I'm sure by now you've seen plenty of photos of my screened in porch because not only am I obsessed with it but I personally think I did a great job styling it. So people always ask "how can I style my space as cute as yours?". Well, it's not all that hard so I figured I'd do a blog post on the basics of how to style your space whether it's a patio or a porch like mine.
Know Your Climate
I know we're all obsessed with some of the decorative accents we see on Instagram when bloggers show off their patio. The decorations are SO pretty but you have to remember - you may live in a totally different part of the country than they do. While the outdoor rug on the patio is super cute and the faux flowers in a vase on the side table are gorgeous - that may not be possible where you live. For me, in Pennsylvania with the wind and the rain, it's not worth the risk to me to put breakable decor on tabletops and because of the rain I'd rather not put an outdoor rug down because it'll just be sopping wet on a weekly basis. There will be some things you can do and some you can't. Bear in mind that in rainy season, mud will accumulate outside and is just begging to be tracked into your living space - so it’s worth knowing the details of a recommended pressure washing service to keep things fresh. So when you are making plans for your space and making your shopping list, ask yourself if everything will work for Spring, Summer, AND Fall. With the rain, wind, heat, etc.
What's the Purpose
Are you going to have guests over in your porch or on your patio? Are you going to just design a small quiet place for yourself to read and sip wine? Your purpose will determine your budget. Obviously purchasing seating for multiple people is more pricey than buying a simple hammock for yourself.
Seating is Priority
So if you have an outdoor space the main thing you and your guests will want to do is sit. Lounging around is always fun. So you want to make sure you have 2 things - ample seating and comfortable seating. Lawn chairs aren't comfortable for several hours so you will likely need to invest in some decent patio/porch furniture. If your space is outdoors and exposed to all elements than you need to make sure you get weather resistant materials in your cushions and the frames of your seating. Also, the type of seating will vary. For me, in my porch I put the couches with cushions because I know they are safe under the cover of the screened in porch. But for outside I had to get those white patio set chairs and a table because it's more weather resistant. I also got some outdoor recliner sun chairs because they can easily be hosed off or cleaned after a nasty storm. Also, they won't really fade in the direct sun since they aren't colorful like my indoor furniture.
Choose a Color Theme
So when you pick out certain end tables, cushions, pillows, rugs, and other decorative accents, you'll probably have a big choice in color options. The good news is that bright fun colors can definitely be mixed. So when I say a color theme I basically mean - do you want it toned down with neutrals or do you want bright and fun colors and patterns? Whatever you commit to is what you should focus on in the future. When you hunt for additions to your furniture set up, remember what color theme you have.
Space for Drinks
That's right - if you have space for 16 people to sit but nowhere for them to set their drink, you're gonna have a problem sooner or later. Not only do I highly suggest a coffee table, especially if you have a sectional, but for regular chair seating, make sure to stagger some little end tables every 2 seats or so.
Lighting
YOU NEED LIGHTING! So if you have a space where you can hang lights - consider strings of outdoor light bulbs that you can drape across your area and easily secure in place. If you want solar light strands, make sure you're not in too shady of a spot. I also love walkway lighting. You can place it at the edge of your patio and also throughout the patio in potted plants. There are also battery powered decorative lanterns that make a GREAT accent to ANY outdoor space. While spotlights are nice, they can attract A LOT of bugs, so keep that in mind. Speaking of bugs, citronella torches are a great idea for a patio. Just place them around the border to give you light AND deter bugs!
Floral Accents and Wall Hangings
To finish off your decor, real flowers, herbs, and other plants are a great touch. The good news is that since they'll be outside they'll be easier to water and get sunlight. Choose the right ones for your space and put them under tables, on top of tables, and in the corners where there's blank space. If you have a sun room, hanging planters are a great idea.
How are you going to decorate and set up YOUR outdoor space?
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Your outdoor living space looks very nice.
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thanks Amy! it's my favorite place to be!!
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