Sprucing Up Your Outdoor Space for Spring

Spring is in full bloom (so to speak), and we are loving it! All of the greenery makes everything else in life feel just so insignificant. In fact, I find that the best way to start the day is to bring my coffee outside and water my plants in the soft morning light. Maybe you prefer the evening outdoors better suits your temperament, but whatever your preference, we can all agree that spring is the best time of year to spend time outdoors. Here are a few ways to make the most of your outdoor time this spring.

Patio/Porch Furniture

Forget those old white or wicker pieces. Spring is all about color, so why not add color to your furniture as well? Personally, when I think of spring, I can't help but think of bright colors after the dullness of winter. So if you're tired of that old plain-Jane black, white, or other neutral color of patio furniture, break out that paint! Here's a tutorial for painting old metal furniture. Or, if you're not into the mess, you can find SUCH cute options at Grandin Road and World Market. Pier 1 also has amazing mosaic-top tables that are just to die for! Or for outdoor rugs and pillows for those furniture pieces, we love all of those previous options as well as Ballard Designs and Pottery Barn. Be sure to set off that beautiful furniture with accent lighting, whether you like strings of lights overhead, tiki torches to keep the mosquitoes away, or even sconce lights on the side of your house; there is really no bad option.

Container Gardens & Front Door Urns

Debbie LOVES urns. They're so useful indoors and out for so many more purposes than just planting. But that's another subject for another day. Today, I want to talk to you about using them for the sole purpose of planting. Whether you're new to gardening or an at-home expert, container gardens can be as simple or complex as you like. Some people put multiple plants in one large urn or planter, so that the different pH levels of each plant can balance the others out. If that's too complicated for you, like it is for me, you can always have a garden of urns and planters with different plants in each. This also will keep your plants up off the ground for easier maintenance. Here are a few tips on plants that bloom seasonally but will last year round. I've also found this amazing tool for finding what plants to plant when in our area. Personally, I just LOVE fragrant flowers around my home, like the lily plant I was given for Easter or these beautifully fragrant roses. The best part about keeping your garden in containers is that you can choose to keep them in a well-lit area of your home instead of outside if you're more of an indoor cat.

Full-Blown Garden

If you're feeling REALLY adventurous, we love having a full landscape makeover. There are so many resources to help you decide what's best for your home. Better Homes and Gardens' website has a plant encyclopedia to help you find what works best for your home. They also have a source for free garden plans, once you answer a few questions about the area you want to plant. Or, if you want to peruse their full list of plans, you can do that, too. If planning it on your own sounds too daunting, there are so many landscapers who are willing to create your plans and do all of the planting. Here is a beautiful list of spring flowers.

Well, folks, that's all for today. As always, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and thank you all so much for reading and we'll see you next time!