As the weather warms up and the days get longer, make the most of the short Canadian summer by creating the perfect outdoor room at home to enjoy all season long. With a bit of planning and a few simple tips, you can ensure that your backyard is a retreat-worthy oasis this summer.
1. Treat your backyard like an outdoor room and plan the space the same way you would a room inside your house. Aim for separate dining and lounge areas, where space permits, as this will create multiple seating opportunities when hosting friends and family.
2. Measure your patio or balcony before you go shopping so you can zone in on pieces with the correct dimensions and select furniture that suits your style and your space. Spacious backyards can handle multiple pieces of furniture in a larger scale. For smaller spaces, look for streamlined pieces with scaled back proportions.
3. Keep your options open. Think about multiple configurations for lounge furniture. Is it better to get a conversation set with a loveseat and a pair of armchairs, or would a modular sectional suit the space better?
4. Adding a gazebo or sunshade to the lounge area provides shade from the hot sun and can help define the space. Look for shade options with adjustable canopies that can be moved along with the various positions of the sun for all-day comfort.
5. Made from weather-resistant material, an outdoor rug helps to define and soften the space. People don’t often think to put a rug outdoors, but remember, you get the best results when you treat your backyard like an outdoor room. A rug will create a cosy atmosphere.
6. Highlight special features, such as a pool, in the backyard by placing a few lounge chairs around it. For a resort feeling, drape the lounger with a specially designed lounge chair towel that slips over the top of the chair to stay in place for relaxing after a dip. When designing your poolside oasis, think of a cabana you’d see at a resort or on a beach. Mimic that in your design, and you’ll instantly get that vacation feel without ever leaving home.
7. For worry-free entertaining, use dinnerware and drinkware designed in playful patterns and textures in materials specifically for outdoor use. Made to withstand drops on the patio, with these materials, your barefoot guests won’t need to worry about broken glasses or dishes. And you also won’t be running around trying to save each piece when an unwelcome gust of wind comes across your table.
8. Finishing touches help transform the backyard into a true outdoor room. Accessories will help create an inviting space full of personality. First, look for cushions in fresh colours and graphic prints to add to your outdoor lounge seating. Then add some string lights to create ambience for nighttime soirees in the yard. And chic hurricane lanterns filled with lamp oil or candles will add the perfect final touch.
Catch Brian Gluckstein on Cityline, where he is a regular guest expert sharing design solutions and advice, and shop his collection, Gluckstein Home, at Hudson’s Bay.
