I live in Ohio. That means for at least six months of the year I can count on being confined to the indoors. But by mid to late May, when it finally starts warming up, the first thing I want to do is set up my patio.
My patio is my haven; it’s my place to relax and unwind. My favorite thing to do is to take a mug of coffee (or a glass of wine:) out there with a good book and get some “me” time. Everyone in the family knows that when Mom’s outside with her book, they need to find their own socks!
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I am obsessed with creating cozy reading areas all around my home. I have one in my living room, one in my office and one in my bedroom. I am always trying to make reading spaces that are beautiful, comfortable and of course, affordable. So it makes sense, that I would need an outdoor nook as well!
Here are four things I did to spruce up my patio to make it a favorite reading spot:
- Comfy Furniture
The absolute first thing that you need in a reading nook is a comfy place to sit. I chose this fun outdoor furniture with large, overstuffed cushions. The set came with a coffee table and an end table – perfect for housing my TBR pile and a cup of coffee! We bought the furniture from Walmart last year, so the price was reasonable, too.
- Bright Colors
When I’m indoors, I like soft and soothing colors in my reading nooks, but when I am outside, I like things to be cheery and bright. To complement the bright blue cushions on the loveseat and chairs, I ordered an indoor/outdoor rug from Home Depot in a the same blue hues. I also found these fun, monogrammed pillows on sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond, which provided a nice splash of color.
- Plants and Flowers
I love flowers and the colors they bring to a space, so I made sure to plant lots of them. We don’t get a lot of sun in our backyard because we have really tall trees, so I planted impatiens and also hydrangeas as they don’t need as much sun as some flowers. Check out this monster hydrangea!
- Add Some Light
Adding mood lighting always makes a space more cozy. Although it is hard to see in these pictures, I did hang twinkle lights on the boxwood behind the love seat. This gives the whole space a festive look. I also dug out my red, ceramic lantern that I use at Christmas time for the coffee table. It works perfectly outside – with a little tea light glowing inside.
And… voila! A comfy and relaxing place to read in the summer.
What is your favorite summertime spot to read?
Thanks for reading this post. Until next time!
