This lanai is finally done! I painted the doors Magnolia green, painted the checkerboard pattern on the pool deck and now I’ve added some vintage lounge chairs. Today I’m sharing all my ideas to refresh your own outdoor space for spring and make it your own little oasis. And I’ve got a great hack at the end to drastically extend the life of outdoor furniture!
I’ll give you a little tour first:
And now for the patio refresh ideas!
1.Editing clutter makes space feel bigger.
Taking everything off the screened-in patio (we call it a pool cage here in Florida) helped me re-evaluate all the things we had accumulated. We didn’t use the table and chairs or cooler or bin for kids toys. When I looked at the blank wall where the mirror and plants are I realized it didn’t need the ivy trellises I had there before because the doors are now green. It feels so much bigger without these things!
2. Give everything a good cleaning.
Painting the pool deck truly freshened things up, so I also cleaned the furniture and cushions too. I got all the spiderwebs off the screens, washed the windows and curtains. It feels clean and I have a new appreciation for this space.
3. Think about how the space will be used best.
I highly recommend taking everything out of the space, not only to clean, but also to reimagine the space. Once I took the table and chairs out that were once in this spot, I realized I didn’t want to put them back!
I think we used them once last year! The space that is covered is narrow and difficult to get in and out, so it sat there collecting dirt. I liked the aesthetic of the table and chairs — they were still in great shape — BUT we didn’t use them so it was essentially wasted space.
I sold that on Facebook Marketplace and used the money to buy these vintage lounge chairs for $150. They fit the space much better. We have literally sat in them every day since we got them!
4. Choose a color palette.
What is your FAVORITE color? Try keeping things neutral, but adding in that color in pops with pillows, planters and flowers. I even painted my doors with Magnolia green.
Part of the reason I love this space is the neutral color palette (white, gray, black) with pops of green. Green has become my favorite color to add into home decor because it coordinates with plants (and I have many!) and adds freshness and color without overwhelming the eyes.
I love this color combo so much that now I’ve decided I’m going to do the same thing to my living room!
5. Paint changes everything.
Paint is cheap and it is absolutely transformative! This is what our lanai looked like when we moved in — very brown and dirty. I painted the walls, doors and floor! That new roof sure does make a difference as well.
Painting the doors with a statement color and a checkerboard pattern on the floor went a long way to add personality to this lanai. My style evolves over time, but it’s currently feeling like a vintage garden theme. I like timeless styles and pieces that stand the test of time.
6. Set up a conversation area with comfortable seating and pillows.
Most of these things we’ve had for quite awhile, but I’ll link what is still online. Unfortunately this table and loveseat set from Target is no longer available. It’s actually a sectional, but it works better for us broken apart. I do not regret buying black furniture with charcoal cushions! They still look great after over three years because you can’t see the wear and tear.
The striped cushion is from Target for $10. The green pillows (that match my doors perfectly!) were $16 each from Home Goods. The macrame pillows were from Ross Dress for Less.
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7. Adding vintage pieces offers detail and character to the space.
I was thrilled to find these wrought iron lounge chairs on Marketplace. I love that we can wheel them into the sun or sit right here in the shade. I definitely didn’t want to skimp on the cushion so it would be a place we’d want to stay and chat, read or enjoy coffee. I found these striped 3.5″ inch deep cushions with Sunbrella fabric to make a cozy reading, chatting spot. I’m really pleased with them.
8. Bring in nature.
What is an outdoor space without plants? I was looking for something for the bottom of this outdoor table ($150) and thought I’d give an herb garden a shot. Which one do you think I’ll kill first? Oregano seems the most dramatic so far. It’s still pretty happy, but they might need to come inside when the full scorching Florida sun comes out to play in the summer.
I love to keep orchids out on the lanai. We live in Southwest Florida and they absolutely adore the warm humidity. This guy is a showoff. I’ve had this one for three or four years and it goes crazy every spring.
I have two monstera plants that have gone berserk over last year. I got them at a local nursery, which I recommend over big box stores because they have been grown in your climate and soil. This makes them more likely to survive when you get them home.
And then I have two expandable ivy trellis screens that can be made any size you want them. They’re great for blank walls and these have held up great for over three years now. It’s fun to put twinkle lights behind them for an evening glow.
9. Curtains feel luxurious and add softness to the space.
I love the look of curtains in outdoor spaces. They really elevate the space. These panels have been here for at least three years. They’re inexpensive $13 sheer curtains — not meant specifically for outdoors, but have held up great. I have washed them only once.
I used short curtain rods up top because we don’t actually need them to close.
10. Bring in the twinkle light glow.
I am an absolute sucker for twinkle lights. They add magic and warmth to any space. The perfect spot for them here is behind faux ivy trellises. I used one curtain of fairy lights ($12) behind each. I like them because they are not bulky and do not add extra weight to the screen. They can also bend, so they stay in place. They do tangle easily though, so unwind one strand at a time and twist it in place.
Extend the life of outdoor furniture
Ok, here’s a trick to make outdoor furniture last longer. These chairs are 37 years old! The couple I bought them from told me they bought them in 1985 and the secret to making last so long is:
Remove rust with a wire brush and use Rust-Oleum matte spray paint. Doing this each season or when needed should extend the life of even inexpensive furniture like this table.
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what spring plans you have for your home in the comments.
