The new year is here! The days are getting longer and warmer weather lurks around the corner. Now is the time to think about how to elevate your outdoor living space for the spring and summer months. One powerful way to breathe life into your backyard is by adding a pop of color. Upgrading your space doesn’t have to break the bank, either. Here are some easy ways to add color to your outdoor living space.
Freshen Up Furniture with Colorful Cushions
Quality outdoor furniture is built to endure all kinds of weather. However, focusing on function sometimes means sacrificing comfort and style. Even so, there’s a lot you can do to amp up style for even the simplest outdoor furniture styles. A small touch like colorful couch cushions can turn lackluster seating areas into vibrant focal points. Opt for a palette that resonates with your personal style and complements the rest of the space.
Bright yellows, blues, and greens evoke feelings of energy and freshness, while warmer tones like reds and oranges infuse warmth and coziness. Consider mixing and matching patterns to add visual interest. Stripes, florals, and geometric designs can coexist harmoniously, contributing to the lively atmosphere of your outdoor space.
Investing in high-quality, weather-resistant cushions is key to maintaining vibrancy. Fabrics designed for the outdoors are not only resistant to the elements but also easy to clean. This ensures your colorful cushions stay brilliant for years to come.
Add Colorful Planters to Compliment Landscaping
No outdoor space is complete without a great planting plan. But even the best gardens leave something to be desired at times. When winter comes and blooms are scarce, elevate your garden game by incorporating colorful planters. During the summer, bold plants compliment your garden blooms. In winter, they stand out as focal points among an otherwise sparse space.
For best results, choose planters in a variety of shapes, sizes, and hues to add depth and dimension to your garden. Terracotta pots in bold reds or blues bring a rustic charm, while sleek, modern planters in vibrant yellows or oranges contribute to a contemporary feel.
If you want to go a step further, consider the color psychology of plants. Blues and purples promote a sense of calm while reds and oranges energize, making them ideal for social or entertaining spaces. By strategically placing colorful planters, you can guide the atmosphere of different areas within your backyard living space.
Unexpected Accessories Make a Big Difference
Even if cushions or plants aren’t your vibe, there are other small accents that add a big impact to your yard. From vibrant outdoor rugs to decorative lanterns, bringing elements of the inside to the outdoors helps promote a cozy, comforting feel in your backyard.
An outdoor rug in a bold pattern or color anchors your seating area and ties the elements together. It not only adds a layer of comfort underfoot but also serves as a powerful design element. Consider complementing the hues of your cushions and planters or introducing a contrasting color to create visual interest.
Decorative lanterns and string lights are excellent choices for adding ambiance as the sun sets. Opt for lanterns in various colors to scatter around your space or choose string lights in warm tones to create an inviting atmosphere after the sun goes down.
Ensure Your Color Palette is Coordinated
While the idea of a splash of color is exciting, achieving a harmonious balance is essential to tie the space together. Clashing color palettes can ruin the overall look of a space. Instead, aim for a cohesive color scheme that ties together cushions, planters, and any accessories.
To achieve this, consider the existing colors in your outdoor environment, such as the green of the lawn or the shades of natural stone, to guide your choices. If you're working with a neutral backdrop, a wide variety of bold and vibrant colors will look great. On the other hand, if your outdoor space is surrounded by a lush and colorful garden, you may want to opt for a more restrained color palette.
Experimenting with different color combinations can be a fun and creative process, but remember that balance is the key. Too much of one color can dominate the space, while too many competing colors may look chaotic and unplanned.
Adding Color to Your Outdoor Living Space is Simple.
Any outdoor living space can be brought to live with simple injections of color. Whether your vibe is calm and serene or energetic and bold, an infusion of color allows you to express your unique style and elevate your space. Pillows, rugs, lanterns, and even planters are all great, affordable ways to take your backyard to the next level, without breaking the bank.
