As the temperatures rise, lingering outside in cool spaces is at a premium. There are ways to turn your plain patio slab into just that – a prime location for spring lounging. Pour a tall glass of lemonade and ponder your yard’s options.
The main fixtures of a desirable patio setting are furniture pieces. You can invest in new seating staples or take your patio furniture out of its storage space, give it a good washing, and set it out. The right outdoor living feel is all about the arrangement and the accessories. Look at the examples currently set up in local stores that display whole patio furniture sets. You can incorporate the simple, like a round table with four chairs. Or you can splurge on a more lounge seating feel with small couches, side chairs, console tables, and an overshadowing umbrella. Arrange your pieces similar to a living room layout, creating a close conversation area outdoors. To take it a step further, add a small side bar or portable kitchen island for a drink and snack station. Just bring the ice when you are ready to soak up the warm evenings.
Accessorize your space, making it welcoming right through the summer. If you do have lounge seating, mark off the area with a large outdoor area rug, which come in a variety of appealing materials perfect for a patio space. Having a small outdoor coffee table and an end table or two beside your chairs allows for setting down icy drinks and laying out little serving trays of finger foods and seasonal snacks for weekend guests or a family Saturday afternoon in the backyard. If you have a patio table and chairs, update their look and their feel by adding outdoor throw pillows in brighter, perhaps “wilder” printed fabrics than you would ordinarily use in your home. An acrylic serving tray left in the center with coasters, a covered stack of cocktail napkins, a couple of bottles of Italian soda, and any other small serving supplies would be handy to have at the ready.
Soften the perimeter of your updated space by adding some potted plants or a potted herb garden to tend to and really use in your everyday cooking. Add a stack of lounge cushions in case the kids would rather lie out in the grass while they play. Ultimately, bring some touches of the indoors out so you essentially expand the square footage of your home’s living space as you open up new lounging and entertaining possibilities as well.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star April 3rd.
