Tag Archives: Outdoor Living Space

Making Your Outdoor Space Valuable

Your outside space is so valuable, especially if you live in the northern regions, as our time outdoors is so limited. Whether you are selling or dwelling, that space is valuable. It’s valuable to you for your enjoyment whether it is a small quiet place to curl up with a book or a large space to gather with friends and family.

It is valuable if you are selling as buyers can see how the house extends outward. It isn’t technically square footage but you better bet a nice outdoor space brings value to a buyer emotionally. This applies to decks, patios, and front porches.

My number one advice: TREAT THE OUTDOOR SPACE LIKE YOU DO YOUR INDOOR SPACE

  • KEEP IT CLEAN: Pressure wash or do a good scrub down in the Spring. Paint or stain any chipped areas. Brush off any cobwebs and leaves regularly.

Clean patio

 

  • USE AN OUTDOOR RUG: Rugs add a sense of warmth just like in your living room. It also defines a conversation area and can add color and pattern. Make sure it is an outdoor rug that will resist fading and dry quickly after a rain shower.

 

outside

 

  • BEING OUTSIDE DOESN’T PRECLUDE USING TEXTURE: There are so many fun outdoor fabrics that are water and sun damage resistant. Add in throw pillows and even an outdoor poof so you can put your feet up!

Pouf

 

  • DON’T FORGET TO ACCESSORIZE: Just like any other room in your home, accessories add the style and pizzazz to a space. Weather safe candles, lanterns, and even lamps. Yes I have a weather safe table lamp and floor lamp on my patio that I never bring in until winter hits! It feels so much like a true living room.

 

IMG_3989

 

Your outdoor space is valuable for so many reasons. Take the time to make it stylish! It’s nature so mix an abundance of color, pattern and texture. Have fun and enjoy your outdoor space!

 

Outdoor Fireplace Tables are Hot! Hot! Hot!

 

Yes, that pun was intended.       Outdoor gas fireplace tables are all the rage and you see them everywhere.

It started out that you saw them on the patios of upscale restaurants. Then you saw them on the patios of most restaurants. Now you are seeing them on many residential patios.

They have become so popular that furniture stores are selling them adding competition for the fireplace stores. I think they have become so popular because they are an added extension to your outdoor living space.   For a lot of us our outdoor summer season is short and we want to be outside as much as possible. With the gas fireplace table, your outside season just got longer!

The wood burning fire pits are nice don’t get me wrong. They smell SO good! But they can be a pain. You need to have them on a  surface that won’t burn or scorch, you have to buy or cut the firewood and then you need to make sure the fire is completely out before you walk away and leave it.

A gas fireplace is a quick turn of a switch and you have instant beautiful flames and when you are ready for bed you turn the switch off.

They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and price ranges.

I have to admit I got one a couple months ago. I really wasn’t sure if I would use it that much, especially in the heat of the summer, but I can honestly say it is my favorite area on my patio. Even on sunny warm summer evenings I have it on low for ambiance. When the cool nights move in this fall I will crank it up and I may even bundle up and sit around it on a nice winter day.

 

 

If you are drawn to the fire tables at restaurants and are thinking you have a spot to enjoy one, I wouldn’t hesitate if I were you!

Sit back and enjoy. I am….I am sitting on that chair right in front of you typing this blog post!

 

Add Some Color to Your Life!

For some reason I have been into color lately. In my clothes, my work, and my home. Maybe it is because it is finally Summer and the dull winter is finally over.

Here are a few examples of how I added color recently to my life and it was SO easy. I bought some spray paint and things that were previously white or brown became colorful. Tables, candle holders and more. 

 

End Table

 

 

Roby Fountain 1

 

ZOWEY!! A few cans of vibrant spray paint from Rustoleum and look at all the happy color. 

 I also bought more colorful flower pots and throw pillows.

 

Pots

Hot Tub

 

Glider

Flower Pot

 

How is that for adding color? If you are hesitant about adding color into your life start small. A throw pillow, a vibrant scarf and the easiest is something outdoors.

Nature is filled with color so why not add to it.  May you have a wonderfully blessed summer!!

 

Lilacs

 

 Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.

CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer

 www.RoomsWithStyle.com

952-567-1124