Transform Your Yard: Any Size or Budget

Short on Space

• Use Color: This inspirational small porch design shows the power of color. Paired against neutral furniture, the bright, fun pinks, purples, and oranges liven up an otherwise uninteresting porch with a few simple accent pieces. Look for playful throw pillows and a small rug; don’t forget to infuse some natural beauty with complementing flowers. (Photo 1 HGTV.)

• Go Modern: If you’re too short on space for a full set of patio or lounge furniture, consider a modern table and chairs for two to four people. You can play with color, but I suggest you go with metal over plastic for a more polished look. Add neutral cushions or a fun print, and consider accessorizing with a small throw pillow for more interest and comfort. (Photo 2 from Houzz.)

Tight on Budget

• Repurpose: If you’re not ready to put your budget towards your outdoor living space, you can still beautify it with a small (or even no) budget! Look for items in your home that you have stashed away and find a way to repurpose them outside for a shabby chic look. If you can’t find the pieces you’re looking for, no problem- head to your local resale shop for unique treasures. Look for the shapes of accessories, furniture, and mirrors more than their current aesthetic and colors because you can easily change that with a little paint or spray paint. (Photo 3 courtesy of BHG.)

• Lighting: Update your space simply by adding lighting, such as hanging lanterns (as in the Apartment Therapy photo), tiki torches, or strings of globe lights.

Total Outdoor Makeover

If you’re ready for a complete makeover of your yard, you’ll find some inspiration below to truly transform your space into another ‘room’ of your home. Your friends will be begging you to host them after you add some stylish lounge seating and dramatic décor and you’ll be throwing dinner parties outside before you know it!

If budget is no object, consider adding components of your home inside and bring them outdoors, such as a kitchen, pizza oven, a bar complete with a beer or soda tap, or outside movie ‘room.’

My project this summer is to use this inspiration on my own yard! The transforming post will come by the end of summer. How do you use your outdoor space?