California Home Spas & Patio

Decorating & Designing Your Outdoor Space

Decorating and designing your own outdoor dining and living areas can seem like a big task. Let California Home Spas & Patio help with your plans. We have been helping local Southern California residents with their outdoor barbecue, hot tub, and patio furniture needs for over 30 years. Read more about designing your own outdoor spaces below:

• A BobVila.com, learn how to care for your patio furniture so it will look its best for a long time.
• This list of 20 basic grilling tips, provided by Better Homes and Gardens, has great ideas for beginners and pros alike.
• To learn more about how to keep your patio furniture in good condition, take a look at these tips from the Outdoor Entertaining section of Good Housekeeping.
• Get detailed instructions on how to clean your grill from The Learning Channel in this informative article.
• Southern Living provides unique tips for creating an outdoor dining area and decorating like a pro.

When it comes to designing and decorating your patio, let a professional help. Call the team at California Home Spas & Patio today at (562) 912-3957!

Outdoor Kitchen Design for Large Spaces

There are many elements to consider when designing your outdoor kitchen, such as the best type of barbecue for your design and how many people you need your seating area to accommodate. After all, you want to create a beautiful space for your guests to enjoy.

In this video, Scott Cohen shares his ideas for designing an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are generally larger and more spread out than indoor kitchens, allowing you to create a space that easily accommodates two or more people in the kitchen area at one time. In this video, you’ll also get ideas on the best appliances, hardware, and decorations to include in your outdoor kitchen. 

Allow California Home Spas & Patio to assist in planning your outdoor kitchen. Give us a call today at (562) 912-3957. We have been helping customers create their own outdoor kitchens with barbecues, patio furniture, and grills in Southern California since 1979!

How to Keep Your Outdoor Furniture in Tip Top Shape

With the proper care, your patio furniture will have a much longer life--providing you with a comfortable place to relax during the most enjoyable months of the year. Here are a few easy ways to keep your outdoor furniture looking great through the seasons. 

Keep it Clean

Keep your patio furniture clean by regularly removing dust, dirt, and leaves, as they can cause early wear and tear. Most outdoor furniture can be quickly rinsed with water and left to dry. Patio furniture sets with umbrellas, cushions, and fabric covers can be cleaned with a soft brush, and often, the cushion covers can be removed and washed on delicate cycle in the washing machine. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations before washing to preserve the life of the fabrics.

Protect It from the Elements

Most patio furniture is pre-treated for protection from the elements. If it is not, you can use paste wax on your metal or wicker furniture to help prevent rusting. A protective varnish coating should be used on wood furniture. For best results, all pieces of outdoor furniture should be cleaned with a mild soap and water and left to dry before sealing.

Store it in the Off Season

Store your patio furniture indoors or under protective awnings in the off season. This should typically be during the winter months, when snow and ice are a threat. If you live somewhere particularly warm, you might want to move your patio furniture to a shaded area during the summer to prevent sun damage.

To learn more about taking care of your outdoor furniture, contact the experts at California Home Spas & Patio. We offer a wide selection of outdoor furniture and equipment, including patio furniture, hot tubs, spas, and more. Make your backyard the summer sanctuary you and your family have been wanting by visiting our showroom in Long Beach today! You can also contact us at (562) 912-3957.

Four Common Grilling Errors and Tips for Avoiding Them

Cooking on the grill is an advantage during the warmer months of the year. Outdoor barbecues allow you to keep your house cool by taking the cooking outside—plus, they are a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, many people make mistakes while grilling that result in bad-tasting food or worse. Check out these four common grilling mistakes so you can be sure to avoid them during your next family barbecue.

Grilling at High Temperatures

Grill food at a lower temperature to allow an even distribution of heat and avoid scorching it. Keeping the grill at a constant temperature is essential for food to cook properly. Opening the lid of the grill too often allows heat to escape, so try to only open the lid when necessary.

Avoid using lighter fluid to light the coals, as it can create high amounts of heat and alter the taste of the food. If you must use lighter fluid, make sure the coals are lit and have burned off the chemicals before you put food on the grill.

Using a Dirty Grill

Keep your grill clean to prevent food from sticking as it cooks, particularly meat. When food sticks to the grill, it is not only difficult to remove the item from the grill, but flavorful juices may escape in the process. Be sure to clean your grill every time you use it.

Not Using a Thermometer

Use a thermometer to test grilled food for doneness; it will show you when the food is cooked to perfection. Don’t poke the meat you’re grilling with a fork or other tool while it is cooking, as this will allow the juices to escape. The same goes for vegetables, such as portabella mushrooms.

Eating Too Quickly

By allowing your food to cool before enjoying it, the juices remain intact. Food is extremely hot when removed from the grill, and when you slice into it immediately, the juices run out of the meat to release heat. Give your grilled foods five to 10 minutes to cool before you dig in.

For more grilling tips and to find the perfect barbecue grill, come to California Home Spas & Patio at (562) 912-3957. Serving Southern California for over 30 years, we are the local experts on barbecue grills and other outdoor equipment. Visit our showroom in Long Beach to find the best grill for your barbecues.

Outdoor Dining Can Be A Reality For You This Spring!

Southern California weather is almost perfect, which is why you should take advantage of the weather and utilize your outdoor living area as often as possible. Visit the following websites to get patio design inspiration for your outdoor space:

• Visit HGTV to get some ideas to design a beautiful outdoor space for your backyard.
• House Beautiful offers some great tips and ideas that might inspire the look for your outdoor entertaining space.
• Learn more about the strengths and attractive qualities of Viking grills.
• If you are new to grilling, read some of these beginner’s grilling tips from TLC.
• Get some tips on designing an outdoor kitchen from This Old House.

Get all of your outdoor furniture and essentials at California Home Spas & Patio in Long Beach! We've provided high quality outdoor products in Southern California since 1979. Visit our website for more information, or call us at (562) 912-3957.