Classic Looks for your Outdoor Living Space

Summer is in full bloom and that means outdoor spaces are too! Outdoor living spaces are a great addition to any home as they are open and inviting for social gathering, as well as relaxing and restoring for quiet retreat spots. Outdoor living has come a long way too since the days of all wicker sunrooms. With so many styles to choose from, you can create the perfect look for you.

Need some inspiration to get you started? Here are some classic looks and how to execute them.

Coastal Cottage

Nothing says summer like the beach. Bring the beachside to your backyard shores by incorporating those classic Cape Cod touches. Weather-washed wood furniture creates a seaside aesthetic, while pairing this with a more natural rug such as jute adds to that coastal feel.

The color blue is BIG in this look. Deep navy, indigos, and cobalt relate to those beckoning ocean waves. To coordinate with the blue, neutral tones such as whites, creams, and beiges bring in that nautical style.

For patterns, a classic pinstripe or French ticking is a sure way to pull off this design. To finalize this look, add décor pieces such as lanterns, seashells, and other nautical themed trinkets.

French Provincial

We might not be traveling much, so why not bring your European vacation to your lawn? Wood furniture in grey washed tones bring in that antique look and feel. Look for pieces with curved arms, high backs, and fun feet.

Similar to the Coastal Cottage, a French ticking is a great pattern to include. Want to be a bit fancier? Add damasks or toil de jour patterns. For colors, French blue, lavender, and fern green are good accent colors, while a neutral base of heather grays, light beiges, or creams create a classic French feel. Throw in some plaster inspired pieces, such as statues or planters and you got yourself a backyard worthy of Louis the XIV.

Tuscan Villa

Summer is all about eating al fresco. Enhance your dining experience through the traditional Tuscan villa look. Oil rubbed bronze or iron furniture incorporates that distinct Italian look. Look for this in pieces that have curves and scrolls to them.

Motifs of ivy, grapes, and olives all relate to the food-inspired feel of the Tuscan look. You can find these on vases, linens, and table top ware.

For fabrics and textures, go natural with this look. Flax colored linens in solid patterns and creamy cotton tablecloths connect to this natural setting. Throw in a few colors in earthier tones such as a burnt sienna, rust red, or olive green.

English Countryside

Do you enjoy a cup of afternoon tea outdoors in your garden? Why not bring that English countryside look to your patio to complete the experience? Small scale furniture pieces such as bistro tables, iron-scroll loveseats, and daybeds all relate to that delicate and classy English aesthetic.

Stripes are a classic look for fabrics. Otherwise get a little bold by bringing in some florals. Softer tones such as pastel pinks, robin’s egg blues, and daffodil yellows work well against a contrasting dark forest green.

For décor, porcelain china adds that touch of class to your afternoon tea aesthetic. This can be achieved through vases, planters, and your tabletop ware.

From dining to an extra living room, enjoy your perfect outdoor space this summer.