Outdoor living: patios, balconies and terraces

Clearly the best part of Spring is the ability to start to enjoy the great outdoors, even if you are in a part of the world where the weather isn't exactly warm and summery yet. The perfect place to start your summer excursion is right there at the edge of your doorway, any outdoor space will do, whether it's a tiny balcony or a massive roof top terrace or even a proper yard, you can tart it up for the outdoor season to begin with panache.

As with any space that JAC Interiors designs, we love the idea of layering in a modern outdoor living situation. And so it's true outside as well. You will want to make sure that your outside decor ideas meshes with your inside vibe. For example, if you're modern on the inside, make sure your outside is NOT country style with old wagon wheels and such, lol. Your furnishings should be stream-lined and modern feeling and connect with the overall feel of your home style. If you have a contemporary home and fabric on your outdoor furnishings or even throw pillows, make sure they reflect what's happening inside. In other words, no tiny floral patterns even though it's next to your flower garden! Visual cohesion is the key to helping the flow feel natural from inside to out and is the ultimate in modern outdoor living.  After you've thought about the type of outdoor furnishings you desire, think about some of the extra layers that are so important to give that extra dimension. Add in an outdoor rug with texture or color then sprinkle around some throws and pillows. Lastly don't forget about the ubiquitous outdoor ornament: outdoor plants! Plants are the taskmasters of any patio or outdoor setting. Use them with wild abandon in pots of all shapes and sizes and forms. Be playful and free with plants of all sorts, just make sure they can survive your outdoor space, water accordingly and good design and beauty will follow.  Of course not everyone has loads of space outside and gardens don't have to be big to be beautiful. If you live in an urban area you might be lucky to just have a small balcony. Here are some tips on how to decorate your balcony: by enhancing the space that is available, regardless of size, it provides an area to express your creativity and style. Whether it's a patio, balcony or even just a windowsill, there's a range of hip and luxury patios designs to furnish and "green-up" your space to it's best advantage. Don't forget that these small spaces are perfect spots for a cool chair or two if you have the room, an entire sitting area. And there's a range of planting containers and vertical structures out there that allow you to grow various flowers and foliage to fit any space. Best of all, small gardens or even a tabletop is a perfect place to grow a tiny treasure.