Dear Designer,
My name is Anny and I live in Stevenson Ranch. My family and I have a small three-bedroom home. I have spent the last five years remodeling and decorating the inside. Now I’m getting ready to fix up my outside patio area. I have a pretty good size area to work with. I need a new patio set, lounge chairs, a sitting area and most of all accessories. I really want the space to be warm and inviting. We never have used the patio in the past except for a quick barbeque. I don’t know what style to go with. I see a lot of tropical motifs, is that what’s in now? I need help pulling this space together. I would appreciate any suggestions or guidance you can give me. Did I mention that I have a pool, if that makes a difference?
Hope to here from you soon – Anny.
Hi Anny, and thanks for the letter. It sounds like you have a great outdoor space to design! Outdoor spaces are a part of the home that people usually don’t furnish or furnish minimally. I love to watch people’s reactions when they walk out to a great outdoor space.
The outdoor space should be an extension of your home. You should use the same color scheme that the adjacent room has, especially if you can see the outdoor space from the inside of the adjacent room. Use furniture that has a similar style of furniture that is inside the home.
Make sure that all fabrics are outdoor fabrics or that they say Sunbrella. This will insure minimal fading or damage in harsh weather. Make sure all furniture is outdoor safe. There’s a lot out there to choose from, some brand name stores have even come out with slipcover sofas. You have great outdoor lighting and ceiling fans to pick from. There is a mass array of rugs and draperies at your fingertips. Look for accessories that can get wet and be out in the sun. These are usually made of stone, metal or resin.
Make sure that you have plenty of shade either from a covered patio or from umbrellas. No one will use the area if they can’t get out of the sun. Shade will also help protect the furniture. I always recommend a covered patio. It helps keep the area clean and protected. Hope this helps.
For answers to questions like this, call Robin at 661-252-3068.