5 Tips for Styling Your Outdoor Space

Summer in Cleveland is always wonderful, but this year it’s especially great, isn’t it? While we’ve had a few days that were a bit too hot for comfort, most of the time it has been sunny and pleasantly warm…perfect for outdoor entertaining. Does your outdoor space need some refreshment? From getting it company-ready to keeping away bugs, we have five tips to help you create a fun and functional area where you can enjoy this marvelous summer–and many more summers, springs, and autumns–with your friends and family.

1. Have Seats for Everyone

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From picnics and graduation parties to barbecues and late nights around the fire, outdoor entertaining in the summer is limitless! It’s easy to spend the whole day outside with your friends and loved ones. You might hang out by the pool, grill some burgers, relax with drinks, and then chat by the fire while little hands catch fireflies or make s’mores. Whatever your plans, make sure you have enough seating. Creating at least two different areas of seating–such as one around a table and another that’s just for relaxing–allows for versatility in your outdoor space and ensures that everyone has a place where they can get comfy and rest their feet.

2. Create Smart Storage

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When you’re entertaining outdoors, you want to be, well…outdoors. That means it’s important to have what you need handy. You don’t want to have to keep running back inside to grab things. Setting up storage in your outdoor space lets you have everything you might want right there, so you can pull out a blanket if it gets chilly after the sun goes down without missing a beat in the conversation. Try for storage that’s multi-functional: tables with space underneath, benches and ottomans that have space inside also give you some extra seating, and a serving cart provides drawers and cabinets along with a work station on top. Stash away cushions, candles, tablecloths, throws, and more for easy access while you enjoy the outdoors and your company.

3. Enjoy Sun and Shade

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Part of the reason you’re looking to refresh your outdoor space is probably because you want to create the perfect atmosphere. You’d like everything to be just right for your guests. Well, that can be challenging because there’s always different preferences. Some people love to bask in the sun and others would rather kick back in a shady spot. Having both options will help your outdoor space, and your party, be a success. When you’re arranging seating areas, have at least one section in the sun and another in the shade–perhaps under a pergola or umbrella. This way, your guests can choose where they’d feel most comfortable. That makes the atmosphere perfect, every time.

4. Say Bye Bye to Bugs

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There’s nothing worse than swatting at bugs at an outdoor dinner party…except maybe the itchy bites you’re left with at the end of the night. You can light citronella candles to help keep the mosquitoes at bay, but you can also incorporate bug-repelling plants into the landscaping around your outdoor space. Citronella is actually a beautiful perennial grass that can make mosquitoes turn the other way. Don’t like the smell? Plants such as mint, lemon balm, basil, and lavender can also do the trick, and you can use them in the kitchen! Beauty plus benefits–doesn’t get much better than that!

5. Relax Outdoors from Inside

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While we’ve been lucky so far this year, don’t forget that Cleveland’s weather has been known to change in an instant. There will be times when it’s just better to be inside. Maybe it’s too hot or a little too chilly, or maybe a thunderstorm rolls in right in the middle of your party. Whatever the case, window shades can let you move the festivities indoors while still allowing you to enjoy the view. They also give you the benefits of light control, privacy, energy-efficiency, and UV protection. Plus, their gorgeous styling will complete the look of your outdoor space.

Get Started On Your Outdoor Space…

At Timan Window Treatments, we want you to enjoy your summer to the fullest. We’d love to help you refresh and update your outdoor space. Stop into one of our three showrooms to experience products first-hand alongside the expertise of our design staff. If your summer calendar is pretty booked, we’re happy to come to you. We’ll bring our mobile showroom and design advice right to your door. Contact our team for your free, shop-at-home experience today!