With all the time spent outdoors in the months from spring to fall, I’m intrigued by the idea of outdoor living rooms. In the past, we’ve had a few diferent patio dining sets, but can I be honest? They rarely get used. There’s something about all the bugs in Oklahoma hanging around all that food that makes for a less-than-enjoyable outdoor dining experience. I find that if I were to do it all over again, I’d much rather have a comfy outdoor living room setup with chairs, a coffee table, and maybe a big beautiful umbrella for shade.
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At our lake house, our gigantic front porch has provided ample opportunity for long evenings with friends and surveying the kiddos playing on the boardwalk. We designed the railing to double as a bench to allow for more seating, which is one of my favorite elements of the porch. We’re slowly accumulating some outdoor furniture; a pair of rocking chairs and some lanterns have made their way there, but there’s still room for more seating. Here are some of my favorite inspiration pics from BHG that I’ve pinned as I’m designing the space.
This screened-in porch above is very reminiscent of many of the homes in our lakehouse community. I love the enormous low sectional. This scene could easily be changed up with different pillows and accessories for any time of year. It feels summery and fresh with the pops of color brought in by the boho pillows, but come fall it would feel extra cozy with the addition of blankets and cableknit-covered pillows. The wood coffee table is big enough that you could add a couple of benches or floor cushions to accommodate other guests. (S’mores on the porch, anyone?)
The patio above is maybe the best of both worlds. It’s got a comfy built-in sectional to lounge on, but room for a dining table too. I’d probably want to pull that table up to the corner of the sectional for long, lounge-y brunches. But you could easily do a big round coffee table in lieu of the dining table or possibly a pair of stools like the ones below. And I love the texture that an outdoor rug provides underfoot.
Speaking of lounging, how dreamy is this rustic outdoor living space below? That big comfy daybed just begs you to bring out a stack of books and wile away the hours.
Instead of a coffee table, why not try an upholstered ottoman? Outdoor fabrics from companies like Sunbrella are perfect for the elements, not to mention kids and pets.
This stunning outdoor fireplace scene below would be so dreamy and relaxing once the weather turns cooler in the evenings. And how gorgeous are those stone pavers set in the grass? That’s a gorgeous solution in lieu of a rug.
This patio below feels party-ready with tons of outdoor cushions, a handy bar cart to keep snacks and drinks at the ready for guests, and a welcoming vibe with lanterns to welcome visitors.
Oh, and one last tip: as the summer months march on, now’s the perfect time to keep an eye out for sales on outdoor furniture and accessories. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as most stores are already prepping for their fall collections to launch, which means huge savings on all spring and summer items!
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