Outdoor living should be comfortable, practical and as colorful as nature itself.  You can go as grand as adding professional landscaping, a water feature, fire pit or outdoor kitchen or your outdoor space can be very simple, warm and inviting with just a simple designated seating area.  Backyard bliss doesn’t always have to break the bank but it should be as warm and inviting as your interior.

A few simple additions can make all the difference.  Colorful outdoor pillows added to a comfortable outdoor seating area or decorative planters with beautiful plants and flowers to enhance the area are just two simple, inviting outdoor decorating ideas.

This picture from HGTV’s backyard makeover project only cost $200.00 with thrift store finds.  The bright colors and beautiful plants make this outdoor living space into an amazing retreat, don’t you think?

I am posting a few additional outdoor decorating ideas that will hopefully inspire you to start sprucing up your outdoor living space.

Everyone loves to sit around a fire pit in the evening roasting marshmallows and swapping good stories.  This is a ready to assemble fire pit from Necessories that would be a huge bang for your buck at only $406.00.

Or if you want to make a fire pit your main focus of your backyard, here is a grand scale one that is truly impressive.

If a simple and comfortable look is what you are going for, this back yard seating area is just that. Source backyard photo of thistlewoodfarms.com

Outdoor spaces don’t need to be expansive.  This oasis by Busybee Design is proof you can make a comfortable living area with small square footage as well.

However if you do have the space and the budget why not go backyard bliss?  I will leave you with one more amazing backyard decorating idea for inspiration.  Cozy isn’t it?

Amy Bergman and husband Bret with children Cole and Claire on the back porch.  For more information on this photo click here.  This little backyard paradise has it all, a comfortable and intimate seating area, an amazing fire pit and beautiful stone flooring to tie it all together.

Contact CT Interior Designer, Melanie Langford of All About Interiors for assistance in decorating your outdoor space.

Sources: Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3  Picture 5 Picture 6

If you just want some subtle touches or little reminders of the beach, accessories are a great way to go.

Set a few around your home to give your home a whimsical nautical feel without committing to the cottage look.

Sometimes less can be more of a statement.  Here is a great example of just a simple touch of the beach can give you that toes-in-the-sand feel.

For those who absolutely love the beach and want to bring it home with them all year round (doesn’t everyone?), I have put together a few of my favorite nautical style spaces.

I realize it may be near impossible, but if you can draw your eyes away from this amazing ocean view for just a second, take a look at this lucky duck’s living space which has the same hues as the beach sand and water.

White shutters are a great way to get a coastal feel in a room.  I just love the colors and decorative pillows in this space.

Even an overcast day at the beach is better than no day at the beach.  You can achieve a nautical feel by using wide stripes and gray tones, white piping on the sofa adds a nice touch, throw in a few beach-y accessories and voila!~

I hope my blog has inspired you to re-decorate for the summer.  At the very least, go out and bury your toes in the sand!  Contact   CT Interior Designer, Melanie Langford at All About Interiors to get started on your next decorating or remodeling project.

Picture sources: 1) Better Homes And Gardens 2) Bellemaison23.com 3) 4.bp.blogspot.com 4) LaBellevietres.chic 5)House of Turquoise 6) Lynnmorgandesign.com

picture via Source

Hang long curtains: Start close to the ceiling to give the appearance that your windows are larger than they are and your ceilings are higher than they actually are.

Martha’s Vineyard Chest pic via Source

If you can’t paint your walls in your apartment, paint your furniture to add color and interest.

pic via Pinterest unknown source

Double the function of furniture.  A creative solution to get two functions out of a piece of furniture  for the price of one.  An example of this would be this beautiful table for doing paperwork, computer work or writing bills also doubles as a make up table.

Picture via Pinterest via Source

Ditch the Dining room.  This room is so rarely used it is a waste of precious square footage.  Turn it into another useful living space such as an office or guest room.

Pic via Source

Bring it up…  Use your walls to hang floating shelves to rotate your decor or use shelving for extra storage space.

Picture via BHG

Embrace open storage by adding an industrial shelving unit for added storage when your storage options are minimal.  You can also purchase storage ottomans to store extra blankets, videos, books etc..

Pic via Source

Build it up! Create the illusion of a larger space by installing a tall book shelf or wall unit. The closer it is to the ceiling, the bigger your place will look.  Here I go again, talking about storage but this can also double as additional storage.

picture via Pinterest source unknown

Hang mirrors around your space.  Choose a framed mirror that highlights and compliments your decor.  The reflection of light will brighten up the space and make the room appear larger than it is.

picture via Pinterest

Add an entry to your home.  If your apartment lacks a designated one, you can create one with a bookcase by removing the top shelves and installing hooks to hang coats.

picture via Pinterest

Remove doors to extra closets.  By removing the closet doors, it will open up the space and create a cool visual style.  It will also turn your closet into a more useful space such as a small office or reading nook.

So there you have it! You have virtually just increased your square footage by following these great tips!  Should you home need updating please contact our CT Interior Designer, Melanie Langford of All About Interiors for a “Rent A Designer’s Eye” consultation.

See, what did I tell ya?

Check out these amazing color combinations in actual rooms!

This color combination is trending right now.  Doesn’t it look gorgeous?

Ahh… but then look at the combination of nectarine and jade.  How yummy is that?

And then there are the cool tones… Cinderella obviously started a trend, Pantone has just brought it back to fashion and design.

The blue and violet used in this room are closely related on the color wheel creating a soothing analogous color scheme.

My absolute favorite color is chartreuse (I prefer the greener hue vs the yellow one).  I am swooning over the mirrored side table, aren’t you?

I love the way the Nectarine curtains change this plain blue room into something fun and exciting. There are so many things I like about this room – the headboard, lamps, and the way the curtains frame the window and bed.

Here are several colors of spring that are seen together and work beautifully.

Which color combination are your favorites?

For assistance with updating your home, call CT Interior Designer, Melanie Langford of All About Interiors. 860-810-5080

Sources: Pinterest, Bing, Poppyseed Fabric, Niceandnicer.com, Pinterest, Home-styling.blogspot.com, HGTV, Modernrugs.com

Who Is Melanie Langford?

I am a mom of a beautiful, smart, funny and sweet girl.  Wife of a patient, kind and wonderful husband.  Interior Designer to so many loyal, fun and wonderful clients.  Daughter, sister, friend, crafter of custom cards and gifts.  Educator of good interior design.  Aspiring student of all things culinary.  Gardener wanna be…  A lover of the beach and anything water and boating.

I am a free spirit and a creative soul.   I am known to be very responsible, easy to get along with, dependable and professional.  Perfect, I am not…. I am one who  prefers to be in control and tend to be overly organized.  I set high expectations and goals and try to meet them.  I am a sponge for learning new things and it constantly amazes me… how much I still don’t know.  I am outgoing and confident within small groups of people,  friendly, kind  and politely outspoken with opinions to share to those who will listen.  I am a dream follower, optimistic and a believer in “down time”.

 These are my favorite things….

A bouquet of fresh flowers in my kitchen, a good book, chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks, and/or chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, David Yurman jewelry, floating in the pool with a good book  and the color chartruese.

I can’t live without…. laughter,  my comfy bed, a good cup (or two) of coffee in the a.m, my family and friends around me . 

Favorite Quotes: “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” George Eliot

 ”I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I am dead“.  Jimmy Buffet

Addicted to: my daughter and her sense of humor… shopping… jewelry…boating