Forty DOs for Outdoor Furniture
I have spring fever so bad that I can barely sit still. I'm so hyped up that I found scads of outdoor furniture pictures I loved - I could not stop browsing through all of the photos of gardens, patios, porches, etc. here on Houzz. By the time I was done, I had forty different points to make.
Lots of times we think there are rules when it comes to outdoor furniture - like we are limited to a picnic table or some glass-topped table with a hole in the middle for an umbrella and matchy-matchy chairs. This is not true at all. In fact, there is only one rule, and that is do not ever put upholstered LA-Z-Boy recliners with a keg side table on your front porch. This is what we call the frat house look. That is really the only DON'T I can think of when it comes to outdoor furniture. Now let's look some of the DOs, designed to open your mind to the endless possibilities of your outdoor rooms. There are a gratuitous amount here, because there are so many choice out there today.
Lots of times we think there are rules when it comes to outdoor furniture - like we are limited to a picnic table or some glass-topped table with a hole in the middle for an umbrella and matchy-matchy chairs. This is not true at all. In fact, there is only one rule, and that is do not ever put upholstered LA-Z-Boy recliners with a keg side table on your front porch. This is what we call the frat house look. That is really the only DON'T I can think of when it comes to outdoor furniture. Now let's look some of the DOs, designed to open your mind to the endless possibilities of your outdoor rooms. There are a gratuitous amount here, because there are so many choice out there today.
DO get cozy and stay awhile. Why not sink into pillows and even bring out your blanket on those days that are not quite warm enough.
DO have fun with bright colors in the garden.
DO create areas for conversations, and provide a spot for plopping down drinks and/or your feet.
DO inhabit your garden. Stick your furniture right out in the middle of everything
DO consider built in benches. These serve as an edge and as seats.
DO consider outdoor space as more rooms in your home. This setup could practically exist in an indoor living room.
DO keep the grillmaster company.
DO consider furnishings that also serve as sculpture.
DO provide a place to gather for meals.
DO consider plushing things up. With all of the Sunbrella weather-resistant fabrics out there these days, there's no excuse not to.
DO hang a porch swing whenever possible. Also, check out outdoor rugs for covered spaces like these.
DO enjoy your outdoor fireplace by providing great seating nearby.
DO look to French-inspired furniture for your rose arbor.
DO take a look at bistro sets. Their shapes always work in a garden. Think Monet at Giverny.
DO keep a trunk of throw pillows nearby for outdoor use.
DO consider an old-school bench for a focal point in the garden.
DO consider some lightweight, portable furniture like butterfly chairs, if you need to move things indoors and outdoors for weather-related reasons.
DO learn the joy of lazing in an outdoor hammock!
DO plan your seating with your landscape architect. This concrete is able to serve as a retaining wall, a conversation pit edge, and a great place to seat when a few cushions are thrown on it.
DO consider colors that compliment natural elements, like this sage green.
DO provide a variety of seating. There are great places to work, eat, and lounge on this patio.
DO be brave enough to go exotic. This space can transport you to Morocco.
DO buy a space heater if you want to enjoy your outdoor space year-round.
DO tell me where this AMAZING table came from!
DO dress things up just like you are indoors when you are having people over.
DO be a creative re-purposer. This antique makes a charming potting bench.
DO get fancy and go all curlicue if that's your thing!
DO create a cool lounge outside if you want to.
DO make sure your furniture helps you enjoy the view.
DO hit IKEA for some fun furniture that goes great with modern architecture.
DO bring color to your patio via the furniture.
It doesn't have to be through the upholstery - you can paint wooden furniture like this Chinoiserie bench yourself.
DO get inspired by Made by Girl's eclectic patio.
Do realize that there are modern versions of the picnic table.
Do get blocky and matchy-matchy if that's your bag.
DO dress up your outdoor walls.