Chances are the summer of 2020 will be nothing like previous summers. A global pandemic has many of our favorite theme parks, concert tours and any large gathering activities closed cancelled and shelved. But before you go and get all bummed out, this could be the year of the epic staycation!

If you can’t or are unwilling to brave the usual summer fun times this year, why not invest in a sweet outdoor space instead?

Take a look around the yard and see where you might put down some paver stones or have a small cement pad installed. Maybe you already have a small patio space that’s been neglected or under used over the years?

If there was a year to put a little elbow grease into that outside space, this is that year!

Big or small, an outside room can soothe the soul and engage all the senses. Best of all, when you create your perfect outside oasis, you’ll reap the benefits of stress relief and tranquility.

Don’t believe me? Just turn off the news, get into your yard work clothes and let’s get into making your summer staycation the envy of the neighborhood in 9 easy steps!

Use Outdoor Rugs to Define the Space

One of my go to techniques for staring any design is to use area rugs as a jumping off point. Finding the perfect area rug can inspire the color scheme of a room all the way down to the fine details. The same is true for exterior rooms.

When you find that area rug that ticks all the boxes for how you want your patio or outside space to feel, you’re in business.

The feeling for the outside space is important because, if you’re staying home this summer, you’ll want a space that feels like you’re on vacation. One that offers you a bit of escape from the inside and a spot you’ll want to hang out in for a while.

Starting with choosing the outside area rug is the surefire recipe for getting your outside room pulled together fast, enjoying it sooner, and not get overwhelmed in the process.

Your rug should define the area so it’s important to know how much space you have to place it. This is especially important for small patios or outside areas. You don’t want to purchase a rug that’s too big or too small. It’s just like inside the house. Having said that, I prefer to go as big as you can with any rug, inside or outside.

This process should be pretty straight forward. Measure the length and width of the space and keep those measurements on your phone or written down so you have them at hand when you’re out at the store or shopping online.

Once you arrive at the rug you love, time to deconstruct the colors from the rug to get inspiration for your color story. I like to pull out the colors in color blocks. This is simply noticing the color itself and making a note or a swatch of each color I’m drawn to.

It’s like making a painter’s palette of colors that will make up the hues and shades you’ll compile things like pillows and fabrics from. This is your chance to channel your inner Bob Ross so have fun with it!

The color blocks will help you stick to a color story for the entire project. This process also works for inside projects as well. Try to find items that mimic the colors in the rug. One thing to think about is outside daylight is different than inside, filtered daylight. Colors will read brighter and more vibrant outside.

I usually like to pull 3 or 4 colors from the rug as inspiration. You don’t have to use all the colors, but it helps to have some parameters. When you arrive at the color story, it’s time to start compiling.

Don’t stray off the color story for the soft goods: Pillows, throw blankets, cloth napkins or tablecloths (if you have a dining space). It’s easier to stick to the palette that you know will work instead of trying to mix in a pattern or color that you might love but wouldn’t go with the composition as a whole.

It’s like pulling an outfit together. Yes, you can mix patterns and colors and being creative with cloths is fun, but you wouldn’t wear a blue shoe and a brown shoe even if the heel height was the same, you know? It would look off. The same applies to trying to force a color outside of your inspiration palette.

Get Comfortable Seating. You’ll Thank Yourself Later…

If you’re spending long days outside, you’ll want to make sure you have comfortable seating. If you’re planning on enjoying the sunshine with a glass of wine or three in the evening, or if you’re someone who likes to snuggle up with your Kindle and a cup of coffee in the morning on the patio, then you’re definitely going to want a nice place to sit.

I’m not going to get into the comfort levels of patio furniture. Everyone has different needs in that department. I’ll just say, read the product descriptions and online reviews for the pieces you’re interested in and pay close attention to the language describing comfort and durability. If you’re heading into the store, test out the pieces you’re interested in and be your own judge.

Now, for picking furniture I like to apply the same rules I use for inside the house. Don’t go all matchy matchy. Just because collections are often shown together doesn’t mean you have to buy all the pieces from that collection.

It’s okay to have a couple of matching pieces, like in this setting, the chair and the sofa are from the same collection and then the additional chair is from another collection.

The way to make it work is to keep body fabric or body coloring in the same or similar tones.

I’m a big fan of neutral, which doesn’t have to mean beige or white. Neutral can be black, brown, gray, taupe, tan, all the same color blue, orange, red.

Yes, neutral just means the base is the same and you add in color with pillows, throws, serving wear, etc. Sound good? Okay.

It’s All About the Accent Furniture

I like to apply the same rule to the accent furniture in outside: don’t buy all the same accent furniture from one collection either. Instead bring in furniture from different collections, different stores, thrift stores, garage sales, etc.

If you want a consistent look, consider matching the finish or color of the accent furniture as a way to tie it together.

Different accent pieces make a space look designed and thoughtful, not just pulled together hastily. The summer staycation doesn’t just last a week or two, God willing; so really consider investing in those details that will make the difference between meh and WOW!

Don’t Forget the Natural Critter Repellent

The one major difference between designing an inside space vs and outside space is the consideration of critters; mosquitos in particular.

I don’t know about you, but having to constantly swat, swipe and slap these little buggers can ruin my patio peace real fast. And, if you’re like me, I am not a fan of chemicals, so nothing with DEET will be present at one of my candle light suppers, no way!

If you like to go the natural route, here’s a simple little concoction that will keep the blood suckers away and won’t challenge your chem-free morals. This one’s courtesy of Bob Villa. Yep, that Bob Villa!

WITCH HAZEL

– 1/3 cup witch hazel

– 40 drops of essential oil

In a small spray bottle, combine the witch hazel with an equal amount of water. Because witch hazel doesn’t have its own odor, it pairs well with virtually any type of essential oil. After adding about 40 drops of oil, shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.

I find Peppermint oil is very pleasant smelling and most flying inspects, bees, wasps, hornets, don’t like the smell and they’ll stay away.

You might give the cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil and witch hazel a try too. Soak some a handful of cotton balls in a cup of witch hazel and about 40 drops of peppermint oil. Then, place the soaked cotton balls around your outside area on tin can lids. You can camouflage them beside potted plants or under the furniture or around the perimeter of the area. It smells nice and it will keep you bug free as well.

Be Shady.

I love the hot summer weather, can’t get enough. I think it’s because summer lasts about 8 to 10 weeks here in Buffalo. I’m always jazzed to have the 4 seasons but a few, (I won’t mention which ones) are a bit too long for my taste.

One thing I’m not a fan of is hot, blazing, sun beating down on my when I’m trying to enjoy the precious months of summer.

It is essential to have some form of shade to get away from that direct heat.

Depending on the size of your outside area, a patio umbrella is a inexpensive but super important item to invest in.

No matter what size or shape your outside are is, you can find umbrellas to fit the bill.

If you have the funds, you may also want to install privacy panels or screens in your deck. Not only do they provide UV protection, but they also shield your outdoor furniture from fading quickly. Equally important, privacy panels can keep away nosy or creepy neighbors. Thus, you’re free to lounge in your pajama set while enjoying your favorite drink and Netflix show outdoors.

When designing your outside space, take your shade cover color cues from the color inspiration in your area rug. This is make sure your choice looks good with the rest of your stuff.

If you’re lucky to have a fairly large outside space, you might want to consider investing in a shade structure like a trellis or gazebo to stave off the hot summer sun.

These structures are great because they offer a full ceiling of protection form the sun and you can leave the sides completely open or install curtains to diffuse the sun and heat even more. They’re literally a room outside and they can come down with ease at the end of the season.

In Buffalo, we’re often plagued by high winds, so if you’re concerned about wind knocking your shade structure down, get 4 inexpensive planters and place the legs of each side of the structure in the planters. Then fill each planter with garden pebbles to add weight. If you want to top off the planters with soil and plants, go for that. It won’t stand up to a hurricane, but a windy day here and there will be no match for the weight.

Let the Light In

Partying into the night? No need to let the sun tell you when to bring the party inside.

Adding in some lights will help you to pour those last few glasses of wine so you don’t spill it. Imagine the tragedy, a half of glass of Merlot left and you miss the mark and drench your favorite white peddle pushers. Egad and f&*k no, s^&t!!!

No electric no problem. You can easily find umbrellas that have lines of LED lights. Maybe solar lanterns are your vibe? You can place a row of solar lanterns down the middle of the table and you’ll have a lovely flickering candlelight atmosphere to carry the party on.

And Then There Was Fire

Maybe you enjoy actual candlelight? Big candles, small candles, all work without a plug and you can incorporate Citronella oil candles to help keep the evening mosquitos away.

I say this because having a simple fire feature is a way to amp up the coziness of an outside space.

Campfires in a fire pit are another fantastic way to add that special touch to a patio or outside space. Picture roasting marshmellos, making s’mores, popping popcorn… Now that’s summer!

A fire feature is mesmerizing and relaxing. It’s primal and gets us into the chillest of chill outs. The smell of campfire wood burning… The crackling of the logs… Sign me up!

If space is tight, think about bringing in a tabletop fire pit. These can satisfy the need to see the flickering light of fire but don’t take up a ton of space. You can bring them out when the sun goes down and easily put them away when you’re done

Just Add Water

In addition to fire, a water feature will also soothe your senses. It’s the sound of trickling water that relaxes you and invites peace.

There’s do-it-yourself water features all over YouTube and Google. Designs a-plenty to satisfy any aesthetic imaginable.

If you prefer a more done-for-you version, this Zen rock fountain is a great way to go. It will go with a number of styles, so you don’t have to worry if it’s too traditional or too zen… It’s natural aesthetic will look great in the corner of a small garden or along the fence in between the trees of any style home.

The sound of water will attract the native birds to the yard, so if you’re into bird watching, this is a great way to meet the feathered neighbors.

Attract Honey Bees

When designing your ideal outdoor oasis, don't overlook the crucial role of honey bees in your yard's ecosystem.

Dedicating a section of your garden to these vital pollinators can greatly enrich biodiversity.

Establishing a honey bee haven is simple: plant native flowers, ensure a water source, and avoid pesticides. This not only aids in sustaining the honey bee population but also offers a fascinating and educational spectacle for those enjoying a staycation.

Observing the diligent honey bees at work can be a soothing and engaging outdoor activity. So, as you embark on your summer projects, remember that honey bees are key contributors to the harmony of your outdoor space.

Plants!

Just because you’re outside and surrounded by greenery doesn’t mean you should leave out the plants. Putting plants in any space, inside or out, immediately adds texture, depth and life. Plants are decoration and ambiance.

Plants add a layer of privacy if you’re in a small area like a condo building or apartment. They work great as a barrier between a close neighbor when you can’t put up a fence or make a permanent structure.

The plants in this picture are hung on the trellis in these beautiful ceramic wall pockets. They shield the person sitting on their condo patio from the courtyard behind. The addition of the tall plants in the containers on the right obstruct the patio entrance giving them another layer of privacy.

In small spaces, plants can make a world of difference to give you a personal space with a bit of seclusion.

The containers you put the plants in are another layer of the overall design for your outside space. I love to bring in natural stone colors, woven baskets made from PVC or other durable materials - (recycled or repurposed materials are a great option, keep that stuff out of the landfills).

If you want a refined look, keep your containers the same color. If you want a Boho look, mix colors, textures, shapes… go nuts because it will all look great.

The composition is up to you, but the addition of plants will never be the wrong decision in the outside space.

My top advice for adding plants to an outside space is to always be mindful of how the plant will adapt to the light. Just because a plant is categorized as “tropical” doesn’t mean it will like direct sunlight. ALWAYS read up on a plant’s natural preferences to avoid killing it.

That’s the story. Making an outside oasis for your summer 2020 staycation is a lot like decorating your inside space. If you remember to:

Use Outdoor Rugs to Define the Space
Get Comfortable Seating
Add Accent Furniture
Don’t Forget the Natural Critter Repellant
Be Shady
Let the Light In
Add Some Fire
Add Some Water

And, Don’t Forget the Plants You’ll have a perfect recipe for outside space success!

I’d love to hear what you thought of this post. Is there anything that really hit the mark for your patio project? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

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Now go, get crackin’ on that outside oasis!

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“This man is a plant shaman. He not only designs beautiful rooms, he’s got a green thumb that works like magic! My peace palm never looked better.”

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“Michael Helped me to get my home office in magazine ready form. Thank you a million times for helping me figure this room out. It’s now my favorite room!”

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.