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Create fun and weatherproof outdoor rooms like this one from Pottery Barn
S
ummer is in full swing and that means so is outdoor living and entertaining! These days there are so many great outdoor furniture and décor products to choose from. You can create gorgeous outdoor “rooms” with sleek sofas and tables styled with pretty patterned rugs and bright throw pillows. Create a cozy, romantic atmosphere with lux lanterns and lighting. Outdoor fabrics today are amazingly weather resistant and come in a plethora of colors and patterns for every style and taste. Bringing the indoors outside has never been easier. I love designing outdoor spaces just as much as indoor ones!
Here are my top 5 easy tips to help you create a beautiful outdoor space, or just make some updates to your current one. Then shop some of my favorite outdoor accessories below to help make your updates a snap! ☺
Add coordinating throw pillows like these from West Elm
Outdoor rugs set the stage, I love this navy one from William Sonoma Home
1
If you have outdoor sofas & chairs, add some pretty throw pillows in coordinating colors or update any old ones that look worn or outdated. Make sure they are made with outdoor fabrics that stand up to bad weather. It’s a good idea to get outdoor furniture cushions and pillows professionally cleaned and stored at the end of each season. There are a lot of furniture cleaning companies that offer these services. This will ensure your cushions and pillows will be fresh and look new at the start of every summer and ensure they last for years so it is well worth it.
2 Add an outdoor area rug that go with the colors of your cushions and pillows. This is a great way to make your outdoor room super inviting and bring in some additional colors or patterns to your deck or patio. Outdoor rugs dry fast and are made to stand up to weather just as outdoor fabrics do. There are so many awesome outdoor rugs to choose from these days, and most are quite affordable. I also recommend getting your outdoor rug professionally cleaned and stored at the end of the season.
2 Add an outdoor area rug that go with the colors of your cushions and pillows. This is a great way to make your outdoor room super inviting and bring in some additional colors or patterns to your deck or patio. Outdoor rugs dry fast and are made to stand up to weather just as outdoor fabrics do. There are so many awesome outdoor rugs to choose from these days, and most are quite affordable. I also recommend getting your outdoor rug professionally cleaned and stored at the end of the season.
3
Instead of one large coffee table, I love using small side tables in coordinating colors to my outdoor furniture fabrics. Being able to move small tables around really comes in handy when entertaining. You can group the tables together or use one for lanterns or candles and some for putting out appetizers. Also, if you have a set of matching furniture, this is a great way to break up the monotonous look of too much of the same thing. For example, if you have a brown wicker sofa, chairs and lounges, try adding a few small ceramic tables in a contrasting color grouped together instead of staying with the same large brown wicker coffee table. Use another one or two more ceramic tables for side tables too. Then add in some coordinating throw pillows and rug and voila! You have a beautiful and well designed outdoor space!
Spice up your color scheme with contrasting side tables like this cheery yellow one from Pottery Barn
I love these cool planters by West Elm
Everyone loves candle light! Group lantern sets together in different heights. From Restoration Hardware
4
Add chic outdoor lanterns grouped together in varying heights. This is definitely one of my favorite outdoor styling methods! Grouped lanterns not only look amazing, but who doesn’t love the soft glow of candles on a warm summer night? Sit a group of 3 tall (12" and taller) lanterns right on the deck in one or two different spots around your sitting areas. Groups of smaller lanterns are also great on side tables, coffee tables, or adorning an outdoor buffet or dining table. I recommend keeping the style of lantern the same but simply vary their heights. You can use real candles inside the lanterns, or faux ones, they both will look great!
5 Update or add some great looking planters with pretty flowers and/or interesting plants. Adding the natural beauty, colors, and textures of flowers planted in cool planters strategically placed around your outdoor spaces will instantly enhance it. These also look great grouped together in various heights.
5 Update or add some great looking planters with pretty flowers and/or interesting plants. Adding the natural beauty, colors, and textures of flowers planted in cool planters strategically placed around your outdoor spaces will instantly enhance it. These also look great grouped together in various heights.
