Springtime means weddings, vibrant flowers, bright colors, and plenty of sunshine after a long and gloomy winter—and what better way to welcome spring than sprucing up your outdoor space? With warm spring temperatures and longer days, you’ll likely start spending more time outdoors and enjoy the fresh air on your porch or lanai. So, it only makes sense to make these areas as stylish and comfortable as possible.
Also, with restrictions on outdoor activities and events because of the pandemic, it may be more prudent to consider having your pre-wedding shoots and videos done right in your garden. Consult your wedding photographer and videographer if they can work out an outdoor garden shoot in their packages. It may even be more convenient for the family since everyone included in the shoot is already in one place.
That said, if you’re ready to spruce up your porch or lanai this spring, below are different ideas you can try.
Outdoor Dining Set
If picnics and having meals outdoors will be a common occurrence in your porch or lanai, having a decent outdoor dining set is crucial. Make sure the dining set isn’t too oversized to make the area cramped and uncomfortable and one that can be repainted to save you money. In essence, ensure the dining set is comfortable enough for visitors and family members to lounge on, hold discussions, or have a good meal.
Lounging Chairs
Besides adding curb appeal and a place for your plants, a porch or lanai is often used for lounging and relaxing. You can make the area more comfortable and stylish by adding loveseat options, allowing your outdoor space to be more comforting. However, keep in mind to choose chairs that are water and sun resistant to prevent them from getting worn out fast.
Accent Lightings
If you think you’ll be spending most of your time on your porch or lanai at night, having decent lighting is a must. Although your built-in lights can likely do the job well, adding accent lights can make your porch or lanai extra stylish, setting the mood for relaxation. For a whimsical touch, hanging fairy or string light across these places is an excellent choice. Meanwhile, if that’s not your thing, adding lanterns with candles outside is a great decorative idea too.
Make DIY Unique Planters
If you’re looking for a more hands-on project, creating DIY unique planters is a fun way to add a personal touch to the patio or lanai and making your prized plants ‘pop out’ more. There are several ways you can do this, but a quick one you can do is cover the top bands of terracotta pots using chalkboard paint, allowing you to add creative designs. Meanwhile, if you have painted or galvanized planters, you can use stencils to design them.
Add Plants — Lots of Them
The best way you can spruce up your porch and lanai is by adding plenty of plants, making the atmosphere more relaxing and vibrant. You can also follow a theme to make it more fun and in sync with your home’s aesthetic. For instance, if you’re going for a beach theme, look for many mini palm trees that thrive in pots or succulents. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for an old-school look, classic flowers like cannas and gladiolus are excellent choices.
However, when choosing plants, make sure to do your research and see if it’s safe for your kids or pets.
Add Some Hanging Planters and Baskets
If you have window ledges or porch railings, leaving them bare can look unsightly, and the best way you can spruce them up is by adding hanging planters or baskets to them—making the space more vibrant and alive. Doing this saves you much-needed floor space and adds more curb appeal to your home. When adding these hanging planters, make sure to use different plants for different textures and colors.
Create a Herb Garden
Creating a mini herb garden is ideal for adding more life and vibrancy to your porch or lanai. You can make a hanging garden to cover bare walls while freeing up floor space. Not only a herb garden can make your outdoor space more appealing, but you can also use the herbs to make your recipes even better. It’s an overall win-win decorative idea, offering fragrance and fresh culinary flavors.
Add Some Outdoor Curtains
If you’re looking to add more privacy to your porch or lanai, a simple and affordable solution is outdoor curtains. They’re an excellent way to add privacy while offering shade and creating an intimate environment perfect for relaxing and just chilling. You can buy several outdoor curtains in-store or online, but if you have the skills and items for it, you can also create your own to save money and add a bit of personal touch to them. It’s best to use drop cloths and design them using outdoor paint.
Don’t limit yourself to standard outdoor furnishings when sprucing up your outdoor space, and invest in any of the ideas mentioned—bringing out the best of your patio or lanai. This way, your space will always be photo and video ready.
