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Creating a Summer Backyard Sitting Area

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Having a sitting area in the backyard is so worth it in during the summer times. It is great for hanging out with family on those long summer days and nights and also for entertaining friends!
backyard ideas

I partnered with At Home stores to help create our sitting area. I am one of their new At Home Inspiration Team members and will be writing a monthly decor post on their behalf. Honestly, At Home stores is one of my favorite stores to shop for home decor products. It’s has become my one-stop shopping spot since I was made aware of it in my area about 2 years ago. They have re-branded from Garden Ridge and has products for every style imaginable with up to 400 new decor products added each week. Seriously, there is something for everyone! What’s better is that the quality is great and the prices are unbeatable. You’ll see what I mean as I show you the products.

But we’ve been meaning to create a fun outdoor space for the longest while. Some of my husbands co-workers have been wanting to get together and hang out at our place. We kept saying that we’ll do something to the backyard during the summer and invite them over. Maybe add a large table with an umbrella and have a cookout! But it seems like something always got in the way. Last year, I had a little baby around 6 months old plus our two other little ones. Along with my husband’s busy business trip travels, it just was not happening.  

backyard with umbrella

This is the backyard I planned to work with when I was first contemplating on adding some outdoor living. It extends all the way up on a sledding type of slope. One of my plans along with my husband was to add some beautiful rocks along the way and lovely in-ground summer flowers. 

Backyard Newberry

backyard in other home

But then our home ended up not staying long on the market so that threw off this plan. During our house search, one of our desires was to at least find a fenced backyard. And somewhere in the back of mind, I was hoping it would be concreted out like the former. But we were finding that the homes with fenced backyard were not meeting our expectations. At least the ones we saw. The new backyard is bigger but it is not fenced in and there is no concreted area. But it is does not back up to the street and it is a lovely big area where the kids can play and our family could hang out.

backyard BH

I love the bright and fun colors added to the patio. In fact, while I was setting up one of the new neighbors said to me, “nice decoration”. This was was my first time meeting her as we just moved in but it was one of the first things she said to me. That made me feel great!! Looks like I am already winning hearts. But you don’t want your place to look the worse in the midst of beauty. I am sure some of them were wondering why I was taking so many photos of the space.

summer backyard sitting

Would you like to know how I created this simple yet so beautiful outdoor space using products from At Home stores? I will explain everything below. And be ready for loads of pictures. I said I was only going to put up 5 images but I ended up with a bunch!! 

Step 1: I first chose those wicker chairs from At Home then created the area around it. There were so many choices of outdoor furniture but I knew I wanted something like this from the start. I originally thought of the color brown, but then these were at a nice 50% off so I could not pass them up. The smaller chairs were less than $40 a piece. Can you believe that? I don’t think I have seen these quality chairs at such a low price in all my search for patio furniture.

wicker chair - long

Step 2: I laid an 8 x 10 indoor/outdoor rug on the grass that I found at At Home. The ground area is not leveled out but I still liked having it sectioned out with the rug. It was easier for me to place the decorations plus it’s easier under foot. Having the lawn freshly mowed was a bonus, too. 

Note: Putting a run over the grass can cause the grass under to dry out. Be sure you are OK with that before laying the rug.

Outdoor rug

Step 3: After I set the rug where I wanted it, I went ahead and positioned the chairs around it. These chairs are definitely weather friendly and will hold up to whatever Chicago throws at them. You just never know!

patio chairs

Step 4: I added some accessories such as outdoor chair cushions for extra padding. These are so comfortable. While I was setting this up, it was difficult to get a certain 18 month old off the cushions.

outdoor cushion

Aren’t these outdoor throw pillows fun?! I have to tell you, I stepped out of my comfort zone and went a bit bold with these fun color pillows. The outdoor pillow selection from At Home is huge but these were the first ones that caught my eye as I walked in.

throw pillows

But it seems like everyone elase loved them as much as I did because there were only two of these. I scored the isles for almost an hour (it seems) trying to find a few more. And even asked one of the workers if there were more. I did however manage to find a close match. These pillows remind me of the bold tropics. Shall I say that we connect?!

backyard pillows

I also picked up some lanterns and some faux battery-operated illuminated candles during my shopping trip.

lantern and table

And of course, I brought the space together by adding some real pants because a summer outdoor space has got to have some pretty flowers! 

ascessories

Those tall planters were also some of my At Home finds! Again, the planter section is enormous! I scored these for half off $10.
backyard plants

I wanted them tall so they could take the place of end tables since I was not feeling too many tables. I only wanted a small table in the middle.

planter

wicker chair

Check out how the space already came together very nicely once I added the accessories. I am really loving all those fun summer colors! 

outdoor

I also added some more plants on the steps for color and beauty. And of course, our little guy kept pulling out all the petals.

outdoor plants

I  decided to add another fun throw pillow with a totally different pattern in the middle of this larger wicker chair. I did not want a plain blue since the cushions were already blue – too many blues. I love how the brown works along with the plain brown rug.

backyard long chair

toss pillows

Once I was down setting up, I felt like the space needed something else to pull it together just a tad bit more. My husband asked if I wanted to put an umbrella (which I originally wanted to add while we were back at the other house). At that point, I had already changed my mind on the whole umbrella idea. I thought of adding a pole line with some mason jar lanterns behind the chairs. Then I thought of adding a flower stand (a ladder of some sort). Then I thought of adding a narrow table for holding food and drinks. So many possibilities. . . . So off to At Home I went again and scored the outdoor section for ideas. With just a little over a half hour to find something (because I had already spent almost 3 hours there the previous day shopping), I decided to go with an umbrella. This crank tilt umbrella were at a pretty $24.99 down from $39.99. You’ve got to love the red line clearance from At Home! 

backyard oasis

The umbrella really made the space feel complete. But I think I may still add a table when it comes time for entertaining. Maybe now I can invite some of my husband’s co-workers over for a fun BBQ or something!
backyard - outdoor

And here is a look at another angle with the kids swing set and play area in view. (The set is a bonus addition that came with the house). I am getting a lot of background competition with the other homes around in the photo – and that fence is from another home. 

play area

I also picked up the white basket during my shopping trip to hold some of the kids outdoor toys. We’ll get some more balls and sand buckets, etc. once we are done unpacking our stuff. 

tub

outdoor -backyard

I love the outdoor at nights just as I love it during the day. Check out the look at nights. Grab a blanket and secure your spot on one these chairs.

backyard at nights

Those lanterns with the faux candles are really adding some ambiance to the space. It really is lovely!

backyard night

lantern at night

backyard display

We may not have our boxes unpacked and our house may be in total disarray. But our backyard is definitely a lovely place that everyone could hang out. The kids are already loving playing out there and I love sitting and watching them have fun!

So what do you think? Is there an At Home store near you. They currently have more than 100 stores cross country with 20 more opening this year. Check the store locator to find out if there is one near you. You should totally go check them out! You will not be disappointed. The store is huge so before you visit, see my tips for simplifying your shopping with At Home and making your shopping experience better!!

This post was written in collaboration with At Home, but all text, images, and opinions of the products are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support Flourishing At Home. 

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15 thoughts on “Creating a Summer Backyard Sitting Area

  1. After a crazy morning running around the house, I totally want to take a seat with a large glass of lemonade and just chill! Looks great! Good luck unpacking the rest of your stuff, and Happy 4th!

  2. What a cozy spot to enjoy the outdoors! You picked some pretty pieces! I know you are so excited to be in your new home. I’m looking forward to all of your decor projects. At Home has some really nice things too!

  3. A fenced backyard is something I’d love to have in our next home — and a flat yard. I love the woods-y overlook that we have in our current home, but a huge sloped yard is a negative.

    I love the set you chose — and the price is great. I’m a big blue and green fan, so the cushions you picked out are lovely ๐Ÿ™‚

    Great post & good tips!

    1. Thank you Lora. Aren’t the colors so much fun?!! And I agree about flat backyards. While my kids loved the slop in our previous backyard, it made it somewhat difficult to mow the lawn. Plus buyers were concerned that they would have a flood (never happened though).

  4. This looks perfect Zan! I love how the pillows complement each other. It’s so warm and welcoming, the perfect outdoor sitting area!

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