Summer Style: How to Transform the Outdoor Space with Great Furniture

Summer is right around the corner! That means barbeques and lots of outdoor entertaining. A great outdoor space is another way to showcase your style and create a seamless living space to your home. Whether you desire an extravagant outdoor retreat or a budget-friendly update, we’ll show you how you can easily transform it from drab to fab. We offer great tips that complement any style.

 

Traditional

If you’re drawn to more of a classic and conservative look, the traditional 5-piece set made of aluminum is a great idea. The set is low maintenance and rust, weather and UV resistant. You can add a flower arrangement or other center piece when entertaining. The finish allows you to easily change the seat cushions when you want a new look.



Courtesy of castaluminumpatiofurniture.org

   

   

   

Urban dweller? Add an array of plants and branches to create your own serene getaway as shown in the picture below.

Courtesy of Lonny Magazine.com

    

  

Modern

Contemporary or modern outdoor furniture is very chic. You can use several accent pieces to transform your space into an oasis.  Lots of plants, bold, bright pillows and designer rugs are great ways to add a touch of elegance.  For shade, place a canopy over the furniture. They come in a variety of styles and price ranges.



Courtesy of purecontemporary.blogs.com

       

       

Small Spaces

If space is limited, there are several simple ways to create an appealing look. Maximize every inch for seating. By minimizing the amount of pieces, this creates the illusion of a larger area. A small table with three to four chairs or simple benches in any finish is a great way to dress up the space.  Decorating with plants, lanterns and rugs will add a chic look to the area.

http://sugarpluminvitations.blogspot.com/2008/03/outdoor-spaces.html

   



Courtesy of chairs and furniture.com

   

Courtesy of interiorfamilydecorating.com

    

 The ideas are endless.  Creating an inviting outdoor space is just another way to showcase your signature style.

Design the life you love! ™

Bring the Best of Both Worlds Together: Tips and Tricks for Creating the Perfect Outdoor Room!

Do long for the days of lounging around outside or creating the perfect outdoor dinner party or get together? Believe it or not, spring is not too far away. Here some ideas on how to make your outdoor entertaining or relaxing space a success.

http://lakeairinteriors.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/outdoor-essentials/

Much of the entertaining we do revolves around outdoor daytime cooking or evening conversations. Regardless of what your primary functions are, there are some general strategies to use in order to make the space work well. The image above shows how a conversation pit was created by circling chairs or seating around a central focus. Sometimes this focus may be a setting of cocktails and snacks, or a fire pit. Make sure that your seating is close enough for casual conversation.

The image below is a great example of how this outdoor space can be a direct extension of your existing home. Having removable cushions can be a great option to avoid damage from changing weather. This also will allow you to keep the base of your furniture for an extended length of time, but update the cushion fabric as the seasons change, style changes, or it wears out.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/magazines/0,,442173,00.html

If you are entertaining, here is a chic beverage table. It has multiple functions, has more of a rustic outdoor look, and a cooler portion that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your beverage options. Believe it or not, you can find one of these beverage tables at Cabela’s.

http://lakeairinteriors.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/outdoor-essentials/

Lighting is an essential design element for any space whether it is outdoor or indoor. There are an endless number of outdoor lighting options. The image below shows strands of lights that create a beautiful canopy.

http://www.cakeeventsblog.com/2010/03/custom-inspiration-board-80th-birthday.html

There are also a large variety of lantern types. The image below shows how lanterns can be used to create great dinner party lighting.

http://www.sunset.com/home/outdoor-living/outodoor-garden-lanterns-lighting-00400000050239/page15.html

I’m absolutely in love with these lanterns because each one is unique but they work together as a group to create a beautiful lighting scheme.

http://www.designsponge.com/2010/07/diy-project-karens-coffee-can-lanterns.html

If you don’t find what you are looking for in stores, don’t forget there are always ways to be creative or to simply make a one of a kind feature that will add that special touch to your outdoor space.

http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/99923685452090902_kVQhroYT.jpg

Hopefully this will inspire you to look forward to spring and start creating the amazing space you are already dreaming up in your head. Design the life you love!