"Interior Designing" your outdoor space

My husband and I were out in the back garden Sunday (for 9 hours ! ) getting it summer ready. We set up our patio furniture, planted our garden plants as well as out veggie garden.

It felt so good to be outside setting up our backyard for summer living for the next couple of months. Our 6 year old and 4 year old also got in the spirit (although they didn't last for the whole 9 hours !) and were helping us dig, plant, arrange and then at the end, enjoy and relish in all our hard work.

Many people focus on their interior spaces, but your exterior space is just as important. As with interior spaces, outdoor spaces can be just as intimidating to decorate, BUT, if you follow a few simple tips, you can create beautiful budget friendly spaces you can enjoy summer after summer.

Firstly, take a look at the space you are working with. You want to create traffic patterns. What I mean by this is you want to layout how you and guests will move around the spaces created eg) seating areas, your garden, to the bbq. etc

You want to be able walk around these spaces freely and not have them be over crowded.

Next, create a focal point. A great idea would be a conversation area made up of some type of seating. Investing in good quality seating such as an outdoor couch and chairs with neutral coloured seating cushions is a great idea. It can last for many years allowing you to change up your look every few years by accessorizing your seating with different coloured accent pillows and throws. I typically go for grey or beige seating cushions on my neutral furniture. If you purchase seating cushions with removable covers, you can throw them in the wash to keep them fresh year after year.

Also, if possible arrange your conversation area in a shady spot. If this isn't an option because you have full sun all day long, then put up an awning, gazebo or shade umbrella and place your seating under that.

picture from HGTV. neutral main seating cushions with pop in colour with pillows and throw

Now the fun part, Accessorizing ! One thing I would recommend is to add a neutral outdoor area rug under you conversation area to anchor that space.

For outdoor pillows and throws try to stick to 2 colours, analogous or complimentary mix will give you pop. So for example use a blue, green, blue -green mix or a blue and yellow mix.

Purchase a 3ft high planter and plant flowers in it. If you don't have a green thumb, no worries, buy a pre made hanging basket remove it and pot it in the planter. This will give you instant colour.

Another idea is to add outdoor lighting, place flameless candles in holders on your table or around the yard. You can also add string lights under your gazebo or umbrella. This will add ambience on an evening.

picture source: pinterest picture source: Pier one

If you are fortunate enough to have space in your yard for a dining area, as well, as a conversation area I would use the same outdoor rug as in your conversation area to anchor that space. This will make them look like two distinct areas, but flow well together.

picture source: Stormicus.com

Whatever space you have to work with, you can make it beautiful, inviting, and proud to call your own !