5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space
It’s finally June! Warm weather is here to stay for awhile. Of course warmer weather means more time outdoors but with the state of our partially quarantined world at the moment, most of us are spending the majority of our time at home this summer.
Naturally, I have been busy working on our outdoor space so that my family could venture outdoors to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Although the coronavirus has put some of our renovation plans for the patio on hold (renovation recap here), I wanted to at least set up our deck so that we could enjoy some much needed outside time.
When thinking about the type of outdoor vibe I wanted to create two words came to mind - all inclusive. I wanted to feel like I was on an all-inclusive vacation somewhere, anywhere. With these words in mind, I put together a list of five things that I wanted to incorporate into my design. I would call it whimsy with a touch of Morocco thanks to the sharp furniture lines, star string solar lights, and Moroccan inspired solar lantern. Read on below to see what’s on the list.
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Warm Colors
When thinking about the color scheme - I wanted colors that would compliment the outdoor environment like tans, greens, and blues. My plan was to add a pop of a bright color like yellow or orange to make it interesting. The warm brown wood offers a neutral background for the pillows, allowing them to really stand out.
This conversation set by Safavieh via Joss & Main came in this light brown wood that is exactly what I was looking for. The sharp lines give me all inclusive resort vibes and I’m all about that life! It also came with seat cushions offered in yellow, navy, or natural so I didn’t have to make an additional purchase for seat cushions.
This set is sold out but here is a similair one from Joss & Main.
Outdoor Rug
When choosing a rug for your outdoor space consider where the rug will go and the amount of space that needs to be covered. Arrange the furniture as it would be set up on the rug. If you do not have furniture yet, shop around to get an idea of the perfect patio set that will suit your outdoor space and make a mental note of the weight and dimensions.
I immediately loved this rug by Safavieh when I saw it on Amazon. The way this brown material is basket weaved together instantly puts me in a beach mood. Take a look at some rug rules I mentioned in Area Rugs: Go Bold And Stay Home. A couple of these rules could be useful to you.
Fun Pillows
Buying outdoor pillows is especially fun. Outdoor pillow patterns come in a variety of amusing prints that will lighten your mood as you breath in some fresh air. Go matchy-matchy or mix prints til your little heart's content! The point is - do what makes you happy here ❤ These lemon pillows by Kohls from their SONOMA Goods for Life® were the perfect pop of yellow I needed to punch it up!
Florals & Greenery
Do you really need a reason for flowers? They are beautiful and looking at them can make you happier. The end. The same goes for some gorgeously green house plants. Growing up, my mother and grandmother always kept a few houseplants throughout the house. I definitely do not have a green thumb and would prefer that someone else pot my plants for me but there is no denying the fresh vibes plants give off.
These florals are from the Lowes. This was the result of an impromptu run to the store following an afterthought lol! What I would really love is some greenery from B.Willow. Check them out on Instagram - their plants are beautiful. I can’t wait to visit the store!
Solar Lights
This is where the whimsical comes in for me. Solar lights take your all day lounge on the patio to a nighttime unwind when it starts to get dark. The ambiance that these lights create is just beautiful. Envision the most picturesque summer evening on a patio. A light balmy breeze, cold drinks, and true serenity. This is what solar lighting can do for your outdoor space when you really take the time to set up a mood. They bring paradise to your backyard.
Amazon met all of my solar light needs. The star string lights are sold by Afternoon Life (sold out - similar item is linked). The mason jars are sold by Derlin (sold out - similar item is linked). Finally, the hanging solar lamp is by Homeimpro. Sadly this one is currently sold out too but there are a few other variations of this lamp.
Choose as many different types as you would like. The more lighting you have, the more magical your evening outdoor setting will be.
Tips & Tricks
Maximize your seating space by adding a variety of seating options. For example, I added a pouf ottomon set by Keter. Bonus: the set comes with a table that doubles as storage space!