Getting the outdoors primed for entertaining
Think versatility, comfort and weatherproofing when sprucing up your patio
If your home has even a few square feet of outdoor space, it’s that time again to tackle the job of getting it ready for the few precious months you have to enjoy it.
Getting the patio, rooftop deck or solarium ready for summer doesn’t have to be a daunting task, especially if you take time to consider a key question.
Think about what function you want the space to serve, advises interior designer William MacDonald of Will Mac Design. Is it a space to dine al fresco on warm summer nights, or aplace to put your feet up with a glass of wine and the Sunday paper?
If your space is big enough for both, great. But with limited square footage, like a solarium or a condo balcony, “it’s important to make a choice,” MacDonald says.
“You have to base your design ideas in reality.”
Answering this question may involve spending some time in the space before making big decor investments.
“Get a stool and sit outside and see what times you like to be out there,” MacDonald says. Invest When you’re ready to move on to decor, approach the outdoor space as you would your indoor space: invest in good-quality larger pieces — such as dining sets, chairs and loungers.
“It’s a good investment,” MacDonald says. “You’ll only buy them once.” Opt for neutral tones, like black, brown, grey, white or cream, and then you can go cheap and cheerful, not to mention colourful, for accessories like outdoor rugs, pillows, poufs and blankets to express your own personal style.
Current colour trends include jewel tones — think orange, turquoise, lime green and yellow — but softer pastels appear poised to make a comeback in the next year or two, MacDonald predicts.
Dusty blue, lilac and rose make for a very traditional look, but also hold up well outdoors because they don’t show dust as much as darker tones.
If you’ve already got your main furniture needs met but simply to refresh the look each year, simply buy new slipcovers, or have them made, for cushions and throw pillows, MacDonald says. Outdoor Friendly Whether your space is for dining or lounging, or both, everything that goes in it is affected by one key factor: the weather. Make sure your decor can withstand sun, heat, wind and rain, MacDonald says.
That means hurricane lanterns to hold candles, weatherproof fabrics like Sunbrella for pillows, cushions and umbrellas and outdoor rugs.
And don’t forget about lighting. Standing lamps work well in smaller spaces, while options abound on larger patios or gardens. Uplights, which sit on the ground and project lighting upward, can be planted around a garden or patio, while electric candles can be spaced at intervals around a balcony or rooftop terrace.
Finish off the look with some greenery: a handful of large outdoor planters for a big space or boxwood to line a smaller space.