[Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Wayfair. All opinions and photography are our own and are not influenced by Wayfair. Thank you for supporting the brands that support The DIY Playbook]

It’s only been a week since we chatted about my plans for our barren balcony, but I’m already back and ready to show you the updated space! When Wayfair asked if we wanted to participate in making over an outdoor space, I couldn’t write back “YES, WE ARE IN!” quickly enough. I mean…you guys saw the before pics. It was in need of lots of love and this would give me the kick in the butt to get it done.

The only bad part…well it’s April and working on an outdoor space during this snowing-one-day/hot-the-next-day month can be a little challenging. But I’m happy to report it all worked out and the space is done and ready for everyone to see.

Before we get to the goods…let’s refresh our memory with how it looked before. 

And now here it is!

To say we’re thrilled…would be an understatement. Finn & I are so happy to have a little outdoor oasis. Outdoor space in a city like Chicago is a hot commodity, and even though our little balcony/deck is small…it’s still a nice retreat to get some fresh air. Plus, it sits off our master bedroom, so it’s almost like an extension of that space when it’s nice outside.

Now, let’s discuss all of the goodies we added out here! 

Let’s start with the rug. Since my initial inspiration was to do black/white/palm print…I knew a classic striped rug would fit the bill. This outdoor Wayfair rug was a great choice for us. We only needed a 5×7 to fit our awkward triangle-shaped balcony, and it fit the wide portion of the deck perfectly. 

It’s crisp, clean, and adds a classy touch to the entire space. I highly recommend adding an outdoor rug to your patio. It instantly makes the space feel more complete. Even if you have to get a new one every summer, it’s well worth it! Plus, they’re usually not that expensive so you won’t feel bad getting a fresh one each season.

Finn and I went back and forth over what kind of furniture to get for the space. We both agreed that we wanted to have as much seating as possible, and we’d prefer a lounge area over a dining area any day. 

I’m not a huge fan of the “matchy-matchy” look when it comes to furniture sets and originally went in thinking we’d buy an outdoor couch, and then choose different chairs to accompany it. However, it’s much more economical to go with a set. Seriously…like hundreds of dollars cheaper. So ultimately we decided on a patio set and holy moley..I was eating my words when it came. (Sorry I don’t have a link to the exact set…but this one & this one are both similar) 

First of all, I love how petite it is. I was worried that a couch, table, and 2 chairs would overwhelm the space…but these pieces didn’t at all. I also love the sleek wooden legs, and I think it gives it a different, less-bulky feel.

We went with the color “natural” for the couch & chair cushions and I’m so happy that we did. It looks fresh & beachy, and also allowed me to add more color with pillows.

Speaking of which…

I love them! This “F” monogrammed pillow is from Wayfair and it’s specifically for outdoor use. Love that it’s okay if it gets a little wet. The palm print ones are Etsy finds in the size 18×18. Again, I chose an outdoor fabric so they’ll stay nice. 

Since I don’t have much of a green thumb, and these palm plants will surely turn brown soon, I at least have these pillows to add some “greenery” to the space.

I picked up the white garden stools from HomeGoods and love that they’re so versatile. They work wonderfully as side tables, but can also be used as extra seating when we entertain. Gotta love functional decor. 

The string lights are still up, and they’re so pretty at night. We just attached them to the railing using black zip ties. They stayed up all winter long, and still look as good as they did when we hung them last fall! We’re looking forward to lots of warm nights out here with the glow of these bad boys. Love the romantic ambiance they bring to the space.
Because it’s only April, I don’t have many plants or flowers out here. But that will soon change! My mom’s rule of thumb is to never plant anything in Chicago until at least Mother’s Day, or else there will be a cold night and your hard work will be ruined. So mid-May, I will get to work adding more fresh blooms & plants to this space. I’m thinking some hanging flower boxes would look really nice along the railings. Plus maybe some big planters to fill in some of the dead space and create more privacy up here. We’ll see how it goes…

And I must let you guys in on a little secret….we actually took all of these photos when it was SNOWING outside! Yes…like legit snow….in April (ohhhhh Chicago.) Bridget & I kept running inside whenever the flakes would come, and then when it would stop we’d run out, wipe the snow off the sofa, and snap away! Poor Finn was a trooper! We were both freezing in our warm weather wardrobe…but we tried to make the most of it and smile while we froze. Holding the cold lemonade was particularly challenging. Again, “husband of the year” award! 

So let’s hope that we will actually be able to enjoy our new patio when it gets warm & toasty here in the Midwest. Cheers to warm days ahead!

 

Casey