Time to get decked out
Prep your outdoor space for warm weather fun
Idon’t want to jinx anything. After all, we all know how our fickle New England weather loves to dash our hopes with a freak April blizzard. But I think we might have turned a corner into spring. And that means one thing: It’s time to start getting your outdoor space ready, so you can get out there, grab some Vitamin D and start relaxing.
And with all the great outdoor decor out there right now, creating your own personal Shangri-La is a very doable endeavor, no matter how small your space or how tight your budget.
Let’s start at the bottom of things — rugs. Most flat areas really benefit from a floor with some character, so roll out something like the Star Moroccan Teal/ White Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug ($179 on homedepot.com). It’s durable enough to stand up to all weather, and its classic-butcool design makes everyone feel right at home.
Bigger and grander patios will beg for luxe and cushy seating — the likes of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Del Mar Collection. The company’s artful Del Mar Chaise (starting at $2,130 on mgbwhome.com) is a study in contemporary beauty, with its sleek teak and Italian strapping.
For a tighter area that needs to include shade — rather than having an umbrella hovering above — go in for the Pergola Sunbed with Canopy ($469.95 on pier1.com). The gracefully arched larch wood frame and white canopy keep things natural looking and complement just about any environment.
Got a pool or a hot tub? Better stock up on towels, then. These are some of the widest and fluffiest: Sun
Squad’s XL Beach Towels ($15 at target.com) come in all kinds of just totally fun colors and patterns that mix and match beautifully. Pineapples with palm trees. Kiwis with lobsters and watermelon seeds. They all scream summer.
And if your space can’t fit an actual pool, don’t think you need to go without. There’s always the Members Mark Elegant Family Pool ($69.98 on amazon.com); it’s 10 feet long with two inflatable seats with backrests. Hey, it cools you off just as well as the water in any big pool, right?
If you plan on chilling outside at night, then a string of cool vintage lights is a mustget. And do the planet a favor and get a solar version (which also conveniently eliminates the need for outdoor outlets and gives you more flexibility on where you place it) like Glow Solar String Lights ($49 on brightech.com).
Planning to eat al fresco? Get a table that will last for eons, like the Concrete Outdoor Dining Table ($1,249 on westelm.com). Bonus: Almost any kind of chairs looks terrific with it. Better still, combine the forces of a nearly indestructible concrete table with the lure of a fire pit, in the Abbott Concrete Square Low Propane Fire Pit Table ($3,999 on potterybarn.com). There’s plenty of room on it for drinks, dishes — or just your feet.
And even if you only have a teensy shared deck, there’s still room for the Hammock Hanging Swing Chair ($59.95 on pier1.com). Heck, you could even attach it indoors if you don’t have a patio, and open the window and let the breeze roll in while you swing back and forth.
And once you’ve all that set up, don’t forget: Shades — my new faves are Gucci’s Rimless Metal Sunglasses ($505 on neimanmarcus.com). And sunscreen: Chanel’s UV ESSENTIEL Complete Protection Antioxidant Anti-Pollution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($55 on macys.com). Now go get your bliss on.