At the remote chance of better weather, there’s only one thing design enthusiasts do: Plan their outdoor spaces! Whether it’s a sliver of space up in the sky, or a larger backyard or front porch, there are plenty of options to pull together a personal oasis. Here’s what we’re coveting as we dive into 2023’s more forgiving temps. To sunny days ahead!
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A Dreamy Garden Shed (That Doubles as an Office)
As Virginia Woolf once said: “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write” (preferably with a good coffeemaker and manservant). Ok, maybe not that last part. This glorious garden shed doubles as a home office. Floral designer and author Cynthia Zamaria transformed the once-shabby orange-wood shed using buckets of black paint and accessories, including a brass lion’s-head door knocker and linear sconces.
A Compact Grill Situation
Barbecue shouldn’t only be for lunch of dinner. Switch up breakfast by carting the eggs outdoors. For those with limited outdoor space, this adorable Lumin Electric Grill by Weber — also available in cheery yellow — does the trick. It sports a flat-top grilling surface, which means you ca actually cook a sunny-side up egg on it.
Related: 55 Beautiful Backyard Ideas
A Stylish Balcony Bar
This sturdy, space-saving slab for drinks and snacks is exactly what every condo dweller needs. Crafted from acacia wood, the bar is also fab on a front porch. Vancouver founder Ashley Boey says her versatile Views Balcony Bar even functions “as an outdoor workspace while on zoom calls.” And it flips down when not in use.
A Tech-ed Up Pergola
Turn your pergola into a cinematic zone by installing a fancy, thin Samsung TV, like interior designer Stacey Cohen did in her backyard. Light the candles, pour the drinks, grab the popcorn. Bliss!
An Under-The-Sky Living Room
Got a deck? Think of it as an extension of your home and start furnishing it like you would an indoor room. In this deck makeover, simple string lights, a rug, a clean-lined sofa-and-chair combo and EQ3 accessories pull the snazzy look together.
An Injection of Interesting Lighting
In interiors, lighting is everything — it can kill the mood, or heighten it. The same thinking applies outdoors. Give your outdoor space a glow up, so you’re not stumbling over things as night falls. We love the simple shape of these dimmable, illuminated LED globes.
A Privacy Screen
Privacy screens establish a barrier between you and your neighbours, creating a cocooning experience outdoors. They also add textural punch. Layer in plants, too, in varying heights, and that small space will look mighty grand.
An Array of Organic Planters
Too-perfect planters can feel flat indoors or out. That’s why we’re chuffed to see misshapen, hand-crafted vessels, in black or terracotta, having a moment right now. These beauties from West Elm lend a collected-over-time feel to a patio — the protruding ridges are striking details.
A Fab Outdoor Rug
Designers often talk about anchoring a space. That means zoning off an area by containing it, as seen in this charming set-up that’s all about that Yamina rug by Lulu and Georgia. The size and softly dynamic print perfectly brings the vignette together, so it doesn’t feel like the furniture is floating on the deck.
Modern Firepits and Tables
A fire pit or fire table is one of the few products that you can enjoy all four seasons. For this reason, it’s worth investing in one that looks sleek and modern enough to appreciate for years to come.
See more of how Sebastian and his Gut Job team with transformed a once barren backyard into an urban oasis.
A Delectable Grazing Board
Hungry yet? Grazing boards will continue to be a big hit for outdoor entertaining. Pile on the fruit and cheese and get your snack on. That means compiling wooden charcuterie boards. These ones are nice — or use other big platters made of ceramic or plastic. Pssst: The dollar store is your friend here. Another good spot to scour: flea markets, where someone else’s beat-up cutting board is your perfect find.
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