Outdoor Living Essentials You’ll Love
Do you love indulging in solo relaxation time outdoors? Or perhaps you’re a big fan of entertaining al fresco? No matter how you prefer to enjoy yourself outside at home, creating an aesthetic and inviting outdoor living area is key for enjoying the space.
Which leads to the BIG question: How’s your outdoor living area currently looking?
Maybe it could use a few touchups? Or perhaps it needs a total revamp? Either way, our Ashley design team is here to help you rejuvenate your outdoor hang-out space!
We’ve compiled a list of must-have outdoor accessories that will enhance every outdoor space. So kick back and keep scrolling if you’re looking for some outdoor decor inspo!
Fill a Wide Open Space with an Outdoor Furniture Set
Is your bare patio getting you down? Or maybe you have outdoor furniture, but it’s mostly made of stiff, uncomfortable plastic? Or perhaps you’re sporting old, faded wicker pieces? While those seating arrangements can work, worn-out, uncomfortable furniture tends not to be the most inviting or aesthetically pleasing. If you’re planning to host any outdoor soirees this summer—or you just want your patio dressed to impress—consider investing in pieces that’ll make your outdoor space truly great.
This means the first thing you’ll want to do is start looking at outdoor furniture sets.
When it comes to outdoor seating arrangements, your options are extensive. No matter what kind of vibe you’re looking to create, Ashley has the furniture you need to bring your design vision to life. From comfy outdoor sectionals and cozy couches to inviting loveseats, cute accent chairs, and tasteful tables, we have it all. Even better, our versatile pieces easily transition from lounge time to party time to fine dining time with just the addition of a few decorative accessories.
Brighten Up Your Backyard with Outdoor Lighting
Create the perfect ambiance for solo relaxation or backyard get-togethers with outdoor lighting! Candles and lanterns work wonderfully for setting the calm, soothing vibe that’s perfect for dinner, drinks, and good conversation. String lights are excellent for winding around trees, over bushes, and across ceilings to create an inviting, cozy vibe. If you want a more refined feel in your outdoor dining area, pendant lights or even an elegant chandelier could be exactly what you need.
Freshen Up Your Floors with Outdoor Rugs
Kicking back barefoot is nice, but unfortunately, walking around shoeless isn’t always practical when the weather heats up. Blazing summer sun can easily make outdoor concrete, stone, tile, and wood surfaces hot and uncomfortable for shoeless feet. Luckily, there’s a quick, cute, and inexpensive fix for patios that tend to get a bit too hot: outdoor rugs.
Not only will vibrant outdoor rugs liven up a ho-hum patio space, but they can also create defined boundaries for situating and grouping outdoor furniture. Outdoor rugs are also super versatile and can function as patio furnishings as well as indoor decor. So whether you’re on a budget or you simply love flexible pieces, you can easily find indoor-outdoor rugs that’ll make any space more comfortable and inviting.
Add a Finishing Touch with Outdoor Pillows and Cushions
Want to make your outdoor seating as inviting as possible? Outdoor pillows and outdoor cushions are a perfect touch! Not only will poofy pillows and cushions add vibrant pops of color to your outdoor space, but they’ll also beckon guests (and you!) to kick back and relax in the great outdoors.
Like outdoor rugs, outdoor pillows can also serve double-duty as indoor decor. So if you’re decorating your outdoor space on a budget, they’re a versatile and inexpensive choice.
Kick Your Feet Up and Relax With an Outdoor Hammock
Love the idea of kicking your feet up and watching the clouds float by?
While you can certainly lounge around on a comfy outdoor sectional or couch, have you considered situating an outdoor hammock out back, too?
Imagine this:
A gentle, warm summer breeze is softly swinging you back and forth as you let your mind wander and your (ideally sunscreened) skin soak up some much-needed vitamin D. You’re comfortable, relaxed, centered, and content, and before you know it, you’ve dozed off in the warmth of the summer sun.
Sounds serene, right? Okay, it’s not exactly jetting off on a tropical weekend getaway, but when you’re hanging out at home, a hammock helps create that vacation vibe. Plus, it’s way cheaper and far closer than the Caribbean!
Enjoy Your Outdoor Space Year-Round With Outdoor Fire Pits
Love roasting marshmallows on warm summer evenings? Or maybe you enjoy bundling up and sipping hot cocoa by a fire on chilly winter nights? Transform your backyard seating area into a cozy, inviting space with outdoor fire pits you can enjoy all year long!
If you’re into versatile pieces, opt for a fire pit table that can serve as both a campfire and a surface for holding food and drinks. Enjoy a warming blaze while you indulge in a meal and conversation, or cover the pit component and use the setup as a standard dining table.
Note: Some tables even come as comprehensive dining sets, complete with bar-height stools!
Standalone steel and cast iron fire pits are also great for situating lounge chairs around, especially in grassy areas. And if you have an existing outdoor dining set you love, adding a standalone fire pit is a great way to elevate that arrangement, too.
Perk Up Your Patio with Plants
Want to make your outdoor seating area feel a little more alive? Potted plants offer countless possibilities for bringing color and creativity into your space! Play with assorted sizes, colors, and textures of outdoor planters to create visual interest. And if you love lots of color, opt for both flowering and non-flowering flora for variety.
Not only will potted plants bring you a little closer to nature (yes, even though you’re already outdoors), but they can also be great conversation pieces when you’re entertaining guests outdoors. It can be tough to keep conversation-sparking art outdoors, so why not let Mother Nature’s bright blooms and refreshing greenery create gorgeous insta-art for you?
Keep the Party Going with Outdoor Speakers
Whether you love chilling out solo or you’re looking to get your groove on while entertaining guests, outdoor speakers are an absolute must. Create a relaxing ambiance with soothing jazz while you kick back in your hammock, or crank up livelier tunes for that backyard get-together with friends. No matter the vibe you’re going for, good music is essential for any well-put-together outdoor space.
Livening up your outdoor living area is simple when you have the accessories you need. And as always, Ashley is here to help you bring your outdoor entertainment space to life!
Whether you’re ready for a sweeping patio makeover or just picking up a few new pieces, we’d LOVE to see what you come up with! Share your outdoor (and indoor!) designs on social, and use the hashtag #MyAshleyHome for a chance to be featured on our feed!
