Katie Liverman’s Tips For Designing With Summer Classics

I miss the sun! I am anxious for the day that I can walk out my patio door and simply relax without wearing a parka.

I am fairly certain everyone feels the same way that I do and is also craving the warmth of a summer day.

I find myself browsing every magazine that features outdoor living in Florida and California… the two states that seem to gravitate closer to the sun. I have noticed a seemingly similar theme. Outdoor living doesn’t look like our parents patio furniture anymore.

While we don’t have the luxury of year around outdoor entertaining, we do have the opportunity to design a personal space that reflects how we live. Whether you have an enclosed porch, a screened in patio or a wide open space, there are many things to consider when you are ready to purchase new outdoor furniture.

First, I encourage you to establish how many people that you would like to accommodate for the area. This will keep the focus on the design and will allow you to start choosing a style that is desirable and more importantly, that the scale of the peices is accurate.

Next, get out a measuring tape. Outdoor furniture can be larger than you think. Make sure that you have a good amount of walking space around each piece and that the traffic flow is easily manageable. There are many designs to choose from, so be patient, there is furniture with the right scale for you.

The look of the pieces is the last part….and my most favorite. Because there are so many iron, wood and fabric choices, take your time and enjoy the endless possibilities.

Sunshine and warm weather will be upon us soon. Today’s outdoor living means it is time to think outside of the box… So go ahead, design your personal space as if you lived in the tropics.