Outdoor Project: Five Tips for Creating an Ideal At-Home Retreat, from Rejuvenation

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These days, we’re spending a great deal of time at home: Not only are we working from home and relaxing there in the evenings, too, we’re also hosting small, distanced gatherings in our outdoor spaces and planning staycations. Which means that as spring turns into summer and the days get warmer, it’s the ideal time to transform your patio, deck, garden, or even your entire yard into a serene lounge space that’s perfect as a quiet weekend escape and ready-made for fresh-air visits.

Think about setting up your outdoor living space much like you would when planning your interiors. Here are five key ideas to keep in mind when creating your at-home retreat—plus our favorite finds from Rejuvenation’s Outdoor Shop to complete it.

1. Start with lighting.

Any great outdoor space starts with the right lighting. From sconces, flush mounts, and pendants to path lights and portable options, Rejuvenation’s collection of outdoor lighting increases visibility around your home. Shown here, the Carson \1\2&#8\243; Wall Sconce (\$\2\29) from the Carson Collection is inspired by industrial warehouse lights from the \19th century and is designed to be customized with more than \10 color options; it’s good-looking in daylight and adds ambiance once night falls. — Above: Any great outdoor space starts with the right lighting. From sconces, flush mounts, and pendants to path lights and portable options, Rejuvenation’s collection of outdoor lighting increases visibility around your home. Shown here, the Carson 12″ Wall Sconce ($229) from the Carson Collection is inspired by industrial warehouse lights from the 19th century and is designed to be customized with more than 10 color options; it’s good-looking in daylight and adds ambiance once night falls.

2. Design an alfresco dining spot.

Take dinner (and breakfast, lunch, and happy hour) outdoors. Create a fresh-air dining space you’ll use all season long with the midcentury-inspired Prineville Outdoor Dining Collection, including the Prineville Table (\$699) and Prineville Arm Chairs (\$399 each) shown here in white, crafted with sturdy wrought-iron mesh and powder finished for year-round durability. — Above: Take dinner (and breakfast, lunch, and happy hour) outdoors. Create a fresh-air dining space you’ll use all season long with the midcentury-inspired Prineville Outdoor Dining Collection, including the Prineville Table ($699) and Prineville Arm Chairs ($399 each) shown here in white, crafted with sturdy wrought-iron mesh and powder finished for year-round durability.

3. Bring the indoors out.

$The perfect warm-weather change of scenery: lounging outdoors. The Teak & Brass Folding Lounge Chairs (\$\1,\299 each) are made from sustainably sourced teak and solid brass hardware; they’re portable and fold for compact storage when not in use. Add a Catania Umbrella (\$399) from Danish brand Skagerak, made from meranti wood and water- and dirt-repellent fabric for a sophisticated touch and a bit of shade on sunny days.$

Above: The perfect warm-weather change of scenery: lounging outdoors. The Teak & Brass Folding Lounge Chairs ($1,299 each) are made from sustainably sourced teak and solid brass hardware; they’re portable and fold for compact storage when not in use. Add a Catania Umbrella ($399) from Danish brand Skagerak, made from meranti wood and water- and dirt-repellent fabric for a sophisticated touch and a bit of shade on sunny days.

A comfortable, good-looking sofa, designed for outdoors: The Jasper Teak Three-Piece Sectional (\$5,\147) is crafted from sustainably sourced FSC-certified Grade A teak, which naturally repels water and is meant to age over time. The thick cushions are upholstered in durable, quick-dry Sunbrella fabric that&#8\2\17;s UV-, water-, and mildew-resistant. (Also available: the Jasper Teak Sofa and Jasper Teak Arm Chair). — Above: A comfortable, good-looking sofa, designed for outdoors: The Jasper Teak Three-Piece Sectional ($5,147) is crafted from sustainably sourced FSC-certified Grade A teak, which naturally repels water and is meant to age over time. The thick cushions are upholstered in durable, quick-dry Sunbrella fabric that’s UV-, water-, and mildew-resistant. (Also available: the Jasper Teak Sofa and Jasper Teak Arm Chair).

4. Add a fan.

Outdoor oases need good light and some air circulation too—especially in the hot midday sun or to keep bugs away once dusk falls. The fan is the sleek, energy-efficient Falcon LED Ceiling Fan in Matte Black and Natural (\$979). (Also available: the Ronde Teak Dining Table and Ronde Teak Bench.) — Above: Outdoor oases need good light and some air circulation too—especially in the hot midday sun or to keep bugs away once dusk falls. The fan is the sleek, energy-efficient Falcon LED Ceiling Fan in Matte Black and Natural ($979). (Also available: the Ronde Teak Dining Table and Ronde Teak Bench.)

Just as you would indoors, define your outdoor living “room” with a rug—a sustainably crafted and easy-to-clean indoor-outdoor one, made from recycled polyester (PET) for long-lasting use. This one is the Ortakoy Indoor/Outdoor Rust Flatweave Rug (\$449 for the 5’ by 8’ size), made from \100 percent recycled-polyester yarn. — Above: Just as you would indoors, define your outdoor living “room” with a rug—a sustainably crafted and easy-to-clean indoor-outdoor one, made from recycled polyester (PET) for long-lasting use. This one is the Ortakoy Indoor/Outdoor Rust Flatweave Rug ($449 for the 5’ by 8’ size), made from 100 percent recycled-polyester yarn.

5. Create the perfect planterscape (and potting shed).

Above: Pots and planters create the ideal garden: They can be moved according to sun and temperature conditions; you can control the soil and nutrients within them; and they’re gentler on the gardener’s back. Plus, you can use them to soften the edges of a patio or terrace, add privacy, and create the feeling of verdant rooms.

These are the Modern Fiberstone Rectangle Planters in black (from $129), the slatted teak Jasper Tall Planter ($519) and Jasper Wide Planter ($519), and the Modern Fiberstone Tapered Planter ($149). See the full selection of planters and pots here.

Every outdoor space needs utility spaces that are organized, efficient, and inspirational. Create a potting station with a variety of planters and garden tools: Shown here is the Cobb Indoor/Outdoor Table Stool with Back (\$349) along with the Carson \1\2” Plug-in Indoor/Outdoor Pendant with Cage (\$\279), a perfect spot for preparing planters for spring. — Above: Every outdoor space needs utility spaces that are organized, efficient, and inspirational. Create a potting station with a variety of planters and garden tools: Shown here is the Cobb Indoor/Outdoor Table Stool with Back ($349) along with the Carson 12” Plug-in Indoor/Outdoor Pendant with Cage ($279), a perfect spot for preparing planters for spring.

Don’t forget an accessible sink for easy clean-up. This is the Grizzly Cast Iron Utility Sink with Drain and Faucet (\$\1,4\15) along with the Hyland Triple Swivel Hook (\$79) and Triple Utility Hook (\$5\2). — Above: Don’t forget an accessible sink for easy clean-up. This is the Grizzly Cast Iron Utility Sink with Drain and Faucet ($1,415) along with the Hyland Triple Swivel Hook ($79) and Triple Utility Hook ($52).

For everything you need to create an outdoor oasis, head to Rejuvenation’s Outdoor Shop.

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