The following post is from Myra of My Blessed Life:
source: decorpad
With Summer right around the corner, warm temperatures and fun activities are drawing us outside into the fresh air. Entertaining friends and family, relaxing in a hammock, enjoying the birds singing in the morning, splashing in a pool and soaking up sunshine are just a few of the things that make outdoor living so desirable this time of year.
Regardless of whether you have a small apartment balcony or a sprawling front porch and back yard deck, there are simple ways to spruce up your outdoor living space to make it more inviting for yourself and guests.
No matter the occasion or budget, you create a special space where you and your guests can soak in the warmth of summer. Consider these 5 simple tips to create an outdoor living space:
Comfortable Furniture
It is absolutely imperative to have comfortable furniture on your porch or patio. Folding lawn chairs or iron patio furniture with adorable cushions work well. Whichever fits in your budget is great as long as you enjoy sitting in them. Besides chairs, be sure to consider a stool, box or cushion to put your feet up on after a long day.
Cozy Lighting
Lighting is a design element that must be considered especially since we enjoy outdoor living as temperatures cool in the evenings. From tiki torches and candles to huge lanterns and string lights, there are a multitude of various ways to add lighting ambiance to your space. Choose what you love and go for it.
Functional Surfaces
I will never forget my interior design professor emphasizing repeatedly the necessity of having functional surfaces near each seat. You probably know how annoying it is to sit down only to realize that there’s no place to set your drink. Create a “surface” for magazines, snacks or drinks from a box, a garden stool or an old tree stump…or you could just use a table. Don’t be afraid to be creative!
Colorful Pillows
If your outdoor space is covered by a porch so rain doesn’t come in, then I recommend adding colorful pillows or floor cushions. Pillows and cushions add texture and pops of color which are just perfect for outdoor Summer living.
Plants and Flowers
The beautiful outdoor spaces that always catch my eye are those with a lot of life from plants and flowers. If you have a brown-ish thumb like me, cut flowers may be your best bet for special occasions. However, if you are a gardener, then potted plants are an excellent, budget-friendly solution to add color and complete your outdoor space.
Do you have an outdoor living space that you are enjoying this season?
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Myra has a B.A. in Interior Design and is currently self-employed. When she’s not spending time with her little man, thrifting, creating, shopping or working on a project, Myra enjoys date nights with her husband and blogging at My Blessed Life. |
