To
add a little curb appeal or a splash of design to your back patio without
outfitting your space with a complete patio furniture set this summer, consider
setting a smaller scene instead. A
little can go a long way with the right placement and accessories.
More
than just windows can frame your front stoop.
Establish a welcome entryway by placing one outdoor chair alongside a
small metal side table next to your welcome mat. Chances are you may have these sitting around
in the garage in all their old, rusted glory.
This is a perfect opportunity to give them new life. Clean them up, sand the surfaces, and give
them a fresh coat of paint fit for outdoor furniture use. You can choose clean and bright white, a
modern gray tone, or even a brighter pop of color like a sunny yellow. Add one printed outdoor pillow to the chair’s
seat and top the table with a potted plant.
Your mini seating area can add real charm to the look of your front
door.
The
same game plan can also go for your back patio door. Add a few battery-powered candles to the
table’s center for nighttime use without a breeze blowing out regular
candles. If you have flowerbeds nearby,
stake a garage sale find like a couple of tiki torches or metal lanterns on
stands in the dirt. Dress up the area
with a bird feeder or bird bath or some large garden stones. String some outdoor lights to the underside
of your patio cover to provide a soft light for your evening backyard time the
whole season long. For a different or
additional small seating area, place a bench on your patio or within a garden
setting. Toss on a couple of patterned
throw pillows and a coordinating seat cushion to add some color and
softness.
Other
summer-perfect outdoor accessories are inexpensive, plastic Adirondack
chairs for lounging; glossy, square potted plant holders for seasonal plants or
an herb garden; a lacquered serving tray for a thirst-quenching break from the
heat; and even an outdoor rolling cart to house some board games and cards, garden-tending
tools, or extra bird seed.
Repurposing
some old pieces or nabbing a bargain at a summer yard sale can add a fresh
style on a small budget to dress up your front door or backyard hangout. Perhaps a little paint and some simple
accessories can say more than your welcome mat does on its own.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star July 8th.
