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Sunny, warm days are arriving along with the spring, which means your patio will again be the place where you will spend most of your free time. In the outdoor living area, you can relax and spend lazy afternoons, organize a dinner for friends, or throw a party. After a long and cold winter, what your patio needs is a refreshment. There are some great things you may consider in order to get ideas, and start the project.

Some options are more affordable than others, but you will definitely find something that works for you. Most importantly, the outdoor living area will look stunning.

Decking

Before you do anything else, consider decking. It is one of the most popular features of the modern age, and will improve the entire patio a lot. Moreover, maybe one day, you will want to sell your house, and decking will automatically increase its value. That means decking is not only a beautiful feature, it is also an excellent investment.

Furniture

Check the condition of the outdoor furniture you already have. If its condition is good, leave it. If not, you may want to consider some changes. If possible, you can refresh the look of the furniture base with paint, and if the base is okay, you can replace only the cushions on the chair. However, if the pieces are too old, maybe it is time to shop a little. Shopping does not always mean the purchase of an expensive furniture collection. You can check out the ads, and garage sales, and find something that looks good. Add some improvements yourself, and you will gather all the pieces you need. This is also an excellent time to change the entire outdoor style of the area.

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Storage furniture – if you don’t have enough space in your garage for all the things you keep outside, or if the garage is too far away from your patio, you can choose furniture pieces which are storage units at the same time, such as sofas or tables. You can put some of the things inside without moving them to the garage.

Fireplace or fire pit

A fireplace or fire pit is an excellent addition to any patio. Everything around will be much cozier, and you will be able to spend the evenings outside, no matter if the weather is not warm. You can gather around with friends, family and neighbors, and simply enjoy. There are many outstanding options, and both, fireplaces and fire pits come in different sizes and shapes, which means you will easily find something which will be a perfect match with the entire patio style.

Fountain or other water feature

With the sound of water, each time you are relaxing outside, you will have the impression like you are on vacation. Fountains, the same as fireplaces and fire pits, are available in different shapes, sizes and colors. They are considered as the perfect addition for the patio area. On the other hand, if your budget does not allow you a fountain, you can do a little research, and if you enjoy DIY projects, you can create a water wall yourself.

Outdoor kitchen and dining area

An outdoor kitchen is a magnificent solution, especially if you enjoy cooking. What can be better than cooking outside? It does not have to be huge, and you can add several appliances which are the most significant. If an outdoor kitchen is too much for you, you can get a garden BBQ. With a dining table, and several chairs, your patio will become an excellent place for dinner parties.

Decorating

One of the best ways to spruce up your patio, which is also the most affordable one is outdoor decorating. With so many possibilities, your patio will be fun and charming. Here are some ideas you can consider:

• Curtains – this option is among the perfect ones, if you can hang them somewhere. If you can, choose natural colors. Curtains will add a touch of the Mediterranean, and a bit more privacy. At the same time, they will boost the look of the entire area.
• Decorative lighting – there are wall lamps, torches, lanterns, and many other options to choose from. If you have the budget, you can add luxury lighting, and if possible, place it above the focal point of the patio. With soft light around, your patio will be more sophisticated and fancy, and also romantic when the night falls.
• Flower pots and flowers –with flowers, and some nicely designed flower pots, the patio will look wonderful, and cheerful. Add as many flowers as possible. All colors and sizes you choose to place will fit perfectly with all the other things.
• Cushions – cushions are not only for decorating, they also provide supreme comfort, which is why you should place them on furniture pieces, such as dining chairs, benches or sofas.
• Umbrella – it will protect you from the sun, which is very important, but if you choose some nice color which will fit with the rest of the furniture and decorative pieces, it will look excellent.
• Sculptures – in the home & garden centers, you can find some wonderful sculptures, specially designed for the outdoor They are an excellent addition, and they are affordable as well.
• Rug – lately, rugs on patios have become a very popular option. Choose the color, size and style you like, and place it outside. The feeling you will get is cozy and comfortable.
• Rocks – large or small rocks around the patio area are simple, and superb at the same time.

If you want to spruce up your patio, consider all the suggestions. You will easily choose something that fits into your budget, and your desires as well. Make sure to use all your creativity and ideas, to make entire area fun and comfortable. After you are done with the project, once again, spring and summer will be your favorites, because you will spend all your free time outside, enjoying all new additions and beautiful surroundings.

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If your outdoor living area is small, you should not feel deprived, thinking that only large areas can look phenomenal. Even the smallest spaces, patios, yards and terraces can be successfully turned into an oasis of peace, relaxation and comfort. There are many possibilities to explore, because your creativity does not have any boundaries. Another excellent thing is that you don’t have to finish everything at once, which is especially important if your budget is not too big. The most important thing is your satisfaction once everything is done, and put in its place.

How to start?

You need to consider the current state of your outdoor living area. Before you start with decorating, and placing furniture pieces around, check the floors, grass, or trees around. If you want everything to be perfect, you need to start with basic things. Maybe some branches will have to be removed, or the floors should be repaired. It is nothing too complicated, but it is significant. Once you check that out, you can move forward.

The next step is to consider your own desires, and then decorate the space according to those desires. Ask yourself what you want to achieve. Will you turn the area into a playground for your kids? Do you want to create an oasis for relaxation, which will serve as an escape from your busy everyday life? If you are a foodie, your yard can be turned into a foodie’s heaven, where you will enjoy in BBQ’s with your family members and friends. Do you want a bit of everything?

Consider your budget

As in any other project, the budget you have plays a significant role, and before you start with decorating, calculate how much money you can spend. Keep in mind that if you cannot afford something at this moment, you can add it later. Later on, when you start working at gathering all pieces together, get the ones which are considered the most important ones first, such as furniture, or lighting for example. The rest can be added afterwards.

Traffic pattern

No matter how small the outdoor space is, what you need is the traffic pattern. That way, moving through the space will be easy, and the impression that your yard is too small will completely disappear. There are many ways in which you can create traffic patterns, such as:

• Using the hardscape materials in which the shifts will be created
• Planting trees to create borders
• Planting shrubs to create borders
• Placing formal walkways

Another excellent way to make your yard look larger is by defining the territory. With structures such as shrubs, or fences, for example, the space will be divided into sections, and the impression will be entirely different.

Think about style options

When decorating the outdoor areas, you can use one specific style, such as vintage, cozy or a contemporary one. You can also mix the styles. You have a wide range of possibilities in front of you, and basically, you can do whatever you want in order to design the space the way you always dreamed. That means you can create your own outdoor style.

Image source: http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/outdoor-spaces/our-favorite-outdoor-spaces-from-hgtv-fans-pictures

Tips for choosing the furniture

This definitely is one of the most important tasks you will have, when it comes to this type of project. There are several things you need to consider.

• Do you have some old furniture pieces you can restore? – This is always an excellent idea, especially if you are short on budget. See what you can find in your own garage, and if there is something suitable, do your best to refresh it. It is another excellent option when you want to express your creativity, because furniture restoring is the real DIY project. With extra cushions and new chair covers, pieces will look as new.
• Family members – when placing the outdoor furniture, keep all the family members in mind, because every person will need their own place to sit.
• Materials – when it comes to furniture, you will be thrilled with all the available options. Consider the materials properly, for example, metal vs. fabric.
• Do you want portable pieces? – If you don’t have too much available space in your garage to store bigger furniture pieces, portable ones are the perfect option. They can be easily folded and stored.
• Do your homework – you will have to spend some time in front of your computer searching for the best deals and prices. There are many stores with the most amazing offers, but the difference is in the prices. If you want to avoid spending too much money for the pieces you can find at more reasonable rates, don’t rush yourself. Check the situation on the market, compare the prices, and then make the purchase.
• Get some pieces you can use for several things – since your space is limited, there are many pieces of furniture which can do double work. For example, you can choose a table, or a bench with the available storage space. That way, you can store some other pieces inside.

Make the space interesting

Once the furniture is placed, you can deal with the details. With cushions, blankets, flowerpots, and sculptures, you will add a personal touch to the space, you will make it cozier, and definitely more interesting. Wall lamps, and lanterns will also add a special touch to the space. There are many stores in which you can find these pieces, at affordable prices. Again, you can include another DIY work, and design some pieces yourself from the old things you have in your house. This is your chance to show the creativity you have in the finest manner possible. You can also plant flowers when spring arrives, because it will contribute to the overall impression a lot. Details will boost the visual appeal.

When the outdoor decorating work is done, you will be extremely satisfied. The space you considered as too small, will get a completely new dimension, the dimension small spaces truly deserve. It will be bigger, brighter and more interesting. You will spend your free time outside, with your family and friends, relaxing, eating, and laughing.

 

Image source: http://www.hgtvgardens.com/photos/celebrate-autumn-with-falls-best-porches-and-patios

Shabby chic furniture can create a sense of mid-century space with that vintage appearance. If you want to create an antique statement in your outdoor living rooms, here are some inspirations to take note.

Upcycled furniture

Source: Hometalk.com

Today’s trend is about transforming old items into beautiful furniture which functions can be totally different from its previous purpose. Like this outdoor drink station, it is made from a repainted, unused door. This idea is perfect for summer time fun in your backyard.

Chic ladder

Source: diybydesign.blogspot.com

This tiny shabby ladder can help you dust off your vases in the garden. Or you can surprise your guest with this multipurpose furniture by using it as a chic coffee table for your outdoor living room. The step ladder has a solid structure and with a little effort of painting the surface, you can obtain a vintage highlight in your space.

Comfy sofa

Source: pinterest.com

This chic styled sofa has a comfy cushion and backrest. This outdoor style has become a favourite among many households as the subtle colour makes a bold statement for an outdoor living space. You can enjoy curling up with your book on this shabby armchair!

Simple cabinet

Source: shabbychic.com

When you pick a salvaged furniture, you can obtain a shabby chic setting at the very best. This simple and fabulous piece of shabby furniture can be placed in outdoor living rooms and add that oldie style to the area. The simple colour is charming and with small pieces of decoration on top of it, you have a shabby couture for your outdoor space.

Source: pinterest.com

This shabby 4-seater picnic table can revamp your outdoor living room for sure. The turquoise colour is simply refreshing. This item is perfect for any outdoor theme.

The right colors

Source: koehlerhomedecor.com

Shabby chic is not always about the furniture, sometimes it’s about the color schemes. For a backyard room, obtaining a shabby look can be done by painting the furniture with shades of egg blue, turquoise, lilac, ivory white or champagne pink. The subtle colors and salvaged stuffs are perhaps the ultimate key to create the natural shabby look. Wash boards for the flooring or a scrubbed table can be used to decorate your space. Wooden materials with a floral finish is another way to obtain the shabby chic design.

Unique accessories

Vintage fittings can create a shabby style for a garden house. Wicker chairs, laces, and pastel vases can create that subtly charming space with a touch of vintage. You can also make your own accessories and use your creativity. Shabby chic is about a relaxing atmosphere with an airy feel. Make sure to pick your gems in the right way.