Getting Patio Ready 

The weather is changing and for the better. You likely want to spend more time outdoors to relish in the beautiful weather  in a comfortable yet refreshing space. To get you thinking about how you want to set up your yard or deck this year, we have made some suggestions to consider here. After all, we are in Canada and our summers are short - so let's make the most of it.  
 
  1. Outdoor Flow: Think about your outdoor space as an addition to your house. Think about the flow from indoors to out. Do you want to have a space with comfortable seating, or additional dining? Do you want to place to play cards, enjoy  a nice dinner on a beautiful summer night? Either way, you want  your outdoor living space to be an extension of  the livable space of your house.

  2. Entertainment Elements: A BBQ is a must have - size will depend on the size of your space. Many of us are envious of the full outdoor kitchens from our favourite  Food Network shows - but you can find a perfect grill that will work for you. There are a number of options from  natural gas, charcoal, electric, propane and even portable grills. Here are some pros and cons for each. 

  3. Furniture Pieces: This comes down to preference. In my old space, I had a dining set (here is an example of one I love). The standard table with six chairs and an umbrella. This was perfect for outdoor brunches and BBQ dinners. However, for my family, we found we wanted to lounge more. Hang out and chat and watch the kids play while we enjoyed a couple drinks by the fire (which I will get to). Therefore, we ultimately chose a living set. An outdoor sofa, couple chairs and a coffee table. Having said that, doesn't mean you can't have both if you have the space. You want to think about what you will be doing / enjoying more outside and cater to that. 

  4. Fire Pit: I mentioned above - a fire. A fire pit (or fire table) will do wonders for your space.  For one, it will allow you to enjoy your space well into the night. For cooler summer evenings, a fire is perfect for ambiance as well as warmth. The kids will also love roasting marshmallows! Again, there are many different options - so do your research and shop around. But start early, as they sell out fast. Here is some information to get you started. 

  5. Accent Pieces: Accent pieces are the ticket! Add some potted plants (plants and flowers are a great addition to your patio to make it more lively and colorful), vases to the end tables, heck! don't forget to add end tables! This is the fun part - really the opportunity to play with your space and add some of your personality. We found some interesting pieces here and here to inspire you. 

  6. Lighting: Lighting is important. You can brighten your yard or balcony by installing solar lights in your landscaping, on the rails or edges of your patio or even on your fence. Outdoor string lights also add a warmth to the space as the sun begins to set. 

  7. Outdoor Rug: And finally, an outdoor rug can bring it all together. There are some options here, but you can find a rug that will match and tie your space together almost anywhere. Don't be afraid to use the rug to bring in some colour into the space. Sometimes, going bold is all the fun! 

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