Give your outdoors a luxe update with budget-friendly tips and tricks from our editors.
Design: SLC Interiors
1) Mow Your Lawn
A free and quick way to increase your curb appeal is simply keeping your lawn mowed, shrubs trimmed, and yard clear of leaves. A little elbow grease goes a long way to creating the look
you want.
It's the small details that inadvertently mar your backyard, so move garbage barrels and random outdoor items out of sight. Even too many lawn ornaments detract from the outdoor retreat you're trying to create—clear them away to give yourself a blank canvas.
Tip! When there are many projects to accomplish, cleaning up a yard can seem overwhelming. Choose one area to tackle at a time to make the work more manageable.
Design: Veda Design Group
2) Pick A Decor Style
...and stick to it! While no one doubts that your modern-boho-industrial-Tuscany-chic look is going to take the world by storm, a mix of too many competing styles can be confusing. Creating a cohesive decor theme and color scheme allows the eye to relax and enjoy the overall beauty of the scene.
If you'd like to embrace a more eclectic style, go for it, but consider decorating with just a few colors and materials.
Tip! To get an uber-luxe look, curate your garden to enhance your theme. Above, a Zen garden uses sustainable bamboo, while a Tuscan-style patio might feature olive plants, terracotta pots, and topiaries to complete the look.
3) Coordinate Furniture
Like sticking to a single theme, a coordinated set creates a cohesive and uniform look. Everything needn't be the same material or shape, but pieces should all work together.
A wood table can have metal chairs, but the chairs should all have a unifying element, like the rattan chairs and stools seen here. (Note that though the pieces are different, they are all made of the
same wood.)
Tip! Don't toss your furniture just because it doesn't match. Add a uniting element to pieces you love—paint them all the same color or stain or add pillows in the same fabric.
Design: atelier drome llp
4) Create Distinct Areas
Luxury patios have clearly defined spaces for every activity. "Here is where we eat, here is where we play bocce; here is where we lounge by the infinity pool with our dry martinis."
While you may not have these luxuries, you can make your space feel fancy by grouping furniture in a way that makes the purpose clear. Anchor dining and entertaining spaces with rugs or landscaping details, like stones or flowers, and create enough room between them for an easy flow of traffic.
Tip! If your space is not large enough to create multiple areas, focus on that single area being cohesive. Face furniture toward each other, and set the patio as if you were arranging your
living room.
5) Add Lighting
Think outside the box with lighting. Globe string lighting looks elegant and festive above an outdoor dining table, but it's the small details that set your patio or outdoor space apart.
LED lighting that borders landscaping edges or stair treads focuses attention on those features, and increases safety. Spotlights on trees and shrubs bring a manicured look to the yard that you've worked so hard to tend (see tip one).
Tip! Be careful when using colored lighting as it may come off looking more like Christmas lights than the high-end look you were going for. White and blue landscape lighting colors are safe bets.
Design:Karen Kempf Interiors LLC
http://www.wayfair.com/Shop-The-Look/Designer/ACM-Design-D313464
6) Make a Grand Entrance
Your patio entrance is the door to your luxury oasis, so it should reflect that. Consider adding plants, or a small vignette to frame your door and set the tone for the rest of the backyard.
Changing out your old hardware—door knobs, kick plate, wall sconces, and outdoor fans—can make a huge difference. Even painting your door to match your outdoor patio can unify the space, and make it seem custom-made.
Tip! If you feel stuck with out of date hardware, try painting it. A black coat of spray paint can turn old fixtures (or newly salvaged items) into real showstoppers.
Design: Maegan Swabb Decor +Style
7) Add Decor
An easy way to decorate your patio is to imagine your outdoor space as an extension of your indoor space. Adding rugs, comfortable chairs, coffee tables, and pillows all elevate the look while bringing the comfort of the living or dining room outdoors.
Don't stop there! Throws, coasters, candles, poufs, and even lamps can all come outside to make your space a place you love.
Tip! Don't worry about the weather—outdoor decor has come a long way! From fade-resistant rugs to waterproof pillows, your favorite outdoor additions can be enjoyed for years to come
Design: Urrutia
8) Make Repairs
Cracked and loose stonework not only makes outdoor spaces look rundown, but are genuine safety hazards. Avoid accidents by replacing or repairing any loose stones or cement.
If your backyard has a wood patio, pressure wash it to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated over the winter. If the wood has seen better days, consider refinishing or painting to give it a quick update.
Tip! If masonry work isn't in your budget quite yet, consider cement stains and DIY brick and stone stencils. There are some beautiful options on the market to achieve a high-end, faux look.
Design:Boxhill Design
9) Create A Focal Point
In the absence of an in-ground pool, small water features like bird baths, ponds, or fountains create a soothing ambiance while elevating your space. Not into water? No problem! Anything that gets friends and family together is a worthwhile investment.
Fire pits are a beautiful and budget-friendly way to extend your patio into the winter months—think of all the marshmallow roasting! Outdoor games (bocce ball, horseshoes, croquet) are also
fun additions.
Tip! Invest in pieces you'll truly enjoy. If you're unsure whether an item is a good investment for your lifestyle, try it out with a DIY or budget-friendly version. If you know you and your family would get use out of an item, invest in one that will stand up over time
Design:ACM Design
- Creature Comforts
Start with one item, and slowly build your dream patio. Consider the indoor items you use most and integrate them into your outdoor space—a TV or simply a place to lounge.
Kitchen items like a bar, wine fridge, and grill should have a home outdoors if you love to entertain. To truly make your patio feel luxurious bring out the real plates and glasses and enjoy the space you've created with your favorite people.
Tip! Picture your dream outdoor space and make it a reality by choosing what matters most to you. If you love to cook, invest in an outdoor grill space. Like to relax? Lounge chairs are a must.
