It’s the time of year to rethink how your outdoor area looks, feels, and functions. It’s easy to give an exterior space a major makeover just by adding a few creative changes. Here are some ideas that will make refreshing your outdoors as clear as the blue skies overhead.

Run For Cover!
No shade overhead? Choose a stylish umbrella that makes a big statement or make your own escape from the rays with a fabric canopy

Hues That Hollar
Colorful accents make a bold statement. Go for loud colors and modern prints with stripes or vibrant floral patterns. Achieve an inexpensive makeover just by reconsidering your cushions and throw pillows!

Rearrange
Outdoors is a room without walls, so you’ll need to create intimacy for gathering by strategically arranging tables, sofas, umbrellas, fire pits, and so on. We suggest creating a lounging area and a separate dining area.

Get Vertical!
If you’ve got fences or your patio juts up against the walls of your home, make use of their space! Hang planters, shelves, grilling tools, art, mirrors, a clock, and so on!

Lounge In LuxuryDay beds are becoming more popular and stylish for outdoors. Who wouldn’t what to spend an afternoon reading there

Easy Breezy
Ceiling Fans are a great way to add high style while providing a functional purpos

Beyond The Soil

No actual yard? No problem! Potted plants, hanging baskets, and window planters can provide all the greenery you need to make a luscious space, or add interest to patio decor.

Neat Seats

 Functional benches can double for outdoor storage, which is especially handy in small spaces.

Grow Up!

 A vine-laden trellis softens an otherwise uninteresting wall, creating a rich, warm environment. Get creative with the designs for added interest.

Mix and Match For an informal approach, mix up the chairs – choose different colors or an assortment of styles.

A Swinging Good Time Is there anything more relaxing than the slow, rhythmic swinging motion of a hammock, hanging chair, or swinging bench? This is summer at it’s best!

Light It Up

Cast a soft glow over your outdoor space with a string of lights, lanterns, or a candlelit chandelier that can be raised and lowered by a rope pulley rigged to a tree. (Restoration Hardware)

Bar Space
Design your outdoor world with a bar, a counter, some stools – create an easy way to pass food into the great outdoors through a window in your kitchen.

Bring It All Together With Fabric
The outdoors can truly begin to feel like a completed room with the use of fabric curtains to divide space and rugs to bring it all together in a homey way. Be sure your fabric is mold and water resistant.

Reframe Your World
Pergulas, arches, fencing, and overhead canopies can add extra seclusion, especially if you’re in a small or urban space.

A Painted World
Art can belong in the great outdoors. It certainly helps urban patios, decks, and balconies, and it can always try to compete with the beauty of creation!

Adding Designer Touches
Details really create the finishing touches on a room. Whether it’s lighting, mirrors, vases, candles, wall art, throw blankets or pillows, you’ll use the same rules of thumb decorating the exterior as the interior.

Tight budget?
Work with what you already own or shop thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales for one-of-a-kind finds like quirky bird cages or antiques that can be refurbished for another use.