Spruce Up Your Outdoor Space

If you like your current deck or patio furniture and it is functional for your area you can change the appearance and ambience of the area without buying new furniture or spending a lot of money on new accessories. Here are some easy and economical ways that can create a completely new look for your outdoor area.

1. Bring the indoors out.

If your patio is attached to your dining room or your living room or your kitchen, use the same theme color for the patio as well and bring some of the decorate objects that you keep indoors out to the patio. Begin with choosing a complimentary color scheme that will carry through the cushions, umbrella and flowers. With this, the patio will feel like an extension of your indoor space instead of a separate area. In return it will both areas an appearance that they are larger.

2. Add some of your personality with small decorative objects.

Do you love the look of old glass bottles? Go to second-hand stores and pick up lots of brightly colored old bottles for less than $10 and place them around the patio. Old glass bowls can be turned into planters or used to hold candles. Add a festive table cloth or placemats. Plastic dishes make for fashionable accessories outside and can be used for a wide array of things.


3. Buy some decorative candles.

Scented candles are a great addition to any outdoor living space because they add a soft, romantic light. Citrusy candles can serve a dual purpose: that of a decoration and a bug repellent. You can use citronella candles, citrus scented candles like lemon or orange. You can even use sandalwood as a bug repellent. If you have a small pond or man-made fish pond in your yard you can use floating candles for that extram umpf!



4. Add some lights.

Wrap a few strings of small, white Christmas lights around some of the trees or plants on your patio to transform your patio into a festive area. If you take advantage of Christmas clearance sales, you'll enough lights for all year long.

5. Change your plants.

A quick and cheap way to change the outlook and feel of your patio is to replace existing patio plants with new ones. Move the old ones indoors or to another spot in the yard. Besides, you can also replant the plants you have in new decorative pots that you can get at any home and garden store. Decorate with a potted garden of colorful flowers and climbing vines. Fill some pots with aromatic herbs. Snip a few sprigs for the evening meal or to use in centerpieces.

6. Change the pillows and fabrics.

Updating or reupholstering your cushions and tablecloths can completely change the appearance of your patio or deck area. Choose pre-made covers or get creative and design your own. Consider a favorite blanket or dress to create original and one-of-a-kind items to your patio. And you can transform your patio for practically nothing.

7. Buy a set of new dishes.

Consider updating your dishes and flatware. You can do this inexpensively at a second hand shop or at a dollar store. You can color coordinate or go for a unique look with completely different single settings. Use your imagination. If you're a smart shopper you can have a separate set for each season of entertaining.


8. Make your own tables.

Don’t worry if you’re not crafty. There are lots of craft books that you can get your hands on that explain how you can take items from around your home and create your own unique tables. You can use any sturdy object as a base, even an old planter, and with a simple glass tabletop from the home improvement store you can create your own work of art.

You can use copies of photos to create a collage of your family and friends on the table or you can use paint to write your favourite poem or inspirational saying on it. You can even take your old set of outdoor dining dishes and smash them and use the pieces to create a glass mosaic tile tabletop.

Your outside spaces can be used throughout the year with a few simples changes to your deck or patio for both decoration purposes and functionality.

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