In this post: Does your outdoor seating include a welcoming conversation area? Here’s a simple and affordable patio update with a new outdoor bench.
Sometimes one piece of furniture can solve a handful of issues all at once.
Such is the case with our new outdoor bench.
It all started on a 50 degree day in February, when I decided it was time to start planning for this year’s summer entertaining season with thoughts of a patio update.
Every year at the beginning of the season, I take stock of what I have left from last year, assessing what worked, what needs replacing and what functionality has been missing altogether.
With the weather nearly balmy for a winter’s day, this was the perfect time to get a jump on the season. I could order anything I needed early, while everything is still available and I have my ‘pick of the litter’.
I pulled out the sofa cushions, set up a bit and took a look.
Ignoring the bare February trees for a minute, there was one immediate problem that jumped out that I’ve been wanting to solve for a few years. But the same conundrums from the past came into play again, as well. Let me explain.
We live in a townhouse. We’re lucky to have a nice sized patio, but it’s really our only outdoor space. We do have grass below that’s as spacious as a nice sized backyard, but we don’t really own it, as it’s considered common space, so we can’t keep outdoor furniture there.
That means our patio needs to answer all of our outdoor needs. I discovered in the past few years that the best use of the space is to set up a welcoming conversation area that is ideal for entertaining. Yet, thus far our seating has been limited.
The sectional is great for comfort and for accommodating a lot of people. It’s also workable for sunbathing since it needs to serve that purpose as well. But it takes up most of the patio and for additional seating, I have to be careful what I choose.
I didn’t want to replace the small bistro set we have, since this is the one place we can eat and we love to have our morning coffee here. It sits opposite the sectional and allows enough room for people to walk by.
But I didn’t want to add a heavy piece of furniture perpendicular to the sofa since this would mean walking out the back door and blocking the view into the conversation area.
The brilliant solution was this wonderful Satilla Loveseat from Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart. It’s sturdy and well constructed and adds seating for two, yet the corded back and seat provide a ‘barely-there’ look that doesn’t interrupt the sight-line onto the patio.
It’s also amazingly affordable and doesn’t take days to dry when it rains.
*This post was sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart, but all opinions and product-love are purely my own.
I can always add a cushion for added comfort but for now I prefer the light and airy look.
As spring arrives and everything begins to bloom I will be adding more planters into the mix.
The surprisingly warm winter we’ve had has convinced me to keep the sofa cushions out for the rest of the season. I just add pillows and throws for those serendipitously warm days and fold them away when it gets seasonally cold again.
I’ll be looking to replace the side tables this year, along with the aged teak coffee table. It served us well for several years but hasn’t really weathered as well as I’d have liked it to.
I need something that looks pretty with the lovely tableware I use out here and the charming candle holders and hurricane lamps.
This is just a start that will look more beautiful in a few months when it can be appreciated against a lush green backdrop. But for now I love having a place to have drinks with friends on a 50 degree day in February!
*This quick patio update is part of our monthly 20 Minute Decorating Series. Please be sure to visit all the other posts at the bottom of this one! Enjoy!!
Outdoor Bench Resource List
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided many similar options.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
Please be sure to visit all of the other posts below!
StoneGable | Easy and Pretty Spring Front Door Basket
French Country Cottage | How to Style Faux Flowers
On Sutton Place | Favorite Faux Greenery
Shabbyfufu | 5 Best Ways To Style Faux Flowers Quickly
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Beautiful! I do have a question, we live in western KY and we have a lot of humidity, heat, and dust (from all the farms in our area). How do you manage to keep your cushions, throws and things so nice looking?? If I had a throw on my outdoor furniture, you couldn’t use it without having a sneezing fit! LOL
Thank you, Ivana! The throws I don’t keep outside overnight. They come in with the serveware. But the cushions do stay out all summer. We’ve had to clean them many times due to pollen and other factors, as well. I found the first line of defense was to spray them with scotch guard. That made a huge difference in keeping them clean in the first place. But then usually once a year I need to scrub down the cushions with a detergent and a brush, to get all the green off from the trees (which in the summer, truly are green… ;-)).
Thanks for sharing…why don’t you paint the teak coffee table?
I actually have thought of painting the table and I might. But it will need a lot of upkeep then. I saw a pretty glass top table last year, so if I can’t find that one, then I may just go the paint route… 🙂
Lory,
That bench is SO cute and such a perfect choice!
The airy quality makes it so smart for that spot!
What a great coordinating piece with your existing set too!
Happy Spring, Shannon
Thank you so much, Shannon!