Spring Outdoor Refresh: A Backyard Update & Favorites

Looking to refresh your outdoor spaces for spring and summer? Today we’re sharing some backyard updates as well as outdoor living favorites!

If you’ve been here for awhile now then you know that we’ve been slowly redoing our outdoor living areas. To me, getting the outside right is the same as working on the interiors. Take your time to get it right – don’t just buy to fill the space. 

Once we re-did our pool and hardscape I started working on making it not only prettier, but also more practical. I wanted to create designated areas for both lounging and dining. As well as add furniture we loved that would stand up to the California heat and sun.

The first thing we did after redoing the pool was to swap our dining and lounging areas. How had we not done this sooner??! Now the outdoor dining area is closer to the grill as well as the door to the kitchen, and the living area is closer to the fountain. It makes so much more sense!

Once those more ‘structural’ changes were in place, I began to look for outdoor furniture. After falling in love with the RH Provence outdoor wicker line, I set out trying to find something that would give the look for less.

I searched for several years before I found our outdoor wicker sofa and chairs and I can’t tell you how happy I am with them! Not only are they almost the exact same color, but even the measurements are the same!

The reason I can tell you for sure how close they are to the RH originals is because I had actually broken down and ordered the RH set after so many years of coming up short. Then soon after, a friend discovered these. I promptly ordered them and while waiting for RH to pick up theirs for return, the new ones arrived. 

They were literally sitting side by side and it was difficult to tell them apart! If anything, I actually like the finish/color of the wicker on our sofa and chairs a little better! (And of course, I like the price a whole lot more!)

In addition to the lounge furniture, we also chose a teak coffee table as well as these light-weight concrete side tables. I like to mix things up and didn’t want everything to be wicker or wood, so these were a great option. They add a different texture and contrast a contemporary feel with the more classic wicker and teak. 

After that, the only area left for me to tackle was the outdoor dining. Our wicker chairs I found a few years ago and we still love them, so I knew those would stay for now. They are not technically rated for outdoors, however, we have had them outside for over 5 years now and they still look good. (I do spray them each spring with a matte clear coat to help protect them, as well as cover them in the winter.) 

When it comes time to replace them we will probably get chairs that are outdoor wicker, but for now, they are holding up surprisingly well!

Our dining table however, not so much. My husband built it over10 years ago – and we’ve never treated it or covered it! Considering that mistreatment, it’s done very well, but it’s showing its age.

After further searching (as well as another delivery and return), I’ve ordered a gorgeous teak dining table and it should be here next month! I’m so excited to finally have a new table – plus it’s huge and an amazing price for solid teak. I’m so looking forward to it arriving!

If you’re looking to do a spring outdoor refresh of your own, now is the perfect time! Some of the years I was looking I hesitated too long only to have things sell out for the season. Or they were on back order and not arriving until Christmas, hardly an optimum time! 

I’m sharing everything we’ve used below, as well as lots of other outdoor favorites (and most of them are on sale as part of the Wayfair Outdoor Sale!)

Sheila
xo

Shop Outdoor Favorites 

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out more outdoor inspiration below:

5 Tips for Elevating Your Outdoor Space

How to Have a French-Inspired Spring

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials: 7 Must-Have Items

How to Host a Summer Wine & Cheese Party