Our patio has sort of been the place where backyard toys go to die.
For the past year I’d look at it out the window of our living room and think, I have got to show that patio some love! Finally, finally, with spring in bloom and summer on the horizon we decided to sort out this area of our home. We didn’t re-do everything, we just added a few key pieces to really make it sing.
Want to give your own home a makeover? Perfect! Service Master is hosting a #FixMyHouseSweeps giveaway! Beginning May 17 through June 27, ServiceMaster will share a post on the brand’s Facebook page asking people to share a photo and brief description of their DIY home fix it fail or other home improvement dilemma as a comment to the post. Those who share their “fail” or dilemma, and use the #FixMyHouseSweeps hashtag, will be entered to win a weekly prize, along with a grand prize at the conclusion of the sweepstakes. Guys, they’re giving away GE appliances and a grand prize of $5,000 to spend at Home Depot!
Need some inspiration for how to spend all that home improvement money? Well, here are some ideas for updating your own outdoor space in time for summer!
Start your patio makeover with an outdoor rug! We already had the two sofas but we needed a way to anchor them into the space. A giant outdoor rug was the perfect way to do that. I chose this pattern and style because it matches our living room decor which is visible through the glass doors. Some people like for each space in their house to feel totally different and I do too… but when two rooms are right next to each other (like our living room and patio) they need to coordinate. They don’t have to be twins, but the should be sisters at the very least.
Explore different textures! Originally we used little side tables that came along with our sofas but it just felt too matchy, matchy to me. I saw these old whiskey barrels in the garden section at the home improvement store and loved them. They’re actually supposed to be used as planters but by flipping them upside down we created really rad little tables.
Add on some throw pillows! I feel like throw pillows add all the life and color to your patio party. In this instance (because our patio is covered) I was able to use indoor pillows outside. I mixed the neutral pillows that came alongside the sofas with two larger pillows that had fun prints. It really makes the space homey.
If you need motivation to use your outdoor space more then set it up the same way you would the other parts of the house. I put my un-read magazines out on the patio and it encourages me to go read through them and get outside.
I love plants and I really think they make an outdoor space! A couple of tricks? Make sure you’re buying plants that work for the sunlight level your patio receives. If you’re not sure, ask for advice from someone in the garden section. Can’t find someone in the garden section? Look out how the plants are displayed there. Are they covered and in shade? Those plants don’t like sunlight. Are they out in bright sun? Those are the ones to use on your uncovered patio.
Also, mix and match your pots. All of my pots are in similar shades but the style, texture and shape is different for each. Consider getting some large and some small pots to create dimension. Pair plants that stick up with plants that cascade out of the pot… it creates such a pretty effect.
If you have a covered patio, you can consider using real furniture pieces outside. We’ve had this armoire out on our patio for years. It’s hiding the TV that Dave watches baseball on during the summer.
At the end of the day, an outdoor space can be a gorgeous place to relax and reconnect as a family. Consider treating it with as much respect as you do your indoor spaces.
Need more inspiration? Check out the Service Experience Tour that’s traveling around the country this year. You can find out all the ways you can utilize Service Master for home improvement and walk through their state-of-the-art mobile exhibit. Why Service Master? Because more than half of homeowners surveyed say they feel unprepared to handle their own home maintenance. When you find yourself in need of some help, you’ll be thankful you know who to call.
*This post is part of a Chic sponsorship with Service Master, however all opinions (and awesome patio style) is my own.
