The Table
For Dave, it’s community—so he would start with an outdoor dining table where people can gather for all kinds of celebrations and get-togethers.
The Swing
For Jenny, it’s building a place where you can go to get away from the craziness of everyday life, so she’d pick the porch swing as her focal point. “We want the porch swing to be a place where you can really just sit and rest and step away from all of the frenzy of your day,” she says. “Or if you’re starting your day, you can sit there and have a cup of coffee and take a moment for yourself.”
The 3. Layer, layer, layer.
Once you’ve added a focal piece to your space, Dave and Jenny agree that the smaller layers are what really makes it ‘yours.’ It’s an opportunity for you to bring your style outdoors as a continuation of your inside space, and adding decorative elements is what will give your space that comfortable, at-home feeling.
Lay Down a Rug
Jenny recommends starting with an outdoor rug. “Putting a rug down really does change the feel of a space, and gives it that indoor-outdoor feeling,” she says. “I think that’s the key to creating a space that feels really comfortable and warm and lived-in.” Even if you can’t splurge on one of the larger items, a rug will make any outdoor deck, porch, or patio feel like an extra room of the house rather than just what’s outside your door.
Add Greenery
“Bringing in plants is one of the easiest things you can do to make a space come to life,” Jenny says. Even though you may have greenery close by in an outdoor space, adding plants directly into the space will make it feel more inviting. And since those plants will need pots or planters, it’s another easy way to bring your existing style elements into the space. Jenny recommends adding three plants at all different heights to bring in some dimension.
Hang Up Lights
The Marrs agree that the finishing touch to any outdoor area should be lights. Whether it’s a singular lantern or a collection of hanging woven pendants, it’s an easy way to make your space feel instantly cozy. Jenny particularly loves the solar pendant lights in the collection. “They’re really fun and add a little bit of whimsy to a space,” she says. “When you put them up it feels like you’re ready for a party, which I love.”