Whether you have a huge poolside deck or a sliver of a patio, these ideas will kick stress to the curb all summer long
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In the warm months, there’s nothing better than coming
home and immediately kicking off your shoes, grabbing an ice-cold drink
and heading right outside. Sitting outdoors in the fresh air is a great
way to loosen up, unwind and let go. Summer may still seem far off, but
now is actually a great time to begin planning ways to make your outdoor
space more comfortable — see if one of these 10 ideas will work for your porch, patio or yard.
Poolside lounge. If you have a pool
(lucky you!) why not steer away from the usual plastic deck furniture
in favor of something sleeker and more chic? A sea grass daybed,
linen-backed deck chairs and a Moroccan tea table create a light, airy
feel in this poolside space. Unwind under the shade of an oversize
umbrella with a tall glass of something on ice and your favorite trashy
novel. No pool? This look would work equally well on a backyard deck — I would surround the seating area with big pots of fragrant plants, like lavender.
Secret reading nook. If
what you love most is to escape with a good book, a tucked-away reading
nook is what you need. In a corner of this garden, a cushioned bench
gets extra privacy from hanging vintage shutters and vines trailing down
from overhead.
Napworthy porch. A covered porch is the perfect place for napping —
the fresh air and gentle breeze soothe, but the roof is there to
protect you if a sudden shower springs up while you snooze. Any daybed
makes a fine napping spot, but I think the rocking motion of a hanging
bed is especially restful.
Backyard hideaway. Make a simple pergola in the backyard
feel like an exotic getaway by stringing up white curtains all around
and placing a cushy outdoor sofa or daybed underneath. The curtains not
only create privacy but can also be adjusted to block the sun on a hot
day.
Classic hammock. If you
have nice, big trees in your backyard, why not put them to good use?
String up a hammock and let the relaxation commence. Come
home from work, kick off your shoes, grab something to drink and make a
beeline to the backyard. No trees? You can also find hammocks that come
with their own stands.
Private dining area. Whether
you want to dine al fresco or just bring a glass of wine outdoors on a
pleasant weekend, having a welcoming table for two is essential. Find a
place blocked from the wind — a corner of the garden would be ideal —
and make it feel even more private by surrounding it in lush plantings.
Keep a stash of fresh tablecloths indoors and carry one out with you
when you want to hang out at your table — it’s the quickest and easiest way to keep your table looking fresh.
Tropical retreat. Deep, dark tropical and reclaimed wood furniture, moody lighting and a hammock converge on this porch
to make an irresistible hideaway. Whether your idea of R&R involves
pouring cocktails and playing cards with friends, or enjoying a little
peace and quiet solo, a setup like this will have you covered.
On a deck that gets a lot of sun,
curtains or blinds can make the space much more comfortable. For a
tropical look, try hanging simple (and inexpensive) bamboo blinds, as
shown here.
Rooftop refuge. A chill-out
zone like this one is essential for city dwellers. Even if your space
is small (and the budget is limited), you can pull together a cute
retreat with a café table for sitting and a blanket-covered futon and burlap pillows for lounging.
Browse more outdoor furniture
Browse more outdoor furniture
Sweet simplicity.
Sometimes all you need is a place to get away. Tuck a pair of chairs
(butterfly chairs are always stylish) and a small table into a hidden
area of your garden — perhaps even in a side yard. Surround
the seating area with native grasses that will rustle in the breeze, and
hang a wind chime for gentle sounds that help release stress.
Get inspired by more backyard escapes
Get inspired by more backyard escapes
Ideabook updated on April 9, 2014.
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A lot of these Pictures are perfect if you are planning a special occasion. They are also good if you have an enclosed porch.... Which is not the same a being outdoors.
Janet Murpet is hit about costco
Outdoor upholstery is usually made of materials that are either waterproof or water resistant like acrylic or sunbrella so should withstand some rain and can be easily dried on their side (not flat). Some people use waterproofing spray directly on cushions but it has to be reapplied maybe once or twice a year.
If you can afford to invest in upholstered furniture for your outdoor space, it's worth it to add in fitted covers for those pieces to make sure you get many seasons of enjoyment out of them.
So we moved to a place where it's beautiful in the mornings, incredible downpours in the afternoons and gorgeous cool evenings. Putting cushions away or covering chairs would make me feel like a yoyo.
Luckily the previous owner (more likely the movers) forgot her great patio set on the dock.
These chairs can be found under 'sling' chairs, are quite comfortable without added cushions, have lasted for 3 years of FL rains and humidity and are still beautiful. Target, Kmart, as well as more upscale places have them.
I would like to do a bed swing, esp as there's so many nights to sleep outside here (haha, in the screened patio!).
Anyone have any idea on what sort of bedding would work in FL's high humidity? I could situate it out of the rain, but never out of the humidity.
Hmmm, my outside couch has cushioning... I guess I should find out what that is
I love my sling chairs, not beautiful but dry very fast and comfortable.
I invested in a set of wicker look seating with "water resistant" cushions for the side deck with a cute thatched umbrella and I do love the look and it is very comfortable to sit and watch the water, but if I don't get the cushions put away before it rains it takes days to dry them out. Very annoying!
I would love to know what you use to make them water proof?
Cushions can be stored in a water proof deck box and put on the chairs as needed.
Can't see the hammock on the dock - it's great. But I love to put the boat in the water and just lie in it and read. Birds singing, silly mullet jumping and the waves rock you to sleep...
At d'apostrophe llc we would recommend Kokoon by Royal Botania. It could fit to all of these places.
I love the picture of the little table and chairs by the rock walls...delightful shade!!! Wish I had some.
Next house will have a shaded patio. Umbrellas just don't give enough shade and our redwood tree only shades the yard in the morning. Whole house faces south...sunny all the time.
Studio NOO Design's portfolio
Outside shower
Nice summer getaway 1
Nice summer getaway 2
The vintage furniture I found last year and painted it in California paint ( I like this acrylic paint as it is water base oil and is hard as nails when dry.
i wanted a punch of colour for those dull days so I went when this fabricut outdoor fabric. The pergola is the perfect oasis after a long day at work.
We w we
We have a fairly small backyard that we are planning to re-do in the next few years. I sit outside every morning with my coffee - it's my way to wake up and mentally prepare for the day. Here in So. Calif, I can do it year-round. We have a couple of inexpensive metal chairs that we got a few years ago at Bed Bath and Beyond. I took the cheap cushions to my work (commercial custom sewing manufacturer) to use as templates for new good quality cushions (outdoor foam and Sunbrella). After several years, they still look great. It doesn't rain much here, but if we know rain is expected, we bring the cushions inside. On the occasions when it has rained unexpectedly and they have gotten wet, they dry quickly once the rain has stopped.
It is 14' X 18', freestanding, 7 post, Almond colored, in-ground installation. Cost was $4800 three years ago. Additional expenses: you have to buy 2' X 6' X ?(width of pergola) boards to go in the ceiling beams. We paid a handyman to install it. He sunk the posts 3 feet into the ground, and secured them with concrete. Before we installed the pergola, we poured a concrete foundation and walkway, then had it covered with stone. All together, it cost about $10,000.
Measure, measure, measure before ordering! That is key. Installation key is leveling. Evidently, the in-ground installation is much more difficult to get level. Our handyman had a tough time getting all 7 posts (3 in back along fence, 4 in front) to line up straight and be the same height.
Maintenance is nil (we live in Deep South Texas). Wash it with a garden hose. Still looks brand new.
Note: things I would do differently, if I had to do it over again: add electricity and water at installation time. We are currently using a long extension cord to plug in our lights. I wish we had an outdoor shower on one corner of the pergola to rinse off after swimming in the pool.
I wish they made vinyl gazebos. I want one for the other side of my yard!
They were all the rage when I was a kid. My mom even used her set ( modular love seat, 2 chairs, glass coffee & end tables, and glass dining set) in the family room of one of her houses in 1963. I have no idea when she bought them.. 50's maybe?
Guess what? She still has that set on her covered patio. It's been re painted and new cushions have been professionally made a number of times over the years. I really like how they used to make em with that lip that the big chunky cushions fit into. Wrought iron just can't be beat for longevity . I have tried to talk her out of it a number of times, but she just gives me the " you'll have to wait til I die " line:(
My " auntie " ( mom's neighbor) still has her set too.
Those sets are STILL the MOST COMFORTABLE, aren't they?