Let’s Get Your Outdoor Space Ready for Summer

Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.

We’ve finally reached that time of year where the ratio of time spent indoors to outdoors starts to even out (at least in places with seasons). It’s time to rinse off whatever slice of the outdoors you’re able to call your own and prepare it for drinks, lounging, or even a movie night. After tending to a little backyard in Brooklyn for the last five years, I’ve learned a thing or two about outdoor decor and little game-changing gadgets to make your precious sun time stress free.

An outdoor sectional that works in any size space

The thing no one tells you about outdoor sofas is that, the nicer and more expensive it is, the more you’ll lose sleep over it. The stress of the upkeep begins to outweigh the actual enjoyment you get from lounging on your outdoor sofa on a sunny day. Outdoor furniture should be reasonably priced, easy on the eyes, comfortable and flexible.

This Ikea modular sofa checks all those boxes, and I’m writing so enthusiastically about it because I owned it for a few years while I had outdoor space in Brooklyn. I worried about how this sofa would stand up to the elements but it really impressed me. All it needed was springtime hose-down and an occasional cushion cover wash. The soda is modular, so it’s perfect for any size space. One to two pieces would be great on a balcony, or you could build out a full conversation pit in a larger yard. The pieces are light and easy to move, giving you the flexibility to change up the layout whenever you want.

Outdoor rugs are a scam, unless…

Listen to me very closely: outdoor rugs are a scam unless they are waterproof (ie: made of rubber or plastic). I often see retailers list fabric and jute rugs as outdoor rugs and it’s upsetting. Unless you have some sort of enclosure, they’re going to get wet and will be impossible to clean. There are lots of waterproof options but I will sort them into two basic categories: Astroturf and woven plastic. I’m personally fond of the former and used it on my patio for years.

 I recommend this brand, which sells a variety of sizes on Amazon. The "blades" of "grass" are longer and they use different shades of green and brown, making it look more realistic. Clean it with a deck brush and your favorite cleaner (I’m a Krud Kutter girlie) and you’re good to go. Apartment-dwellers can even cut a little piece to fit their fire escape.

If you prefer a rug that looks more like, well, a rug, woven plastic is the move. There’s a lot out there but I think Fab Habitats has the best selection for most design aesthetics. I love this reversible one with abstract shapes and this blue one that resembles something you’d see inside. These woven plastic rugs work in indoor, high-traffic areas, too!

Hit the lights

I don’t know if there’s a better outdoor lighting option than shatter-proof globe lights. They provide a nice glow and are really flexible. My last apartment had an outdoor outlet but it was not connected to a switch, meaning I had to plug and unplug the lights every time I wanted to use them. I did, however, have a wall mounted light fixture on a switch. I found this little adapter that turns a light bulb socket into a plug and bam, my globe lights were switch-operated and my life was changed.

 Do not get eaten alive! 

Summer nights are beautiful until the mosquitoes come out to feast on your blood. Aside from DEET-heavy bug spray, this Thermacell mosquito lamp is the only thing that actually keeps those annoying little freaks away. They cover a 15-foot radius and are portable, so you can move them wherever you need protection. This makes them great additions to your camping gear if that’s something you like to do for fun.

Speaking of eating…

One of my favorite things about spring and summer is outdoor drinking and dining. I think outdoor dining sets are a must if you have the space. I love this matte pink bistro set and its little pill-shaped table. It’s compact-enough for a smaller space, like a balcony, but roomy enough for two people to have a nice meal. If you have more room PLEASE get this bright yellow dining set so I can live vicariously through you.

What’re we putting on the table? Shatter-proof drink and dinnerware, obviously. Anthropologie is my favorite place to shop for outdoor drinkware. I love these acrylic mini goblets and their matching highball glasses. They’re dishwasher safe and stackable for easy storage. For larger gatherings and parties, I recommend getting an acrylic drink dispenser. They’re great for boozy and none-boozy punches or just plain old water.

This enamel tray, part of a new collaboration between Poketo and Crow Canyon Home, is great for holding outdoor snacks. And when it’s time for the main meal, whip out these melamine plates that look like real ceramic dishes.

Throw a movie night

Now that I’ve shown the way to cozy and mosquito-free outdoor evenings, you’re ready to host a movie night. This little projector is one of my all-time favorite purchases. It’s so easy to set up—plug in a Chromecast or Fire Stick, point the projector towards a wall, fence or big sheet and you’ve got your own outdoor theater.

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