3 Quick & Easy Ways to Level Up Your Outdoor Living Space This Summer

Is your outdoor living space not feeling up to snuff? With graduation parties, summer entertaining, Fourth of July celebrations, or just a simple desire to enjoy your outside sanctuary, here are some hints and product suggestions on how to level up your outdoor living and entertaining game.

Use Natural, Water-Resistant Materials or High Quality, Fade-Resistant Synthetic Materials

Having sturdy, well-designed outdoor furniture with clean lines will really level up your outdoor living space. Using pieces made from natural materials like acacia wood, teak or rattan lends a sense of subtle refinement. While some people interchange acacia wood with teak, the two are quite different.

Acacia wood is a fast-growing, tropical hardwood often used to make furniture that can withstand the elements. It has warm tones and ranges from light yellow to dark brown. Wood from the acacia tree contains natural oils that provide protection against water. In addition to being naturally water-resistant, the wood is antimicrobial and resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage. While being water-resistant, acacia wood is not water-proof and should be treated before being exposed to rain or high humidity. It is also not as hard as teak wood and requires more maintenance than other types of outdoor wood.

Teak is a slow growing tropical hardwood, whose trees typically live for over 100 years and grow up to 130 feet. Teak wood is extremely strong and durable. Its high natural oil content makes it more resistant to water, pests, mold, mildew, decay, and rot than other types of wood used to make outdoor furniture. Because of the slow growing nature of the teak tree, any furniture made from its wood should be sustainably sourced. Look for companies that use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified teak wood.

Perhaps the natural feel of rattan is more your style. Rattan is a tropical vine often used to make outdoor furniture. It has the appearance of bamboo, but unlike bamboo is soild rather than hollow. “Wicker” is often used interchangeably with rattan, but the two are different. Rattan is an actual material, while wicker refers to the weaving of material. Wicker can be made from natural or synthetic substances and is generally less durable than rattan.

Christopher Knight Home Alva Outdoor Acacia Wood Rocking Chair with Footrest. Image from Amazon.

Suggested Pieces

**Please note that when you buy through these affiliate links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.

SAFAVIEH Outdoor Collection Palmdale Natural Brown Solid Wood/Beige Cushion Chaise Lounge for $128.32

Christopher Knight Home Alva Outdoor Acacia Wood Rocking Chair with Footrest for $148.41

Christopher Knight Home Coronado Acacia Wood Bistro Set (no assembly required) for $171.99

If you lack the time or ability to provide general care and maintenance to your natural outdoor furniture, furniture made from quality synthetic materials may be an alternative. “High density polyethylene” or “HDPE” is a versatile plastic with more hardness, density, and tensile strength than other plastics. It is resistant to a wide variety of chemical solvents and able to withstand higher temperatures than most other plastics.

POLYWOOD is an outdoor furniture brand whose designs are made of recycled HDPE plastic. The brand’s products are weather resistant, color-stay, easy to clean, and low-maintanence. In addition, the brand stands by its product with a 20-year warranty on residential usage.

POLYWOOD Classic Folding Adirondack Chair. Image from Amazon.

Suggested Pieces

**Please note that when you buy through these affiliate links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.

POLYWOOD AD5030WH Classic Folding Adirondack Chair, White for $252.86

POLYWOOD NCC2280GY Nautical Arms Chaise, Slate Grey for $329

POLYWOOD GNS60WH Vineyard 60" Swing, White for $449

2. Create a Dedicated Outdoor Living Space

Create a dedicated living space outside by using your indoor living space as inspiration. Mirror the feel of your indoor living space with outdoor sofas, sectionals, coffee tables, and chairs. Just like inside, area rugs made for outside will visually tie bigger pieces of furniture together. Include elements like water-resistant pillows, ottomans and throws to add color and comfort.

Phantoscope Outdoor Waterproof Pillow Covers. Image from Amazon.

Suggested Pieces

**Please note that when you buy through these affiliate links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Phantoscope Pack of 4 Outdoor Waterproof Pillow Covers for $19.99

Jaxx Spring Outdoor Ottoman/Side Table for $98

Outer Bug Shield Outdoor Throw Blanket w/Insect Shield Repellent Gear Technology for $99

RUGGABLE Modern Outdoor Rug 3x5, Washable Area Rugs for Patio for $139

Soleil Jardin 4 Piece Acacia Wood Patio Furniture L-Shaped Outdoor Sectional for $699.99

Wisteria Lane Aluminum Outdoor Patio Furniture Set, Sectional with Coffee Table for $949.99

3. Accessorize

Add some whimsy when it comes to storage, casual seating, and decorative elements like fountains, pottery, statues, or other forms of garden and outdoor art.