After last Sunday's gorgeous weather, we are all itching to get out of Los Living Room and out to Porto Backyarda!  It's a reminder to all of us that summer is coming!  Let’s chat about outdoor spaces and the key essentials you need to make the most of outdoor entertaining.  

Furniture & Accessories

First and foremost, you want to relax when you are enjoying the outdoors, so comfortable seating is a must. Upholstered cushions provide optimal comfort, and the options are endless now with UV resistant, water repellent sunproof fabrics.  Consider how you want to live outdoors in terms of seating areas- you may want different zones- one for dining or cooking, one with a fire pit or fireplace, and perhaps another living space under a covered area.

Sherwood Outdoor collection

Sana dining table and Sherwood dining chair

We've curated a moodboard with some of our new outdoor furnishings and accessories, most of which are available to purchase on our website.  It features our Sonoma sofa, the Bandera occasional woven chairs, the Parish concrete cubes, our outdoor jute poufs and and the Kingsley indoor/outdoor area rug.  We’ve mixed woven elements with natural wood tones and concrete to create a clean, transitional space.  The rug, poufs and pillows are all outdoor materials which will stand up to our northern climate. 

Plants and greenery

One of the best ways to soften all the hard elements outdoors is to add planters in decorative pots.  If you’re creating your own planters, follow the simple rule of a thriller, a filler and a spiller.  Pick a colour scheme of 1-2 different coloured flowers, and start with the thriller- a large plant such as a palm tree or elephant ears that provides the height, then add in your coloured annuals- the filler, followed by some trailers like bacopa or ivy that will spill over the pot and create that softness.  Layer the planters around your seating area, or group them together at different heights.  

Lighting

Outdoor lighting has come a long way and there are so many options available.  Layering your lighting is important in both indoor and outdoor spaces.  If you are looking to add some ambiance to your space, hang some outdoor string lights overhead for a romantic summery vibe over your dining or seating area.  If you have a covered dining area, hang a wired light fixture or even a candle light fixture directly over your table, to provide additional light in the evening.  A gas fire pit or fireplace not only provides warmth and ambience, it extends your outdoor season.  And don't forget to add a few lanterns with candles for yet another layer of light. 

Bandera dining chair and Sonora dining table

Bruno rope chair and Sheridan ombre coffee table

Now is the perfect time to get outside and start planning your outdoor living space.  We'll all be entertaining outdoors extensively this summer with social distancing so it makes sense to invest some time and effort into creating outdoor rooms you'll really enjoy!