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Winnipeg interior decorator Adela Lazare believes there are 10 essential things that every great outdoor space should have.
"One of the first things I like to add to any outdoor areas is colour," Lazare says. Do it with the furniture or the accessories, “or you can even just dress up your space with some gorgeous flowers in a collection of planters."
The remaining must-haves on Lazare's list:
• soft lighting
• beautiful rugs
• gorgeous dinnerware
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• garden accents
• wall hangings
• privacy screening
• covered seating
• plants
• an ample eating area
Each of these can be customized to suit your own personal taste, and should be used to make your outdoor environment feel like just another room in your house.
In pictures: “Indoor classic, outdoor copy”
"Your backyard, with the exception of the grass and trees, should feel like an extension of who you are," says Lazare. "I encourage people to even bring things from inside their house to decorate the outside."
It's easy to get carried away, though. "Filling up an area with too much stuff can actually make a place feel less comfortable,” Lazare says. In other words, don't overwhelm the beauty of the outdoors with too many things.
Beautify without breaking the bank
• Find attractive storage units to hide away bikes, garden hoses and gardening tools. These storage containers can also serve as additional seating in areas where space is limited.
• Recover old patio cushions and pillows in bright, colourful fabrics. Tie them in with a matching tablecloth or table runner to create a clean, crisp look.
• Take advantage of end-of-summer bargains and stock up for next season.
• Dress up plain terracotta pots with a clean coat of white paint. This will not only make them look fresh but will also contrast nicely with the green foliage and bright colours of your potted plants.
• Shop at vintage stores and flea markets for unique, affordable, one-of-a-kind decorating items.
• Use Mason jars as candle holders. They’re simple and cheap and never go out of style.
• Use some local plants to dress up your table. Clip branches and sprigs from the trees in your backyard and combine them with potted plants and candles for a stunning look.
• Make your own unique wall hanging with small colourful ceramic tiles.