Use these tips to make your outdoor living spaces more comfortable! By creating an inviting and relaxed space, you'll want to spend more time outdoors enjoying the weather and entertaining guests.

Tip 1: Add a Rug

Adding a rug will instantly warm an outdoor dining or seating area. A rug will also define the space in a way that makes it feel more intimate. Acrylic is a great material choice for outdoor rugs due to its resistance to mold and fading and can be used even in uncovered spaces.

Tip 2: Utilize Outdoor Lighting

When designing your outdoor space, consider lighting options that you may traditionally associate with indoor uses. Use table and floor lamps to light and warm seating areas. A chandelier or lantern hung over a seating area or dining table will make the space feel more intimate and inviting. If the area is covered, the fixture needs to be approved for use in a damp location. If the area is exposed to rain or snow, it needs to be approved for use in wet locations.

Tip 3: Pillows and Cushions

Pillows and cushions will instantly transform any outdoor living space into a welcoming environment. Cushions and pillows will not only add great comfort but will also add visual interest and depth by introducing color, texture and pattern. Acrylic is a great material choice for outdoor pillows and cushions due to its resistance to mold and fading, especially in uncovered spaces that will be exposed to rain or snow.

Tip 4: Accessorize

Adding accessories to your outdoor living space will make it feel finished and polished. By accessorizing your outdoor space in the same way you would an inside space, you will make it feel inviting and cozy. Consider vases, lanterns with candles, and artwork. Salvaged architectural items can be wonderful choices for outdoor spaces because they are interesting when used as decorative objects or artwork and they often are made to withstand exposure to the elements.

Tip 5: Consider Your "Wall" Color

When selecting the colors and finishes for your outdoor furnishings and accessories, don't forget to consider your "wall" color. For covered outdoor spaces like porches, that might be natural brick, cedar shingles, or siding. For spaces that are completely outdoors, your backdrop may be a fence or simply the plants and landscaping that surround the area. If you consider these colors are part of your palette when choosing the materials, fabrics and colors for your furnishings, you will be able to create a much more cohesive space.

Tip 6: Create an Intimate Seating Group

A single bench or loveseat is not inviting for a group. Instead, create an intimate seating group that invites people to gather and enjoy together and includes multiple places to sit like a loveseat with chairs flanking either side.

Tip 7: Create a Dining Area

Furnishing your outdoor dining space in a way that feels more like an indoor dining room will help to create ambiance, comfort and function. Consider adding a serving piece like a cabinet, buffet or console table. Make sure the chairs are comfortable and you and your gusts will want to linger over a meal much longer.

Utilizing these tips will help to turn your ordinary outdoor space into an inviting, comfortable living space that you and your guests will enjoy more than ever before!

Hanna Michaels is the Head of Marketing and Business Development at http://www.stylishfurnitureanddecor.com/, a leading online retailer of modern furniture and home accents that also features a wide selection of outdoor furniture and accessories. She is also an Interior Designer and co-founder of Stylish Design Services, an e-design firm providing Interior Design consultation and guidance to the customers of Stylish Furniture and Decor as well as other clients. She enjoys sharing her passion and excitement about furniture and design with her clients and readers!

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