To bring the outdoors inside by integrating nature-inspired accessories, fabrics, colours and textures to one’s décor is a strong interior design trend. This year, why not do the opposite and bring the indoors out for the summer? If you have a covered area outside your house – a gazebo or covered patio, for instance – don’t hesitate to make it an extension of your home. Decorate it with care, furnish it with proper furniture, and get ready to spend your summer outside! If you do not have such a covered space, this might just inspire you to create one! A portable gazebo installed over a concrete slab, wooden deck or paving stones is a great yet inexpensive starting point.
Before fully engaging in the decoration process, make sure that your future summer retreat is sound and waterproof, and that it has appropriate flooring – you would not want to see your furniture and rugs ruined by an unwanted accumulation of water! Do not neglect the ceiling – inspect it carefully and make any necessary repairs before going further with your project.
To create a cozy, cocooning-inspired decor, hanging flowy, floor-to-ceiling, curtains around the structure is a must. This will not only make your space more intimate, it will also help define it. Adding an area rug would also help make the space more homey and comfortable – as long as it is not green astro-turf! All textiles and materials should be water resistant to prevent damage. If your outside haven has concrete flooring and you want an hassle free alternative to rugs, you can easily stain it or use stencils to create patterns around particular areas like the lounge or dining space.
Once you have created a cozy shell, all you have to do is furnish it and decorate it. If what you want is to create a resort-inspired lounging area, installing a hammock may be a good idea. Otherwise, you can opt for sofas and chairs. Again, make sure to select water-resistant, outdoor-friendly fabric and pillows.
If you want to avoid both the patio-look and the high cost of outdoor furniture, recycling some of your existing (indoor) pieces is an affordable and eco-friendly option worth considering. Preferably, sofas and chairs should have a wooden/metal frame covered with cushions that can be removed and stored away on rainy days. As for tables and dining room furniture, all you need to do is to sand and refinish the selected piece(s) with exterior paint or varnish. The same process can be used to personalise new pieces and create a unique look!
Want to make the most of your new outdoor room and want by adding a cooking space? No problem! Nowadays, you can find appliances that are designed especially for the outdoors – from pizza ovens and barbecues, to a refrigerator such as this one, offered by BrandSource.
All that’s left to do now is relax and escape your busy lifestyle in this room created for the sole purpose of enjoying the summer!