As the weather starts getting warm, we’ve found ourselves itching to spend more time in the backyard. When we moved in last year, it was the one space of the house we didn’t touch during the renovation. The backyard was finished but there were a few personal touches we wanted to add.
So as we’re making a few changes in the landscape and adding some furniture, I wanted to share an inspiration post on what we’re thinking. Later this month, we will do a big reveal of the before and after so you can see the changes we made.
Backyard Inspiration: A Cozy and Refined Patio
Our first inclination with the backyard was utilizing the patio as an extra living space. We envisioned a place that could serve as a second living room, just only outside. Being in the heart of Sacramento where the weather allows us to be outdoors the majority of the year, we knew the patio needed to be functional.
We’re drawing a lot of inspiration from our travels, looking at Airbnbs and homes we’ve stayed at and loved. The two places we’re drawing the most inspiration from is River Cabaan in Oregon and Camellas-Lloret in Southern France. Our hopes are to make the backyard somewhere that is cozy, with warm hues and billowy cushions to settle into. Of course, a fire pit always does the trick to make it even cozier. With that in mind, we want it to feel refined and an extension of the inside of our home. The furniture we have inside our house has clean lines and feels modern yet rustic.
So as we draw inspiration from these two places, here’s a few things we loved about each:
River Cabaan
What we loved about the backyard:
- A communal area to gather.
- The rustic firepit with spaces to sit.
- Natural landscaping that was true to the area.
Camellas-Lloret
What we loved about the backyard:
- A long dining table to eat with friends and family.
- Spaces to cuddle up and read a book.
- Tons of greenery that filled in the corners.
- Rustic pottery with lots of blooming flowers.
Outdoor Furniture Inspiration
As I start to look for furniture for the outdoors (we’ve already got our dining table), here are a few pieces I’m eyeing:
Lounge Chairs
 McClurg Patio Chair Set // More Outdoor Seating Sets |
 3 Piece Rattan Set // More Small Patio Sets |
 Oikos Patio Chair Set // More Outdoor Seating |
 Palmetto Seating Set // More Outdoor Lounge Chairs |
Outdoor Sectionals
 Hammond Sectional // More Outdoor Sectionals |
 4 Piece Rattan Sofa Set // More Rattan Sets |
 Johan Seating Group // More Outdoor Sofa Sets |
 Perronette Lounge Group // More Woven Outdoor Furniture |
Fire Pits
 Steel Fire Pit // More Outdoor Staples |
 Cast Iron Fire Pit // More Fire Pits |
 Howarth Steel Fire Pit // More Fire Pits Under $150 |
 Howland Fire Pit // More Wood Burning Fire Pits |
Other Accessories
 Concrete Planter // More Outdoor Planters |
 Outdoor String Lights // More Outdoor Lighting |
 Ceramic Garden Stool // More Outdoor Side Tables |
 Steel Planter Box // More Box Planters |
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Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
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I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
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Xx,
Jessica
