Elevate Your Outdoor Living: Simple Steps to a Summer-Ready Space
With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor refresh. While a complete backyard overhaul may take months, thoughtful updates and decorative touches can quickly bring new life to your patio, deck, or cottage retreat—just in time for cottage season and those precious few months of Canadian sun
Think Purpose-First for Furniture
When planning your outdoor setup, start by thinking about how you’ll actually use the space. This is one of the first things we explore with our clients.
How do you plan to use this space?
Are you looking for a quiet retreat where you can enjoy your morning coffee or unwind with a book?
Will this area serve as a gathering spot for friends and family or perhaps a dining zone where you can enjoy meals al fresco throughout the summer?
By pinpointing these goals early, we’re able to tailor furniture choices, layouts, and decorative elements to perfectly support the desired function of the space.
A comfortable lounge area may call for plush seating, side tables, and even an ottoman that doubles as extra seating. If you’re creating a dining zone, look for sturdy, weather-resistant tables and chairs that can handle frequent use. Multipurpose pieces can be a great way to maximize function without overcrowding the space. By considering how you’ll live, relax, and entertain outdoors, you’ll ensure that the furniture you choose not only looks great but also supports your lifestyle. It’s all about intent!
Once we know how the space will be used, we work with our clients to select furniture that suits their needs. We consider factors such as:
Durability and weather resistance, especially in Canada’s ever-changing climate
Versatility—like modular pieces that can adapt to different occasions
Aesthetic preferences, ensuring the furniture complements the client’s personal style and the home’s overall look
By taking the time to understand how our clients will live, relax, and entertain outdoors, we ensure the pieces we recommend are both functional and beautiful.
Lighting That Sets the Mood
Once the right furniture is chosen, lighting becomes the next key consideration
Just as your indoor lighting sets the tone inside, outdoor lighting plays a vital role in shaping your open-air spaces. It’s not just about function—well-chosen lighting can make a bold statement and completely transform how you experience your outdoor areas.
We ask our clients about how they envision using the space in the evenings—will they host dinner parties after sunset or relax under the stars with a glass of wine?
Based on these insights, we incorporate elegant lighting solutions that are as practical as they are stylish.
Consider the ambiance created by elegant sconces or stylish lanterns. Thoughtful lighting enhances the beauty of your outdoor space, making it an inviting retreat day or night.
The Comfort of Textiles
Comfort and personality go hand-in-hand, so we guide our clients in selecting cushions, throws, and other textiles that add warmth and character to the space. We consider how color, pattern, and texture can transform the feel of the area while ensuring these elements are practical, easy to maintain, and suited to the outdoor environment.
Whether it’s vibrant patterns that liven up neutral furniture or soft, cozy fabrics that make cool evenings more inviting. These carefully chosen pieces transform the way you experience your outdoor oasis and ensure your space feels uniquely yours.
Finish with Decorative Touches
Once you have your furniture, lighting, and textiles in place, the finishing decorative touches become the cherry on top. Thoughtfully selected accessories like elegant planters, stylish trays, or outdoor art create a polished, curated feel. These final details elevate the space and make every moment spent outside more enjoyable.
Start Planning Early
Tip: Even if you still see snow on the ground, start planning anyway! Trust us; it’ll be worth it come May.
By starting your outdoor refresh now, you’ll have time to make thoughtful decisions, place orders, and ensure everything is ready to enjoy the moment when warm weather arrives. Rather than waiting until summer is in full swing, planning early guarantees that your outdoor space is ready from the very first sunny day.
Let’s Create Your Perfect Outdoor Oasis
At Thornton Design, we pride ourselves on creating outdoor spaces that our clients love. We ask the right questions, guide the decision-making process, and bring their vision to life with care and attention to detail. Whether you’re looking to elevate your home’s outdoor living space or make your cottage as comfortable as your primary residence, we’re here to help.
If you’re ready to transform your outdoor area into a space that’s beautiful, functional, and perfect for the way you live, we’d love to help.
