What’s the point of having a backyard pool if you can’t see it? That was one of the questions Cassie Freeman of the Hi Sugarplum! blog was asking herself after spending time on her newly styled patio. Her patio makeover was part of our Patio Style Challenge series, in which the best design bloggers on the Internet create gorgeous outdoor spaces using a Home Depot patio set as a starting point. We just love the patio decorating ideas they come up with.
Sometimes though, after living with the new patio, some of these talented bloggers discover a few tweaks were in order, or they just want to freshen up their patios a bit for the new summer. In Cassie’s example, getting a better view of the pool was the goal, among other small changes she wanted to make.
Here’s Cassie’s refresh of her (already very nice) poolside patio decor. You’re likely to pick up a few simple ideas for renewing your own outdoor space.
Whether or not to participate in last year’s Patio Style Challenge was a no-brainer, especially since we started with a barren, blank slate of a back patio. Granted, we have a pool, so it wasn’t completely awful, but we had no ambiance or place to actually enjoy it! Thanks to the beautiful Home Depot Woodbury Seating Set, and some colorful accessories, we were able to transform the space, and have enjoyed it ever since.
But after living with it for a year, we realized a few simple changes and additions would make it a true outdoor living room, in essence, giving our home more usable square-footage, and fully utilizing the pool area. So of course I jumped at the chance to participate in the new challenge!
Problems with the original patio set-up
- No shade to hide from the sun and heat
- Seating arrangement blocked view of the pool
- Rug too small to protect all the loungers from the hot tiles
- Not enough serving area for entertaining
- No lighting
Solutions for the patio refresh
- Add chic umbrella for shade
- Rearrange chairs so pool is visible for everyone
- Add additional protection under-foot
- Create more serving space
- String canopy lights on umbrella, and add battery-operated candles to lanterns
After a few simple DIY projects, and purchasing the Home Decorators Collection Patio Umbrella (note: the black and white stripe is no longer available, however there are several other great color options) and a large artificial grass outdoor rug, we achieved our goals!
The patio set and cushions held up well over the winter, so I simply added a black-and-white lumbar pillow to tie in the striped umbrella.
The {DIY} Starburst Mirror I created is from several years ago, and we hung an old birdcage filled with battery-operated candles for additional lighting and decor.
I think my {DIY} Otomi Table seen below just looks better with wear!
The bar cart takes up very little space, but adds so much storage and entertaining possibilities…not to mention the gold paint ups the glam-factor!
After a few Texas summers, I’ve learned to use heat-tolerant plants and flowers, as advised by the helpful folks in The Home Depot Garden Center.
Changing the layout of the chairs made such a dramatic difference. Not only did it open up the view of the pool, but it created a more intimate seating area, giving it a true outdoor living room feel. And I’m not fooling anyone into thinking we have real grass under the rug, but the artificial grass adds a softness to the space, and makes it more comfortable.
To avoid wet towels draped over our fun new patio area, we we hung a sturdy towel hook in coordinating colors by the door.
Below, you can see I created a welcoming mat for our guests. It’s just a plain natural fiber mat that I decorated. Check my blog for the DIY color block doormat tutorial.
If you’re looking for me this summer, you can find me on my poolside patio.
Cassie is a DIY and design-obsessed Texas girl, and lover of travel, fashion, sarcasm and Mexican food. When she’s not hanging with her sweet and funny family, you can find her kicking the ’80s out of her home, one budget project at a time, on her blog Hi Sugarplum!
For more patio decorating ideas, see other Patio Style Challenge articles as well as our Style Challenge pinboard on Pinterest. And browse our Patio Furniture Department for everything you need to enhance your outdoor space.