It’s not too late to style your patio for the fall
You may have started summer with daydreams of long warm nights spent outdoors, visions of morning coffees under the sun and aspirations of neighborly cocktail parties at sunset. The initial intention is always to create an outdoor space to rival the greatest landscape artists, so why does our outdoor decor always seem to become an afterthought?
Even though outdoor spaces can’t always be used year-round, it’s no excuse to leave them undecorated. If you’ve reached August and your balcony, patio or porch is still a sad empty space, or if you’ve haphazardly purchased an outdoor set at the local hardware store and called it a day, it’s not too late to make your alfresco space Insta-worthy. With a few simple tricks, you can whip your balcony into shape and even extend it into the fall months. Don’t wait; when summer wanes, patio furniture and decor goes on sale, so the time to transform your outdoor space is now. Start with plants: An outdoor area should never be without greenery. Flower boxes and potted plants are an easy, low-cost way to infuse greens into your outdoor space, no heavy lifting required. Ground it with a rug: Outdoor rugs are prettier than ever, and companies like Dash & Albert are coming up with hundreds of fun and weather-resistant patterns. You ground your living room with a rug, so why not do the same? Embrace the bistro table: Nothing is more satisfying than having breakfast outside and basking in the sun before a long workday. When space is limited, all you need are a couple of chairs and a smaller bistro table. When in doubt, do stripes: Outdoor stripes are quintessential outdoor decorating. If you’re upholstering furniture, purchasing outdoor pillows or shopping for an umbrella, always look at thick stripes in bold colors to bring life to your space. Plant a vertical garden: The easiest way to hide unsightly neighboring views is to block them with a vertical garden. Simply install a trellis and hang away. Throw in pillows: Don’t think you’re limited to the pillows that came with your outdoor sofa. Just as outdoor rugs are more varied than ever, so are their pillow counterparts. This means you can infuse the same decor personality indoors and out. Consider lighting: Hanging outside on a cool fall night is a luxury, as long as you can see around you. Consider hanging string lights to create a starry nighttime effect. Wall sconces or candle-filled hurricanes are great alternatives. Put in the finishing touches: Add final decorating touches with vases, candles and other accents to finish off the space. Treat your outdoor space as you would any other room in your house to get a layered decor effect. Warm it up for fall: When temperatures start dropping, extend the season by furnishing your space with throws and sheepskin rugs that will keep you and your guests cozy.