6 Steps to Backyard Bliss
As the temperature heats up, so should your decorating style
Summer is fast approaching and we can smell the grill already. Whether it’s a sunny day or moonlit night, outside is where you want to be during warmer months, so make sure your patio is ready for hosting family and friends. From contemporary to modern, here’s how to create the patio of your dreams with trendy outdoor accessories, cozy must-haves, and everything in between.
Bring backyard bliss to your outdoor space with these six tips and tricks.
1. FIND SEATING THAT SAYS COMFORT
A beautiful cast iron bench might look exquisite next to your garden, but the first tip to creating your outdoor sanctuary is to find seating that’s just as cozy indoors without compromising on style. Your guests want to relax, so make sure there’s seating for everyone with an outdoor sofa, plush ottoman, outdoor dining set, hammock, or even a unique basket chair where unwinding is easy and breezy.
Weatherproof and fast-drying fabrics are essential for weathering the elements, so your living or dining patio furniture should be ready for the outdoors. Resin woven wicker and powder-coated aluminum will withstand the weather season after season, and support your guests as they lounge or dine. Let your hanging basket chair or hammock whisk worries away in the cool summer wind, or invite your guests to experience movement with swivel or rocking chairs around your outdoor dining table. Comfort is key. If you must keep that cast iron bench, make sure it has soft cushions.
2. MIX POPS OF COLOR OR PATTERNS
Most outdoor furniture comes in neutral beige, tan, or cream, so make sure you mix pops of color or patterns (or both) for a unique look that is all your own. An outdoor rug in a fun striped pattern or bright hue will accent your outdoor space and showcase your style personality. Summery tones such as bright orange, turquoise, yellow, lime green, navy blue, red, and hot pink will add a splash of noticeable color, so don’t be afraid to choose hues that you wouldn’t normally use indoors. Geometric shapes and patterns that remind you of the beach or other outdoor activities such as cabana stripes, picnic gingham, polka dots, floral, chevron, basketweave, trellis, ogee, quatrefoil, checkers, and Greek key are all great patterns for using with a pop of color. Incorporate these using accent pillows, placemats, umbrellas, rugs, or seat cushions.
3. INCORPORATE WHIMSICAL ACCESSORIES
Don’t forget to accessorize! Just because you can’t hang wall art, doesn’t mean you can’t decorate your patio. Match your color or pattern scheme using vases and ceramics, or incorporate a nautical or nature theme with bowls of seashells, baskets, wooden stools, fountains, or pottery. Don’t overdo it, but a couple nice accents go a long way in creating a true outdoor oasis and add character.
4. CHANNEL A GARDEN OASIS
Plants and flowers typically welcome you to paradise, so make sure that there is flora in your outdoor space for true backyard bliss. Channel a garden oasis by adding potted plants and flowers, planters, cacti, succulents, and more. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in suburbia or in a screened porch, plants will make you and your guests feel like you’re in a tropical jungle—creating the perfect escape.
5. ADD COZY LIGHTING
You won’t need it during the day, but if your guests wish to watch the stars or gather around the fire pit, make sure they have a little lighting because dining and chatting will go into the night. Twinkle lights, lanterns, candles, and tiki torches will set the ambiance for a nice summer night among friends and family and will glow brightly on faces as you all relax.
6. ACCOMMODATE YOUR GUESTS
Lastly, make sure you achieve backyard bliss by ensuring your guests have everything they need. Storage baskets with extra blankets and pillows, sunscreen, portable chargers, towels, bug spray, and reading material is important to have handy so you aren’t always running indoors. Trays are also great for serving food and snacks, so that no one gets hungry, and a metal ice bucket with drinks makes a great cooler. Your guests will appreciate the effort.
Achieving backyard bliss will take a couple steps, but once your patio is finished you will want to spend more time outside than in. Let your stress trail away and relax this summer with an outdoor space that’s all your own. You definitely deserve it.
Marissa Kozma is a Copywriter for The Showroom @Furniture Row, a fine furniture retailer and interior design center in Denver, Colorado. View their profile or contact them at (303) 296-9514.
Content for this article provided by The Showroom @Furniture Row.
