I suppose you can gather from the past few posts that I am itching for summer. That said, I have put together some musings on outdoor terrace must-haves. Please pardon me if you are an apartment dweller with no outdoor space, but I hope to offer you some inspiring posts soon. From the smallest front porch to the wide covered veranda, there are easy ways to make your outdoor space comfortable, inviting and stylish. It doesn’t cost much to design a chic space, just imagination and having a few key items.

Budapest Galvanized Outdoor Wall Light

Like the image above that features a simplistically designed front porch, retro outdoor wall lights play a key role and make enjoying your outdoor space welcoming at night.

Another important element for a successful outdoor terrace is a place for dining. There is nothing more fun than dining al fresco on a summer night. As you can see, you don’t need a large and a sweeping yard to enjoy a meal outside. In fact, this homeowner has created a space right in front of the front door! When there’s a will, there’s a way. A quick note, if your terrace lacks trees and plants, potted boxwood, as seen in the terra cotta pots, are low maintenance and offer a major pop of greenery.

This tropical terrace dining space is calm, cool and collected, don’t you think? I can almost feel the trade winds. A coat of white paint can freshen up old and outdated furniture. If you have room, a side table to hold buffet items and hurricane lanterns will come in handy. A clever design touch in this image is the mirror placed on the wall. Using mirrors outside reflect the greenery of the landscape beyond.      

Set of 2 Cambria Black with Taupe Cushion Outdoor Arm Chairs

Outdoor dining chairs are a must-have this summer. Not only will they stand up to the elements, they are easy to move around the yard, deck or terrace and can always be brought inside for additional seating. You can always keep folding chairs handy if you need extra seating and don’t want to commit to “official” outdoor furniture. 

Along with dining chairs, soft, club chairs and lounges are key when it comes to lazy summer entertaining. How cute are the rolled towels as make shift pillows? If you have power outside, placing a glass outdoor lantern will make entertaining at night that much more enjoyable.

Fun in the sun, or at least in a porch. Some say if you paint the ceiling of a porch in pale blue it will keep bugs away. I’m not so sure about that, but it looks great.

Cheerful fabrics and pillows makes everything comfortable. Soft furnishings are a must if you want to infuse personality into your outdoor space.

Bouquet 18" Square Floral Print Decorative Throw Pillow

If the weather is fine, don’t be afraid to bring pillows outside. Cheerful accent pillows can add just as much sunshine to a space without the hazardous rays.

Images: House of Fifty, Oliveaux