7 Ways to Produce a Beautiful Outdoor Space
It’s spring! Long days, sun, birds, barbecues, flowers! For the next six weeks or so, it is outside time (sorry, people in the Northeast; your own time will come). Which means, of course, you should have an outdoor room, a place where you can do all of the things you do in winter — entertain, read, eat, relax — under the large, blue sky.
We’re not speaking a giant pavilion with a built-in fireplace. Although if you can make this happen, please do. We’re talking a snug and stylish corner with the comforts of home.
Depending on where you live, you will have different factors. Some might have to think about rain; others may need a supply of shade or cooling. Some might have to take the bugs into account; many others, the neighbors. Where I live on the Northern California coast, our outside summer rooms include replacements.
But whatever the particulars, every room should include several basics:
Comfy furniture. No one wants to perch on a hard wooden seat all afternoon. Rugs. They delineate the distance and feel good underfoot. Decoration. Artwork, potted plants, sculpture, lanterns. This is a room; decorate it. I also urge for grills, hammocks, tables, throw blankets, blankets and a supply of music, but those are discretionary. Listed below are a few inspirations for you going.
Busybee Design
1. Use a Corner
Adding the cozy furniture and the carpet and the particulars has changed this fairly plain corner into a killer outside living area.
C. Marie Designs, Inc
This corner room advantages from built-in chairs and a simple wooden screen roof.
markdesign, llc
2. Paint Walls
just a small wedge of patio becomes an outdoor area once the wall has been painted and the distance is given the same consideration you’d give an indoor room.
Huntley & Co.. Interior Design
3. Decorate
The sunburst mirror on the brick wall makes this outdoor dining room feel like a real room.
MTLA- Mark Tessier Landscape Architecture
These dangling lanterns appear festive and help develop an awareness of a room in this mostly open location.
Kimball Starr Interior Design
4. Make a Wall
in case you don’t have an enclosed area, make one using a screen, a curtain or a row of plants.
Barbara Cannizzaro
This outdoor escape is separated and enclosed by an inexpensive bamboo screen.
Planters with rows of growing bamboo make great screens. (For most bamboos, you are going to want containers with strong root obstacles.)
COCOCOZY
5. Use Real Furniture
so long as you don’t live in a place with severe summer weather, go on and use indoor furniture outside. A coat of exterior paint may give a thrift shop coffee table new life and new strength.
Scot Meacham Wood Design
6. Lay a Rug
Envision this outdoor dining area with no carpet. It would be just another picnic table.
Blythe Interiors
7. A Porch Will Do
A porch can be more than the usual location for a rocker or two; with the right ingredients (rug, sofa, curtains), it may become a room.
Helios Outdoor Chair, Arctic White – $4,900
Favorite Picks for the Perfect Outdoor Room
It’s not only gorgeous and comfy and indestructible, it is heated. You will still be sitting in this infant come November.
IKEA
Solvinden Solar-Powered Light Chain – $14.99
Solar bird lighting to place all around the yard — no plug necessary.
Cost Plus World Market
Outside LED Flameless Pillars – $7.99
LED candles, which means you never burn anything down.
Cost Plus World Market
Blue Landon Stool – $79.99
I think bright dollops of beaches are always a good idea.
Cost Plus World Market
‘Ball of Fire’ Fire Pit – $329.99
A fire pit, bowl or orb is crucial.
IKEA
Ikea PS Vågö Easy Chair, Turquoise – $29.99
More turquoise.
IKEA
Dyning Hammock – $29.99
A modern hammock.
Flora Grubb Gardens
Wally One, Woolly Pocket Garden – $54
Woolly Pockets hide ugly walls and make living art.
More ways to develop a vertical garden