Modern outdoor furniture is coveted for its all-weather cushions, synthetic woven materials and enduring silhouettes. This contemporary collection is from Ratana Home and Floral.
Colorful pots and planters are an easy way to inject color into outdoor living spaces. These all-weather beauties are from Phillips Collection.
Weather-resistant area rugs, like this hand-hooked polypropylene design from Jaipur Rugs, inject color and pattern into outdoor living spaces.
Accessories that celebrate nature’s unique shapes and textures, such as these Arborae coasters made from recycled trees and roots, are fitting for outdoor living spaces.
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Outdoor Home Furnishings
Outdoor living spaces are the “hottest” rooms in the home today. In the most temperate locales, outdoor rooms and living spaces are a natural extension of a home’s interior. But even in cooler climes, outdoor living areas dramatically increase a home’s curb appeal and worth—some estimates suggest a well-appointed exterior can boost a home’s value by 15 percent.
HomeYet.com asks Christopher Grubb, founder of Beverly Hills, CA-based ARCH-INTERIORS Design Group (link to www.archinteriors.com), to reveal his go-to home furnishings for budget-friendly exterior updates:
• “Freshen up? the yard … it looks like a major re-do, but really this colorful expression is just a visually great re-do,” Grubb explains. Start with plants in colorful ceramic planters and pots. Choose timeless, all-weather fabrics, if you’re reupholstering outdoor furniture cushions or creating slipcovers. Also, opt for outdoor pillows in stripes and patterns that complement the pots.
• “I love beverage stands,” Grubb says. “They’re great for homeowners who entertain a lot. And when they’re not in use, the stands can be used in a more decorative way simply by putting potted plants of various sizes on them.”
• Outdoor area rugs are a great way to introduce color and pattern to outdoor areas. “Be sure to hose down the rug often to keep it clean and, during the wet season, be sure to roll it up and store it,” Grubb advises.
• Add instant character to an outdoor space by repurposing a cherished object to become an all-weather accessory. “Use marine-grade varnish on any piece you want to use outdoors and protect from the elements, such as a hutch, pottery or old, distressed tables,” Grubb says.
• Similarly, large-scale found objects—such as iron or wood architectural elements—look great when hung on an exterior stucco wall, Grubb says.
• Outdoor furniture comprised of multiple material, such as metal, reclaimed wood and bamboo, are tops on Grubb’s list right now. “But the woven synthetic materials are amazing, too,” he observes. Even though more colors are available in metal and aluminum furniture, he says most of his clients still play it safe with neutrals.
• At the high-end of home exterior upgrades, Grubb recommends an outdoor pavilion, complete with seating area and fireplace. “You’re actually creating a room on the property,” Grubb explains. “You’re defining the outdoor space and being architecturally consistent.”
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