Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

 

Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space

We all want to spend as much time as we can outside during the summer months. There’s nothing quite like a relaxing summer day in the backyard with friends, hosting a barbeque, or enjoying an evening under the stars around the firepit. Summer is made for chilling and breathing in the fresh air and just unwinding after a long day. So this month, ramp up your outdoor space and bring your indoor style right to your backyard.

Bonus Living Spaces
More and more, people are treating their backyard spaces as an extension of their living space. From outdoor pergolas to string lights, trendy rugs, and comfy, weatherproof sectionals and lounge chairs, homeowners are creating stunning open-air outdoor living spaces. You don’t even have to have a huge space, you can add smaller pieces to your deck or patio to create a relaxing, cozy sanctuary. Whatever your indoor style is, you’re sure to find similar outdoor pieces.

Inspirational Botanicals
The right plants, flowers, and planters can make all the difference when it comes to creating a warm, inviting, and colorful outdoor space. With so many stylish planters available, you can easily find ones that match your style and fill them with a variety of herbs, flowering annuals, cactuses, plants, and shrubs. If you live close to a farmers’ market, be sure and check them out as they typically have a huge variety of cost-effective flowers, plants, and herbs to fill your yard, patio, or balcony.

Small Space Solutions
There are tons of creative ways to transform a small space and make a big impact. Start with some lively décor, potted plants, outdoor pillows, candles, and small-scale furniture. Consider a vertical garden where you can plant your favorite herbs and vegetables. Adding string and solar lights can also help make a space feel extra cozy. And when it comes to furniture, think about a bistro set for casual dining, foldable and stackable chairs, or a small loveseat and ottoman. There are tons of creative ways to make a big impact in a smaller space.

If you’re limited on outdoor space, don’t let that stop you from creating the perfect outdoor oasis. Infusing your personality and style into your backyard, balcony, or back porch is the perfect way to gain more living space and enjoy a place where you can enjoy more fun in the sun all summer long.

How to Plan the Perfect Picnic

 

A summer picnic is always a fun way to enjoy time with friends and family and soak in a beautiful day, whether it’s at your favorite park, beach, or lakeside, at the top of a lovely overlook, or even in your own backyard. You can simply grab a few items and be on your way.

Here are a few fun and inspiring ways to help you plan the perfect picnic this summer.

First, you’re going to want to make sure you have something to carry your food and beverages in. There’s something really nostalgic and charming about those classic woven-style picnic baskets. But don’t worry if you don’t happen to have one, a cooler, backpack or large tote will also do the trick. Whatever you choose, you’ll just want to make sure that you can keep food and drinks cool.

When you think about picnics, you most likely think about an outdoor blanket that you can sit, eat and relax on. If that’s your preference just make sure it’s durable and can be rolled and unrolled easily. If you want to make sitting on the ground a little more enjoyable, then pack some decorative pillows to add both comfort and style to your picnic. Another great option is to bring along a few folding chairs that are easy to transport and set up.

You may also want to consider bringing a grab-and-go-style picnic table. These lightweight, easy-to-carry tables feature folding legs – some even include handy slots for wine glasses. And lastly, you don’t want to forget utensils and dinnerware. Make sure they’re durable and can withstand being packed and dropped.

When it comes to the menu, you can keep it light and simple. Easy sandwiches, chips or pretzels, some cheese and fruit and refreshing drinks like homemade lemonade help complete the perfect picnic. Or you could go all out and get creative with a beautiful charcuterie board with your favorite meats, cheeses, and chocolates. You can even add some decorative greenery and flowers to make it a little more Instagram-worthy.

Sunny warm days are the perfect excuse to ditch the dining room and dine alfresco, just don’t forget to bring a book or a frisbee!