Yippee—spring is finally here and summer will quickly follow! We love warm weekends filled with burgers cooking on the grill, friends catching up in the backyard, glasses clinking and laughter spilling out over the fence. Get your backyard ready for spring and summer soirées with our tips below. We’ve also included some of our favorite outdoor furniture and accessories. See you on Saturday!
STATEMENT SEATING
Step out of your comfort zone and add a little personality to your outdoor furniture set by throwing in an accent chair. Let friends rock on the patio in this set of Acacia Wood Rocking Chairs With Cushions or hang out in this Blue Swinging Chair. (Both are on sale!) Want to add some color to your backyard? Pick up these easy to clean Metal Outdoor Chairs, also available in black and white.
LIGHTS
There’s nothing like a string of lights to set the mood outdoors. They’re so easy to install, yet so impactful to your backyard decor. We love the style of these Edison Solar LED 30 Bulb String Lights and the Southern charm of these Mason Jar Lights. Or, have some fun with these Merkury Innovations Pineapple LED String Lights.
OUTDOOR RUGS
Create a comfortable outdoor environment by throwing down a rug or two. Rugs are also an easy way to add style and a burst of color. The Sabrina Indoor/Outdoor Rug has gorgeous blue hues. It also comes in a vibrant yellow. And we love the pinks and oranges in the Dakota Indoor/Outdoor Rug from Lulu & Georgia. This one is also available in turquoise if that’s more your thing. Can’t decide? Get a few colorful Safavieh Harborview Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Rugs and layer them on top of each other.
OUTDOOR PILLOWS
Pillows are another easy way to add style to your backyard. Mix and match a couple and toss them on a chair or outdoor lounge for added comfort. It’s no shocker our favorites come from World Market. We’re big fans. We love the patterns on the Warm Geometric Woven Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow and Black And Ivory Geo Woven Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow. We also can’t get enough of the ombre Jade Woven Triangle Indoor Outdoor Throw Pillow.
GRILLS & SUCH
You are going to make a lot of new friends once people find out you have a pizza oven in your backyard. Trust us. A barbecue grill is also a must. Make burgers, grill some corn and call it a (fun) day! Hot tip: throw some extra chicken breasts or salmon on a cedar plank on the grill to enjoy smoky protein throughout the next week!
FIREPITS
Keep warm on cool nights with a firepit. Place some chairs around the fire to enjoy the glow, easy conversation with friends and s’mores, of course. This 5-piece set from Target includes a loveseat, fire table and two armchairs. Have the chairs, but need the pit? We love the modern look of the Carswell Small Firepit and Crosley Yuma Copper Ring Firepit.
YARD GAMES
Let the games begin! Invite your friends over for some brunch and yard games. If you have a nice long patch of gravel or green, Bocce Ball is always a favorite. Or, create some heated competition over a round of Croquet or Ladder Golf and Cornhole. Loser makes the next round of Mimosas!
MOSQUITO REPELLENT
And then there are the uninvited guests. The ones you don’t notice until they are feasting on your leg… The ones you don’t notice until the next day you’re itching your armpit and crying, “How the heck did I get bit there?!” Do yourself and your friends a favor by keeping these party fouls at bay with these Geometric Citronella Candles and/or Tiki Torches with Bitefighter Torch Fuel. Even better, drench yourself with Cutter’s Skinsations Insect Repellent and keep it out to encourage guests to use it too.
FLOATIES
Look, if you have a pool (yes, a kiddie pool counts), you need to hook it up with a pool float or two. We say the more the merrier. Funboy is a playful brand that makes joyful floaties for the pool. The white swan is a classic choice, or opt to float first class in a private jet. The little unicorn is a handy drink holder. Hot tip: buy a few of the uni drink holders and pack them in your carry-on for your next vacation. You’ll be voted “most popular” at the pool.
Looking to add more life to your home? Check out our favorite planters from Anthropologie.
Melody Rose Rowan is the CEO + hostess with the mostess at @CuteStays. When she isn’t blogging about style and interior design for her blog MustacheMelrose.com, Melody can be found renovating @MaxineTheAirstream with her husband, Scott, or playing with her two rescue dog-sons, Jake and Finn. Say hi at @mustachemelrose!
