1. Paint your old furniture.
You can paint wood furniture of course. You can paint metal. You can even paint the plastic stuff. Yes. You can. They make a paint for that. I am NOT going to recreate instructions for you as there are so many online. {Click to the Blog to read more of this article and to get those links}
- Look how much fun you can have with color! Why choose ONE color, when you can choose SIX!
Plastic chairs are cheap, they stack, they're not too terribly uncomfortable and they clean up well. Have some old white ones cluttering up the side yard? Grab a couple of cans of multi-colored plastic spray paint and go to town!
Don't feel limited to plastic. With a little prep work, you can paint metal furniture, old pieces of iron work. Suit your design plan, home style or the mood of the party.
2. Fresh Flowers/Updated Plantings
Remember the rule of threes? Well this can work in 'arranging' your exterior space as well. Purchase and group some plantings that you can group together. Small/Medium/Large. A few pictures for your pleasure:
- Aren't the polka dots fun and playful? We can do fun stuff outside that we might not want as a permanent edition inside!
- I LOVE that these are painted with chalkboard paint. Can't you just imagine these as utensil holders for your next outdoor event? Click the picture for some GREAT ideas from this website!
3. Creative Lighting.
We love to simply BE outside. Not just for entertaining, but just because we enjoy it. We like to sit out just before desk, glass of wine in hand, a little nosh on the table next to us and enjoy the changing light. A little sparkle of candlelight as the light segues into darkness is a MUST. You can always bring your inside candlelight out, find inexpensive votives to scatter about. Some sort of glass protection is a must to keep the evening breezes from blowing out your light. Here are some clever ideas for exterior lighting:
- These are great and inexpensive to pop over a candlestick.
- Try scattering several of these around to create a really low and sexy lighting scheme!
- I love that these are bright and fun, but they also make them in whites and linen. They are designed to accomodate a light bulb so a little work will be required. My little sister does this around the backyard for bridal showers, baby showers and even a couple wedding dinners. GORgeous!
4. Fresh Cushions (Maybe an Umbrella, as well?)
Update the comfort, functionality and durability of your furniture with some cushions. There are all kinds of places to buy these or you can sew them yourself. If you live in a climate that is drier OR if you're willing to bring things in, you can use regular fabric cushions. If you plan on leaving them outside, however, you will want to use a fabric designed to resist fading in the sun and rotting in the rain, like Sunbrella. Don't want to sew (me either!). There are all kinds of places to buy these. They are loaded with inventory right now, but remember these are seasonal items in most stores in stock. Check online off season.
- HomeDepot/Lowes
- HomeGoods/TJ Maxx/Marshalls
- CostPlus World Market
- Ballard Design Online
- A Selection from Home Decorators
5. A Hose.
Well, by this I mean give your backyard a thorough cleaning. I suppose it goes without saying that you will want to prune your garden, but THAT is an entirely different article.
