How To Create Your Perfect Outdoor Oasis

It's Spring, and it's time to create your personal outdoor oasis! If you read my post from last week, you're already up to speed on some of the latest trends in outdoor decorating. Now it's time to apply them to your home.

Before you hit the sales, it's essential to know how you can maximize the space. No, not how much furniture can you fit; what type of activities will you use the area for the most? In most cases, you'll either be relaxing, entertaining or dining outside. Get real about this one. If you're not very social, don't invest in a 6-person dining set you'll never use.

Consider other factors that may affect what you do outside. When I lived in Arlington, VA, I had a balcony 10 floors up. It was small but lovely. Sadly, it overlooked a busy main road that made it loud, a little too loud for outdoor work or reading. But it was perfect for dinner or drinks with a friend. Because of this, I opted for an adorable, vintage-inspired bistro set and potted flowers. If you get afternoon sun, will you really be out there eating dinner in the summer sunshine? Maybe it makes more sense to create a fire pit entertainment area for after the sun goes down.

Once you've decided on the use of the space, it's all about the looks. This is the fun part. I love to use Pinterest to create mood boards for spaces, and outdoor spaces are no exception. You can follow my outdoor board here for more inspiration. Once you know your style, you can start shopping or use Target’s Outdoor Living Planner for a 3D visualization of the space.

Designing the perfect outdoor oasis is really about two things, knowing how you'll get the most use out of the space and your personal style. This is probably one of the easiest makeovers you can take on in your home. And when warmer weather hits, you'll be thrilled you did it.