Home & Garden: Summer Around The Corner

After one of the longest winters in Long Island history, I could not be happier to get my outdoor spaces in order. As a designer and content creator, I know this season can be filled with both enthusiasm and angst. Let’s face it — our outdoor spaces often require a large chunk of our time and budget. But I am here to tell you it does not have to be that way, and cultivating creativity in your summer spaces can even be fun.

Being a designer, I naturally bring my own style aesthetic into my writing. Just as I like a strong sense of place in my outdoor spaces, I also embed it into my storytelling. My current book, The Summer I Found You, set on the North Fork of Long Island, feels like a quintessential beach read. It is layered with color, ambiance, texture, and greenery — all the things a backyard needs to feel cozy and comfortable. Here are five affordable ways to create your own cozy outdoor space that no one will want to leave.

1. First, create a cohesive color palette. Some versatile summer anchor colors are light blue, navy, and green. You can pair almost any color with these three shades. An outdoor rug or pillow is a great starting point for establishing your palette. Feel free to treat white, cream, black, and gray as neutrals. Having a defined color palette helps minimize impulse purchases. Creating a photo album on your phone with pieces you already own, along with wish-list items, can also help keep your vision on track.
2. Next comes texture. By layering sisal, wicker, woven materials, organic fabrics, rattan, cement, warm woods, and stone, you instantly create a cozy summer vibe. Repeating a texture throughout the space helps it feel cohesive. Balance is key — if you have cooler textures, add warmer textures to soften the look. Before buying new pieces, shop your own home or visit local yard sales. You may be surprised by the unique textures you can find at an affordable price.
3. A little ambiance can brighten any space, and the best part is that it is affordable. Combining a few solar lights or lamps with plug-in string lights creates varying heights and flexible placement options. These small additions instantly make a space feel more inviting and atmospheric.
4. Make the space feel lush by surrounding it with greenery and vibrant aromas. Add container gardens, grow potted herbs, or plant wildflowers. Keeping your color palette in mind is especially helpful when selecting annuals and perennials. Ferns are another great option for filling porches or patios without stretching the budget.
5. Finally, bring in rugs, pillows, art, and even blankets to complete your outdoor oasis. There are so many beautiful outdoor fabrics and décor options available today. Stripes are always a favorite for summer. Mixing in texture, a small print, shades of blue, and one fun unexpected item can tie everything together while still keeping the space peaceful and relaxed.

With a little planning and creativity, you can truly bring your outdoor spaces to life. Think outside the box, and most importantly, have fun with it.