A trend we’ve been seeing this year is using earth-toned colours to bring a sense of the outdoors to the indoors. This emulates the feeling of calmness and serenity. The opposite applies when you’re styling your outdoor space – bring the indoors to the outdoors. This will create cohesiveness throughout your home, use outdoor rugs and décor elements to elevate your space, no matter its size.

But, it’s also fun to style your outdoor space completely different from your indoor space. Give it a certain theme – beachy, tropical, country vibes – think outside the box! You’re only in the space for 3-5 months, depending on our summer that year, so why not make it fun and different?

Outdoor Furniture

One obvious thing to keep in mind while decorating your outdoor space is Winnipeg’s unpredictable and often moody weather. You want your furniture to last through rain, sun damage, wind, and possibly even snow (but hopefully not).

The type of material you chose for your furniture may just depend on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for stability, durability, and no risk of rusting, go for something like metal, aluminum, or stainless steel. Something to be wary about – these materials tend to be hot to the touch after sitting outside all day. And if you’re someone who likes to move your furniture around, you may need to borrow an extra hand as some of these materials are heavier than others.

You can also opt for wicker – real or synthetic. Although, traditional wicker (made of rattan, bamboo, or seagrass) will not stand up to Winnipeg’s mood swings. One of the most common materials is synthetic resin or all-weather wicker, which can last you for years and years. It’s also typically made over an aluminum frame, adding another layer of durability.

Of course, there are also plastic materials. The top choice is recycled plastics – you can have a stylish outdoor space while keeping sustainability in mind. And then there is polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and acrylic. All of these have similar characteristics, they are strong, weather-proof, and fade-resistant.

Material That Will Last

Now that you’ve picked your furniture, what kind of material do you buy? You want a fabric made of synthetic fibers that are blended with plastic. These will fight back against Winnipeg’s mood swings and stay vibrant for longer.

It’s always best to make sure your pieces are as strong on the inside as they are on the outside. You want something that will hold its shape of course, but you will also want it to dry fast and not retain moisture to cause mold or mildew. There are a few different types: open-cell foam allows water and air to flow through it while closed-cell foam repels water and can float. And then there is polyethylene terephthalate foam (will not lose its shape, dries quickly but can be expensive), polyurethane foam (not as long-lasting and dries slowly), and polyester foam (will lose its shape faster but it dries quickly).

Now Make it Stylish

If you have the space, separate the different areas – a spot for dining, a spot for relaxing, and a spot for entertaining. Ensure you have sufficient lighting for each space, so you and your guests aren’t left in the dark. Find some stylish solar lights, hang some string lights, and make sure you have bright LED light bulbs in your exterior pot lights.

It’s always exciting when you find multi uses for your furniture pieces – like a pouf that can double as an extra seat or a side table if you add a tray. Or a propane fire table because they double as a coffee table and fire pit where you can roast marshmallows. Bonus (or not) you won’t smell like a bonfire after!

It’s always nice to bring colour and life to your outdoor space. A great way to do this is by adding greenery and flowers – whether they are real or fake. As well as through rugs, pillows, and tabletop accessories.

Make your outdoor space your sanctuary! Many of our move-in ready homes include a deck, the first step to your outdoor space. Or, you can make the upgrade to include one in your home.