~ This post contains PR products ~
Okay, I know Autumn is here and that the last of the summer days are coming to a close, but I’m definitely going to be grabbing every minute sat right here that I can get. Our garden (not so lovingly known as Jumanji) still has a long way to go, but I’m SO proud of how this little space has started to come together. It’s been a labour of love (scroll down for a photo of the before. Warning it’s not pretty) but it’s finally getting there. As a renter, it’s quite tricky to transform an outdoor space when you can’t make any permanent changes to it, so today I’m sharing 5 rental-friendly ways to update your patio.
Invest in furniture that you love
As the old saying goes, buy cheap, buy twice. Just because you rent, doesn’t mean that you can’t invest in things that you love. This may not be your forever home, but you can always take pieces of furniture from place to place. I’ve definitely made the mistake of buying things for the sake of it because they’re cheap, when actually, I end up replacing them because I just don’t like them. I’ve realised that it’s so important to fill your home – both inside and out – with things that you love.
I looked around for ages to find some patio furniture that I loved, and each time I kept going back to this set from Beliani. There’s just something about it that stole my heart and no matter what else I looked at, nothing compared. It was an investment (one that I ummed and ahhed about for a long time), but I’m so glad that I bit the bullet and got it. It made an instant impact to the space and I know that I will keep it for years to come.
Plants Plants Plants
Looking to bring a space to life? Well, there’s really no better way to do so than with plants. I didn’t manage to finish this space until the end of the season, but I’ve got big plans for next year – all of the plants! A great way to transform your patio is with potted plants. Not only do they add interest to the space, but you can change them with the seasons to keep it feeling fresh. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get all of the flowers!
If you’re not gifted with a green thumb, don’t worry, faux plants have you covered. This Artificial Strelitzia Plant from Blooming Artificial {PR product} looks incredible when styled inside or out and is SO realistic. When I was styling the space I felt like it was missing something. The artificial plant was the last thing that I added and really was the finishing touch. Blooming Artificial have an array of amazing artificial plants, ranging from potted plants and flowers, to outdoor trees and hedging, perfect for any space.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall
Let it be known that when I first told Joe that I was getting a mirror for the garden, the side eye was real and honestly, I don’t blame him. I mean, why would you need a mirror in your garden? Well, mirrors are a great way for bouncing light around and making a space feel bigger. I’d been looking for an outdoor mirror for what felt like forever, and fell head over heels for this one from Cox & Cox. While I stand by investing in things that you love, I think that there sometimes needs to be a line drawn too. And as much as I love it, I just couldn’t justify it. So, I went back to the drawing board.
On one late night internet shopping stint, I stumbled across this indoor-outdoor arch mirror from The Range and knew it was the one. I tracked it down at a store nearby and talked Joe into hanging it for me (note to self, learn to use the drill). As soon as it was hung, we both stood back and took the space in. Joe keeps saying how different just that one addition has made the space feel. Plus, it reflects the rest of the garden too, bringing in more of that green goodness!
It’s all about the soft furnishings
One of my favourite ways to make my mark on a space is with soft furnishings. Not only do they add extra comfort and cosiness, they’re also a great way to inject some personality and colour. I’m really drawn to neutrals at the minute, particularly pieces with lots of texture.
Now, I don’t like playing favourites, but this indoor-outdoor rug from Benuta {PR product} is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Again, Joe thought I’d lost the plot when I told him I was getting an outdoor rug, but they’re a complete game changer. They’re easy to clean and the materials mean that they’re perfect for high traffic areas. I couldn’t quite come to terms with the fact that we would be parting ways for the winter, so I’m going to swap out my rug in the conservatory for a while. The joy of indoor-outdoor pieces!
When it comes to cushions, there are an amazing selection of outdoor ones. Personally, I haven’t invested in any yet, but I think using your favourites outside is absolutely fine, as long as you remember to put them away at night. Benuta have so many gorgeous cushions, I now have a wish list that’s as long as my arm. I’ve never had anything from there before but I’m SO impressed. The quality is amazing! The cushions that I’ve featured {PR products} from left to right are:
Soft furnishings are the perfect way to spruce up your home, especially when it needs a refresh. You can just move them from room to room (or inside out) to give your space a complete new look. Oh and it goes without saying that an abundance of throws are an absolute necessity, of course.
If in doubt, paint it
Got some outdoor furniture that’s past its best? Or do you have a plant pot that’s just not the right colour? If in doubt, paint it. The power of paint knows no limits. It really is magic, isn’t it? You don’t need to buy loads of new pieces to update your patio. If you’ve got things that are still sturdy and fit for purpose, give them a new look with a lick of paint and it’ll blow your mind how much of a difference it makes.
My lovely friend Lins recently tiled her outdoor coffee table and it’s mind blowing! She’s forever inspiring me but I’m definitely going to give this a go on my outdoor dining table (a task for another day!). Hayley also has loads of incredible DIYs, from painting plant pots, to making bird baths and stencilling her patio.
So, what do you think of my patio makeover so far? What are your top tips when it comes to updating a space?
~ This post contains some PR products that were sent to me with no obligation to share, but I absolutely love them and hope that you do too. As always, all views and photos are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage of a sale if you click the links and purchase a product. ~