This is the season. The one where the kids are almost out of school. This is our last week, and every morning we wake up and say like total nerds: This is your last Wednesday {fill in the day here} morning as second grader?! Secretly plotting how good it will feel to sleep in on Saturday. But the outdoors are beckoning our name so we thought we’d discuss some tips for creating an outdoor space.
This is the season where they keep airing those Home Depot commercials about “Let’s do this” or something with a lot of motivational music. You have dreams of community at your home by having friends over to enjoy the sweet weather. It just needs a little work. So you roll up your sleeves, and step outside totally pumped with your sunscreen and protective gloves. You’ve got this.
Only the air is deflated out of your proverbial balloon a bit, because womp womp. You don’t quite know where to start. A yard or old porch or slab of concrete that needs a lot of work… can be intimidating.
Tips for creating an outdoor space:
Here are a few of our favorite tips for creating an outdoor space for working on that space and letting go of the intimidation in the process.
• tips for creating an outdoor space – Make your weaknesses work for you
We’ve taken on a few outdoor spaces in the past years, and three of them in particular were personal to us. They were spaces where we created something from working with what we had. I think the key here is embracing your weaknesses and working with them whole heartedly. We’re talking changes that can be made to fully utilize what you already have.
We think that the first phase is stepping back, taking a deep breath and saying… how can I use what I have?
A slab of concrete can be lightly scored and painted for more character.
A rotting deck can be refinished to bring it back to life.
And you’d be amazed by what a little elbow grease and simple character can do to an old 70’s metal hangover thingy. ;}
It’s done a lot for us in our in the meantime phase.
So there’s a quote somewhere that says, an artist’s limitations are their greatest strength. Or something like that. I always halfway quote it here but can never find it. Our point? These spaces weren’t stellar to begin with. They only took a little creativity to bring them back to life. We always say embrace it, and move forward.
• tips for creating an outdoor space – Create zones
Once you’ve accepted your space as a good place to start {aka accepting your reality into making it your own beautiful version of what you want… you can move forward into addressing your needs. Do you want a space to dine alfresco? Do your friends need a space to lounge? Would you like a spot for the kids to play? {see our handmade hideaway series here and here}
Break it down into what you’d really like, and let your space serve those needs.
Photo courtesy of Country Living via Brian Woodcock
• tips for creating an outdoor space – Get creative with your materials
Think of your outside space as a room.
And think in terms of a variety of materials, layered with texture to bring character and interest to an otherwise plain jane space.
Then, use those materials to define your zones.
You can divide plain old concrete with some outdoor rugs. Build a pergola to establish a dining area. Use handmade shutters to help bring interest to your space. Total side note: Don’t feel up to making handmade?
We get that it’s not for everyone. Window World has a variety of beautiful options. Think outside the box and think of how you can combine all the elements.
We’ve used a variety of finishes like painted concrete, cobblestone pavers, and rocks lining the gardens to keep it varied, defined, and interesting. Of course, I’m not even touching on the endless natural accessory that is plants, and the different ways you can use them to bring dull areas to life. Think beyond the rule-infused (and sometimes self-limiting) ‘regular’ stuff when it comes to a backyard and give it a jolt with a variety of materials. This will help define your space and is one of the simplest tips for creating an outdoor space.
• Tips for creating an outdoor space – Furniture
When it comes to furniture, break it up. There should be a no-matching rule allowed beyond a few pieces. ;} We’ve had the same outdoor furniture since our middle child was a baby. It’s been refinished three times, and one of the arms is currently falling off. I just recovered the pillows a few times, and went with it. I combined it with some metal chairs, added fifteen dollar additions from Walmart {yes, they’re upping their game, the Walmart} and some handmade elements. Get industrious and know that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you don’t want to spend one.
In the same way that you use texture and layers, apply it to your furnishings in the back yard. Using different pieces in unexpected ways (see table top with a door + glass) or giving them a dual purpose {see firepit + table top} or even something as simple as a swing combined with chairs in placement around a firepit… you get the picture. A handmade outdoor table is always fun. Thinking beyond the typical in simple ways can give you fun, personal results.
• tips for creating an outdoor space – Color
I mean, it’s kind of a given with us, right?
Reinvent your space with color. If you don’t like it, paint it. Combine stain with paint for a contrast. And use fabrics like icing on a really good cake, to repeat color throughout your space.
It’s outside. I know that neutrals are a big deal right now, but you can have fun. You’re allowed to have a little fun.
Then, pull paint colors from your repeated fabrics. I used blue in my chandy, the ‘hideaway’, and the chairs to infuse it with color and strengthen the feeling of a “room outdoors”. The yellow in the door and even the flower pots do the same thing in subtle ways. Use repetition with variety to infuse it with character.
Photo courtesy of Country Living via Brian Woodcock
Tips for creating an outdoor space – Lighting
We have a fun project coming up with Kichler Lighting, that we just can’t wait to share with you. It’s going to bring a whole new meaning with all things inspiration, outdoor landscaping, and lighting. But once upon a time, our old home came with zero lights in the backyard. They didn’t even give us so much as a porch light. Yay mass builder homes!
My point is, no matter what your limitations are that you’re faced with, there are ways around that. Whether it’s a fun landscaping installation, or simple cafe lights, lighting is the simplest way to add instant ambience to your outdoor setting. It doesn’t take much.
Here’s the point. If we can take our current state of our home from this…
To this…
Anyone can! It’s the little things that go a long way.
Tips for creating an outdoor space – It’s always a work in progress
I think that this is one of the most important things to remember. Your outdoor space isn’t always going to look picture perfect. Things change outside. There are weeds that grow, pollen that collects, pressure washing that needs to be done and leaf gathering all in the meantime.
While this little outdoor shed covering has been great with building friendships and community over the last two swim seasons, {the entire reason we purchased this house was the yard and school} it also leaks. The underneath floods. So we have a new plan in progress. {Yay permits! Again!}
Give yourself a little grace with an ever-evolving space, knowing that it won’t always be picture perfect, and you can continue to work with it.
We hope this gives you a great starting point, and that you’re ready to create those beautiful outdoor spaces.
Be sure to check out more of our favorite ideas here!
Have an inspired day!
Leave a Reply