5 Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style
The summer outdoor furniture sales are on so now is the perfect time to spruce up your outdoor space and create the perfect outdoor oasis. How do you strike the balance between comfort and style? I am joining my pals Annie and Mary Ann,so let’s check out my 5 Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style.
Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style
How Will you Use your Outdoor Space?
First think about how you will use your outdoor space. Will you be hosting barbeques, streaming movies for your guests (we can) or just enjoying the pool? Today I am featuring our outdoor pool area. I have made some very simple changes from last year. You can check out my post 7 Tips for Creating a Charming Backyard Pool Oasis here.
Create Different Rooms for Different Purposes
Design and furnish your outdoor spaces to function as extensions of your home’s interior, providing areas for relaxation, dining, and entertainment. We recently added a tv to our outdoor area (out of necessity). We are really enjoying watching tv outdoors under the stars. The added bonus, Scout isn’t destroying the indoor spaces.
We added our favorite tv cabinet from Ballard Designs to house the tv creating a small “living room” to watch tv with friends. The vintage console is from our friends at Atrium Mercantile. The chairs no longer available were from Home Depot. The ottoman (very reasonable) from World Market here. Don’t be afraid to mix the high and low and the old and new.
This area off our primary suite is a spot where one can get away from the craziness and read a book, enjoy a glass of wine or take a nap! The lounge chairs and ottomans are from Ballard Designs and on sale. We really like these and they are very reasonable for the quality. The table base we found in Steve’s warehouse salvaged it, and added a stone top for our fixer upper. I think it also works well herel. The vintage garden deer came from the goat hill fair a few years back.
The seating area above is our lounging area where we gather for appetizers, a glass of wine or dessert. The sofa and lounge chairs are from the Suzanne Kasler collection for Ballard Designs. The coffee table was crafted by our wonderful friend Jim (who has now passed). You can read about how Jim enriched all of our lives here.
Tips for Decorating Your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style
Our outdoor dining area. The chairs are from Home Depot (unfortunately no longer available) and the table was built by our friend Jim. The urns are vintage as well as the galvanized trough form Patine. I linked some at the bottom of the post.
This table and chairs we have owned for years. We brought them from our Chualar home. We use this area for extra seating or for a cup of coffee in the morning. You can read about that space, My outdoor rooms the pool area here. There is a similar space on the opposite end of the patio that we would like to add a fire pit at some point.
Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style
Choose Durable Water Resistant Fabrics for your Pillows, Outdoor Rugs and Patio Furniture Cushions
Add comfy throw pillows and blankets (for cooler evenings) for your sofa and lounge chairs to create a cozy and inviting outdoor space. I had my friend Trish Cottage by Design make new pillows in Perennials fabric this year, and I couldn’t resist having her monogram a few. Be wary of any fabrics that aren’t 100% solution dyed acrylic if you have a lot of sun. They will fade. They might be less expensive but they will not last.
Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style
Provide Plenty of Shade
A covered patio, or pergola provides much needed shade, a fan will keep the air moving and keep the mosquitos at bay.
Add Overhead, Wall and Ambiant Lighting for Ambiance
Proper lighting creates ambiance and extends the use of your outdoor space into the evening.The former owners of our home added pretty outdoor lanterns and string lights to the space. We changed out the fans last year for simpler inexpensive ones. I add candles and “mosquito torches” as needed. You can find the super inexpensive mosquito torches here.
Incorporate Mismatched and Vintage Items for Character
We have collected vintage garden ornaments over the years that add character and personality to our new furniture. Our outdoor dining table was crafted by our friend Jim before he passed away. It has traveled from our lake house, to our fixer upper and then here. The wicker chairs (no longer available) were from Home Depot.
The new console (last year) houses a pair of vintage urns, a vintage galvanized tray and pot, and hats for the garden. Yes we have to remove the hats so Scout doesn’t eat them.
Shop My Outdoor Space
Thank you for reading 5 Tips for Decorating your Outdoor Space for Comfort and Style. I will share my courtyard area next week. Tell me about how you have decorated your outdoor living space and if you have made any changes this year. Now let’s pop over and visit Annie and Mary Ann. They always have so many creative ideas.
Spectacular! Each and every space is so welcoming and perfect for entertaining – your own resort (lucky guests)
Love these little seating areas so much! I would love to replicate them in some way at our house on the Chesapeake. Being on the water, with a family of 14, we have to be very judicious in what we do!
It’s so charming. The salt air does a number on things.
Cindy— your outdoor spaces are beyond dreamy! I love how you added a tv and used the cabinet from Ballard Designs. It blends in with your style so well that you would never think there’s a TV unless you’re watching ! What a fun house and yard you have to share with friends and family!
Love everything… collected items are nice with style of your home and landscape.
I love today’s blog. You generate the best ideas. I love the photo with you with a little shorter bob— cute, yet very classic. Your outdoor living looks are noteworthy!! It makes me very envious. Everything you do has a level of hospitality to it that I try to acheive . Have a terrific July 4th. I am in Indiana for a week of fun and family with a little business thrown in.. I am cleaning out clothes in the upstairs of our family home. Right now I am looking for good vintage clothing stores to sell our collection of very nice suits and cocktail dresses . Do you know of any really good ones. I would appreciate your suggestions. These are Designer pieces and Lily Pulitzer things from the 60s
Cindy,
Just beautiful everything you created are cozy welcoming vignettes. This seems to come naturally for you. The colors are relaxing and peaceful.
Absolutely beautiful! I love the lack of pattern, use of accessories, and sense of calm. I struggle with that sometimes and appreciate your inspiration. Happy 4th!
Your outdoor spaces are sublime and I would be hanging out there all day long with Scout. So welcoming! You certainly have the flair, Cindy.
PS. I bet Scout likes the pool
The vintage deer made me grin from ear to ear. I have 3-and always looking for more. I just love them and every time I go out to my yard they make me smile. Love your home so much.
Love your outdoor space. What great ideas. After both yours and MaryAnne’s posts I am going to look into an outdoor TV for our new deck. Thank you for the inspiration.
Dear Cindy,
Your monochromatic spaces welcome with their restful beauty. Your story of acquired pieces provides depth and interest and defines your life. May your evenings under the stars with Sport give you respites of joy.
Thank you for inspiring.
Love, Diney on Mercer Island
Just curious how you protect your cushions from the weather as well as critters? Do you bring them in every night, or only put them out when you are going to use them? Do you keep them in an outdoor storage box or sore in your house or garage? I’m originally to So California and now in Texas, I imagine it is an issue most everywhere. Just curious about your solution.
Just beautiful and what a beautiful view. Am loving the landscaping, especially the white plantings: so fresh! Have used a method to extend the lifespan of outdoor cushions. Fabric selection is important, as is keeping cushions out of direct sun and exposure to the elements, but Scotchguard has been quite helpful. Sunbrella fabrics are well suited for outdoor use, but eventually the protection wears off. I brush off cushions prior to each use, but once a year, I do a deep cleaning with the vacuum and carpet/upholstery cleaner, then seal with a generous amount of a water repellent product. Have been doing this for years at my home and for clients when I owned a drapery workroom. It seems to work well and am on year six with this set of cushions which includes a set of pillows made with home decor fabric. I also do a periodic check by pouring water onto a cushion. If it soaks in, I know it’s time for a touch up.
It’s perfect, not a squirrel in sight.lol
oh my gosh…this is so beautiful…like a homey collected resort!