Weekend Project: Your Outdoor Room

It looks like it may be a pretty weekend in most areas of the country, so why not get your porch, balcony or patio looking good? It’s time for potted flowers and herbs, a little all-weather décor and maybe a comfy seat or two. Here’s your to-do list for the weekend so you can enjoy your space once Sunday rolls around:

1. Clean it up! After a long winter, all kinds of gunk finds a home in your outside space. Give it a good sweep (push brooms are great for this and can be found at home improvement stores for as low as $15) and maybe even a power wash. If you’ve got concrete, I highly recommend painting it with concrete paint. I did this on my porch in Birmingham, and the results were great. Plus, it only took about an hour.

2. Get some seating or get your seating in shape. If you have metal seating that’s looking a little rusty, pull out your trusty can of spray paint and get to work. I really like the look of Rustoleum’s Hammered Strength spray paint – it gives metal outdoor furniture a little texture. Or, if you’re so inclined, go with a fun color – red or yellow outdoor furniture is sure to brighten your day when you’re enjoying your after work cocktail hour al fresco.

If your existing furniture is wood, especially if it’s teak, rub on some oil and let it set it. This will protect it during the harsh summer sun. You don’t have to be too precise with this, but rub on a good coat and let it dry overnight.

If you’re sans furniture, perhaps think about hitting some local yard sales or look on Craigslist for something that will fit your space. If you have a little more to spend, there are some great, affordable options out there, such as:

*NOT my backyard. Source.

I bought this teak set at World Market last year, and I really love it. It was $500 for two chairs, a bench, a coffee table and a side table.

3. Get planting! An outdoor space without potted plants is like a picnic without hot dogs. A unicorn without a horn. A football game without violent screaming at the TV. It just doesn’t make sense. I like a mix of different sized pots in a variety of colors. Just check out your local nursery or home improvement store and find something you like. Check out the tag to make sure you’ve got the right amount of sun for that plant, fill your pot with a little dirt, insert plant, fill with more dirt, and you’re done. Don’t forget to water them regularly! The only thing sadder than no plants outside is dead plants outside.

*Again, not my backyard. Source.

Source

4. Find a few accessories. Even though your plants are your main accessories, a few additional touches here and there really make it feel like an outside room. Some comfy throw pillows in a mixture of patterns make your furniture welcoming. A pretty thermometer lets you know when it’s just too damn hot to go outside. Some iron pieces will resist the weather and add an artsy feel. If you’re feeling industrious, add a fountain! You want to accessorize the space like you would any room in your house, except everything should be weatherproof (duh).

Firepit? Cool! Source.

So. Many. Outdoor. Pillows. Source.

Pretty ceramic lanterns. Source.

 Check out places like TJ Maxx, Ross and HomeGoods for great outdoor accessories that won't break the bank.

You're done! People often neglect their outdoor spaces, but they're just as important as the indoor spaces we all spend so much time on.

And just for fun, here are a few patio images from Houzz that are all drool-worthy:

And that’s that! Trusty Husband and I will be working on our front and back porches this weekend, so I'll report back on Monday. See what you can do, and send me a photo or two of the results! Have a great weekend everybody!