5 Tips for Creating a Cozy Outdoor Oasis at Your Home

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Last week I shared my Apartment Balcony Reveal and I figured I’d continue with more outdoor inspiration because it’s pretty obvious that I’m not the only one spending pretty ALL of my time enjoying my outdoor space. Whether you have a backyard, a deck, a front porch, a rooftop or an apartment balcony like me I’m sure you’re looking for all the tips and tricks you can get to turn it into a cozy outdoor oasis (plus where to shop all the good deals!)

Like I mentioned in my balcony post I was adamant about creating a comfortable space that was essentially an outdoor living room, so today I thought I’d break down the essentials for creating that same vibe at your home. And I promise no matter how much room you have available to you this can be achieved! SO many sites are offering small space options for furniture and if you have a larger space there are ways to break it up to make it cozy and comfortable.

Once you pick the overall vibe of your space it’s easy to start buying things. I think having a vision with a color scheme or textures in mind is important when brainstorming for your outdoor area. For me aside from my palm print rug I wanted to stick to most neutrals, black and wood furniture with white cushions, and natural materials for accent pieces. Having that vision going in has made it easy for me to buy planters, small tables and other decor for the area on the fly. Also I’m not on the hunt for another chair or 2 for my balcony and finding what will look cohesive has been very easy.

5 Tips for Creating a Cozy Outdoor Oasis at Your Home:

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Opt for COMFY CHAIRS and COUCHES over a stiff table and chair dining set. If you have a small space and don’t think you can fit a traditional “conversation set” there are plenty of small scale cushioned chairs available now. Individual pieces are sold separately too so you can pick and choose exactly which items will fit in your space. And if you have a larger outdoor space I would prioritize an outdoor living room and then add a dining set later.

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Purchase this Outdoor Sofa Set

Don’t forget about LIGHTING. Not only does lighting create an atmosphere, a cozy ambiance for your outdoor oasis, but it’s also functional. I suggest a mix of string lights, hanging lanterns, floor lanterns and candles. Also if you’re hesitant about lighting candles outside especially if you have kids or pets I suggest using LED candles for inside your floor lanterns and only use citronella candles on stable surfaces that can’t easily be knocked over.

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PLANTS & GREENERY are a must for outdoor spaces. If you’re decorating a yard then chances are you’ll naturally have greenery to work with, but if your outdoor space is a deck, patio, balcony or porch you can bring greenery into your space with planters, living walls and herb gardens. Pay attention to the amount of sunlight your space gets so when you go to the nursery you get the correct type of plants. I also love using plants to create privacy, you can see on my balcony I used a large rectangular planter to give myself a little bit more privacy from my neighbors balconies that are close to mine.

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It may seem a little crazy to add PILLOWS to an outdoor space, but I can’t recommend it enough. There are specific outdoor pillows that can withstand the elements, but also they’re easy enough to cover or bring inside when the weather is bad. Pillows are not only essential for that “cozy” vibe you’re looking for, but they’re also a great, inexpensive way to personalize your space, add a little bit of color or update an area. Layering textures in any part of your home is essential to great a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.

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Don’t be afraid to add a RUG to your space, especially if your outdoor area is covered. There are outdoor specific rugs made to withstand the elements and they truly do transform an outdoor space (or any space for the matter). In larger spaces a rug can also help you visually separate each area, for example you can have one rug in the the area where you put your dining table and chairs and another rug where the outdoor living room is. While these 2 spaces might be right next to each other the rug shows that they are “separate”.

If you have a larger space you might want to think about adding an umbrella, fire pit, trellis or more to your outdoor oasis so I figured I’d round up my favorite of those too!