Everyone who dreams about their future wedding day tends to imagine perfect, sunny weather and a magical outdoor setting. Something about greenery and fresh air heightens the romance of the day and makes for a perfect wedding backdrop. If you’re hosting a wedding in your backyard this season, you’re right to start planning months in advance to make sure the setting is just right for the big day.

Below we discuss tips on hosting a wedding, along with helpful tips on placement of decor, achieving the right aesthetic, and managing large crowds with ease.

Start Planning Early

With such an important event coming up, you’ll probably want to improve your landscaping in some ways to really wow the guests and make for a beautiful occasion. Consider planting flowers that coordinate with the wedding colors, adding outdoor potted plants to patios and gazebo areas, and even adding some trees to bring more shade to the landscape.

Make Guests Comfortable

Whether you’re planning for a wedding ceremony or just the reception afterward, you’re going to need room for a crowd to comfortably enjoy themselves for several hours. To do so, make sure you create several grouped seating areas around the yard that allow your guests to socialize and kick their feet back. You’ll want the seating arrangements to face inward and have a mutual focal point, which makes an outdoor fire table and seating set a great option. You could also choose outdoor accent tables to center patio chairs and patio sofas around and keep the guests engaged with one another.

Set The Mood

Creating a magical, romantic atmosphere is vital to making the wedding day special for the bride and groom. The couple should establish a theme to guide the decorations for the backyard. This will allow you to create a cohesive design for the event and direct the general feel of the space.

Almost any wedding theme can make a more impressive impact by incorporating decorations that hang from trees, tea lights on the sidewalks, and plentiful backyard lighting. The lights shouldn’t be too harsh, but instead cast a warm glow on the shrubbery and wedding party. Consider globe string lights around the perimeters of an area and LED fairy lights for an accent on table centerpieces.

Use The Right Equipment

Once you’ve found the right outdoor furniture pieces, planned decor, and tended to the landscaping, you’ll still need to figure out the logistics of hosting a large group of people in your backyard. Consult an event rental company for ideas on everything you may need, including party tents, a dance floor, and even portable bathrooms. Attention to these details will help your guests feel comfortable, so they linger and enjoy themselves all night long.

No matter the style or theme of the wedding, we have the outdoor furniture to complete your backyard decorating. Use the tips above to help you get started planning the perfect backyard wedding with ease.

If designed the right way, a backyard patio can extend your living space and create a tranquil oasis you’ll fall in love with.

With the right elements, you can transform your patio into a gathering space that is also an oasis from the outside world. It’s the perfect place to curl up with a book on a warm summer day, enjoy a glass of lemonade while you watch the sunset, or a place for family and friends to celebrate life. Here are 5 patio ideas that will help you create a functional and beautiful space, as well as some backyard privacy.

1. Quality Patio Umbrellas

A good quality patio umbrella is a backyard must have. Pick a patio umbrella that provides an ample amount of square feet of coverage while still being manageable. Patio umbrellas are a great option for those who don’t have a covered patio. Consider getting a patio umbrella that swivels so you can adjust it as the sun moves. Although they can cover a lot of space, patio umbrellas are easy to adjust and move around your backyard.

2. Ample Seating

Comfort is an essential part of privacy. You need enough seating on your patio so your guests can be comfortable. A variety of seating styles is also a good idea. Pairing a dining table and chairs next to a sofa and club chairs is a great way to allow guests to enjoy your patio. You can create one area with seating or break it up and create several comfortable seating areas around your backyard.

3. Plants & Flowers

Although your patio is probably surrounded by foliage already, adding some living elements to your backyard can provide patio privacy and help to create a cozy atmosphere. Look for small trees, bushes and flowering shrubs that are suitable for outdoor planters. As they grow, they help give your patio more privacy and look great. Small pots filled with fragrant herbs are also great to have scattered around to decorate with and use during outdoor meals.

4. Dining Outdoors

When the weather is nice, there is nothing like enjoying a meal outdoors in an intimate setting. A dining table and chairs provide a place for you to enjoy a meal or just gather together with friends and family. No matter what your style preference, the right outdoor dining table could be a great addition to your patio. If you position it correctly with umbrellas and surrounding trees, you can easily create a nice, private space for you to dine with friends and family.

5. Fire

Adding a fire table to your patio is a great way to encourage people to gather and draw together for intimate conversation. There are a variety of fire tables you can choose from, so it’s important that you keep in mind the amount of seating you will need around it. Fire tables are a great source of light for your backyard, and when positioned correctly can become a private haven for you to have great conversation.

When it comes to decorating your patio and adding privacy, the sky’s the limit on what you can do. Consider adding patio umbrellas, greenery, and different seating arrangement to increase the privacy and comfort of your backyard. By following the tips above, you can easily create a warm and inviting space you’ll never want to leave.

Quality outdoor furniture can turn a backyard into a gathering place no matter whether you want to dine, play games, or simply relax. Use the following strategies to make sure your patio stays safe.

Install and Maintain Safety Rails

Safety first. You don’t want a calm evening of family or friends enjoying each other’s company on your outdoor patio sofa or eating on an outdoor patio dining set to be interrupted by accident or injury. Your deck, particularly near the stairs, should be lined with the proper safety rails to prevent perfectly avoidable accidents from occurring.

When installing your deck, check with local building codes to ensure your railing meets the requirements. Requirements may vary between residential and commercial properties as well. Railing will help keep children, pets, and even adults safe while enjoying their time on your patio.

Of course, you can’t simply install adequate railing and ignore it for the rest of your life. Regularly inspect the railing for any signs of deterioration. Once in awhile, push lightly on the railing around the deck to make sure it is still steady.

Use Proper Lighting

Outdoor lighting is an essential part of patio safety. Without proper lighting, it’s too easy for someone to trip, slip, or fall—especially around stairs. It’s also difficult to enjoy a night with friends gathered on outdoor deep seating when it’s too dark to see everyone’s faces.

First, make sure your lighting of choice is approved for outdoor use. Not all lighting fixtures can stand up to the elements of the great outdoors. Rain, wind, snow, and even long-term exposure to the sun can wreak havoc on the bulbs, wiring, and electric system of light fixtures that are not prepared to face the rigors of outdoor use.

Next, you’ll need to decide on the placement of the lighting. Ideally, you should have lights both close to the house and throughout your yard to maximize visibility. Fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor light fixtures to choose from such as sconces, string lights, lamps, etc. If you choose to include ground lighting, avoid placing lights in grassy areas, as it’s easy to damage both the wiring and the fixtures while mowing. Don’t forget to childproof all wiring and outlets.

Perform Regular Cleaning

If you want to enjoy your quality lounger and table set for years to come, you’ll need to dedicate time and resources to regular cleaning and maintenance.

Simple, daily cleaning can include sweeping, wiping up spills, etc. Don’t allow leaves or other organic debris to pile up as that can attract insects and lead to infestations and rot.

As needed, mop the deck as well. However, before you start power cleaning your deck, it’s important to make sure the tools and/or chemicals you use are safe for your patio.

Choose Safe Outdoor Patio Furniture Placement

Believe it or not, the placement of your quality outdoor furniture can have a significant impact on safety, especially if you have a lot of children around.

Outdoor furniture should not be placed near the edges of the patio. It’s too easy to lean back too far or scoot a chair out too quickly. Additionally, small children and pets can climb on the furniture and over the railways if the furniture is placed too close to an edge.

Inspect for Rot, Rust, and Other Issues

Even the best cared for deck can develop rot or rust over time, which is why inspections should be a regular part of your patio maintenance plan.

It’s important to understand what you’re looking for during these inspections. Look for the following signs of potential problems:

• • Sawdust or small holes, as this can be a sign of an insect infestation.
  • Loose, warped, cracked, discolored, or soft wood. This can be a sign of water damage or rot.
  • Discoloration around screws, fasteners, other metal. This can be a sign of rust and/or corrosion.

Outdoor patios can be a great addition to your home and your backyard. It can give people a space to gather around at parties and social events you hold in your home. However, like we discussed above, it’s important you regularly inspect your deck for maintenance and arrange furniture in a way that will help facilitate safety.

Don’t let the long months of winter get you down, Spring is right around the corner. With these five patio decorating ideas, you can spiff up your personal outside space and have it ready and waiting for the first warm day that comes along.

1. Clean or Refinish the Surfaces

No one wants to hang out on a dirty porch or patio. Giving your door, walls, and floor (making sure to get all the corners) a good spray-down with soapy water is usually enough to get your space ready for redecoration.

If you want to add a better backdrop, there are plenty of ways to enliven the area and make it easier on your feet:

• • Paint your door a welcoming color such as poppy or robin’s egg blue
  • Seal or paint your concrete with a high-gloss finish
  • Lay down slate tile
  • Install wood planks
  • Throw down an outdoor rug
  • Use high-grade turf

2. Add Soon-to-Bloom Plants

Nothing says spring more than early blooms. Place some woven planters around your patio, and consider arranging some on top of outdoor accent tables, to add more color and cheer from live plants. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are incredible and will never go out of style. If you want to experiment with some less-expected varieties, why not give winter aconite, double rock rose, or puschkinia a try?

For an easy way to show off your flowers, all you need to do is grab whatever variety that catches your eye (when it looks like the buds are about to burst open). Just slip the plastic container they come in into a colorful pot.

If you want to go the extra mile and have a show-stopping container, remove the flowers from the original plastic pot and plant them into your own larger pot. You can even plant a few varieties together. Then fill up any pockets with container soil, arrange moss on top of the soil, and water thoroughly. Place in a sunny spot on your porch or patio.   

3. Refresh Your Patio Decor

Sometimes all you need are some fresh patio decorating ideas to get the ball rolling. Patio decor styles run the gamut. From tropical to desert and urban to country, there is a look for every personality. Add the following for an almost-instant update:

• Outdoor pillows to brighten a dull corner
• A water feature or wind chimes to create a serene scene
• A hanging clock or thermometer to add visual interest
• Updated lighting that will complete your look

Remember, it’s the details that truly make an outdoor space feel like an extension of your home.

4. Buy New Porch Furniture

There are times when a completely new set of outdoor porch furniture is exactly what you need. A outdoor dining table set that will seat an intimate gathering of friends or family is a must for those warmer nights that are begging you to dine al fresco. If the weather is still a little too cool for that, an outdoor fire table surrounded by comfy chairs extends the outdoor season by keeping everyone nice and cozy. If lounging in the spring sun is more your style, a couple of outdoor chaise lounges will do quite nicely.

5. Adopt an All-Weather Use Policy

Even if the weather isn’t sunny and warmer yet, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the great outdoors. Crisp, cool weather can actually be good for you. It’ll wake you up and give you a chance to catch some much-needed Vitamin D, even when the sky is overcast.

All you need to do is bundle up a bit, take a blanket and a warm drink with you, and unwind for a few minutes. A comfortable patio hammock is a perfect place for this mini-break. You’ll return back inside happy to have experienced a bit of revitalized relaxation.

Use the tips above to start thinking about ways to decorate your outdoor patio. If you break it down into smaller tasks you will realize you can accomplish it in no time. Here’s to a lovely, warm welcome to Spring on your newly decorated porch or patio.

Spring is almost here! That means it’s time to start working on your garden landscaping so when warmer weather hits, your yard will be ready. Here’s what you can do (all in one weekend) to finish your spring clean up and get a lovely space you can enjoy during this beautiful season.

Do a Good Yard Clean Up

As any good gardener will tell you, yard maintenance is the most important thing to do each year. Without a good clean up, nothing else in your yard will look good. Start by raking up all the dead foliage and trash that has settled underneath your trees and bushes, under your deck, and down in your window wells. This will prevent rot from taking hold and insects and pests from nesting.

Hose down the side of your house, your fence, and all the hardscaped surfaces. You’ll be surprised how much dirt has accumulated. If needed, touch up or repaint your door and railings so they look new again. Clean your windows, repair your screens as well as stabilize any loose paving stones around your home.

Prune, Fertilize, Prevent Weeds, and Mulch

When it comes to taking care of the living parts of your garden, a little spring prep work will go a long way in giving you beautiful rewards throughout the rest of the year.

• Prune plants in late winter or early spring while they are still dormant. This allows cuts to heal with less stress and gives a boost of growth.
• Fertilize your grass and trees lightly at first (to prevent chemical overuse and runoff). If you don’t like the results, you can apply more.
• Prevent weeds that have been waiting all winter long from getting out of hand. If you’re planting a flower or vegetable bed, don’t plant right after working the soil because weed seeds will just have been turned up. Instead, let the weeds germinate and grow a bit before killing them with an herbicide.
• Mulch that is old should be stripped away and discarded. Add a new one-inch thick layer of quality mulch for a fresh look that won’t prevent roots from getting the water they need.

Plant or Pot Fresh Flowers

Perhaps the most rewarding part of having a spring garden is the look and smell of flowering blossoms that come in every shape and size and in all the colors of the rainbow. If you didn’t get a chance to plant spring-blooming bulbs in the fall, that’s okay! Picking up some potted plants at the nursery or grocery store is just as good.

A convenient way to have some visible foliage is to place outdoor planters around your patio and yard, but here are some other creative placement ideas to consider as well:

• Create a living wall
• Hang baskets from your porch ceiling and the rails
• Use window boxes
• Plant in a unique container such as a bird bath metal bucket

Replace Old and Worn Patio Furniture

Now that you’ve made your yard beautiful, it’s time to enjoy it by relaxing on some comfortable patio furniture. However, old, worn out, or uncomfortable just won’t cut it. If that’s what you’re dealing with, do yourself a favor and buy a matching set of high-quality pieces.

An ottoman set is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy your garden view. Outdoor dining sets are a great spot for gathering friends and family together for a delicious outdoor lunch. Come evening, chat beside a fire table to keep the good company around a little longer.   

With longer, warmer days coming, take advantage of your space. Make your garden landscaping a priority, and you’ll enjoy the peace and joy it brings throughout every season.

While a blanket on the grass can be a charming date idea, it’s nowhere near as romantic as your patio space could be. Take full advantage of the warm summer nights to come with our design tips on how to create a romantic patio space.

1. Outdoor Furniture

The first and most important step to creating a romantic patio space is selecting the best outdoor furniture for a relaxing and lavish evening. Keep the lounge chairs poolside and opt for something that sets the mood to be a bit more formal.

When it comes to selecting outdoor patio furniture for a romantic evening, choose furniture that is big, soft, and sprinkled with decorative pillows. Incorporate an outdoor sectional or padded ottomans to enhance your outdoor patio space.

2. Romantic Lighting

When it comes to having a nice evening, the lighting can really make it or break it. There are many patio decorating ideas out there, and it’s important to remember to take your lighting into consideration as well. You want to have the correct amount of lighting to set the perfect mood for the evening.

We love the idea of creating a starry canopy of string lights over the patio and it’s a great solution for the ultimate romantic who lives beneath hazy city skies. However, if that’s more work than you care to take on, there are endless options for you to gently light your outdoor paradise.

3. Insect Repellant

As you and your sweetheart settle in for a romantic night, the last thing you want to be concerned with is the obnoxious disturbance of date-ruining insects. Use one or more of the following tips to rid your backyard patio of unwanted guests:

• Plant bug-repelling flowers and herbs around your patio, such as Marigolds, Calendula, Mint, and more.
• Light citrus candles or add citronella Tiki-Torches
• Spray the area with alcohol-based mouthwash or an even mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.

4. Light & Easy Food

Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or a delectable dessert, don’t forget to take into account how your food of choice will affect your evening. We suggest you keep it small, light, easy, and clean. A dipping tray of bite-sized fruits and melted chocolate is a terrific way to add a touch of playful romance to your date without leaving you feeling overly full. There are many ways you can easily create your own menu, just take into consideration what you both like to eat and do some research for fun ideas.

5. A Fire Feature

You can add the perfect ambiance to your backyard paradise with a permanent fire fixture. It can’t be denied that the glow and warmth of a fire brings to the evening a whole new level of romance that nothing else can, but what about all the other benefits? A stunning fire table is the perfect addition to any backyard; it serves as a lovely focal point, keeps the bugs away, is a natural light source, and can be used to prepare food and desserts.

Now that we’ve discussed DIY small patio ideas and creating a romantic outdoor patio space, you can add your own special touch to the evening with some DIY backyard patio ideas. Sprinkle your cushioned furniture with rose petals, string paper hearts from your canopy of twinkling lights, and make some heart-shaped treats. Whatever the occasion may be, the right furniture, lighting, and fire options are great additions to help you create the perfect outdoor patio space.

Saying goodbye to warmer temperatures doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your patio. There are lots of ways you can still put your backyard to good use when the air gets cooler. In fact, fall weather is great for entertaining outside! Here are some ideas for prepping your patio for autumn.

1. Make it welcoming.

One of the primary functions of a patio is to extend the comfort of the indoors to the outdoors. There are several ways to do this, but one of the easiest is to make sure you have comfortable seating. An outdoor sectional can go a long way in terms of comfort and durability. Set up some small outdoor tables to have a surface to set down drinks or plates, and pair them with an outdoor rug to add some color and create a soft barrier between your bare feet and the cold cement. A rug keeps the aesthetic warm and inviting, and is an easy way to cozy up the space. You could also consider setting up some screen or bamboo walls to give the area a bit more structure and to help block cold drafts.

2. Stay warm outside.

It doesn’t get much cozier than cuddling in blankets around a crackling fire. With the crispness to the air and the earlier nightfall, a fire table makes the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor fun. Host a smore-making night where you and your guests sit around the fire, roast marshmallows, chat, and warm your hands with mugs of hot cider.

In addition, you may want to look into outdoor space heaters for those extra chilly nights when the fire by itself isn’t sufficient. Put some blankets in a basket where they’re easy to grab for extra warmth.

Another option is to build a roof of some kind over your patio. It’s an investment, but it’s one your family can enjoy throughout the year. Not only will it protect your outdoor furniture from rain and snow and contain the warmth a bit more, but during the summer it keeps it shady and cool. It can also help add to the aesthetic – a metal roof, for instance, can be incredibly therapeutic to sit under when it rains.

As the season moves more toward winter, it’s a good idea to invest in some waterproof furniture covers to protect your things from sun and weather damage while it’s not in use.

3. Add extra lighting.

As winter nears, twilight creeps up earlier and earlier each evening. Extra lighting on your patio will help you squeeze even more patio time out of the year. Not only will it let you stay outside later, but it’s also a safety precaution, especially if your patio has stairs. There are many lighting options to consider, depending on your patio setup – overhead lights, tiki torches, lamp posts, etc. String lights are great for adding to that cozy, magical feeling. If there are steps, consider installing low-voltage lights on railings, or marking the edge of the steps.

Don’t let the cooler weather keep you indoors. Make a few adjustments and enjoy the fall weather and your patio this year.