outdoor space

Revitalize your outdoor space with our easy patio makeover tips for spring.

Simple Patio Makeover Tips for Spring

Now that the sun is setting later and the ideal weather is settling in, it's the perfect time for open-air cocktail parties and lazy afternoons. 

But first, and being spring, you likely need to do a patio makeover to create that backyard oasis.

Not sure where to start with your patio makeover? I hear you.

Check out this handy guide, which has everything you need to know to get your outdoor space in shape in no time.

Start Your Patio Makeover with a Deep Clean

Give your deck or patio a good clean. Sweep up leaves, cobwebs, and debris with a broom that has outdoor-grade bristles, then wash away the winter with your hose.

Note: Don’t power wash stained wood — only concrete, brick and stone. (No power washer? Most big-box hardware stores allow you to rent them for the day.)

Refresh Your Outdoor Furniture

Instead of investing in new pieces, try restoring them. Hearty woods like teak and acacia are meant to survive harsh weather; however, if the woods start to turn gray and muted, give them a facelift with a fresh coat of teak cleaner.

If the woods start to turn gray and muted, give them a facelift with a fresh coat of teak cleaner.

Wash your table with soap and water, sand the gray spots and apply two coats of cleaner. Scrub pieces made of plastic or composite materials, such as Polywood and Trex, with liquid dish soap and water.

Add Color to Enhance Your Patio Makeover

Most outdoor furniture pieces come in wood styles and neutral colors, which makes for a palette that blends in well with the great outdoors.

Layering in a few pillows in bright colors and fun patterns will give your patio a fresh look.

Layering in a few pillows in bright colors and fun patterns will give your patio a fresh look.

Brighten Your Space with Rugs in Your Patio Makeover

Rugs are a fun and easy way to brighten your outdoor living space.

Rugs are a fun and easy way to brighten your outdoor living space. If you spot a stain, vacuum up the dirt and dust, then give the rug a good wash with a hose.

Rugs are an easy way to brighten your outdoor living space.

These days, stylish designs that will also hold up to outdoor living should be pretty easy to find.

Prep the Grill

Use a stiff wire brush to clean your grill’s grates before inviting the neighbors over for a backyard feast.

Use a stiff wire brush to clean your grill’s grates before inviting the neighbors over for a backyard feast.

If you’re ready for an outdoor kitchen upgrade, let me know and I can steer you in the right direction for your outdoor cooking inspiration.

Add a Few Side Tables for Spring Sips

Freshly squeezed cocktails and chilled glasses of Sauvignon Blanc deserve to rest on a chic side table.

Freshly squeezed cocktails and chilled glasses of Sauvignon Blanc deserve to rest on a chic side table.

Consider a ceramic stool for easy maintenance and cleanup. The right color or pattern will add some pop to your patio makeover.

Consider a ceramic stool for easy maintenance and cleanup for your patio makeover.

Create Ambiance with Lighting in Your Patio Makeover

Create ambiance for your al fresco dinners with twinkling lights. Wrap them around trees, line them along your pergola roof, or string them from tree to tree for an instant mood lifter.

Create ambiance for your al fresco dinners with twinkling lights.

Choose bistro lights with bigger bulbs for more impact.

Hanging string lights from tree to tree is an instant mood lifter for any outdoor space.

Hanging string lights from tree to tree is an instant mood lifter for any outdoor space.

Mulch and Refill Pots for a Fresh Patio Makeover Look

Late spring is the best time to mulch your planters, pots, and containers. Add a fresh layer to discourage weeds and keep your plants nicely hydrated.

Late spring is the best time to mulch your planters, pots, and containers.

Depending on where you live, flowers like pansies, marigolds, and petunias add beautiful seasonal color, while plants like cacti and succulents add texture and greenery.

Consider hanging baskets filled with hearty begonias to add dimension.

Create Seating Vignettes

Keep the conversation flowing with cozy arrangements. Arrange Adirondack loungers around a fire pit to encourage a warm chat, or take your patio to new heights by adding a whimsical hanging chair or hammock.

Take your patio to new heights by adding a whimsical hanging chair or hammock.

Throw Some Shade

Shaded spots are necessary for a respite from the Florida sun. If your deck or patio isn’t covered, add a stylish umbrella to the mix. From freestanding styles to patio tables with umbrellas, there are plenty of options.

If your deck or patio isn’t covered, add a stylish umbrella to the mix.

Take it one step further and add a gazebo to your backyard’s scheme. Talk to me first, I'll steer you in the right direction for an incredible patio makeover!

For some beautiful shade, add a gazebo to your backyard’s scheme.

If you're considering sprucing up your outdoor patio or deck for spring – and year-round enjoyment – talk to me! Especially if you're considering an upgrade. Let me come by and see the areas you're thinking of enhancing, and I guarantee I'll have some ideas for you that will make your outdoor spaces delightful! 

These ideas are just the beginning of possibilities – let's talk about it! Message me here, right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com You can call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.


Let’s connect and discuss your vision!

Choose one of the 3 easy options: schedule a call with me, call me right now, or if you’re just browsing, let me email you my newsletter.

Schedule a Call with Me

Click the calendar button below to view my calendar, and choose a day & time, and
I'll call you then.
I look forward to discussing your vision!

Call Me Now

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I look forward to discussing your vision!

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Is it time to update your outdoor furniture?

Is It Time to Update Your Outdoor Furniture?

Here are some idea starters from what’s trending now.

Are you looking to spruce up your backyard or outdoor area? Maybe you want to do more entertaining or add a pop of personality to your outdoor spaces. 2023 has arrived with exciting outdoor furniture trends that are stirring excitement. 

From luxurious interior brands taking on the outdoors, using mixed materials, larger dining and seating groups, to bold pops of color, these new furniture styles are perfect for updating or creating a new and exciting space in your backyard or patio. Here’s a look at some top outdoor furniture trends making waves.

Mixed Materials and Collections

Outfitting your outdoor patio with mixed materials and collections is a great way to create a practical and stylish space. This year, we’re seeing the use of complementary mixed materials in outdoor furniture, such as teak wood with aluminum, ipe wood with wicker, rope with aluminum, and natural materials. 

Outfitting your outdoor patio with mixed materials and collections is a great way to create a practical and stylish space

Don’t be shy about mixing outdoor collections as well. Integrating different colors, accent tables, and chairs from various collections provides an eclectic designer look.

Lighter Frame Colors

Lighter frame colors with neutral, natural finishes give your outdoor space a modern and breezy feel with a touch of sophistication.

Lighter frame colors with neutral, natural finishes are another hot trend that gives your outdoor space a modern and breezy feel while adding a touch of sophistication. Light gray, off-white, and taupe are all popular tones for outdoor furniture frames that are perfect for making both small and large furniture groupings look chic and inviting. These lighter colors are an excellent backdrop for vibrant outdoor accessories like cushions and pillows while taking cues from the natural environment.

Interior Styles and Brands are Moving Outdoors

Interior brands are expanding their collections for outdoor environments.

Luxury interior brands are expanding their collections for outdoor environments, allowing consumers to bring the same looks and styles they have inside of their homes outside as well. Bernhardt, Vanguard, and Lexington are just a few higher-level brands offering outdoor collections that boast quality, durability, and longevity. With these luxury outdoor collections, you can seamlessly extend your interior design into your outdoor spaces for an inviting space that truly reflects your personal style.

Larger Dining and Seating Groups

Larger dining and seating groups accommodate more entertaining outdoors.

Now that gathering and socializing are back in full swing, we are seeing larger dining and seating groups as a hot trend to accommodate more entertaining outdoors.

With more socializing lately, larger dining and seating groups accommodate more entertaining outdoors.

Larger dining and seating groups accommodate more outdoor entertaining.

Make your outdoor living area comfortable and inviting with chaise lounges for extra seating around the pool, rockers by the fire pit, extra-large or modular outdoor sectional sofas, and counter-table height bar stools for outdoor kitchen areas.

Bold Pops of Color

Bold pops of color are trending in outdoor furniture.

Outdoor furniture is moving away from traditional all-grey or neutral schemes to bold and brightly-colored choices for cushions, pillows, rugs, and accessories.

Bold and brightly-colored choices for cushions, pillows, rugs, and accessories.

Bold, brightly-colored patterns, stripes and geometrics for cushions, pillows, rugs, and accessories.

Geometric shapes, abstract designs, and stripes on umbrellas and pillows add more pizzazz, especially in tropical Florida.

Modular and Stacking Furniture

Modular outdoor furniture is gaining popularity as more people look to optimize comfort and convenience.

Modular outdoor furniture is gaining popularity as more people look to optimize comfort and convenience. This creative design approach gives you versatility and functionality as pieces can be rearranged and styled with multiple seating options, interchangeable components, and optional custom pieces to fit your needs and accommodate guests.

Quality and Warranty Guarantees

Manufacturers are prioritizing quality and warranty guarantees.

The outdoor furniture industry has moved to prioritize quality and warranty guarantees. Since more and more customers are investing more in high-quality, durable outdoor furniture made to last, we are also seeing an increase in the use of maintenance care products and replacement cushions due to the longevity of frames.

Sustainably-Made Furniture

Marine-grade polymer material, known for its strength and durability. is an example of a more sustainable approach to outdoor furniture materials.

For outdoor furniture connoisseurs looking for reliable and luxurious pieces to add to their outdoor living space, sustainably-made furniture is a trend worth keeping an eye on. Brands are now utilizing marine-grade polymer material—known for its strength and durability—as a more sustainable approach to outdoor furniture.

EnviroWood® is an example of sustainable furniture material.

Take Seaside Casual furniture, for example, created from EnviroWood®, an all-weather marine grade recycled HDPE polymer composed of the same material used to construct milk jugs.

Are You Ready for Some Elegant Outdoor Living?

What’s currently happening in the outdoor furniture market is providing us with high-quality, durable, sustainable, and eclectic designs that are made to fit your space and style. 

If you’re ready to incorporate some of these exciting trends into your outdoor living area, let me know, and I can help you determine what will work best for your outdoor spaces, situation, and needs.

I’m easy to reach – you can choose a contact method right below this blog post. You can also click this “contact” link, or you can email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And, of course, you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

Let’s connect and discuss your vision!

Choose one of the 3 easy options: schedule a call with me, call me right now, or if you’re just browsing, let me email you my newsletter.

Schedule a Call with Me

Click the calendar button below to view my calendar, and choose a day & time, and
I'll call you then.
I look forward to discussing your vision!

Call Me Now

Click the phone button below to call me now or to send me a text.

I look forward to discussing your vision!

Subscribe to My Newsletter

Looking for ideas? Want more? I publish a monthly newsletter you’ll love. Click the button to subscribe.
I look forward to discussing your vision!

Read more