Avoid These 8 Mistakes with your Outdoor Living Space *

*Collaborative Post.

Do you feel as though your outdoor living space isn’t quite up to par? Maybe you feel as though you need to make some serious changes, but you don’t know where to start. Either way, this guide will help you to make all of the right choices so you can start feeling more confident in your design, today.

Not Having Furniture Covers

The first thing that you need to try and do is invest in some great furniture covers.  At the end of the day, you will probably spend quite a lot of money on your furniture, and the last thing you want is for your purchases not to last because you have spilt BBQ sauce on them, or because they have fallen victim to rot or mold. One way for you to work around this would be for you to buy the optional furniture cover at the time of purchase or for you to simply buy a waterproof sheet to keep everything covered when it is not in use. If you can do this, then things will surely work in your favor. If you want to stop your deck from rotting, use composite decking instead.

Matching too Much

Buying a suite of furniture is great, as it takes a lot of the guesswork out of your purchase. That being said, if you match too much then this will make your outdoor space look uninventive and boring. If you want to do something about this then consider mixing things up a little. Focus on things that don’t match, such as by adding another singular chair with a slightly different design. If you can do this then you will be able to keep everything nice and interesting, just like you would with your indoor space. You may also find that things end up really coming together if you have a color scheme you are trying to incorporate as well.

Not Enough Surfaces

If you plan on entertaining outside, then you have to make sure that you have plenty of end tables. One thing that people tend to do when they are outside is drink, so ideally you need to make sure that you have somewhere people can put them down. Comfortable seating, along with a coffee table and a few end tables is so important. Remember you do not need to make sure that everything matches, in fact, it’s way more fun if you don’t.

Overheating

Metal is a fantastic material when it comes to outdoor furniture or patio furniture. That being said, you do have to be careful with what you use it for. Aluminum absorbs heat from the sun, and it is not a good option for chairs, side tables or any other accent pieces that may be in direct light. If you want to work around this then you need to make sure that you do what you can to choose metal that doesn’t heat up too much as this will help you to get the result you’re going for. it will also stop you from accidentally scolding your guests too, so be mindful of that if you can.

Messy Leaves

A verdant garden is great, but you do have to be mindful of what you choose to put near any shedding flora. If you know that you have a large tree in the garden and that this sheds fruit, petals or even needles then this can easily stain your outdoor cushions and furniture. If you want to work around this, then swap your greenery out for evergreen plants or even try and make the effort to move your furniture away. If you do this then you will soon find that your garden feels way easier to maintain and this can work in your favor if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands.

Pattern Overload

Patterns are great, if you can incorporate them properly. If you have too many different types of furniture or if you have a lot of conflicting patterns then this will make your garden look hectic and unkempt. One way for you to work around this would be for you to try and choose one type of furniture, whether it is wicker, wood or metal. You then need to make sure that most of your furniture is covered with the same fabric. If you want to add a punch of color or if you want to mix things up then consider adding a colorful cushion or two. When you do this, you will soon find that you can add a lot of personality without compromising your space.

Seating that’s Too Low

If you want your outdoor space to be as inviting as possible then you have to make sure that your space is comfortable. A lot of modern furniture options are far too low to the ground and this can be uncomfortable for your guests. One way for you to work around this would be for you to opt for furniture that is at least 18” off the ground. If you can do this then you will soon find that it is easier for you to get the look you are looking for and that you can also keep your guests comfortable at all times.

Not Enough Heat

If you want to be able to use your space all year round then you need to make sure that you account for colder temperatures. Even in summer, it can get chilly at night so it helps to have some options available in terms of heating. It may be that you invest in a portable heater or that you buy a fire pit. Either way, by doing this you can then make sure that you get the best result out of your garden renovation and that you are also able to keep your guests nice and comfortable.

So there are many things that you can do to try and make your outdoor living space the best it can be, and if you follow this guide, you’ll soon find that it is easier than ever for you to get the garden you’re looking for without compromise.