Outdoor Furniture – Don’t Wait Until It’s Warm

Yes it is currently only 18° outdoors, but with all the sun one can’t help but think about spring, summer and being outside.  It is time to start thinking about (and ordering) outdoor furniture for the patio, backyard or other outdoor space.  Hey, at least one can sit in the comfort and warmth of their home and surf the net for outdoor furnishings rather than trudge through store after store of things kinda like, but not exactly what one wants.  Or if one is lucky and on vacation surf poolside from your iPad!

Outdoor furniture in February!

But as I always say, start with a plan.  Come up with a theme like beachy, nautical, chic, Tuscan, English garden or something else.  This makes it easy to stay on track when it comes to selecting furniture.  Black wrought iron is not “beachy” in any way.

Determine your needs and what will fit in your location.  Of course one can’t forget color scheme.  Whether it is a deck, patio or location on the lawn each location for furniture is an outdoor room with a color scheme incorporating colors to go with or contrast with outdoor plantings.  The last part is accessories of course, the cute stuff but not too much.

Photos via House Beautiful

Dream big!  Download pictures and website locations into a file.  Play around to see what looks and feels good to you.  Make your own dream/mood/design board.  Designers do this so we can visualize how different items will work together and to condense all the wants and needs into a viable plan.

Furniture comes in so many shapes and sizes, what do you want?

Photo via Tuscan Hills LLC via ModenusPhoto via Moor Designs via Modenus

Why get part way through the season to figure out what will make your outdoor space fabulous?  This is like adult homework.  Plan in the cold winter months while dreaming about heat and pretty colors.  Order before the leaves sprout.  Enjoy summer like you were meant to!