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Many of us are looking forward to hanging out outside with our friends and family on a warm Houston summer evening while sipping cool beverages, grilling up a storm, and enjoying the cool winds that blow through the space.
Today, I’m sharing a few of my top tips for creating the perfect, inviting outdoor conversation area that will keep your guests lingering longer during the summer months, no matter how much (or how little) outdoor space you have to work with.
Create a Focal Point
Create a focal point for your conversation space by focusing on something interesting. This can be in the form of a fire pit, a coffee table, or an outdoor ottoman. It is easier to hold a face-to-face conversation when your seating is gathered around something.
A fire pit is wonderful for toasting marshmallows and creating a campfire-like ambience for telling stories — whether ghost-related or not. A coffee table or ottoman gives you somewhere to put your drink or your feet up, which is always a good excuse to stay a bit longer.
You don’t need a lot of space to do this. You can create such an area on a small balcony every bit as effectively as you can in a huge backyard. All it takes is some imagination, basic furniture and maybe the help of a Houston home decorating professional to guide you in the right direction.
Add Layers of Greenery
Enhance your outdoor conversation area by layering plants with botanicals that thrive in our climate. Greenery offers that irreplaceable live touch to any landscape, whether it’s container gardening or more permanent surrounding gardens. Plant annuals and perennials that will grow to varied heights and sizes to achieve this.
Add potted trees, ferns, hostas, and grasses to your landscaping for a pleasing mix of textures. Use unique things as pots or get creative with your containers, but avoid flowers that attract bees or your guests will flee your conversation zone in a hurry!
Comfort is Key
Include lots of cushions and pillows for comfort and coziness in durable outdoor fabrics to ensure that both you and your visitors stay longer. Stripes are a safe bet and a traditional summer look; but a variety of patterns, from contemporary flowers to bold geometrics, are also available in durable outdoor fabrics. These contemporary options allow you to bring interior comfort and style to your conversation area while still maintaining those outdoor vibes.
Add Some Art
The possibilities for outdoor art are infinite when it comes to adding whimsy or even a little quirkiness to your yard.
You can use metal objects, such as barn stars, iron sculptures, or even old ladders or obelisks. If you have a blank wall, use framed art or even live art such as succulents, vines, or espalier fruit trees to fill it. Anything goes in the great outdoors as long as your artwork, whether living or not, can tolerate constant sun and regular exposure to water. Fountains provide guests with the calming sound of running water, which is appealing to them and always a relaxing addition to your outdoor environment.
Let There Be Light
One of the most delightful aspects of a Houston summer evening is that magical moment when the sun sets, yet the temperature remains warm.
Keep yourself and your guests entertained as the sun sets by lighting up your outside space with globe lights strewn casually around the yard or flickering candlelight mixed with outdoor lighting that accentuates the beauty of the outdoors even after the sun goes down.
Solar lighting can be a real help here, as it can be placed anywhere it can soak up the sun in the day without the constraints of wiring and won’t add to your utility bill, so you can illuminate your outdoor conversation area all night long without worrying about the effect doing so will have on your light bill!
Need some decorating help? Our Houston home decorating team can assist you in lots of different ways, from determining the right looks for you and your home, to purchasing what you need and placing it the right way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
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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