Tips For Decorating Your El Fresco Room

Got a few mismatched lounge chairs sitting on your balcony or patio? No wonder you’re not spending as much time relaxing outdoors as you could! Truly enjoying your outdoor space means creating a spot that’s inviting, comfortable and liveable; in other words, you should treat your outdoor living and/or dining space just as you would a room inside your home, choosing the outdoor furniture and accessories with the same care. If you don’t know where to start when it comes to decorating your el fresco room, no worries—we’ve got the tips you need to create an outdoor oasis you’ll love to use.

Keys to Decorating Outdoor Spaces

Before you begin, consider two key features: how you’ll use the space and the size.

How you’ll use your space, whether for entertaining or just a quiet place for relaxing, will determine what you need to outfit and decorate it. The size of the space is important, too. If you’re working with a smaller space, like a balcony or a small patio, you’ll want furniture and accessories scaled to the size. If you plan to use your small el fresco room for relaxing and entertaining, that means you’ll want furniture and accessories that pull double duty. If your el fresco space is large, then the sky’s the limit!

Start With the Furniture

It may seem obvious, but there’s no overstating the importance of choosing the right furniture for your el fresco room.

If your space is a private oasis, go for day beds or loungers, along with at least one or two small tables for holding drinks, books, tablets and phones, and maybe a small dining setting if you’ll be using the el fresco room for eating, as well. For el fresco rooms that are entertainment hubs, a mix of dining and lounging furniture is what you need; look for settings and pieces in matching materials, such as wicker.

Linz 6 Piece Outdoor Modular Lounge Setting

El fresco rooms that are on the small side need furniture that serves more than one purpose. Choose modular lounge settings that can be configured to different needs, chairs that are comfy for eating and relaxing, and storage boxes for side tables, or side tables that can also be used as ottomans.

Now Add the Accessories

You wouldn’t think of throwing a few pieces of furniture into your living room or dining room, then calling it a day, so why would you settle for that in your el fresco room?

Add accessories, and your el fresco room will become a proper living area. Outdoor rugs and curtains or shades truly create a “room” feeling on a patio or balcony, adding privacy and intimacy, while details like cushions and chair pads invite you to get comfy. For el fresco entertainment spots, linens and accessories for your outdoor dining table are a must. No matter how you use your room, remember to add a few purely decorative items like torches, candles and candle holders and weather-safe wall art if you have walls to work with. Don’t forget the potted plants, which add colour and life to your el fresco room.