I recently helped some friends of mine (Jess and Scott) who live around the corner from us with picking furniture for their backyard. They have a really nice cape similar to ours, but it has a little addition on the back, thus leaving their backyard patio area on the smaller side. When you look at the before photos you wouldn’t think you would be able to fit much but after measuring and drawing it out we were able to create a nice cozy seating area with a fire pit! I made a quick design board for them, I don’t like to suggest furniture unless a design board is created. And I don’t think anyone should buy furniture before creating a design board! We bought most everything from Target, because their outdoor patio furniture was on sale.
I personally like the outdoor spaces to flow nicely off of the interior. This will help the outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the home. You can achieve this look by continuing with the same style and or colors. Below is their family room that I designed (see more of that space HERE). We had looked at the same black and gray settee I have. But after remembering the rest of their home has more navy than black that changed the design plan!
Family Room-
Backyard Patio Design Plan-
I quickly put the images together to get a visual of how all the pieces would look together. You could do this with pieces you already have to see how new items would mix! (Find exactly how I created a design board HERE). I will link all of the sources at the end of the blog post.
Backyard BEFORE-
Backyard AFTER-
Backyard BEFORE-
Backyard AFTER-
They have a nice slate tile patio section, so I made sure to think of the gray tones in the tile when coming up with their plan. Scott made the pots with the posts for the string lights. Notice in the before photo they were on the tile. We moved them to the grass to create space for chairs and the dining table.
Scott got the planters at Home Depot and reinforced the bottom with wood. He added the 4×4 and secured it with some brackets then poured cement in about half of the planter base. Then filled the rest of the planter with dirt and flowers. Below you can see the hooks he used on the top of the 4×4 to hook the lights. He attached the lights to the house the same way we did HERE.
They love the gas fire pit that doubles as a coffee table, perfect for a small space! My girls love it too.
They have a small section when you walk into their backyard that was perfect for a little tea cart. I found the Park sign in their garage that we brought out to hide the large outlet and it also created a nice vignette.
They have a big July 4th party that they are all ready for to celebrate with friends and family!
Outdoor Patio Sources-
Tea Cart (on sale with code JUNE)
Gray Settee(on sale with code JUNE)
Fabron 2-Pack Wicker Motion Club Chair(comes in cream too, on sale with code JUNE)
Teak Patio Dining Table (they already had this nice Teak set, linked a similar option)
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Super cute, Brooke! Your friends are lucky to have your expertise! Keep bringing the inspiration :).
– Lana
Hi Brooke! Love the outdoor space. How do you think the coffee table fire pit does with putting off heat? I was looking into that one!
It doesn’t put off a lot of heat….to van turn it up and feel it if you are close!
Love this!!! How nice to have your as a neighbor and friend!!
What a great outdoor area now. You did an amazing job. It looks fabulous.
Gorgeous and so inviting!
So lovely! Just curious if there is a top for the fire pit to cover the flame/rock area when not in use. In case of inclement weather and to use as a coffee table. Can’t tell from the Target site. Thanks!
yes there is a nice cover it comes with!!
Great–thanks! I just ordered it (on sale to boot!). Per the below note from Tara, I am looking at your photos and don’t see any tank hidden under the little table you shared. I had thought the tank was hidden inside of the fire table itself. Is that not the case? If not, how far away is the tank from the table?
Thanks!
I actually just saw it –so ignore that comment. I am assuming you can unplug the tank when not in use to not have the cord along the path to the tank, right?
Very cute and inviting. I love the creative way they made the pots/posts for stringing the lights! Very creative! The weather vane on the house stole my heart too. Your cape and their’s just has ‘cottage’ written all over them!
Beautiful! How did you hide the propane tank for the fire table? We just purchased the similar grey version.
We bought this – https://rstyle.me/n/c5bgzpb5qwf
Perfect! I was worried the hose would bug me but your design makes it look very unobtrusive. Also thank you for the small space living inspo! Every time I start thinking we need more space I go to your blog and it makes me excited about our house all over again!
oh thank you Tara!
Has the perfect Nesting With Grace stamp on it! I’m obsessed with your designs, Brooke!
Thank you so much!!
Love this! How does it work with rugs outside? If it rains, do they get ruined? We have a large patio without any cover and I’m just curious about the rugs. I feel like they would be a fun addition outdoors! 🙂
We just used a leaf blower to clean them. The white rugs I have noticed dont hold up as well as a darker outdoor rug
Beautiful! How did you hide the propane tank?
We used this – https://rstyle.me/n/c5bgzpb5qwf
I’m also curious if you have any tips for using rugs outdoors? We had one on our concrete patio under a dining table and chairs, and it just got super dirty in one day from kids and a dog running over it and then it rained and it was soaked and never dried out. I love the look. But can’t figure out how to care for a rug in an outdoor space like this??
When I was at their house it did have branches debris on it so we used a leaf blower and got a lot of it out. It has rained a lot and most of it dried out.
Outdoor rugs are a little more maintenance to take care of.
Hi 👋🏽Where did you get ur Cupola ?? I love them 😍
I do to! It was there when they moved in!
This is great! Do you happen to know the dimensions of the patio? Its inspiring me to rearrange ours to make the most of our space!
Where the furniture is (the chairs and settee) is about 6’x9′