Outdoor Colors-How to Mix & Match Furniture and Accessories
Image source: http://www.marthastewart.com/1106168/refresh-your-patio-martha-stewart-living
The best possible way you can spend your free time is in your yard with your family and friends, enjoying fresh air, sun and breeze. After a busy week at the office, all you need is peace, quiet and relaxation. Getaways are an excellent option, especially if you live in the city, but that’s not always possible. That is exactly why the number of people who are paying more attention to the outdoor living areas is constantly increasing.
If you want to decorate your patio and turn it into a special place that everyone will enjoy, or if you want to refresh the exciting condition of it, there are many wonderful things you can do. Since the area of outdoor decorating is extremely popular lately, you will be pleasantly surprised with all the available options you can choose from, which include furniture pieces and the accessories.
What the end result will be, depends on the size of your patio, and of course, your budget. If you have enough space, you can have an outdoor kitchen as well, with a dining table and chairs included. If your patio is not as big, it still can look gorgeous with properly chosen furniture and décor.
Where to begin?
In order to start the project, consider all your options. To do that, you should investigate the market, and available offers when it comes to outdoor furniture and accessories. That way, you will get a bigger picture, and you will narrow down the list of possibilities. You will like some things more, and others will be excluded. It is also a time where you will learn more about the materials and fabrics used. You can also visit garage sales, because you may find some interesting pieces you can restore, make them look good as new, and add them to your patio. The prices are always significantly lower, which is why it is an excellent choice.
This step can help you decide which outdoor style would be the most suitable for your patio, and your desires. The first thing to consider is whether you want your patio to be an extension of your house in a way, or not. If the answer is yes, choose pieces of furniture which will be a match to the pieces you have inside. Of course, you can still mix and match the colors the way you prefer. If the answer is no, explore all the options, according to the size of your patio, and choose the style you like the most. Again, you will have many choices because there are cozy pieces, contemporary, more traditional ones, and many others. Once you choose and purchase the dining or lounging pieces, or both, you can move to the next step – combining furniture with accessories.
Image source: http://patiohomeandgarden.com/patio/patio-furniture/
Outdoor accessories
When the furniture is finally placed, you will notice that something is missing – décor. It gives the warmth and charm to the entire area. The outdoor accessories available are:
- Cushions and blankets
- Rugs
- Lanterns
- Umbrellas
- Fountains
- Planters
- Gazebos
- Deck storage
What pieces you will choose will depend on the space you have available. A fountain or a gazebo unquestionably is an excellent addition, but they cannot be placed everywhere. Before you make any final decision, consider if it will fit into the area, and do you have enough space for the particular piece. On the other hand, cushions, lanterns and other smaller pieces will fit anywhere. Some of the pieces you will use as a decoration you can make on your own, especially if you like DIY projects.
Combination of colors
When matching furniture with accessories, the combination of colors is very important, because if you make the right choice, your outdoor living area will look simply astonishing. Here are some useful ideas:
- Contrast – if your furniture is in one color, for example, white, accessories should be colorful, in order to create the contrast. Cushions with a floral print, for example, as well as a vibrant rug will be the perfect combination with the basic one-colored furniture
- Make a balance between light and bright colors – if your furniture is in colors which are considered as bold, such as for example, orange, it always looks excellent, but if you choose the accessories in the same color, it may be too much. To make the perfect balance, you will need an equal amount of neutral colors, which are light.
- The balance between dark and light – if you have a dark brown furniture base, for example, the upholstery used can be different, in any color available. However, that base will be noticeable, and in order to make a balance which will be eye-catching, add accessories in light, neutral colors.
- Choose a one-color palette – this is an interesting option, especially if there is a lot of grass, shrubs, and trees around. You can follow a one-color palette to match the furniture with the décor. If you have the furniture in one color, choose accessories in different shade.
- Combine neutral colors – if you want something completely relaxing for the eyes, a combination of furniture in neutral colors with accessories which are also neutral can be a beautiful choice. However, choose different shades of such colors.
- Go wild and forget about the rules – you always have the option to completely throw away all the decorating rules when it comes to colors and styles. It basically means that you can combine all the styles, and all the colors the way you think it suitable.
The thing is, outdoor furniture without the accessories won’t feel like home. When you mix and match all those things together, you will finally get the result you have been looking for. When warm days arrive, you will spend more time outside, and in order to enjoy every second of your free time as you deserve, you need to be completely satisfied with everything. As you can see, the number of possibilities you have is endless, and with just a bit effort, everything will look perfect.
Image source: http://bloodsweatmurder.blogspot.com/2014/08/brick-terrace-designs.html