We hope everyone is safe and healthy during this unique moment in time. Spring has officially sprung and with as much time as we're spending at home right now, it is the perfect time to spruce up your outdoor areas. Outdoor spaces are often overlooked and are sometimes the last on our list of priorities, but with the temperate weather we have here in San Antonio, these spaces deserve to be loved. Here are some quick tips (and some of our own outdoor custom designs) to help you create your own perfect backyard oasis….. When designing an outdoor area, think about how you will use the SPACE. Consider where the sun sets and rises. If you plan to enjoy your patio in the evening, you don’t want your seating facing the setting sun. If it's a morning sip your coffee kind of place, facing east may be just what the doctor ordered. RUGS! Outdoor rugs are where I start. Rugs give the space a designer's touch by framing the area and making it feel more like an indoor space. Ideally, the front feet of all your furniture in your seating area will be on the rug. This helps pull the furniture pieces together and feel anchored. When adding a rug under a dining table, you want at least a good 18” perimeter around the outer edge of the dining table to accommodate for the dining chairs. Here are a few of my favorites from Loloi. Outdoor rugs have come a long way. These are fun to layer over a simple jute rug or even on a beautiful cut piece of turf grass from your local Home Depot. All rugs available for purchase on our website.
Next up, OUTDOOR FURNITURE! When buying outdoor furniture, I like to mix styles and materials. Notice on this patio we just did for a wonderful client how we mixed aluminum, teak and jute.
PILLOWS… As I’ve so often said, it’s all about layers. Mix and match your favorite outdoor patterns and don’t be afraid to add different sizes, shapes, and colors. If you really want your pillows to withstand
the outdoor elements, it's wise to invest in true Sunbrella fabric pillows or a similar caliber of fabrics. Many materials claim to be made for outdoor, but will only make it a single season. In my 20 plus years of experience, it is worth the investment to get the real deal. As they are an investment - be sure to care for them properly. Purchase a storage bin and use it. Ideally, purchase furniture covers for the large items and move your accent pillows into a storage bin to protect them from excessive pollen and sun when not in use.
Finally, don’t forget the little details. Every outdoor space comes alive with PLANTS and FLORALS. Plants are an easy, colorful way to add vibrancy and they breathe life into your space. Freshen up old, dry, and dying potted plants. Don’t have a green thumb? Not to worry. Just choose plants that require easy care and minimal watering. Some of my favorites for this climate are sweet potato plants, trailing rosemary, wondering jew, Mexican heather, and asparagus ferns. I like layering different plants in the same pot to make them feel full and add variety in texture and color. BASKETS of towels, bug spray, sunscreen and all the little essentials make a patio feel extra luxurious.
We hope this helps inspire you to add some of your own creative flair to your favorite outdoor spots at home. We would love to hear from you. Please sends pics of your own outdoor spaces to info@carlaroyderdesigns.com or direct message us on Instagram @carlaroyderdesigns.
Cheers ~
CARLA H. ROYDER