Top 3 Helpful Tips for Creating Outdoor Spaces You'll Love for Years to Come
Five years ago we searched for a new home, and no joke, when we saw the outside deck with the view over parts of Arlington and Fort Worth Texas, we bought the house. We envisioned tranquil nights by a fire, overlooking the city lights and all of the family and neighbor connections we would have in that space. Today I'm sharing three tips that will help you create an outdoor space that you will love for years.
#1: Daydream, then Decide on the Outdoor Space's Dedicated Purpose
Imagine how you want to use the space. Is your dream to have a morning spot for coffee and reading, bird-watching, or catching up on social media? Perhaps you envision celebrating birthdays or holidays with family around the grill, or a girls' wine and cheese night. Write down all of the ways that you want this outdoor space to work for you.
#2: Get Inspired, then Go Shopping for Quality Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture can suffer from lots of wear and tear, but buying quality pieces will serve you well for years. Teak wood tables and chairs are a gold-standard material because they outlast other woods, but acacia wood is a more affordable option. Choosing Sunbrella or similar fabrics made to endure sunlight and water are great options for cushions and pillows.
#3: Plan it Out, then Purposefully Layer Furniture, Accessories & Decor
Planning the layout outside is much like planning for a room indoors. You begin with the size of the outdoor "room" and then choose your pieces accordingly. Begin with an outdoor rug to ground the zone, add furniture to serve your needs, have some fun selecting cushion and pillow fabrics, and finish with accessories like lanterns, other lighting, flowers, outdoor dishes, and green plants.
My bonus tip is to regularly clean your outdoor pieces and store the cushions inside when not using them. This will give you years of enjoyment and save you money in the long run. I'd love to help you in your outdoor living space, so reach out if you want help in the design or with sourcing the perfect pieces for your family.
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Cheers,
Shana
I started my business because I enjoy the creative aspect of curating a beautifully decorated room, and helping people who really have a desire for their homes to look “pulled together.” I help busy professionals that don’t want to pay for full-service design because they like to spend their money on other things, but they still want their home to look amazing. The services I offer are e-design (virtual design / decorating) – anywhere. Locally, I offer paint consultations (interior and exterior), home staging consultations and styling, as well as some holiday decorating.
