Friday Favorites: Outdoor Design

Hi Friends! Welcome to “Friday favorites.” You asked for tips, and we listened. We’ll be sharing great ideas and inspiration to help you create the home of your dreams. Spring has sprung and we are ready to get outside! So, this week let’s talk about creating the perfect outdoor living space. It is very easy to create an inviting gathering area for family and friends with just a few easy steps.

1. Pillows

We love pillows and adding them to your outdoor space gives you not only the perfect pop of color, it provides a sense of coziness and comfort. We suggest outdoor fabric to prevent mildew and dirt build-up. You can find them almost anywhere and in a large variety of prices to fit your budget. A few great sources are Target, Williams Sonoma, Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon, Ballard Designs, and Pottery Barn just to name a few, but there are loads of retailers out there. Outdoor pillows are a great way to use bold colors if you usually stick to neutrals, and want to change things up. Here are a few different looks for this season: bold stripes, colorful prints, geometric patterns, and pillows with icons are all great choices.

2. Outdoor Lighting

Lighting is another key to creating an inviting space that fills the area with ambience. We love outdoor lanterns, Edison bulb string lights, chandeliers, and candles. When the sun begins to fade, the right lighting creates a beautiful glow so you still have plenty of light and a truly delightful atmosphere. Some stores with great lanterns and string lights other than those listed above, are Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon. Amazon also has a great variety of paper lanterns and string lights in various sizes. Here are some examples of how we fill our outdoor spaces with great light.

3. Outdoor Rugs

Now let’s talk about rugs. Outdoor rugs have come a long way and will give your space the feeling of a living room. But the best part, you can hose it off when it gets dirty, or someone spills a cocktail. Win, win! Like outdoor pillows, the latest outdoor rugs come in a variety of colors, sizes, and prices. You can find amazing outdoor rugs, no matter what your price point is. Wayfair has loads of choices, as does rugs.com, Overstock, Target, Walmart, and the list goes on. It’s the perfect piece to anchor your entire room. How beautiful are these? Bold patterns, geometric designs, and something more subtle will all work beautifully.

4. Planters

Finally finish the space with beautiful planters and fresh blooms. Planters are the final step in creating an outdoor living area. They provide natural artwork and color for the entire season. Pinterest has a plethora of ideas. But choose plants you love and that work for sun or shade, depending on your area. Here are three steps you want to follow to create a perfect planter; a thriller, a filler, and a spiller. Choose a tall center plant that will give you height. We love spikes, ornamental grass, asters, and canna lilies, to name a few. Next add in flowers that will fill the entire area. For this choice you’ll need to consider the amount of sun your outdoor area gets bathed in. We love petunias, impatiens, geraniums, pansy’s, coleus, begonias, lantana, and dusty miller, but there are lots of great choices. Finish your planters with plants that will spill over the edge. Some great spillers are fuchsia, sweet potato vine, morning glory, ivy, nasturtium, alyssum, purple queen, and vinca vine. Spillers create a beautiful cascading effect and are the icing on the cake. Now the final step in welcoming your family and friends, add freshly cut flowers in vases. Choose blooms in colors that accent your fabric choice and your space will be complete.

We love to bring the indoors out when the weather is warm. Light those candles and grab a glass of wine. It’s time to enjoy your new outdoor room. We’d love to see your outdoor spaces. Be sure to tag @karrbick_design on Instagram or Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath on Facebook. Let us know if you have any questions. Now go get decorating!