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How to Create a Cozy Outdoor Space

Are you dreaming of an outdoor room that feels like an extension of your home? Today, I’m excited to share tips on how to create a cozy outdoor space. It’s time to turn the hard edges of your patio or deck, into a welcoming, inviting, comfortable, outdoor room.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

Our deck is the main project that we’ve been working on this summer. Kudos to my husband for spending hours outdoors {in the horribly humid Kentucky heat}, over the last two weeks, cleaning and sealing our deck. It feels like a fresh new space, ready for a touch of comfort.

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Cozy Outdoor Spaces: Pillows

One of the simplest ways to make any space feel casual and comfortable is to mix and match throw pillows.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

Not all of these fabrics and pillow covers {read a little bit more about how I chose the fabrics} are designed for the outdoors. Our deck is covered, so that is a risk I’m willing to take. They get limited sunlight and are sheltered from heavy rain. If you don’t have a covered patio, you could also use an outdoor storage bin for pillows and cushions that aren’t weather-proof {that is what we did in our last home}. Then, just pull them out when you are enjoying the space.

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My formula for mixing pillows for our deck was was texture + pattern. The ticking cushion and natural linen Kentucky pillow have a casual texture which is fitting for the outdoors. The gray and turquoise pillows feature a bold pattern that gives the space a little more color and modern style.

Cozy Outdoor Spaces: Blankets

Old, thread-bare quilts or lightweight throws make mornings and evenings comfortable, even if there is a chill in the air.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

It drives my husband crazy, but sometimes I feel cool even in the dead of summer. I just don’t like to have chilly legs, you know? We keep a worn blanket on our deck for those cool breezes — and for snuggling with the kids.

Cozy Outdoor Spaces: Rug

Our newly stained deck boards look lovely but outdoor spaces feel softer with a rug at your feet.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

We’ve owned this outdoor rug nearly 5 years, and it has held up really well. It’s easy to care for and clean. If I were buying an outdoor rug today, I’d probably choose something besides brown since the deck boards are brown {though it looked great against the gray deck in our last home}.

Cozy Outdoor Spaces: Seating

Depending on how often you eat outdoors, choose between a dining table or coffee table. When it comes to the seating, though, think comfort. Most likely, if you eat outdoors in the evening there is a good chance you’ll spend additional time relaxing and talking. When you pick out the chairs for your dining set, consider how comfortable it will be to linger several hours after dinner.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

Our chairs are perfect for lingering. They are incredibly comfortable with deep seats and thick cushions. Granted, they aren’t necessarily perfect for everyday dining since they are designed primarily for comfort, but we relax in them more often than we eat meals in them. It’s always important to consider how you’ll be using a space when you choose the furniture.

Cozy Outdoor Spaces: Lounging

Chairs are wonderful, but sometimes you just want to lounge.

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

My dream lounging spot is an outdoor sofa, and maybe someday we’ll be able to invest in purchasing one. Until then, our porch swing is a pretty wonderful spot to rest.


 

Learn how to create a cozy outdoor space. Using the right pieces, a deck or patio can feel like an extension of the home. by @CraftivityD

Tell me about your outdoor space and how you’ve made it cozy. Does it feel like an extension of your home? I’d love to hear!

Tori

Wednesday 26th of April 2017

I'm in the early stages of adding a front porch onto my home, and ever since watching the movie "Sleeping with the Enemy", a porch swing has been on my gotta-have-it list. So, thank you for your ideas - they are great! Only thing I'm debating is what flooring to go with - wood can really be beautiful, but I've also seen some lovely stained/stamped concrete examples. Thanks for some great ideas!!

Lora @ Craftivity Designs

Wednesday 26th of April 2017

Stained concrete might be the most maintenance-free. Wood definitely has its drawbacks in terms of care. Love your story about the porch swing -- so fun to hear what inspires people :)

Chel

Wednesday 27th of July 2016

These look so cozy. I really want a swing on my porch - but we don't have an indoor porch. (Might have to build one.) - laaater project.

I love these pillows and rugs!! They look beautiful.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Thursday 28th of July 2016

Thanks, Chel! Having a swing is really nice, I had never had one before we lived in this home.

zan

Wednesday 27th of July 2016

I love all the tips about creating that cozy outdoor space. I love the porch swing and that white color is such a great choice against the wood. White goes with anything, doesn't it?! Looks really cozy and yes, I tend to get cold easily, too and it drives my husband crazy. I had no idea who Arhaus is so thank you for explaining.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Wednesday 27th of July 2016

Thanks Zan! White does go with anything and it definitely lets the porch swing pop against the wood deck. Before it just blended in.

Rachel

Tuesday 26th of July 2016

Love your picks! These colors are great.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Wednesday 27th of July 2016

Thanks! I always gravitate to blues and neutrals. I'm so predictable, lol.

Brittany Putman

Tuesday 26th of July 2016

I love this look so much. We don't really have a porch but I am always dreaming of a big front porch with a swing. I do have a wind chime and hummingbird feeder and I definitely count those as essentials.

craftivitydesigns@gmail.com

Wednesday 27th of July 2016

Thanks, Brittany! I've never had a hummingbird feeder, but that is a great idea! We did use to have a wind chime and it broke... I had kind of forgot about it but I used to love the sound of it while we sat outside!