11 Tips for Transforming Your Outdoor Space This Summer
11 Tips for Transforming Your Outdoor Space This Summer
Summer’s here to stay, and with it comes pool parties, backyard barbecues, and dinners al fresco. However you prefer to party, you’re probably planning on entertaining outdoors—because it’s too nice out not to.
We’d like to share eleven tips and tricks for ensuring your outdoor space is ready for company. While outdoor spaces might seem simple to design, they can be just as involved as interiors (after all, you have to account for the elements!). Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping your current outdoor space, here are some creative ways to make that transformation successful.
11 Tips and Tricks for Successfully Transforming Your Space
1. Planters are everything. To add some necessary greenery and color to your space, pick up some planters. You’ll want to consider how the material and color of your planters will fit with your furniture, exterior finishes, and architecture of your house. If the architecture of your house is more modern, a square or metal planter would be fitting; if the architecture is more classic, a planter with a softer, more traditional feel would work well. Alternatively, you can mix and match modern and classic styles–which is something our team at USIL is great at coordinating. Greenery will add great movement to your space; just think how pretty your plants are going to look with a breeze fluttering through!
2. Select the right table. Make sure that your table—especially the one you’ll be eating on—is right for the space. The general rule of thumb is that the table’s shape, size, and style need to fit the overall shape, size, and style of your space. This advice might seem simple, but it can make or break the overall appeal of your outdoor oasis. A table too small or too big will feel poorly planned, and a table that doesn’t match the style of your home’s architecture will stick out like a sore thumb. A final piece of advice: if you have a brick patio, you should steer clear of any tables or furnishings that are brick colored.
3. Incorporate outdoor lighting. Everyone loves string lights, and we do, too. Stringing some strands over your outdoor seating or dining area is never a bad idea. We recommend sticking with traditionally shaped string lights because they’re never going out of style! When the sun goes down, your guests will be happy—and pulling out their phones to take pictures. Tiki torches, lanterns, and path lights are other great ways to illuminate your space and set the mood just right.
4. Don’t forget fire. You know you’re going to crave s’mores this summer, so why not set yourself up for peak snacking success? We love an outdoor fire table for easy and fun roasting, but a fire pit with comfortable seating would be just as nice. Plus, everyone and everything looks especially lovely in the glow of a fire.
5. Add some fun accent pieces. Colorful poufs and stools are great accent pieces, and they also add another layer of functionality to your space. Some of our favorite products are these beautiful Moroccan-style poufs from Burke Decor and these hand-painted ceramic stools from Frontgate. Whatever your style may be, accessories are a great way to show some personality!
6. Store outdoor toys and games out of sight. This is especially relevant if you have a pool and all those outside “extras” that come with it. Things like pool toys, floats or noodles, and cornhole or crochet sets can go in your pool house or other designated storage space to avoid ruining the vibe with clutter. (Side note: If you’re designing a pool house, make sure it has tons of storage and hooks! We’ve seen so many pool houses with little space and lack of flow. Good design is crucial for a pool house—which is why we recommend bringing on an expert.)
7. Make serving food simple. Think smart when it comes to serving up food for your guests. If you’re serving a crowd, you’re going to need an accessible landing place for placing dishes that makes sense with the flow. (This is one example of why it’s best to bring a firm like ours on early to your project–so we can design with layout and flow in mind.) For impromptu visits and happy hours, stock up on your favorite beverages and easy snacks, storing them in your outdoor kitchen, bar area, or pool house kitchenette. That way, if your neighbors text you at six o’clock about having drinks, you’ll be more than ready to have them over!
8. Both shade and sun are a must. When spending time outside, you’re going to want the option for shade or sun. This is especially important when it comes to your eating area. Whether you’re doing a partially covered space or using patio umbrellas, make sure you have some sun-shade flexibility.
9. Think about your view. With lounging spaces in particular, where you’ll spend lots of time, it’s important to consider which way you want to face. Consider the way your surroundings look depending on the time of day and the season (some views might be more obscured by foliage than others in the spring and summer) to make sure your scenery is optimal.
10. Mix and match materials. The colors and patterns of your upholstery’s materials will set the vibe for your outdoor space. Are you into maximalism? Create bold and unexpected combinations to make a statement. Want a calming backyard retreat? Reach for neutrals or earth tones. These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless; this is where your personal style preferences can truly shine! That said, you’ll want to consider the level of maintenance you’re willing to take on to determine the durability of your materials.
11. Protect your furniture. This is an important step, but one that’s easily forgotten! We recommend covering your outdoor furnishings with covers before bad weather or leaving for a vacation. In the same way people need sunscreen before swimming, your furniture needs covers to protect it from rain! This will ensure your furniture stays awesome so all your awesome guests can use it for years to come.
Want a glimpse into our process for outdoor projects? Check out the images of the floor plan and mood board we created for a recent project below. Our team was involved with everything from layout and lighting design to choosing planters and pool tiles.
The beauty of having our team work on your outdoor space from the beginning is that we ensure your vision is met at every stage. From coordinating overall flow all the way down to choosing flowers, we’ll create a cohesive and creative design.
If you’re interested in hiring a team who can manage your project from build process to design details, consider Uma Stewart. Whether you want help with your outdoor space, interiors, or both, our team will take your unique preferences and lifestyle into account to make your home truly yours.