It seems crazy to think about summer patio hangs when it just snowed the other day in Calgary. BUT with current lead times on anything and everything, you need to start thinking about your patio furniture now if you want to enjoy it for the summer months.
Here are a few elements you need to consider when creating your backyard oasis:
1. Comfortable Seating
The most important element – comfortable seating. It would be pretty hard to have a cozy patio without good seating. Think about how you want to enjoy your space. Do you want to entertain? Or do you want a space to just lounge and take catnaps? Do you just want a cozy corner to read a book or enjoy a glass of wine?
I personally love a good outdoor sofa – they are great for entertaining, but also double as a great lounging spot in the sun. My patio set is from Article and we love it! We used to have this sectional from Crate & Barrel and it was so comfy. If you have a small space I’d do a comfy chair like this one.
2. Add Pillows, Rugs and Blankets
Pillows, rugs and blankets are necessary to create a cozy space. Blankets double as extra warmth for chilly nights, and pillows just add that extra layer of comfy to your space. Rugs feel great on your bare feet, while helping define your space. They also dress up a boring cement patio (like ours currently) and help bring the indoors out.
I have rounded up my favourite pillow combos below for you to shop.
3. Lighting
Lighting is what really creates the ambiance in a backyard or patio. I love string style patio lights. You can drape them anywhere, they are inexpensive, and they just add such a vibe to an outdoor space. We have these ones, but these lights are similar . I think I might try these ones from Amazon though – they are shatterproof and if you live in Calgary…you know how much hail we get.
Lanterns are another great way to create ambiance and provide some additional light. I love oversize lanterns, like this one or this one to really make an impact on your space. I found my large lanterns at Homesense. They are in stock right now – so run, don’t walk before they sell out!
4. All the Greenery
Give me all the greenery! The most obvious way to create a backyard escape is adding greenery and flowers. I think I do about 8 planters (including my two large ones out front)…I know, I am a crazy plant lady outdoors, too!
Flowers add colour, they are good for the bees, and who doesn’t like staring at how pretty they are. I’ll do a little post on planters when the time comes and some tricks to get your planters looking professional.
I just ordered this planter from Wayfair to help create an al fresco dining spot on our raised patio (a similar one is here on Amazon).
All of my favourite outdoor accessories are below. If you want me to source something specific, let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear from you.
Check out my Outdoor Shop Page to complete your backyard oasis! You can also shop directly on the LIKEtoKNOW.it App and find me @lilyjunehome.
Shop the Finds Here:
Exteriors are just as important as interiors, and I hope this guide will help you create a beautiful outdoor space. If you are looking for some assistance on designing your patio, head over to my services page to learn more. I’d love to chat with you!
