Q. Any tips on outdoor decorating? We recently moved into an older home that needs a little exterior TLC. We love to entertain, and I’d like the space to be inviting, colourful and cosy. Do you have any advice on how to increase the curb appeal of my house?
Congratulations on your new (older) home. Sounds like an adventure in the making. We’re coming into our long-awaited summer. I’m sure most would agree we all need to take advantage of it and spend as much time outdoors as possible.
The space you create outdoors should be as comfortable and inviting as indoors. Think of it as your outdoor living room. Comfy seating, lots of horizontal surfaces, a rug to define the space, soft lighting and a heat source. Supplemented, of course, by pots of colourful flowering plants and a music source.
Outdoor furniture can be a challenge. It has to be comfortable, heavy enough to withstand the wind that may show up uninvited, and the fabric has to be fairly weatherproof. Most outdoor fabrics will fall into that category; however, even with good weather conditions, there’s enough moisture in the night air to permeate the best outdoor fabrics. This, of course, means you need a cushion storage box, which is not a bad thing; it doubles as another horizontal surface.
If you have the space, it’s best to create separate areas for entertaining. For an outdoor meal, tables and chairs to accommodate your guests are a must. An umbrella situated over the table is a great idea to shade from the sun and a possible sprinkle of rain. And isn’t it a great visual to see the table set for an evening meal, with jars of fresh-cut flowers, six or eight place settings, and battery-operated candles on a lovely linen tablecloth, under the protection of a colorful summer umbrella? Depending on the number of guests, you could do two or three smaller tables, and it would still feel intimate.
Then you need a lounging area. Comfy chairs, small side tables, a propane fire pit in the middle, and access to a basket of wooly throws just in case. A large outdoor rug will help identify this area and give it a living room feel. LED string lights in the trees or on the patio trellis create a soft ambient atmosphere, and a good Blue- tooth speaker provides the back- ground music.
It’s still early in the season, but the nurseries are bursting with their selection of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. For lots of colour in your outdoor living space, I suggest big pots of annuals. These beautiful, abundant plants flower from May to late October and offer all the eye candy you need. Be mindful, however, that here on the Avalon, the recommended date for leaving your recently purchased plants outdoors is after the full moon in June, but I have to admit, I’m never that patient. I just keep an eye on the forecast, and if the temps are headed toward zero, I throw a light sheet or garbage bag over them for the night.
Large pots are best; they hold a variety of plants and offer a burst of colour without consuming a large footprint. If you prefer smaller pots, use them in groups of various sizes and place them on a table or steps leading to the doorway. The only drawback of smaller pots is that they will need to be watered more often. It also helps to know the orientation of your space. Some flowers do well in south-facing light, while some prefer a certain amount of shade. The staff at local nurseries are very helpful in recommending the right flowering plants for your location. This year, I plan to lean more into several red and white floral combinations. A few cut arrangements for the table as well as red geraniums and begonias with white lobelia and lots of trailing ivy for the window boxes at the very least.
Now, for your second question, curb appeal. It’s so encouraging to see more people take pride in their property. I think we’re all becoming more aware of how our surroundings affect us. If we see a house that’s interesting, pleasant and well put together, we feel uplifted and energized. If we come across a space that’s run down, dirty and neglected, we feel sad and somehow disappointed. Curb appeal not only portrays how you feel about your home but also influences and inspires others. The spaces leading up to your house; the driveway, walk- way, steps and doorway all offer an opportunity to show your style and enhance your property.
I know I’m stating the obvious here, but the first step is to make sure it’s clean and tidy. Remove old leaves, gravel, dead shrubs, and broken branches. Make sure the walkway is in good shape. Areas that need repair aren’t just an eyesore, they’re also a liability. Check the woodwork on the steps, veranda and door sills for winter damage. May and June are a great time to do some annual maintenance and re-stain or repaint the stairs and deck.
The best way to give your house that warm and welcoming charm in a singular effort is with a fresh coat of paint and possibly a new colour for your front door.The options are endless, but mostly it depends on your taste. It’s a personal statement that says as much about you as it does about your house. And although it is an accent, it should work with the other elements of the exterior and add to the overall aesthetic.
The next level of curb appeal is to add greenery. If space allows, planting a few trees and shrubs will help create a natural visual element and add a certain amount of privacy. Otherwise, a few planters will give you a space for colourful flowers and foliage through spring and summer and a place to create an arrangement of boughs and berries throughout fall and winter. These could be placed at the entrance to the walkway, on the steps leading to the front entrance, at either side of the front door, or quite possibly all of the above. These natural elements will add seasonal colour and ambiance to your exterior space and increase the curb appeal of your house.
The idea is to create a visual that anyone driving by will look at and feel uplifted and inspired. But more importantly, it will be a visual that reminds you just how much you love your space.
Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com.
