Young House Love

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Outdoor Deck Furniture & Accessories

A bunch of folks have asked for a little deck mood board, just to see what we’re imagining when this beast of a project is actually complete (oh man, that might make our year). Of course since money is tight and we have yet to finish furnishing the patio that we built last year, we won’t have this thing thrown together overnight (which means any or all of the items on this board could sell out before we get to snag them all – wah!) but here’s what I’m loving today, just so you guys can start to picture it…

Mood Board For Colorful Deck Decor | String Lights | Yellow Chair | Blue Rug

1. This fun indoor/outdoor pillow from World Market is really pretty, dontcha think? And at 50% off, it’s pretty tempting…

2. I’m obsessed with the idea of these yellow metal chairs for the head of the table (whether I DIY them with primer and yellow spray paint myself, or find them as-is somewhere).

3. This charming outdoor rug by Dash & Albert would be sweet by the sliding doors (and would catch dirt when folks come back in).

4. Some big bulb string lights swagged over the entire length of the deck would make for such pretty ambiance for alfresco dinners.

5. A few cute and colorful planters in the middle of the table would be sweet, maybe even full of fresh herbs to add to our dinner…

6. This table is ours. Literally. After I saw the price while making this mood board ($82?!?!) we measured to be sure it was a good fit and ran off to the store to grab it. It was actually $73 at our local store (I think it would actually cost more to buy wood & stain to DIY one!). We think the white finish will look so great with the wood tone of the deck and those fun yellow metal chairs along with some understated wood chairs to fill out the rest of the table.

7. A few hanging tea light holders might be sweet mounted to the sides of the house, just to make those exterior walls feel more integrated and cozy.

8. We got these wood chairs from Joss & Main for a steal (around $40 each with free shipping), so we’d love to use them for seating around the table (with those fun metal yellow ones at the head of the table).

And as for the layout of the deck, here’s what we’re thinking thanks to a little photoshop rendering (it’s around 20′ long by 8′ wide):

Drawing Of Deck Design Furniture Placement Overhead

You can see the little welcome mat by the sliding door (we just added some planters on either side of it, so anywhere you see a green dot, imagine that’s a planter with something leafy and green in it). We’d love to place the table (we’re guessing it’ll seat 6-8 people, but won’t know how many chairs fit until it’s all set up) in the middle section of the deck between the zipper seams we’ll be adding, and then there’s some room at the end of the deck for us to put something else that’s still TBD – perhaps a sand and water table for Clara (hence the blue rectangle with a chair) or a little sitting area for mommy and daddy.

Oh and for anyone worrying about the width of the table and chairs in that narrow alley of ours, before we got the table we taped it all out, and thankfully there will still be room to walk around the chairs on both sides when they’re in place. Whew. Our first house’s den was the same width (eight feet!) so I think we might just be used to working with long skinny spaces. Haha. We’ll keep you posted as we go for sure! Although at this point I’ll just be excited to sit out there on the deck boards themselves and sip on something cold…

Psst- Folks ask how I make mood boards so a quick explanation is that I used photoshop to cut things out, size them, place them, and add numbers. There’s more info about the process on our FAQ page along with some free alternatives to photoshop that we hear are lots of fun. Hope it helps!

Comments

  1. Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says

    I love all the bright colors you’ll be using. Your deck will definitely be a cheery place! We just got chairs like your #8 from IKEA for under $17 (we went with red, which is weird since it’s not usually my go-to color) and we love them. They’re real life savers when we have a bunch of people over!

    Reply

  3. kim says

    I have one of those yellow chair except mines green had it at our cottage since I was little. they are the most comfortable chairs ever.

    Reply

    • Pat E. says

      They are often called “motel” chairs and are amazingly comfortable for lounging (reading a book, watching the grass grow); they may be a little too low for table sitting/eating. You’ll want to try them out at a test table before you buy.

      Also, here in AZ I’d be putting a shade sail (rectangular to fit the space) overhead to make the deck even more inviting. You can get them at Amazon for much less than you might think.

      Can’t wait to see the final!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks for that tip Pat! We’ll have to measure first! As for the shade, the deck is in full shade after 3pm so if we want more early shade we might add something!

      xo,
      s

  4. Robin @ our semi organic life says

    I love seeing these plans of yours! Makes me wish I could buy cool patio stuff since we have a great rental deck out back. Have you thought about a big patio umbrella? What are your thoughts on those? That could be too dark with the walls and all…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We have thought about that but with the swagged lights overhead and the shade patterns (it’s shaded after 3pm) we think for dinners and stuff it won’t be necessary. Who knows where we’ll end up though!

      xo,
      s

  5. Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says

    I love that you’re using the same design aesthetic that you use in your interior. So often the inside of people’s houses are interesting and the outside spaces are same old, same old.

    I recently spruced up a seating area on my front porch, and it’s been such a lovely space to hang out. Not to mention it just puts a smile on my face every time I enter or exit my house.

    http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/2012/07/front-porch-makeover-a-before-and-after/

    Katy

    Reply

  6. Hannah says

    My grandparents used to have three of those yellow tulip chairs on their porch, and me and my cousins would always fight over them. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the sublte rocking they provide. It looks great!

    Reply

  7. Julia @ Chris Loves Julia says

    That pillow is my number one recommended pillow for my clients when I do mood boards. I can’t believe it is on sale! I might just snag one myself. We have been waiting for summer to die down a little so that all the patio furniture will go on clearance and we can snag some up. We’re those people.

    Reply

  9. Gina says

    Love the bold rug! It matches really well with the yellow chairs. We have some hanging lanterns on our upper deck and absolutely love them :)

    Reply

  11. Erin says

    Oh my gosh! Awesome! I love all the color. So when that deck is done, what time is dinner? You provide the ambiance, and I’ll bring the food. Deal?

    Reply

  12. Amy says

    The lights swagged over the whole deck would look SO amazing! I have quite a few pins of spaces like that, wishing I had a tiny deck with structure on both sides so I could do just that!

    Reply

  13. Kristi says

    Omg, my parents had those metal chairs (in navy blue) FOREVER! Of course when they came back in style and would’ve been awesome painted, they broke! Good luck on the hunt. I’m sure you can find those at a yard sale!

    Reply

  15. Erica says

    I vote you buy that $33 bench for one side of the table and paint it yellow yourselves. We used to have benches on our deck table and they’re great because you fit more people on them for parties, face both ways, and even lie down on them if you need some time to “digest.” Plus a bench will give you more space to walk around the table AND it can be pushed under the table when you’re not using it so that it takes up less space. Knowing you guys, you’d probably even repaint it several times and end up moving it to the patio or something once you find those darling metal chairs.

    Reply

    • Amanda B. says

      I was thinking about a bench too. You can actually keep the table pushed to one side of the deck (with the bench tucked underneath on that side). When it’s just your little family eating there you’ll have more breathing room on the deck. We have used this trick for years! Just pull it out when you have company.

    • Amanda B. says

      One more thing, I hate that it sounds like I’m telling you what “you should” do, when clearly you have great ideas that work for your family! I just like sharing ideas in case they might inspire someone else like me who reads the comments…

  16. Terri says

    My husband just snagged two of those metals chairs out of his grandpa’s garage last weekend after I saw one refinished on FB. They are sanded and ready to be primed and painted yellow to go our newly refinished “eifle tower” painted deck. That will be my weekend project!

    Reply

  17. Allyn says

    So fun! You should plant a bunch of citronella or catnip in the pots to help keep the mosquitos away. I really love the idea of the tea light holders!

    Reply

  18. Angie Lee says

    That is such a cheerful mood board. I hope you are able to find the same or similar items at great prices when the time comes. Yay for dreaming! :)

    Reply

  20. Kevin J says

    Awesomesauce! I’m hanging string bulbs over my deck this weekend on posts made from rebar and topped with empty wine or Orangina bottles.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we’re planning to make a stone patio down off the steps with the grill on that side (just so it’s not too close to the house for safety reasons).

      xo,
      s

  22. Patricia says

    Do you still have the string lights from your wedding? If you do, then it’d be really sweet and sentimental to now reuse them! And the yellow chairs are similar to the chairs you had on your first Richmond apartment’s patio and spray painted black!! Lol (I’ve been reading the archieves the past week and that’s how I can remember!)

    Reply

    • Harinee says

      I think that’s a great idea too!! As is the long bench on one side($33!) – you could still fit the wooden chairs on the other 3 sides..

      Ok that sounds too much like I’m telling you what to do – didn’t mean to sound that way! What would you do without us telling you how to decorate?? ;)

  23. Barb says

    Will look great, as always! Can’t wait for the finished reveal…coming soon?
    Probably not soon enough for all of you.

    Yea John, for all your blood, sweat (literally), and tears!!!

    B.

    Reply

  24. Angela says

    I love it all! It’s going to look amazing.

    A tip for you… instead of buying short globe light strands at world market or target you can get long strands (25-100 feet) from christmaslightsetc.com… and it actually ends up being cheaper! That’s what I did for my wedding and I highly recommend them! This is what I got:

    http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/p/G40-E12-Clear-Globe-Replacement-Lamps–18769.htm

    http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/c7-christmas-lights-strings–455.htm

    Reply

  27. Heidi S. says

    I love it! I bought chair cushions in the same fabric earlier in the season and they are really cute. I am totally jealous of the table! It is sold out online and I don’t have a World Market near me (maybe someday) or I would have totally snatched it up! I also see that they have the bench on clearance (in store only). Now that my kids are a little bit older (3 & 5), a bench on one side is a necessity. You can fit A LOT of kid bottoms on a bench. :)

    http://www.statelykitsch.com/new-outdoor-chair-cushions-pillows/

    Oh and I have a new friend in the garden (craziest purchase of the year):

    http://www.statelykitsch.com/why-yes-i-did-just-buy-a-large-blue-metal-goat/

    Reply

  29. Angela says

    I have been dreaming of those yellow chairs too! I need to go and get them! I found them here: http://menards.com/main/outdoor/patio-furniture-benches/stamped-steel-bistro-chair-yellow/p-1725959-c-10136.htm

    I don’t know if you have a menards in your area- but for $35 a chair, you could almost get enough for all 6 of your seating area! :) We have a front porch that is about the same size as your deck will be, and I’d like those for on there! Hmmmm… it IS our 10 year anniversary tomorrow- maybe I could buy them for that?! lol I’m loving the mood board!

    Reply

  32. Lena says

    That looks like it will be an awesome space. Love those large string bulb lights where are those from?

    Also on your plan what are blue and brown rectangles in the bottom right corner?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The string bulbs are from World Market (just click the link to see where things in the mood board are from). Hope it helps! Oh and check out the paragraph below the rendering for that info about the blue rectangle :)

      xo
      s

  35. Debbie says

    when we decided to wrap a deck around our 8-sided, 2-story gazebo at our log cabin in MN, we also included a stylish (but very functional & water tight) deck box. since our gazebo is about 700 ft from our actual cabin (but only 100 ft from our private beach & lake), there were always bulky things we were forgetting to bring w/us (ie extra folding deck chairs, extenstion cords, charcoal & wood for our fire pit & outdoor oven, etc..). its proved invaluable & can also double as seating in a pinch.

    Reply

  37. Randa says

    This looks very promising!
    Someone may have already commented, but it looks like the link in #8 leads to the lights, not to the Joss & Main chairs.

    Reply

  40. Stacey says

    So. Exciting. Am also daydreaming swagged fairy lights over my narrow quartyard which I’d like to turn into an outdoor cafe type setting. Can’t wait to see yours in place!

    Reply

  41. bria s. says

    i see chairs like that ALL THE TIME on craigslist here in Baltimore. search for tin patio chairs. this mood board reminds me i really need to get on sprucing up the patio by hub worked so hard to build last year!

    Reply

  43. Brandy says

    Sherry I can’t wait to see those big bulbs on your patio! It’s going to look great!I’m so happy for you guys and I love all of your ideas.

    Reply

  44. Sarah K says

    Oh, what a fun plan! I love all the colors & what an amazing deal on that table. Lucky! Have you guys considered a bench on one side of the table? I know you’re no strangers to dining table benches …. It may also be easier for little kiddos to fit at the table.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We did think about that but had already bought the chairs (which we think will look nice if they’re balanced). Maybe we can build a bench down the line if we miss one though!

      xo,
      s

  45. Lori says

    Love the mood board! I don’t know if you guys have a BIG LOTS near you, but they carry those round bulb lights for maybe $10 or $12 a package. We bought them last year for our pergola and when you have to buy so many strands the difference can add up!

    Reply

  46. ilikebeerandbabies.com says

    FYI, we used these LED globe lights and LOVE them. http://www.target.com/p/philips-25ct-warm-white-led-smooth-g40-globe-string-lights-green-wire/-/A-12285336#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

    They are plastic so they don’t shatter with wind or installation, are LED so you don’t have to replace them as often and the 25-light string goes a LONG LONG way. I bought four packages for our huge patio and had to return two. Part of one is ever hidden because it was just extra hanging around.

    Reply

  48. Sabrina says

    This is one of my favorite mood boards. I love it! They had tea light holders like that in the target dollar bins about a month ago, snagged a couple for my sad front porch.

    Reply

  49. Darci says

    We just got bulb string lights for our patio from Hometown Evolution and LOVE THEM! They had the best prices for the string length. Target has them for a great price, but you can only string two together.

    Good luck!

    Reply

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