summer patio decor refresh

this patio decor project is a perfect example 
of my homewardFOUND decorating philosophy:
re-think what you already have to make your home look terrific!

we've reached the middle of the strangest summer on record,
and if you're like me, you've been home A LOT  - 
maybe the spaces you've spent a lot of time in might need a refresh right about now.
since we're all enjoying the nice weather outdoors these days,
why not give your patio, porch, or deck a quick makeover? FREE?!

continue reading to see two examples of VERY 'fast, cheap, & easy' makeovers
on two different outdoor living spaces...

freshening up this patio area - used daily - was simple:
first, a quick removal of the sunbleached plastic tablecloth
followed by a good sweep and cleaning of all of the surfaces.
(i am constantly amazed by how fast dirt & grime collects on outdoor furniture...)

then, i 'shopped the house' to see what i could find.
[ i shared decorating tips in this makeover post 
including the fact that we ALL tend to buy things in the same styles and colors - 
then we stash them and forget about them, or maybe we're not sure HOW to use them.
going through closets, cabinets, shelves, boxes, bins, and drawers
can reveal a treasure trove of decorating material]

everything i used here expressed my client's love for the beach
and her favorite teal/aqua blue hues. because that's what she buys!

first, i unearthed two tablecloths, hiding in a drawer in the hall.
the fabric tablecloth went on the dining table under the umbrella,
then i added simple decor elements:

those jars of seashells were party decor stored in the garage -
(they remind me of my 'Beach in A Jar'!)
i hauled them out, and added white taper candles 
popped into clear glass wine bottles (recycled!) for mood lighting.
the tote bag makes it easy to carry everything inside.

similar bottles and jars decorated the bar,
and beach towels popped over the barstools hid the sunbleached cloth seats.
in the background above, you can see the server -
i covered it with a plastic tablecloth, letting it hang low to cover the shelves
and provide hidden storage during a party.

all of the plastic & resin picnic ware on top of the server
was stashed in various places in the kitchen,
so i gathered them up and hauled them out here in that big white enamel tub.

items like the wire basket and plate rack corral elements for ease of transport
AND as a space-saving measure on top of the server.

after I took these photos, I put all of the plastic ware back IN the white enamel tub -
and sat it on top of the fridge in the kitchen.
it will be a SNAP for the family to grab that tub and haul everything they need out here
when they want to have lunch or dinner on the patio!
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here's another easy spiff-up in another part of the same yard:

[I have no 'before' photos of this deck, because I FORGOT to snap them -
there was just a firepit and four chairs with four pillows sitting here.]

the beach umbrella was discovered in the garage, so I hauled it out and set it up.
[there are two tan umbrellas over on a nearby patio, and this perfectly echoes them]
the wood table was on the side of the house. Unused. Beige. And kinda' dirty.
i painted the table with the white exterior trim paint on the house (can was in the garage).

succulent plants in 3 pots had been placed at the front edge of the deck,
where you literally walked past them without seeing them.
by moving the two small pots onto the table, and the large pot next to the chair,
the plants add a finishing touch to this exterior 'room' and bring it to life.

the pillows work perfectly to connect the color scheme to the home's interior...
which is a design tip: coordinate your home decor inside and out,
and you'll be able to move accessories around for a fresh look the easy way.

now... grab an iced beverage and go shop your house!
(i'd love it if you came back and left me a comment to tell me what you found,
and how you used it to change up your summer decor)