceptionally resistant to low and high temperatures, is an excellent insulator. This means it will keep an area relatively warm in cold weather and relatively cool in hot weather. In short, African thatch will make the outdoors comfortable, no matter what time of year. One unique benefit of African thatch is that it's breathable, which means that it allows heat to escape through the roof, unlike roofs made of tin, tile, polycarbonate and other non-breathable materials. It's also extremely resistant to harsh weather and, with proper care and maintenance, can last up to 15 years. If you live in an area with high levels of humidity or rain, this is a fantastic choice for your project!

3. Tahitian Thatch

Our Tahitian thatch umbrellas are designed to capture the architecture and tropical feeling of Tahiti and the South Pacific region. They feature panels made by hand using sun-dried palm leaves, which ensures they are consistent in shape, size and quality. The leaves are also well secured in place, thanks to the strong nylon thread that holds them together, so you can expect them to withstand strong winds.

Also known as Fiji, Fijian or Brazilian thatch, Tahitian thatch is a natural material that features an attractive mix of light gray and tan colors, which are great for creating a tropical ambiance. It is also a preferred material for many Palapa builders and contractors for both commercial and residential applications. Water parks, poolside cabanas and beachfront resorts commonly use Tahitian thatch to create a tropical feel.

Like African thatch, Tahitian thatch also lasts up to 10 years if your climate conditions are not too harsh and you take good care of it. Even if you live in a harsher climate, you can extend the life of your Tahitian thatch umbrella by applying the proper treatment. A treatment we recommend and offer is called Thatch Safe, a sealant and fire retardant made especially for thatch. Applying this treatment will make your Tahitian thatch umbrella resistant to fire and pests.

If you plan to put your Tahitian thatch umbrella outside, keep in mind that some areas may require a certain treatment to adhere to fire codes. If you have bought or are planning to buy a Tahitian thatch umbrella, make sure to research local building standards, especially if you live in a zone where wildfires are common, such as California.

4. Artificial Thatch

Have you had to replace your thatch umbrella multiple times? If you would prefer a material with a longer lifespan and virtually no maintenance, consider switching to synthetic thatch. At Forever Bamboo, we offer umbrellas made of 100% recyclable, eco-friendly polyethylene materials that don't need any upkeep once they've been installed. Artificial thatch can last for 20 years, which is over four times longer than most natural thatch materials. It's also resistant to mold and pests, meaning you won't have to apply any treatment. If you've grown tired of maintaining and re-thatching your umbrella, an artificial thatch umbrella is a fantastic solution.

If you're wondering whether to choose artificial thatch but need more information, consider the following benefits:

• Attractive: You won't be compromising on the appearance, either, as our synthetic thatch perfectly replicates the ornate artistry of Mexican and African palm thatch styles. To an untrained eye, artificial thatch is practically indistinguishable from natural thatch.
• Versatile: Artificial thatch can be used in businesses, homes or any other space that could be enhanced by a tropical-style fixture.
• Cost-effective: Artificial thatch umbrellas are a cost-effective, smart alternative to real thatch umbrellas, which generally must be replaced every five years or so. Artificial thatch resists climate-related wear and tear, which means you'll be spending less time and money on maintenance and replacement over the years.
• Eco-friendly: At Forever Bamboo, we go to great lengths to make sure our natural thatch products are harvested sustainably. Staying true to this mission, our artificial products are made using eco-friendly, commercial-grade, high-quality plastic extrusions. Whether you opt for natural or synthetic thatch, you're making an environmentally-friendly choice.
• Variety: Unlike natural thatch, faux thatch doesn't rely on availability or plant growing seasons. Since synthetic thatch consists of manufactured and formed HDPE, manufacturers can make synthetic thatch to imitate a wide variety of natural panel types. With artificial thatch, you could have the look of straight African thatch or frayed Mexican thatch. Faux thatch also has a more consistent appearance than its natural counterpart. As with any product made from dry leaves, the final appearance or natural thatch will depend greatly on the natural variations in the leaves used. If you opt for artificial thatch, you'll enjoy more texture and color consistency, all while still looking very natural.

Preventative Care for Thatch Umbrellas

As we mentioned in the sections above, our natural thatch umbrellas are not naturally fire-resistant. To make your thatch umbrella as safe as possible, we recommend that you apply a fire retardant, which will minimize the risk and damage of fire by removing combustible gases. If thatch treated with fire-rated coating comes in contact with fire, smoke will be reduced by over half, which lowers the chances of inhalation by anyone nearby. The product we recommend is our Thatch Safe Fire Retardant.

In addition to helping protect from fires, Thatch Safe Fire Retardant serves as a water-proofing agent and preservative agent when applied to thatch. It protects your thatch from bugs and other pests, and even provides protection against bacteria, certain fungi and molds, which can degrade the quality of your thatch. With this treatment, you can rest assured that the integrity of your thatch will be well preserved.

Thatch Safe Fire Retardant does not crystallize, weaken or harm your thatch in any way — treated thatch maintains all of its characteristics and structural strength. Furthermore, it doesn't contain any chemicals and solvents that are harmful to humans and the environment. Our sealant is water-based, meaning it's non-volatile and non-toxic, and by applying this fire-retardant coating to your thatch, you're further lowering its environmental impact by extending its lifespan. The more durable a product it is, the less it needs to be replaced, which conserves precious natural resources.

The application process is very straightforward. To apply our recommended fire retardant Thatch Safe to your thatch, follow these steps:

1. Find a tool to apply the treatment. No special cutting tools or fasteners are needed for this project — you just need a conventional roller, brush or airless sprayer. However, make sure that any equipment contacting the thatch is either plastic or stainless steel. This will prevent chemical reactions and breakdowns.
2. Make sure your surface is dry and clean. Although minimal preparation is needed for this project, the one thing you want to make sure of is that your thatch is dry and clean before applying any sealant. This will ensure maximum adherence.
3. Apply the treatment. Apply Thatch Safe without diluting the product. Apply three coats. Each gallon provides approximately 150 square feet of coverage. Try to treat as much surface area as you can reach.
4. Wait 24 hours. You must wait at least 24 hours for the first coat of Thatch Safe to cure.
5. If desired, paint or stain your thatch. If you'd like to color your thatching, you can use your sealant as a surface primer and paint over it with latex paint or tint it with a water-based stain. However, you must wait a full 24 hours before doing this.

How to Protect Your Thatch Umbrella From the Elements

Even with a high-quality protective coating, your thatch umbrella may still be vulnerable to certain natural elements. In this section, we will discuss how you can best deal with each.

Dealing With High Winds

While hand-woven thatch is known to stand up to winds up to 50 or 60 miles per hour, its resistance to stronger winds may vary. If you're expecting a storm with high winds, we highly recommend that you remove the thatch and store it inside in a safe place.

Dealing With Runoff

When your thatch umbrella is new and is rained on for the first time, it can leach a runoff that leaves stains and spots on the ground. To avoid this situation and the cleanup it will require, hose down your thatch thoroughly — which means all of the thatch and areas surrounding the thatch — once or twice a day for the first 30 days. However, if you continue to see runoff after 30 days, continue hosing it down every day until you no longer see runoff. If you don't do this, your paving could get stained from the runoff when it rains.

Dealing With Mold and Insects

If you live in a colder, damper climate, mold might start to accumulate on your thatch umbrella. If this happens, the solution is simple: just spray your thatch using a mild mold killer or bleach and water solution. If you live in a warmer climate, you might have to deal with an insect infestation, in which case we recommend that you call a reputable pest control company in your area and discuss treatment options.

Come to Forever Bamboo for All Your Thatch Umbrella Needs

Forever Bamboo is North America's leading supplier of thatch products. We offer our eco-friendly, high-quality products at reasonable prices, and our enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff is happy to help you with all your thatch needs.

We have worked with a vast array of clients, including zoos, theme parks, stadiums, casinos, beach resorts, interior designers, party planners, television shows, movie studios, golf courses, aquariums, home builders, restaurants and hotels. And we attribute our success as a business to our philosophy of providing our customers with superior products and service. We will share with you our comprehensive knowledge of our products, so you can make the best decisions possible and be satisfied with your purchase.

Feel free to browse our selection online, contact us using our form or give us a call at 619-937-2846.

What comes to mind when you envision your perfect backyard? Whether you have a large or small yard, we have a dream backyard checklist that will help you design your space.

Jump To Sections:

• Questions to Ask Before Decorating Your Backyard
• Essentials for Your Dream Backyard
• Designing Your Backyard on a Budget
• How to Give Your Backyard More Privacy
• Backyard Décor for Your Dream Backyard

Before you start decorating your backyard, you should make a plan of how you want to use the space and what is essential for your dream backyard. Decide how much privacy you need and how much money you're willing to spend. You could also use DIY projects to add a unique flair to your living space.

Accenting your walls or fencing with tropical décor could make you feel like you're on vacation to an exotic island getaway. After a long day, you want a backyard where you can play and relax. To make your yard everything you want it to be, here is your guide for creating your dream backyard.

Questions to Ask Before Decorating Your Backyard

When you have a plan, you can check the items off your dream backyard checklist with ease. As you create your plan to decorate your backyard, you should answer the following questions:

• How do you want to use your space? Your yard is essentially an extension of your interior living space. Depending on the size and layout of your space, you can use your backyard for multiple functions. Visualize how you see yourself using this space. Do you imagine grilling outside and having your guests over for an outdoor dinner? Do you want the room to play or space to unwind after a long day of work? Knowing this information before you design your dream backyard could help you choose the right furniture and décor for your intended purpose.
• What is essential for your space? If you are renovating your backyard, you may be able to visualize your dream backyard better if you clean the current furniture out of your backyard. Use the clean space as a blank canvas for your perfect backyard layout. As you create your image for your dream backyard, brainstorm what furniture and appliances will complete your look. Do you need an outdoor grill? What about a pool? You can decide how you want to create your perfect exterior living space with the right essentials.
• Will you be entertaining kids? Whether you have kids of your own or your guests have kids, consider whether your backyard should be kid-friendly. You can have a relaxing backyard while still creating space for the kids in your life to have fun. Even if you choose to keep your yard more mature, make sure it is safe for kids who may come by for a visit.

• How much greenery do you like? Adding greenery and plants to your backyard is an inexpensive, eco-friendly way to bring natural beauty to your living space. You could use your yard to grow fragrant herbs or colorful flowers. If you would rather have a more urban look to your yard, you could choose stone, brick or wood to decorate your backyard instead of a garden.
• What is your budget? You could design your backyard landscaping to look however you want. Before you fall in love with a plan that could set you back financially, ask yourself how much time and money you have to spend on your property. Even if you have room in your budget to set up a luxurious backyard, think about how much money it will cost you to maintain over time. You also should consider how much time your dream backyard will take to clean. You can have your dream backyard and save money by doing projects yourself or investing in inexpensive furniture and decor.
• What is your backyard theme? Your backyard should reflect your unique personality. You could have a tropical theme to your backyard, or you could have a more modern look. Use your interior design to model how you want your backyard to look. Your theme should be consistent throughout every aspect of backyard decorating, including your garden, your patio and the material you use for privacy.
• What is the climate like in your local area? Whether your home sees all four seasons or you have mostly warm temperatures, you may need a covered area to protect you and your guests from the elements. You should also consider how your neighborhood's climate will affect your outdoor furniture and decor.
• What kind of area do you live in? Your backyard design can reflect the overall aesthetic of your neighborhood. If you live in an urban setting, you can include more modern furniture. If you live in a woodland setting, you could use stone pathways and greenery that match the natural beauty around you.

Essentials for Your Dream Backyard

After you figure out the theme and purpose of your backyard, now you can start designing. You can create your ideal yard with any of these essentials.

• Pool: Pools are popular for people who enjoy hosting outdoor parties and entertaining kids at home. If you decide to put a pool in your backyard, you should also include a pool deck to provide a safe space for people walking with wet feet.
• Garden: Depending on the theme of your backyard, you could have a meditation garden or one filled with specific types of flowers. You could even do a tropical flower garden to showcase your tropical décor aesthetic. If you like cooking at home, you could include an herb garden in your backyard just outside the kitchen. The more variety of plants you use, the more colorful and inviting your backyard will be.

• Lighting: You and your guests should have lighting at night to help you see each other and walk safely throughout your backyard. You could use string lights or candles. If your backyard has a tropical theme, you could also use Tiki torches or lanterns to brighten up your backyard.
• Tropical decor: For a tropical aesthetic, you can choose from a vast selection of tropical decor. You could build a Palapa with thatch and bamboo or a Mexican thatch umbrella to provide shade and designate a space in your backyard for relaxing. Using bamboo or thatch products creates a luxury feel in your backyard, while allowing you to stay within your budget.
• Flow: Your backyard will be more inviting from the interior of your home if you have doors to help you easily flow from one place to the other. On a beautiful summer day, you could even leave your door open to allow your guests and family to move throughout your entire living space.

Designing Your Backyard on a Budget

If you're on a tight budget, you can still have the dream yard you want. You can make your small yard seem more spacious, and you can design your large backyard with furniture and décor that fit your budget.

Adding Space to Your Small Backyard

You can add details to your small backyard to make your space appear bigger. If you live in a neighborhood where everyone has a small backyard, you could ask your neighbors for inspiration and tips.

• Create a function for each part of the yard: To make the most of your small backyard, you should have a designated space for each part of the yard.

• Create focal points: When you have a focal point in your backyard, your guests will have something to grab their attention. You could make pathways with pavers or stone, or you could have a statue or fountain be the main focus of your backyard.
• Use the side yard: Your backyard includes your side yard on both sides of your house. You could use this space to add a garden or a small table for an intimate gathering.
• Add bold colors: You could add pillows with pops of color to accent your outdoor furniture. For a more natural look, you could also use colorful flowers in your garden and shrubbery to decorate your backyard.
• Use archways to frame your space: In addition to adding privacy, to provide shade in the summer and make your space appear bigger, you could add trees, pergolas or a Mexican thatch umbrella. You could also adorn these frames with tropical décor or greenery.
• Garden vertically: If you want trees, you should plant trees that will grow up instead of out. You could also use hanging plants or use bamboo garden planters to create a vertical garden instead of a horizontal garden that takes up space in your yard.
• Keep your furniture and décor small: For a small backyard, use small, simple furniture as accents to your dream backyard space.

Inexpensive Décor for Your Luxury Backyard

When you create a budget, you can design your luxury backyard while wisely spending your money. Here are some budget-friendly tips for decorating your backyard.

• DIY projects: If you are crafty, so you could save money by doing projects yourself. For example, you could create a patio, benches or fountains on your own.

• Refurbish old items: You could be creative and reuse items in your home outside. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh coat of water-resistant paint to give new life to your old household items.
• Use greenery and flowers: You could add pops of color to your backyard with evergreen plants and bright flowers. Plants that last throughout the years are the best investment for your yard.
• Invest in affordable lighting: When you're outside at night, you could use Tiki torches or lanterns as an affordable way to light your backyard.

How to Give Your Backyard More Privacy

Another essential detail to consider is how much privacy you want in your backyard. If being able to conceal your yard is important to you, you have plenty of options to choose from as alternatives to traditional fencing. Here are some ways to give your backyard more privacy.

• Hedges of shrubbery: Evergreen plants are sustainable, eco-friendly substitutes for traditional fencing and will last throughout the whole year. Hedges are relatively easy to plant on your own. You could also use shrubs to create a cozy enclave corner in your backyard. Consult with your local nursery to find the best shrubs for your budget and your local area.

• Bamboo fencing: Bamboo fencing provides a natural feel to your backyard. As a sustainable, durable alternative to traditional fencing, bamboo is relatively easy to install and will give your backyard privacy while letting in natural light and beauty. While bamboo is beautiful on its own, you could enhance your bamboo fencing with a stain finish. If you create DIY fencing, you could also design your bamboo fencing to fit your backyard's unique aesthetic.
• Bamboo walls: You could use exterior bamboo walls to turn your backyard into a retreat from the world. While most fences make you feel closed in, bamboo walls contain gaps that allow you to see outside your home at the same time as providing privacy for you and your guests. Bamboo walls are relatively easy to install with bamboo poles.
• Pergola: A pergola provides some overhead privacy from your neighbors on the second floor. Pergolas can stand on their own, but adding wood beams or columns could provide more privacy in your backyard. You could also add plants and greenery to your pergola to fill in those empty gaps.
• Privacy panels: You could design privacy panels made out of wood. Like bamboo walls, they will provide you with privacy while also allowing space to see beyond your yard.
• Bamboo roof: You could design a Mexican thatch umbrella to cover your space and provide shade.
• Partitions: A portable partition will allow you to have flexible privacy in your space. You could also make a room divider out of bamboo for exterior use.
• Vertical garden walls: Along with hedges of shrubbery, you could also add a vertical garden to your backyard to provide privacy.
• Metal wall screen: For a modern look, you could create a wall screen out of metal for your backyard's privacy.
• Stone walls: If you have a larger budget, you could add privacy to your home with a stone wall. Doing this will give your home a more classic look while adding privacy to your backyard.

• Trellis: A trellis will give you the privacy you need while letting in sunlight and providing a pleasant breeze. You could add greenery to adorn your trellis in your backyard. You could also create a trellis out of bamboo for your backyard.
• Outdoor curtains: For blocking off certain areas of your backyard, you could use an outdoor curtain. Curtains specifically made for the outdoors can handle different weather conditions and come in a variety of colors. While curtain rods are easiest for mounting outdoor curtains, you could also hang your curtains from your pergola or the sides of your porch.

Backyard Décor for Your Dream Backyard

To complete the theme of your dream backyard space, you should find the right décor. Here are some of our favorite décor items.

Tropical-Themed Décor for Your Dream Paradise

Do you imagine your backyard looking like a vacation on a tropical island? If you work long hours and need a place to retreat after a stressful workday, consider designing your tropical paradise backyard. You can select from a wide variety of bamboo and thatch products, as well as some DIY projects to complete your tropical décor.

• Tiki huts and umbrellas: Tiki huts and thatch umbrellas provide your backyard with natural shelter. You can cool down your exterior space with an eco-friendly thatch umbrella. You can choose from a selection of African Reed, Sea Grass or Mexican Palm thatch products.
• Tropical flowers, signs, hanging birds and Tiki masks: Add tropical accents to your bamboo walls or fencing — like flowers or signs — to complete your tropical paradise look in your backyard. You can also choose from a selection of tropical products like hanging birds and Tiki masks that can make you feel like you're on vacation.

• Artificial rocks: These stylish rocks can hide unsightly aspects of your exterior space. They come in a wide selection of fun colors to blend into your backyard and create a tropical atmosphere in your living space.

DIY Projects to Save Money and Match Your Style

While you can buy products pre-made for backyard decorating, maybe you'd prefer to do a project yourself. You can choose from so many fun tropical DIY projects that will save you money and become what you want them to be.

When you use bamboo to design your special project, remember that bamboo comes in a variety of natural colors to fit your backyard theme, but you could also stain or paint it. If you need to cut bamboo for your DIY project, cover the area with masking tape first to avoid splintering and use a power saw or a fine-bladed hacksaw. As you connect your bamboo poles, drill a hole into your poles before adding screws or tie the poles together with twine.

Here are some ideas for DIY projects to spruce up your backyard with bamboo or thatch products.

• Mexican thatch umbrella: Mexican Palm thatch is naturally water-resistant, so it is the ideal material for your DIY umbrella. Mexican thatch umbrellas are round, but you can make them whatever size you want and place them wherever you like in your backyard.
• Tiki hut: You can create your Tiki hut to your unique specifications. For this project, you would need bamboo, thatch, measuring tools and a saw.
• Garden edging: While most homeowners use wood, brick or stone to create a border around their garden, you could use bamboo poles as garden edging. All you need to do is measure your garden space and cut the poles to fit your garden.
• Benches: This project is for advanced DIY-ers, but we've made the process easy by providing you with the bamboo poles you need to create a sturdy bench for your exterior space. Bamboo has the same tensile strength as steel and has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
• Planters:You can enhance your exterior space by making hanging planters out of thick bamboo poles.
• Palapas: Palapas — or thatch roofs — are relatively easy to install and can enhance the tropical aesthetic of your exterior living space. You would need to create the posts out of bamboo, the roof base out of bamboo or plywood and the roof covering out of thatch.
• Outdoor shower: You could set up an outdoor show just outside your pool to allow your guests to rinse themselves. You could add bamboo to an existing outdoor shower. Since bamboo is water-resistant, it is a perfect resource for you to use to create your outdoor shower.
• Tiki bar: Your Tiki bar will help you serve your guests and continue the party in your backyard. You can create a brand-new Tiki bar with bamboo poles and a thatch roof, or you could add a layer of bamboo to cover a Tiki bar you already have.

Forever Bamboo Has Everything You Need for Your Tropical Dream Backyard

As the nation's leading provider of tropical-themed décor, Forever Bamboo has bamboo and thatch products to make your dream backyard a tropical paradise. We ship globally from San Diego, California, and offer free shipping on select products. Our bamboo and thatch products are eco-friendly and sustainable for you to create your dream backyard.

Browse our collection of products to start creating your tropical dream backyard. We have the largest inventory of bamboo products, thatch products and tropical décor in the United States. Call 877-912-2244 today to speak to a customer service representative, or fill out a contact form.