Turn your outdoor space into the most inviting room under the sun by focusing on a few central elements.
1. Throw some shade with a statement patio umbrella.
Creating a comfortable and inspiring outdoor living area pays plenty of dividends in the summer months—and beyond. Shade, of course, is a key element in any sun-drenched space, and a statement umbrella brings along plenty of it, while creating a visual focal point. Anchor a patio arrangement with an elegant, monochromatic outdoor umbrella, like the beautifully proportioned Messina Round Umbrella above, stylishly finished in eucalyptus wood and brass detailing. Or go big and bold with the Versa UX Umbrella, ready to shade large dining and seating groups alike.
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2. Cushion the floor with a handsome outdoor rug.
Blur the indoor/outdoor line by bringing the warmth of indoor floor coverings to an outside space. Outdoor rugs that soften concrete patios and wood decking are practical and visually enhancing, injecting a layer of tactile definition to an outdoor area, while approximating the look and feel of a well appointed room. The Garden Layers Outdoor Diagonal Rug by GAN Rugs, above, has the luxurious good looks of a plush indoor carpet, while the Taureg Indoor/Outdoor Rug from Surya, fashioned from UV resistant polypropylene, has the graphic panache to command attention all summer long.
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3. Insert ambient light with a stylish portable lamp.
Built-in patio lighting is convenient and practical patio decor, but to create a truly nuanced outdoor space, nothing beats a lightweight portable lamp (or two) that projects ambient light. Wile away the evening hours with battery operated lamps from Marset—like the best-selling FollowMe Portable LED Lamp—and the sweet Carrie Portable LED Lamp from MENU, moody beauties that hold their charges well into the wee hours. The award-winning Bellhop Table Lamp from FLOS is cute as a button, and the Fermob Balad Lamp, above, makes a glowing statement, whether sitting on tabletop or hanging from its matching stand.
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4. Show off your green thumb with elegant modern planters.
Summer, of course, is the growing season, so show off your horticultural skills by decorating patio, deck or terrace with stylish modern planters. Whether hefty or small-scale, planters filled to the brim with your favorite blooms and greenery make a lush, inviting statement for guests and permanent residents alike. Geometric designs, like the clean-lined Loll Jardinier Planter, above, fashioned from recycled milk jugs, is both lean and green, while the smart Vases Planter, colorful and faceted, is only one in a wide range of innovative contemporary planters from Vondom.
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5. Get comfortable with eye-catching pillows & poufs.
Offset the hard edges of a patio, deck, or terrace with soft, welcoming furnishings—like pillows and poufs. A collection of attractive throw pillows—we especially like the Skargaaden Tofta Pillow, with its Sunbrella fabric and leather detailing—are an easy way to spruce up an ordinary outdoor setting, bringing tactile richness and dimension to your patio decor. The round Alicante Pouf and Ziggy Pouf, lightweight and low-profile, and covered in vivid fade-resistant fabrics, are stylish and versatile enough to segue from outdoor to indoor seamlessly.
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6. Splurge on a sizzling outdoor fireplace.
If you've got the room for it, spring for a sizzling outdoor decor touch: a stand-alone outdoor fireplace that burns red-hot into the night. Sleek, state-of-the-art outdoor fireplaces, like the cylinder-shaped Mix 850 Fire Pit from EcoSmart Fire, above, make impressive fiery statements, with distinctive steel profiles and a range of finish options. The Base 40 Fire Table Set has a sleek, square silhouette and glass shield, instantly drawing visitors to its open flames, while the elegant stainless steel, bioethanol-fueled Stix Fire Pit is a clean, compact design minimalists will quickly warm up to.
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