Now is the perfect time to expand the space at your home to include quality outdoor living. The weather is just right to enjoy cool mornings and afternoons with comfortable daytime temperatures. However, to be outside you need some comfortable seating areas to gravitate to.
Consider both the front and backdoor areas to customize comfortable seating, perhaps on a front porch or a back patio or deck. Adding seating to any space does not have to be costly, but as a renter you might want to be creative.
Before you begin, be sure to check your lease to determine if there are constraints in your lease. Many leases will include restrictions in order to protect the properties and keep a positive curb appeal. These might include specifications that the furniture be only for outdoor purposes, so it is not damaged by sprinklers, rain or pests. Once you know what is allowed, you can begin to create an area that works for you.
There are some popular Do It Yourself (DIY) projects that look good and don’t dip too far into your bank account. Outdoor stores have great options for suitable ground cover, such as weather proof rugs or pavers on which to sit your furniture. If you are encroaching on landscaped grass, be sure to ask permission before you put down anything that might permanently damage the turf. Keep in mind that what you add, you will need to take away when you move and ensure no damages occurred that endanger your deposit.
Currently, reclaimed wood and crates are being used to craft some impressive furniture pieces. Treating the wood properly can allow these items to serve you well as a new sofa, coffee table or chair. Follow the trend using cinder blocks; with a little paint and some posts, you can create a settee that suits a crowd.
There are also great sources for affordable put together yourself chairs, such as Adirondack styled furniture. Even hanging a swing for the kids gets them outside playing while you watch. Just adding a good old-fashioned picnic table and benches can spark the desire to cookout and share a meal with friends and family.
Be on the lookout for varying styles of pieces to mix things up and put some pizzazz on your patio. Plastic chairs with some outdoor pillows add a pop of color and comfort. Some cute outdoor lighting containers with LED candles add ambience without the danger of fire. Outdoor light strings draped over a sitting area make it feel like another room. There are so many different things you can do to have fun and get yourselves outdoors!
We need to caution you one more time; check your lease or contact your landlord about what you cannot do. If in doubt, don’t. Or otherwise, be prepared to be corrected or possibly lose your deposit. It's always better to play it safe so you can play outdoors!
For more information, check Pinterest.com for a lot of great ideas.