10 stylish finds to spruce up your outdoor space
Get out! Patio season is finally here
The weather may have been all over the place so far this spring, but it seems like patio-season temperatures might have finally arrived across Canada. If you haven't already added some chic plants to your balcony or ordered a cute furniture set for the backyard…it's not too late! There's still an ample selection of outdoor-use products in stores and online, but home retailers have also begun to offer good sales and promotions on select styles.
Jazz up your outdoors space now with new and stylish furnishings, and enjoy the fruits of your labour through the rest of the warm-weather season. Here are ten easy picks that are as functional as they are on-trend.
A bar cart is great to have outdoors even if you're not big on cocktails or mixed drinks — a nice one can double as a side table when you're entertaining, and a stylish plant stand or open toy storage unit at other times.
Novogratz Barbie Bar Serving Cart, $269.99 (on sale for $122.99), Wayfair
Like every other room in your home, your outside space probably could use a little more storage. This acacia wood outdoor storage box is handsome, works in multiple settings, and easily doubles as a bench or side table.
Äpplarö Storage Bench, $149, Ikea
Natural materials such as bamboo and rattan are trending in both the fashion and home worlds. This sculptural accent chair is the perfect addition to your backyard if you want to soften the angular lines of your existing wood, metal or plastic furnishings.
Luna Lounge Chair, $199, Article
A hammock that comes with a steel stand isn't nearly as romantic or compact as one that's designed to be hung between two well-placed trees…but it's certainly a much more practical option for city-sized spaces, and just as comfortable. Bonus: You can always bring the set up indoors for year-round use.
Ohuhu 10FT Double Hammock, $119.99, Amazon
Add great texture and a modern touch to any space with weathered-looking, slightly industrial steel planters. A few placed in a row is also an easy way to create separation between different areas of your garden or patio.
Veradek Metallic Series Corten Steel Planter Box, $148.99 (on sale for $129.99), Wayfair
Macramé plant hangers are fine, but upgrading your plastic nursery finds with planters that double as design objects is even better. This hand-stamped aluminum one from CB2 works indoors and out, and will last for years to come.
Crescent Hanging Metal Planter, $84.95, CB2
On a balcony or tiny deck, adding stand planters is a great way to create variations in height and visually separate plants that are too similar in size or look. The result? A floral grouping that looks designed and not messy.
Dundee Light Grey Planters With Stands, from $60 each, Crate & Barrel
String lights have been popular for a while, and no wonder; they're a quick way to add ambiance and improve the mood lighting in any space. These ones, from Canadian retailer EQ3, use environmentally-friendly, light LEDs with plastic bulbs.
String Outdoor LED Lights, $79.99, EQ3
Infuse colour and dose of personality to your yard by swapping out the standard patio umbrella for something a lot more vibrant. Channel the tropics with this memorable, bright pink fringe version.
Parasol 6' Tropical Palapa Patio Umbrella, $168, Target
Outdoor fire elements are so popular for backyards right now. There's nothing more relaxing than cozying up to a warm fire on a cool evening, and this propane tank-powered fire table is a modern and easy fire pit alternative.
Canvas Bala Wicker Outdoor Fire Table, $599.99, Canadian Tire
Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.