How to brighten up your outdoor area on a budget

Could your outdoor area do with some freshening-up? Here, we share ways to spruce up your balcony, patio, deck or backyard affordably and easily.


 

1. Rethink your current furniture placement

Assess what outdoor furniture you already have and how you use it. Shift the arrangement of your furniture to take full advantage of your garden's leafiest view and enhance your outdoor experience without spending a cent.


 

2. Set the mood with festoon lights

Adorn your outdoor space with festoon lights for the ultimate ambience. Whether it's for an intimate family gathering or a livelier party, festoon lights make any space feel instantly more inviting for a relatively low price.


 

3. Add outdoor rugs

Outdoor rugs add comfort, colour and interest to any set-up. Enhance your outdoor area by introducing an outdoor rug to your al fresco living or dining space. For a fun look, choose something with a pop of colour or, for something more sophisticated, keep it neutral.


 

4. Throw in alternative seating 

Create a holiday feeling by adding a hammock or swing chair. If opting for a hammock, hang it so that it falls loosely for the ultimate in comfort.


 

5. Brighten with plants and planters

The easiest way to brighten up your outdoor area is with fresh new plants and plant pots. If clustering a group of feature pots together, combine different sizes and heights to achieve a balanced look. Struggle to keep plants alive? Opt for artificial plants and flowers instead.  


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6. Use outdoor cushions 

The must-have decor item for a quick outdoor makeover has to outdoor cushions. Craft your cushion combination to suit the mood you'd like to feel while outside: use neutrals with a dash of blue for a relaxed coastal feel, or bold jungle patterns for a tropical island vibe.