How to Create Your Own Outdoor Oasis

I’ve always loved the outdoors, but I have especially come to value opportunities to get some fresh air since quarantine started. This spring, the weather here in Washington has been amazing. It is warm when the sun is shining, a cool breeze will come through every once in a while to cool you down, and there hasn’t been much of the typical rainfall that is generally experienced in the Pacific Northwest. To make use of this great weather and prepare for a gorgeous PNW summer, I have put a lot of time and effort into building an outdoor oasis out of our townhouse balcony.

I’ve really been loving spending time out there when I want to take a deep breath of fresh air or spend some time in the sun. Today, I’ll be listing out the top five elements of a great outdoor space that I identified while putting mine together!

---

Comfy Chairs

I found the chairs on our balcony a couple of years back at a Lowes in Pennsylvania. I love the neutral color (it goes with any color scheme), and the woven material that makes the seat and back of the chair is surprisingly comfortable. They’re super sturdy, and hold up to the elements very well - we’ve had them for a while and they still look just like new. These chairs cost about $15 each, and I love them!

Functional Storage

The rolling storage cart that we have on our balcony is one of my favorite elements. It has wheels attached to it, so you can move it wherever you want it, and the shelves are deep - so it’s perfect for storage. I have a bunch of extra pots and potting soil stored away on the bottom shelf, and it is perfect for holding plates and drinks on the top shelf when you want to eat outside. I also keep a citronella candle stored in it so that I can keep our space mosquito free without having to go too far. I got it from IKEA for around $15, and it is so versatile. I personally love it in black, but it comes in a ton of different colors to suit any color scheme!

A bit of greenery

I love including live plants in my decor, indoor or outdoor. I have a few different kinds of plants outside, which is super fun and easy since they get plenty of sunlight. The tall palm plant that I placed next to the chair adds a tropical feel, and it adds a lovely pop of color to the space. I also have tomato and rosemary plants, which will be super fun and rewarding to have when we use home grown herbs and veggies in our cooking!

Soft lighting

In a previous post I discussed my thoughts on the benefits of accent lighting, which I put to use in our outdoor space! I found these round-bulb string lights at Target, and they were super affordable. I string them round the perimeter of the balcony space above our heads, and they add the perfect amount of light to the space once it gets dark. I also got a light timer plug, so they automatically turn on at 6 and turn off at 11. I love being able to spend time out on the balcony during the evening hours, and I especially love not having to remember to go and unplug the lights!

Coordinating Accent Pieces

For this space, I went with a black and beige theme. I found these super cute lumbar pillows at Target for $15 each, and they have a bunch of super cute options that fit a similar color scheme. I also got a small outdoor rug to keep our feet cleaner and warmer during cool nights outside, and it was a steal on Amazon. I think that the colors in our accent pieces pull together all of the furniture pieces that we have outside, and really makes the space feel complete.

---

There you have it! I am super proud of our outdoor space, and I hope that I have inspired you to create a fun outdoor space of your own. As you may have seen, I was recently accepted into the LikeToKnowIt community - So I have linked a bunch of great products to inspire you to build your own dream oasis. (Click here to check out my LTK profile!) Happy shopping!