We recently made a big move from Charlotte NC to Dallas TX. In our first year in Dallas, we decided to rent a condo and learn about the city for a year before buying a house. So that is where we are at. Since the weather has turned spring in a hurry, we are moving our living + dining to our balcony. We enjoy being outdoors so we are soaking in the beautiful weather before it gets too hot.

So the big question when we came to the condo was, “How much of our patio furniture, chaise lounges, flowers, planters, etc will fit on our small rectangular balcony?” And here you have it…..we brought our 4 chairs, round dining table, a side table, and a few planters. However that furniture sitting on the concrete balcony was a bit bleak and lifeless. So we went to our storage unit over the weekend and dug through the columns of boxes to find our colorful planters and accent cushions/pillows. Ah…now we were getting somewhere. Although we needed something to cover the concrete balcony that was stained and blackened. After I researched the great designer products in my office library and received a few quotes, I decided to spend my money where it counts. Therefore, I decided to check out Target for a rug and after trips to 2 stores, we found 2 matching outdoor textural rugs in gray. That was the best deal – (1) 6’x8′ rug for $19. That savings allowed me to buy 2 to cover a majority of the bleak concrete.

A few more simple steps to jazzing up your outdoors:

1. Arrange your furniture to fit the space.
2. Add splashes of color through the use of accessories and/or furniture.
3. Have fun with the table decor. One photo shows a casual placesetting for two + some candles in the center, while another photo shows the idea of a simple polished metal tray that can contain your summer pitchers, drinks and glassware.
4. If your furniture is basic like ours, add a throw pillow OR seat cushion OR both. It can add softness, comfort, and alot of personalization.
5. Add flowers or plants to bring life to your space

All of this was done by shopping around and looking for deals. I personally like to change the accents and the table decor so I tend to look for good deals so I can buy a variety of styles and settings vs. spending alot of money on just one look.

Get your space ready for summer and enjoy the beautiful weather! I am certainly going to enjoy our time in our little condo this year as we are located in a great Dallas neighborhood. Now I am off to enjoy the sun + margaritas!