Simple Decorating Ideas for Your Deck or Patio

Summer is officially in full gear and that means more time outdoors. There's something about summer that brings a casual attitude to life. We enjoy eating outside, taking walks in the park, driving to the beach for the weekend and going on a relaxing vacation. 

"...create an extension of your home, outdoors."

Enjoying the outdoors can also mean spending time right outside your home. If you live in a smaller home like a rowhome or townhome you may only have a rooftop deck or small patio as your "outdoor space" and probably asking, "How do I enjoy outdoor living in such a small area?". I can relate because I live in the city with a deck and small yard. But there's hope! With just a few key pieces you can create an extension of your home outdoors to enjoy after a long day of work or hosting friends and family for a BBQ.

For more product info click link to Polyvore.

Chairs. Use a couple of outdoor chairs instead of a typical sofa or loveseat. This will save space on your deck or small patio and allow for easy moving around.

Accent Pillows. Pillows are a quick and simple way of elevating a typical outdoor chair. Pillows are like artwork. They are a small component but can tell the story of your outdoor space. Mix and match with prints, solids, or graphic pillows. 

Garden Stool. Placing a garden stool between 2 chairs is a great way to add a tabletop surface. It's also a creative way to add a pop of color to your decor!

Outdoor Rug. An outdoor rug brings an area together. A rug sets the tone to your overall decor. Make sure your rug is not too big or too small. 

Patio Umbrella. A patio umbrella is a must, especially if your deck does not have an awning or some form of providing shade. Not only does an umbrella block the sun and provide shade, but similar to the rug, it has the ability to bring an area together. Design Tip: If your furnishing is against the wall and you don't have room for a full umbrella, consider a half umbrella.

Outdoor Poufs. Poufs are great outdoors too! They are comfortable lounging floor seats that add texture and color to your outdoor design. Add 1, 2 or 3 to elevate your decor.   

Accent Chair. Adding a hanging chair, a small scale chair, or a hammock is a great way to create a little reading nook or just a private area to relax off to the side.

Accent Plants. Plants on your deck or patio are important, especially if you live in the city where having grass is a luxury.  Plants add greenery, dimension, and an organic freshness to your space. This is also an area where mixing and matching will add visual interest. Design Tip: If you have a tall fence, consider adding wall plants in individual pots hung in rows on your fence. Add floor plants to add height in a corner and small potted flowers on table surfaces for decorative accents. 

If you have outdoor furnishings but don't feel like your outdoor decor is where it can be, let me be an extra set of eyes and hands to create an extension of your home outdoors. Email me at sabine@georgettemarise.com to discuss how we can transform your outdoor space together.

I want to hear how you use your outdoor space. Leave your comments below.

À la prochaine, 

Project Tour: Outdoor Retreat

THAT'S ME ADDING FINISHING TOUCHES TO THIS STYLISH TABLE SETTING. Photography: Simone Merrique

Recently, I had the joy of capturing an outdoor project I decorated through my Votre Chambre design service. This busy family of four lives a very social life and wanted to use their large backyard to fit their needs. They called on a professional landscaper to design and create an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pavilion, hardscape, landscaping, and outdoor lighting.  Once the hardscape and landscape were complete it was time to design and furnish this multi layered area. 

Dilemma: How to create multi sitting areas while maximizing the seating and making it feel warm, inviting, and comfortable. 

Solution: Since my client wanted an overall comfortable and stylish look I designed a lounge sitting area under the pavilion to seat 6-7 people. In order to accomplish that I used an L-shape sectional with a matching chair and ottoman complimented by a swing chair for an accent. The base was a white outdoor fabric accented by bold colored pillows filled with detailed patterns.

Photography by Simone Merrique

This family loves to entertain intimate dinner parties as well as large gatherings. In order to create a space great for everyday use and large dinner parties I furnished the space near the outdoor kitchen with a bar height bistro table with a stone top and 4 contrasting wicker stools for everyday dining. For a more formal setting I selected a durable rectangular wood-like farm table made of environmentally-friendly Resysta® contrasted by wicker dining chairs.

The color palette was inspired by the bold colors from the pavilion area and colors from the interior of my client's home, also designed by me. Design Tip: Be sure to carry the same style and some colors from the interior of your home. This will help create a smooth transition from the inside to the outside of your home.  

Relaxing fire pit. Photography by Simone Merrique.

With a mood board for inspiration, a complete shopping list for convenience, and a floor plan drawn to scale my client was equip to shop and arrange the furnishings with ease due to the Votre Chambre by Georgette Marise package. So are you ready to start your design project? Let me do the hard part of producing a personalized space for you that is stylish and functional. Click here to get started!

Here's to the final days of summer!

Sabine's Favorite Pins of Relaxing Patios

Summer is the season where everyone is a little more laid back, the kids are off from school, the weather is warm, people are enjoying vacations, the pool is open and the grill is fired up! It's a season that allows us to enjoy time outdoors (especially if you live in the northeast section of the States where we have cold winters). 

It's always nice to be able to extend your living spaces outdoors. As a designer, I always tell my clients that it's not about the square footage of your space but what you do with the square footage you have. You can have a large backyard but if it's not functional or aesthetically pleasing what's the point of having it. Your space should be BOTH functional and stylish according to your needs.

the perfect patio in my opinion

Some of my favorite patios are spaces that are personal, private, relaxing & comfortable. The perfect patio to me is an outdoor space that allows me to unwind on a comfortable chair with a glass of wine after a long day AND one that serves as entertaining space for dining and socializing with guests. So here are my top favorite Pins of relaxing patios this summer!

What I love about this patio are the string lights that are dripping from the tree branches. The setting is intimate with individual chairs yet festive enough to host an outdoor party.

This patio is simple yet stylish! The raw wood benches are accented by striped cushions and large chocolate pillows. The seating area is nicely anchored by a substantial size concrete table complimented by lanterns and a potted plant for greenery. 

This patio is a great example of a multi functional space. The swings steal the design for me! This is a fun idea for kids but can be enjoyed by adults as well. The space is broken up well into a seating area with sofas, swings and ottomans covered by draped fabric on a pergola. On the other side it also hosts a long dining table for a relaxing dinner party. How lovely!

This patio/backyard space is a unique approach to movie night. The soft, outdoor chaises under the string lights and lanterns make this space cozy and relaxing! Plus, how can you beat movie night outside!

The hammock creates the focal point for this small and intimate patio. The dark, modern fence give this patio much needed privacy in an urban setting.

This backyard has it all! The beautiful landscape is designed around the center pool. The pool is the focal point but the other areas in this patio add additional function. In case you aren't swimming in the pool you have the option of reading a book by the fireplace or having a bite to eat at the bistro table by the pool. 

This last patio truly feels like the extension of a living room. The window is highlighted as an architectural feature with the image of the panel draped to the side on the interior. The wicker and distressed wood furniture creates a warm and welcoming ambiance on a sunny day.

No matter if you have a small balcony outside your condo, a small block of pavement outside your row home in the city or a large yard over looking a private forest in the suburbs you can create a relaxing, private patio that works for YOUR needs.

Don't know where to start or how to create a relaxing patio space? Choose a votre chambre by GEORGETTE MARISE package and everything you need including a complete layout drawn to scale, a shopping list and key steps to create your own relaxing space outdoors. Hurry, before summer passes by!!!

For more relaxing patio ideas follow me on Pinterest! 

Here's to a relaxing summer!