Tips: Creating an elegant outdoor decor at little expense

When it comes to decorating, your outdoor living area deserves as much attention as your indoor rooms. Whether you have a balcony, a small patio or a huge garden, it only takes a few decorative elements to brighten up its look. MuseoDeco has a few suggestions for adding a bit of pizzazz to your outdoor decor – without breaking your piggy bank.

We suggest these steps:

1. Decide upon the look you want to create
2. Do a thorough clean-up
3. Use what you already have
4. Add decorative elements

1. Decide upon the look you want to create with your outdoor decor

First of all, it’s important to select the style you want to create for your outdoor decor. Do you want a modern patio, a rustic garden or a peaceful porch? For more ideas, we suggest you consult decorating and gardening magazines. They often feature makeover suggestions that may enthuse you. Check the list of Web sites at the end of this article for other potential designs.

Here are a few ideas of themed outdoor decors:
a) A rustic garden
b) A relaxing balcony
c) A tempting barbecue corner

2. Embark on a major clean-up

This step is often the most laborious and the least enjoyable in an outdoor decor makeover! There’s no doubt that your garden or patio will never be as appealing as you’d like if it’s full of weeds, garden tools, old furniture, and so on. Clean it up! Take a good look at every element in the area you want to decorate. Do you need all of those articles? Can you get rid of some objects? Do you want to reuse certain items? Divide your things into three parts: what you’re going to keep, what you’re going to reuse or store, and the things that are going to be thrown out. During this step, consider the things you could reuse in your new outdoor decor: an old table, old flower pots, a wheelbarrow, etc. With a little bit of paint or a little work, you could turn them into great decorative objects.

a) Make three piles.
b) Think about what you can reuse.
c) Throw or give away whatever is definitely no longer of use.

 

3. Use what you already have

Got an old table? Repair its broken leg and give it a fresh coat of paint! It will cost you much less than buying new furniture. Wheelbarrows can be used as flower containers, old flower pots can be filled with new plants, an old chair can easily become a showcase for your plants, etc. For more decorating ideas using recycled items, go to: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_lnb_gutter/text/0,,HGTV_3938_4766,00.html

a) For a rustic garden: an old wheelbarrow can show off flowers; an old wooden or metal table can become the centre of attention with a new coat of paint. Use old wooden planks as a border for your garden.
b) For a relaxing balcony: paint your furniture a soft hue (pale blue, cream, butter yellow, etc.). Add candles; spruce up your furniture with old cushions you can reupholster.
c) For a tempting barbecue corner: hang up your cooking utensils, use your prettiest tablecloths, attractive placemats, use your cooking tools to create an appetizing outdoor decor.

4. Add a few decorative elements to your outdoor decor

Once you’ve decided upon reusing what you already have, you’ll have a lot more money to spend on decorative objects. They should accentuate the outdoor decor that you have already started working on and shouldn’t be very expensive. Consider treating yourself to pretty flowers, lovely cushions, attractive outdoor rugs, candles, subdued lighting, outdoor wall art, decorative flagstones, etc.

a) For a rustic garden: add decorative flagstones, plant wild flowers, include antique-looking flower pots, display an antique-looking outdoor wall art on an easel, such as Statue in Floral Garden, Ancient Butterfly III or New Beginnings.

       Flowers recommended: Wildflower mixes, ferns, Sunflowers, Coleus, Vinca, etc.

b) For a relaxing balcony: decorate with a soft blanket, fluffy cushions, discreet lighting; hang an outdoor wall art with a serene, mellow design, like Tranquil Garden III , Koi Fishes II or Unity.

       Flowers recommended: Hanging baskets of Bacopas, pots of daisies, and containers of relaxing lavender.

c) For a tempting barbecue corner: brighten the space with summery placemats and candles, add an unusual pail or bucket for drinks. As a final touch to your decor, hang an outdoor wall art that will whet the appetite, such as BarBQ, Maurice or Martini.

       Plants recommended: Grow fine herbs in terra cotta pots next to your barbecue corner: rosemary, chives, parsley, thyme, estragon, scented basil, purple basil, sage, etc. These plants will add a touch of colour to your outdoor decor and spice up your favourite dishes! Potted tomato and pepper plants will add a festive and appetizing touch.

Whatever style you choose for your outdoor decor, be imaginative and be patient. Remember, outdoor decor evolves at the same rhythm as the seasons. MuseoDeco’s products allow you to add flair and elegance to any setting, whether you spend time there to wind down, be creative or to get inspiration.

Resources:
www.hgtv.com
homeandgarden.canoe.ca/Decoration
www.bhg.com
http://www.howtodothings.com/home-and-garden/a3691-how-to-décorate-a-patio-room.html