Home, Garden, Shopping Guides, Decorating Lessons

By Deborah von Donop

Take it outside: IT IS PATIO REFRESH TIME

The weather is finally starting to warm up, and that means it's time to start thinking about refreshing or upgrading your patio.

How do I make my patio look cozy? Whether you have a small patio or a large deck, there are plenty of ideas to update your patio and make the most of your outdoor oasis, and if done well, it will allow you to enjoy the cycle of the seasons throughout the year.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The son of God discloses - Alan Jackson

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Outdoor areas for a living have gained an increased focus this year. We are spending more time outside on the porch or the patio, and the coveted SHE SHED has been upgraded to the writer shed, or home office!

I know, you want to think about how to refresh my patio? I have been shopping and gathering resources for a while now, and I am going to share some of my predicitons and favorites. You may find something you like. No matter what your budget or style, there are endless possibilities when it comes to refreshing your patio. So get inspired and start planning your outdoor oasis today!

Preliminary Design Tips for creating a summer oasis on your patio:

• Choose the right location. If you have a choice, pick a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. This will help to keep your patio feeling warm and inviting on even the coolest nights.

• Consider the view. If you have a beautiful view, don't block it with your patio furniture. Instead, choose pieces that will allow you to enjoy the scenery.

• Make it comfortable. This is your outdoor oasis, so make sure it's a place where you can relax and unwind. Add plenty of comfortable seating and soft textiles to create a cozy atmosphere.

• Add some greenery. Plants and flowers can add a touch of color and life to your patio. Choose plants that are native to your climate and that can withstand the elements.

• Accessorize with style. A few well-placed accessories can really pull your patio together. Think about adding lanterns, candles, or sculptures to create a stylish and inviting space.

With a little planning and effort, you can transform your patio into a summer oasis that you'll love spending time in. So get started today and enjoy the fruits of your labor all summer long!

These patios will inspire you to spend more time embracing the great outdoors—whether you love hosting summer dinner parties or prefer to spend your time in the garden.

10 Outdoor Living Ideas and resources for a Delightful Patio Refresh

• Add a birdbath or a soothing fountain. The sound of birds and soft running water is a great way to create a peaceful atmosphere on your patio, like this beauty, or this one, or this solar birdbath.

• Build an outdoor kitchen. This is a great way to extend your kitchen into the outdoors and make it easier to entertain guests. Because of the pandemic, outdoor kitchens gained in popularity. 40% of respondents created brand new outdoor living spaces with kitchens leading the charge. Build your own outdoor kitchen here, or this outdoor kitchen island is perfect.

• Install a fire pit for family nights or entertaining. A fire pit is a great way to stay warm on cool evenings and create a cozy atmosphere. Shop them all here, or this cool smokeless TIKI fire pit.

• Think about lighting. Well-placed lighting can transform your patio into an inviting space at night. String lights, lanterns, and candles are all great options. ( not floodlights ) Hang string lights. String lights are a simple way to add a touch of romance and ambiance to your patio. Try these magical swaying solar lights, or these string lights, or these on an over-the-table rod.

• Plant some flowers or boxwood in planters. Greenery & Flowers add a touch of color and life to your patio, making it a more inviting space, especially when in beautiful planters like these, or this one, the grand dame of planters by Campagna, or maybe a beautiful collection of faux lavender in pots for easy care, like this one.

• Get comfortable seating. Make sure you have plenty of comfortable seating on your patio so you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Create conversation areas.

• Get creative with your layout. Don't be afraid to get creative with the layout of your patio. Try different arrangements until you find one that works for you.

With a little planning and effort, you can transform your patio into a summer oasis that you'll love spending time in. So get started today and enjoy the fruits of your labor all summer long!

• Colors for Your Patio. When it comes to choosing colors for your patio, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you want to consider the overall style of your home and patio. If you have a classic, traditional home, you'll want to choose classic, neutral colors for your patio. If you have a more modern home, you can get away with using bolder, brighter colors.

Another thing to keep in mind is the climate you live in. If you live in a warm climate, you'll want to choose light, airy colors that will reflect the sunlight. If you live in a cooler climate, you can choose darker, richer colors that will absorb the heat.

Finally, you'll want to consider the view from your patio. If you have a beautiful view of the mountains or the ocean, you'll want to choose colors that won't compete with the view. Neutral colors are always a good choice in this case.

• Here are a few specific color palettes that you might want to consider for your patio:

  • Classic neutrals: This palette includes shades of white, beige, gray, and black. These colors are timeless and elegant, and they will never go out of style.

A neutral color-scape offers a classic clean environment, without competing with the view. Nature is the view -the greens of shrubbery, trees, and grassy land; the blues of the sky, and the accent is the spectacular blooms of flowers and the people: these are the main landscape elements of the outdoors, so consider a quiet setting when it comes to cushions and furniture.

• Subtle pastels: This palette includes shades of pink, blue, green, and lavender. These colors are soft and feminine, and they can create a calming and relaxing atmosphere on your patio Accessorize with style. A few well-placed accessories can really pull your patio together. Think about adding lanterns, candles, or sculptures to create a stylish and inviting space.

• Earth tones: This palette includes shades of brown, tan, beige, and olive green. These colors are natural and earthy, and they can create a warm and inviting atmosphere on your patio.

When it comes to fabrics, purchasing indoor/outdoor fabrics is an investment in the life of your upholstery.

• Performance fabrics are built to withstand the elements of mold, mildew, sun fading, and spills.

• When selecting insets/cushions, I do recommend selecting a cushion that is going to last and that is also going to dry quickly. Fibers as mentioned above like Crypton and Sunbrella are used in making indoor/outdoor upholstery and are resistant to mold. These types of fabrics will last the longest for the life of your patio. It’s advised that you take your cushions indoors during the winter months to maintain your investment for the long run.

• Fabrics: Look a Like Linen Fabrics: Updates in Fabric performance have really changed the patio color pallet. With these updated performance fabrics, like Crypton or Sunbrella you can keep your patio looking fresh longer and enjoy the look of linen without the cost of replacing covers each year. These fabrics will allow you to bleach the fabrics without damage. Mold and mildew are the biggest issues with fabrics near water so the ability to clean with a bleach and water blend is a wonderful

What if My Patio Is Large (or ) Long and Narrow? What to do with all that space?

A large patio can be a great way to entertain guests or just relax and enjoy the outdoors. Here are a few tips for creating zoned areas on a large patio:

• Use furniture to create separate spaces. You can use different types of furniture to create different zones on your patio. For example, you could use a dining set for eating, a seating group for relaxing, and a fire pit for socializing.
  

• THE ESSENTIAL FIRE PIT: Fire Pits are all the rave. Nothing like spending a cool summer/spring or fall night around a fire. If you don’t have the room to be 10 feet away from your home or building, then consider a propane fire pit for a great ambiance.

Check out the shopping below for some great options.

• The Biggest Changes for the Patio and Garden for 2023?

The “She Shed” Just got an upgrade!

This is hands down my favorite addition to the yard. The home office is a permanent fixture for many homes these days, and the dining room will not support long-term conferences and Zoom meetings.

We need a closed and quiet area to work, and we are looking to an outdoor shed with a little glamour. Small can be BIG, especially with resources like these. Garden folly, with the Hillbrook Collections one-of-a-kind Garden Sheds.

From the garden shed to a writing studio, artist getaway to the man cave, these handcrafted Hillbrook Collection sheds are uniquely adorable.

Enjoy your delightful outdoor setting, your Place in the Sun! As we spend more time at home, it’s important to create areas both inside and out that help us feel relaxed and at peace.

Did you update your patio this year? Please leave me a comment below.

Deborah

MY PATIO ESSENTIALS //
Popular and Affordable Patio Furniture: HERE
Retractable Hose: HERE
More gardening tools: https://bit.ly/32IQmbD

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here are some of My Favorite Classics for Dining & CONVERSATION SETS

Did you catch the Oprah interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?

Well, the furniture set that was all the rave was this Conversation Set by Christopher Knight! (aka Peter Brady).

It Sold Out on Amazon in 24 hours! I must admit, I bought it too!
The main reason I purchased this piece, was not only the sustainable eucalyptus used for the frame, but it was very similar to something I fell in love with at High Point Market at this one is a better price point.

• Like indoor living room sets, outdoor conversation sets are meant for lounging and relaxing with others. They can consist of many different furniture combinations—lounge chairs, tables, loveseats, sectionals, firepits, etc.

• Sectionals are ideal for larger patios. For smaller spaces, consider a side table and two lounge chairs.

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MEET THE AUTHOR: Deborah von Donop

Deborah is the mom, wife, and design lover behind dvd Interior Design. She is obsessed with creating a timeless and authentic home. She has been an Interior Designer since 2003, guiding clients with functional layouts, the best products and finishes, and sharing her expertise in kitchen design and cabinetry. Deborah writes weekly and is also a contributor to Aspire Magazine, iBlog, Lush Design, a speaker on social media and digital products, and more!

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Hey Everyone,
As many of you already know I have been an interior designer for over 20 years. Through designing and renovating many homes for clients and for myself, I was able to hone my craft for creating a beautiful room, a functional kitchen, and knowing the perfect paint colors --not just for me -- but for my clients as well. I now want to help you and thousands of other people from all around the world achieve similar results!

This is why I've launched my 5 Design Secrets For Creating A Beautiful Home. I’m extremely determined to create an artful and solid Designer out of my readers and hopefully, it will be you. So when you get a chance make sure you check it out.

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my page so I can continue to provide you with free content!

A Place In the Sun: Outdoor Decor

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