This is a guest post from my friend Karol over at Home Sweet Home Inspiration. Karol is probably one of the first 10 people I met online through blogging and I feel like she is an old friend. Not because she’s old or anything, just because I feel like we’ve known each other a long time. She also is the same Karol who is an artist.
Do you ever see an outdoor space in a magazine, online or in person and love it, but have no idea how in the world they put it all together?!
Decorating any space, including outdoor spaces, is kind of like putting together a great outfit. It starts with the basics and then you layer and add accessories until you have the look that is comfortable and stylish for you.
- Next, we will add some comfortable cushions to the chairs.
- Then let’s add a rug. I took this rug from a room downstairs. Rugs make a space like this feel more like a room instead of just a balcony/porch area.
- To define this space and make it seem even warmer and like another room, we’ll add some drapes. I used inexpensive white flat sheets from Wal Mart. No sewing required. The queen (for the sides) and king (for the front) were just the perfect length. I added snap-on grommets to the top and attached to nails I added to the beams of my balcony. I hung the sheets upside down, giving the “drapes” an already-nice cuffed hem. Again, no sewing required!
- Next, let’s add some plants for color and to make it feel like a little retreat.
- Then how about a table to add a little more coziness and somewhere to set your drink or book or decorating magazine or your feet. I “shopped” my home and decided to use this old wooden crate as a table.
- Next add a few accessories to the table if you would like. I just grabbed a few things from around my home.
- Last, let’s add some little tables next to each chair. I had two step stools in my home I brought out to put next to each chair. I then placed some metal lanterns with candles to use in the evening for ambient, cozy lighting.
Now I have a comfortable outdoor room to relax in and enjoy this….
Be inspired!
Karol :)
Fashion photo courtesy of Talbots.
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This is beautiful, but I have a question. I also live in Florida and I have a patio I do not know what to do with, my problem and question is, when it storms or rains (which is a lot in the summer time) do you haul everything inside? I love the sheets, do you let them get wet?
How do we make a space that is weather friendly?
Thanks for the great ideas.
Lori,
Great question. Living in Florida, and especially during the summer, we get those afternoon showers. And sometimes the occasional tropical storm. Let’s not even talk about hurricanes.
As far as the curtains go, that is why I use and recommend to others to use inexpensive sheets. Most of the time a light rain doesn’t hurt them at all and they dry right back out. It’s best to untie them and let them hang and they will dry out quickly in the breeze. Also, hanging them with clip-on rings or as I did with grommets and just looped on nails makes it easy to take them down and bring inside if we end up with a heavy rain or storm. The best thing to do is just take them down once per month and give them a wash and dry and hang back up to keep them fresh and clean. Flat sheets are so easy to wash and dry. There’s no need to iron them. Just take them out of the dryer and hang back up.
I guess for the cushions and accessories, some can stay outside and others I bring in. It’s good to use a weather rated fabric for your cushions, but I just used Waverly fabric remnants I got an awesome deal on.
It’s just like any other outdoor space you see them design and put together on a design show. You KNOW they don’t leave all those things out in the weather all the time. As beautiful as the finished outdoor space looks on the show, it is going to rain and some things have to be brought in.
I would use things that if they got wet and weathered, you wouldn’t lose sleep over.
Sure hope this helps.
Karol :)
THANK YOU! That was the first question I had too when I looked at it. I love how it looks and have a nice deck just waiting for some ambiance… but was wondering about the weather. Now I know I’m not crazy if I use some things that should be brought in if it’s going to rain, etc. It’s worth it for such a cozy, comfortable outdoor spot!
That’s so beautiful!
I love it!! I am working on my front porch right now. This post really helps!!
I e-mailed this post to my daughters who share a first floor apartment. This would be perfect for their little patio this spring/summer. Idyllic!
This is really beautiful. I love it a lot. I just wonder…doesn’t everything get wet and moldy in a hurry. What do you do to keep everything dry and clean?
-FringeGirl
Please see my reply to Lori, above. :)
This is just incredible. I usually stop about the time we have the chairs and crate. Thanks!
What a pretty little porch. I’d gladly sit out there and enjoy a glass of tea while reading a book. So pretty.
Yea!! I am so glad Karol is back!!
Lovely post. :o)
Sincerely ~ Trish
Your porch looks so inviting. Loved seeing the progression as you added more layers to your design. What a wonderful space to sit and enjoy!
i have the same question as Lori. I also live in FL where summer storms are the norm – even on my protected porch, i’m afraid that drapes will get moldy? Smelly? or am i being worried over nothing? Love that balcony – just heaven.
Great tutorial. I am in the process of trying to make the front porch a comfy and inviting space. This is so timely. Thanks for the step by step. Hugs, Marty
I am inspired. I have a wayward outdoor space that I need to get control of this year and this post is very helpful. Thanks!
I LOVE how you showed us step by step process how you layered! You make it look so easy! Thanks for sharing!
Take care
Kristin
Very pretty! I have added inexpensive plain white curtains to my gazebo in past years and love the look. I’m thinking of doing it again this year, too. I love the cushions on your chairs! Can you share where you found them? I never find a pillow to go with the seat cushions and I like to have a pillow that coordinates. I find it makes it much more comfy to sit in. Great view!
Kathy,
I recovered some old down pillows I had on the chairs last year. I bought the fabric and made up my own pattern to how I wanted them. They are “slip covers” for my old pillows and I can wash them or change them out later when I want to. Here’s link about the cushions. http://homesweethomeinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/04/sprucing-up-for-spring-and-summer.html
Karol :)
That looks great! The step-by-step makes it seem do-able!
Thanks!
Trish
Could you show a shot of the tops of the drapes – I’m having a hard time picturing the snap-on grommets and how you hung them on nails. (Okay, really, I have no idea what snap-on grommets are.) Thanks!
Looks comfy & cozy, thanks for the step by step. And who knew sheets could look so good! :)
Thank you so much for showing this step by step. Breaking down how you put it together makes it much easier than just seeing the end product. I hope you do this for some other rooms! Oh, your patio looks beautiful too.
This is a GREAT process for creating an outdoor space. Thanks!
Aren’t all of these things going to get soaked when you have a storm? I am sure the sheets would dry, but I wonder if they would get sort of baggy and weird looking as they are wet/dry several times. And I wonder about the cute little chest getting damaged. I have a screened in porch on the back of my house that we use for dining all the time. But I never do too much decorating out there since in strong storms, it does get wet. And whatever is out there has to be safe for my cats/dogs who think the porch is theirs. Any ideas?
That gives me some hope for my small space. I love it. I am going to have to get started right away!
Love this post! Gives me some great inspiration to do something with my back patio!
Great post!! I love the step-by-step photos…that’s very helpful. :) It all looks beautiful, and I think the “fabric” really softens things up. But I have to echo the others…my deck is not covered, and while I LOVE this homey look, I wonder if I would just have to take things in and out when we are entertaining. I think it’s great for covered porches or covered decks though! :)
I love the step by step photos.It really highlights the impact each layer adds to the ‘scene’.You have done a lovely job.I REALLY love that everything is low-maintenence! Nice to ‘meet’ you, Karol:)
I LOVE THIS!!!!! Hope you are having a most fabulous day!!!
Thanks for showing how to achieve this layered look – something I often have difficulty with. You’ve just given me several ideas for our patio.
Simply beautiful! I have an uncovered deck and wish I could cozy it up like that but things have to be weather proof! It’s been a constant struggle to try and make it “cozy”.
Have a fabulous day!
Thanks for the tutorial! I do struggle with putting together a room, and the step-by-step was so helpful! I guess the hardest thing, though, is trying to imagine how I will use a piece of furniture or decor that I like when I see it in the store. . . I know you say that if you love it, you should buy it, even if you don’t know where you’ll put it, but I still can’t bring myself to that point :]
Totally inspired!!! I have 2 outdoor patios that need “livening” up and I can’t believe I never thought of curtains!! Perfect!
Amazing! What a transformation from bare balcony to cozy retreat!
What a great post, loved seeing the process from start to finish! Your porch looks like a wonderful place to relax! Thanks for sharing!!
Blessings,
Stacey
That is beautiful! I’d love to have a relaxing, private outdoor space like that!
☺ Celeste
wow!! soo beautiful! i wish i had a porch and more specifically ur beautiful and cozy porch!! maybe someone can do a patio tutorial next – that would be helpful!
The inside of my house doesn’t look that nice. Although my front porch is the first thing you see, so maybe I should work on it first.
Great tips–the step-by-step photos are a great idea!
I luv the look you have here! I was soooo surprised when I saw the white sheets, because I am going to use some white sheets that I already have for my screen porch (I’m a THRIFTY gal)…I thought they would hold up well here on the Alabama coast…you can always bleach them if needed. I also luv how you shopped your home:)
Blessings,
Linda
Love that porch. Makes me miss living in FL and especially the beach.
Thankfully, I can still have that same look living 2.5 hours away from the ocean.
Very beautiful, and seeing it put together makes it seem s so effortless! I wonder what it looks like form the front of the house?
thanks. i’m inspired to help my screened in porch!
Love the step-by-step photos of each element being added!
that is beautiful! i think that just made me want to spruce up my front porch. thanks for sharing
blessings,
kristi
This is beautiful and inspiring! You make it look so easy, but I’d be at a loss. Want to come to my house? ;)
Love it! What a wonderful space to enjoy a wonderful view!
I loved this notion of layering to create such coziness so much that I had to repost! Thanks for the inspiration: http://itisagoodday.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-current-must-do-projects-list.html
We love the finished look, so calming and fresh. I am going to have to put a roof on our deck so we can hang curtains and close it in a bit.. thanks for the inspiration!
I love this! It was so easy to understand the steps. Thank you. I already have my chairs, table, and rug set up on my front porch. Now I am just finding things to complete my look. I have a great front porch and my house is newly sided, roofed, and new window boxes I love it and now I can add a pretty porch!
Karol,
I love the afternoon and morning light on ours. Layering will make them even more pleasant to sit on. I am inspired. My white wicker is looking pretty tired and my porches are bare. Thanks for sharing. Now, off to layer and make both pretty!
Linda @bushel and a pickle
Karol,
This is so amazing.
I am in a new apartment and getting things together and this is PERFECT.
Great job! :)
This is helpful but (as a number of people have commented) not so practical. An afternoon storm while I am at work and I’d have smashed lamps and vases from the wind, as well as sopping rugs, cushions and curtains. (Where do you put all these things when you do take them in?) Is it possible to layer without so many tchotchkes?
Of course it’s possible to layer as little or as much tchotchkes as you would like! It’s also possible to not have your space looking like this ALL the time. This could be steps to take to decorate when having a party. Just by following my layering steps you can put together a cozy little spot for guests in a matter of minutes!
By the way, I store things in a closet by my door when they are not out on my balcony. I also don’t put expensive furnishings outside. But I also use the things I have. If they get rained on once, it’s not going to ruin them.
Hope this helps. :)