You’re undoubtedly yearning to get off your sofa and spend as much time as possible outside now that the summer is (unofficially) here. Although it’s nice to get away from home for a while on vacation, having an oasis in your own garden is often much better, as it’s a space you can ‘get away’ to every night after work, or even every morning before the hustle and bustle of your busy day begins.
You don’t need a huge outdoor space to create an outdoor living space that feels cozy, comfortable, and enjoyable – all you need is the right design and setup. It will call for some creativity (and maybe even a little professional help) but gathering those essential building blocks of great outdoor living space design should be your starting point.
Comfortable seating, adaptable lighting, shade for those hot summer days, and some vegetation (real or fake) are all necessary components of a wonderful outdoor living setting. If you add some unusual planters, a bright rug, or some whimsical string lights, you’ll have a space you’ll want to come back to every day (or night). Here are some of my favorite Amazon products to help you make this a reality.
Pop Up Gazebo Tent
Don’t have a formal large deck, but do have a decently sized backyard? A pop-up gazebo tent like this one can help you create a designated outdoor living space easily and without the need for weeks of construction and the hassle and expense of adding a deck or patio involves.
This pop-up gazebo can be used to cover a table and chairs set or a couch. It includes a 121-square-foot coverage area and a top air vent to keep you comfortable inside. When necessary, the mosquito netting may be lowered, or it can be left open for a more airy sensation. And when the summer is over, it can be packed back into its box and safely stored until you are ready to use it again.
Classic Adirondack Chairs
You can buy all kinds of outdoor seating for sun lounging and relaxation purposes, but nothing really says summer like the Adirondack chair, a staple of American – and now global – outdoor furniture such the turn of the 20th century.
The Adirondack chair is a seat made for relaxing outside. The backrest is usually made up of five to seven vertical hardwood planks of various heights, with the tallest board in the center.
The “seat” is also the back leg support, which starts on the floor and rises up at a slant to form the seat. Armrests are typically flat, wide planks that run parallel to the front legs. The Adirondack chair is made for relaxing and napping (not working or studying) because of its sloped seat. It now symbolizes comfort and is frequently used to represent concepts such as ‘vacation’, ‘simplicity,’ and ‘peacefulness.’
This set is extra convenient as it comes in pairs and each chair folds for easier storage. The classic wood design means it will never go out of style but it is also available in a range of colors, from classic dark wood or white to a bright and bold blue or an elegant black.
Pouf Ottoman Set
If your outdoor space is limited in size, but you will need additional casual seating in the summer during those summer gatherings of family and friends that create such wonderful memories, adding these pouf ottomans is a great, and very stylish, way to do so.
This set provides more than just seating though. This set, which includes two ottomans and a small table, will instantly boost your outdoor decor. The ottomans can be used as seating, and the table contains secret storage that can store up to 10 gallons of ‘stuff’. The components are composed of weather-resistant resin, and they’re both utilitarian and attractive.
XXL 230 Gallon Plastic Deck Storage Container
Something else that makes for the best possible outdoor living space is organization, and that will often call for efficient – and yet still attractive – outdoor storage options.
This large plastic storage container is a great way to achieve exactly that. Use it to store cushions, blankets, toys, and whatever else you don’t want laying around. It has a lockable lid and is sturdy and durable and while it does not look ‘fancy’ it is unobtrusive enough that it won’t spoil the look and feel of the rest of your outdoor living space decor.
Hanging Solar Mason Jar Lights
Every outdoor living space needs lighting that is both functional and attractive. One of the cutest ways to add a little additional light to your backyard is with these mason jar lights. You can buy poles to hang them off and stake them into the ground to illuminate a path, or you can hang them from tree branches or a fence. Because they’re solar-powered, there’s no need to worry about plugging them in; simply place them where they’ll get lots of sun.
Square Planter Box
Any deck will benefit from some additional greenery, but to add some you will need to make use of a planter. For a larger or taller plant, opt for a square planter box like this one. It can brighten up any corner and you can do a tall tree-like plant, or you can do colorful flowers. Strong and durable, it’s maintenance-free thanks to the self-draining bottom.
Outdoor Rug
There are as many outdoor rugs available these days as indoor options, and there are great reasons to add one to your outdoor space. While an outdoor rug isn’t a necessity, it gives the space a cozier and more put-together feel, and, as a bonus, protects the deck or stone underneath it.
I love this option as its striped design is so reminiscent of a resort – so it will go great with those Adirondack chairs – and its tough and durable without looking plasticky and fake.
Outdoor Patio Heater
This heater is a bit of a luxury, but it’s worth it if you plan on spending a lot of time outside even later into the evening and it allows you to stay out in the yard even when it’s cooler outside in the spring and fall. It has a safety auto-shutoff and can heat up to a 9-foot radius. It’s also on wheels, making it simple to relocate when necessary.
Multifunction Firepit
Lots of decks and patios are not built for one of those huge outdoor fireplaces, and those are an expensive, complicated undertaking that lots of people don’t want to consider. A built-in firepit can be subject to all of the same issues. However, a freestanding firepit is something that you can add almost anywhere, even to your apartment balcony.
There are lots of options available, but I particularly like this one as it is particularly stylish and even multifunctional. With a few small adjustments, you can turn it into a BBQ grill or a beverage cooler, and the flame created when it is utilized in standard firepit form can be easily contained by an attractive, vented cover.
Outdoor Sectional
Lots of us know what a wonderful addition sectional seating can be to the living room, so doesn’t it make sense that it can be the same in an outdoor setting too. Due to the nature of outdoor furniture, the aim to be weather resistant and damage resistant can often lead to a lack of attention to aesthetics.
There’s nothing more enticing to a professional designer like myself or a design-conscious homeowner than when form and function meet. Fortunately, many of the available external furnishings have been skillfully crafted to mirror the look and feel of indoor fixtures, giving an exterior a layer of domesticity. Just like this versatile and stylish option.
Although a sectional sofa is a large piece of furniture, it does not have to be the center of attention. Instead, use it to give your exterior more definition.
Now that you are inspired to create a better – or brand new – outdoor space, and have some shopping suggestions – it’s time to get started! If you live in the Greater Houston area and would like design and organizational help the Just Organized By Taya team can provide that and much more. Book a consultation here so we can talk about it!
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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