FRIENDS OF THE KUOTES
How to Shop for (and Style!) the Perfect Outdoor Living Space
Hi there, cuties! It’s officially March…which means springtime is right around the corner (or so we can only hope)! The top thing you need be thinking about right now when it comes to home essentials? Getting your outdoor living space furnished, refreshed, and ready for warm-weather entertaining! Yep, NOW, friends, is the time to order your outdoor furniture and decor.
When it comes to shopping for the perfect outdoor living space, I couldn’t think of anyone better to offer insider info and expert tips than my friends at Sunset West! Read on and get inspired to start shopping!
love where you live
Designer Furniture, Lighting & Decor From Kathy Kuo Home
Okay, let’s start with the elephant in the room: Shipping timelines. Why should shoppers order furniture for their outdoor living space as soon as possible this year?
Sunset West: While we are sure everyone is tired of hearing about the supply chain and the fact that these are unprecedented times…the truth is that COVID-related delays are still, unfortunately, our reality! Lead times range anywhere from 6-30 weeks for custom furniture these days, so make sure to order ASAP in time for this summer season!
Let’s say someone is furnishing their outdoor living space for the first time: Where should they start? What are the anchor pieces that are really going to make a difference?
Sunset West: When planning for your outdoor living space, start off by thinking about how you want to use the space. Ask the following essential design questions:
- Is the space for lounging, dining, entertaining, or all of the above?
- How many people do you want to be able to seat? A large number of guests, or just immediate family?
- How much square footage do you have? You’ll want to measure your space to determine the exact number here.
“Once these key questions are answered, you can now select your anchor pieces, which serve as the foundation to the space, then continue to build up around from there.”
For example in a dining area your anchor pieces will be a dining table and the dining chairs. In a lounging area, your anchor pieces are a sofa, and club chairs. With those large items selected you can then go back and evaluate the space, looking to fill in the holes and add pieces to communicate a certain theme or style.
In a dining space situation adding a console table can really help pull a space together. For a living space, incorporating ottomans, poufs, various occasional tables, and accent chairs.
What should shoppers understand about the difference between anchor furniture and accent furniture when shopping for their outdoor living space?
Sunset West: Anchor furniture is the larger, mainstay pieces that remain in the space year after year while accent pieces may change seasonally, or as trends come and go. If you are working to achieve a specific style, adding those accent pieces is really what ties it all in together, while the anchor furniture serves as the root to the entire space.
Accent pieces may come and go as seasons fade and new trends come into play. It could be anything from trading out throw pillows from a spring/summer color palette to a fall/winter color palette or having certain occasional tables that live in the space during winter versus summer.
“The most important thing to keep in mind is just having fun with your outdoor living spaces!”
Once all the furniture has been chosen…it’s time for the real fun! Time to shop for outdoor decor pieces!
Sunset West: When space is the main challenge, adding accent pieces is really what can be the hero here. Smaller patios usually demand for compact furniture, which we offer, but choosing a piece that complements instead of matches can really make a difference.
For example, say you ordered the Mesa Collection to put on your apartment balcony, which coordinates with the Vegas Collection occasional tables – opt for a GRC Round End Table from The Bazaar instead, and it immediately elevates the space.
Sunset West is one of my fave brands for outdoor accent pieces–any tips on mixing and matching accent outdoor accents in fresh ways?
We would recommend our Bazaar collection–this is where you will find the majority of our accent pieces. The collection was curated in a way to work well with our mixing and matching design mantra and our Color Stories, but also serves as a designated space to find those special finishing touches for your outdoor (or even indoor!) spaces.
The pieces in The Bazaar are meant to complement many different collections and various styles and allow you the opportunity to really play with textures, silhouettes and materials in a way that brings the styles you only typically only find indoors, outside.
Kathy Kuo Home Design Services
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Kathy Kuo Home Design Services
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
