Transform Your Outdoor Space for Guests
Summer is here so make the most of outdoor space. Whether yours is a petite apartment patio or a palatial terrace, create a place that is inviting and cozy for alfresco entertaining. You can find lots of products on the market that make this easy, and most are on sale this time of year. If you choose wisely, you don't need to spend a lot to make a big impact. Here are six ways to give your plain space some panache!
Flags and Fun: Hanging flags, pennants or bunting is a simple way to spruce up your party space. Bold, primary colors work great for children’s parties and add a festive feeling. For adult gatherings pick a color or colors that coordinate with your table and keep the pennants or flags small in size. You want to make your space look special without it looking like a circus.
Outdoor Couch: Outdoor furniture doesn't have to be hard and uninviting. Purchase a cozy love seat or coach made with Sunbrella® or weather resistant fabric. If you don't have the budget to purchase new outdoor furniture this year, creating an outdoor couch is simple. Morph a bench, armless chaise or lounge chair into a simple couch by adding pillows and or cushions. Make sure if there is no back that you push the furniture up against a wall to create one and use throw pillows and cushions to make it comfortable.
Tenting: Add drama to any outdoor space by tenting it. Canopies and market umbrellas serve as great shade and keep you cool during the day, but they can be cool at night too. Hang a string of lights or a few small lanterns from underneath and keep them up and open in the evening. For day or evening hang a swag of material up as shown in the photo above. This is perfect over a day bed and is a really chic setting for company to relax and enjoy conversation or for a romantic spot for two.
Cozy Seating: Adding a few small touches to any outdoor chair can make it look fantastic and feel more comfortable. A pretty throw pillow or blanket will cushion a hard chair and make it cozier. Dress up plain outdoor dining chairs for guests by simply slipping a pillowcase over the back. If your chairs are too large, use fabric in the shape of a table runner and hang it over the back of the chairs. Tie with a ribbon around the chair if you like.
Torches and Lanterns: Fire is a fabulous mood enhancer. Use it as much as you can outdoors at night to transform your space into another place. Torches on a stake, hanging or tabletop lanterns and lots of candles create wonderful ambiance. When you select these items, pick a style to go with your outdoor décor. Tiki torches are great for a tropical look and lanterns can look rustic and European.
Day Bed: This will take some work and ample room, but it will be worth it when you realize how wonderful it is to lounge alfresco. You can use a futon, platform or any size regular bed, depending on your space. You need a sturdy frame but no headboard or box spring is necessary. To create the bedding, use a water-proof mattress liner then cover with an outdoor fabric like Sunbrella®. Choose a color that coordinates with the rest of your outdoor furniture and add plenty of pillows for additional color and comfort.
Author: Dawn Sandomeno — Please visit her incredible blog!! http://www.partybluprintsblog.com/
Images from Terrace Outdoor Living:
http://www.terraceoutdoorliving.com.au/index.htm
