Nancy Mattia, CTW Features
Has spending time outdoors on your patio or deck become one of the summer’s greatest pleasures, whether it’s just you relaxing with a cold drink after work or sharing the space with family and friends? The square footage doesn’t even need to be huge to create your happy place. But is it time for an update so the space is as visually pleasing and comfortable as can be? With the right furniture and décor choices, it’s easy to do. Below are a few feel-good/look-good ideas to get you started.
Scale furnishings to the setting’s size
Know the patio’s or deck’s dimensions (height, width, depth) when you’re shopping for furnishings so you can determine what size would look best. A too-large sofa, for example, will look out of place on a small deck; a love seat or grouping of chairs may be better options.
Don’t over-furnish the space
Okay, you avoided the super-sized furniture but, unfortunately, you bought too many correctly sized pieces. How many chairs will reasonably fit within the space and still allow enough room for people to comfortably walk around—and not into—the furniture?
Throw down a rug
A rug will instantly pull together your patio or deck’s look even in a small space. Installing a rug gives you a chance to add color, texture, and style to what’s already there. Take into consideration the style of your home and the color of its exterior—everything should work together. Consider rugs in materials like hemp, sisal, seagrass, and polypropylene. Add a rug pad for cushiony support.
Create vertical space,
If you don’t have any nearby walls to hang decorations from, install a trellis and hang lights or flowers from it. If you do have a wall or even shrubbery, move furniture against it so it takes up less space. On the ceiling, hang a hammock!
Fill the space with flowers
No matter what size your patio or deck, create a lush environment with flowers and plants; it’s an easy way to add more color and natural beauty. Use pots of varying sizes or wall-mounted planters.
Stop the clutter
Just like inside your home, having too much stuff on the outside can make a space feel smaller than it really is. Your eye doesn’t know where to look first because there’s a lot to see with no empty spots to rest. Clear out anything that doesn’t belong on the patio or deck—like old hoses, toys and empty flowerpots—so you can figure out a decorating scheme.
Mix and match materials
While matching furniture can pull together a spacious patio or deck, when you’ve got less space to work with, go eclectic for the most appealing results. Using a variety of materials, like marble on a table top and wrought iron for bistro chairs, will create a custom look you won’t see elsewhere.