Summer days and nights are best enjoyed outside, especially in the lake area. Time can be spent hosting BBQs, lounging by the pool, or hanging out watching the kids play in the yard. John Elliott Interiors in Osage Beach can help you make that outdoor living space both comfortable and gorgeous for a season full of fun in the sun!

You'll find the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor furniture at the Lake of the Ozarks inside our showroom. Inside today's blog, you'll find a few helpful tips for getting your patio into shape for now through next fall before the winter cold chases us indoors once again.


Create Shaded Areas
On sweltering summer days, sometimes the only way to be comfortable outside is with a little bit of shade. Adding a pergola to your patio creates shelter from the summer heat and makes it cozy enough to enjoy through the fall. A pergola also creates a comfortable 'room' and can be used to separate a seating area from the rest of the outdoor space. Even the addition of a large, beautifully decorated umbrella over an outdoor table can give you some much-needed shade from the hot summer rays.

Add Natural Color
You can easily add your favorite colors to an outdoor living space with seat cushions and accessories, but don't forget to take advantage of some natural pops of color as well. Flowers not only make your patio area look stunning but they also make the yard smell amazing. Even if you live in a condo without a yard, add some beautiful blooms in pots instead. 

If you don't have a green thumb, try planting succulents. They are super trendy and require little to no effort. Succulents thrive on sunlight, only need a little water, and live for a long time so they are the perfect no-fuss plants for a vacation home. 

It's that lovely time of year when we start spending a lot more time outdoors. That means it's time to find some beautiful outdoor furniture at the Lake of the Ozarks. You'll need top quality outdoor furniture to be able to take advantage of the outdoor space of a lakeside home you may own. Even if you don't live on the water, as long as you have a nice backyard that you love to hang out in or a pretty porch at the front of the house, a few exquisite pieces from John Elliott Interiors in Lake Ozark can make your outdoors every bit as inviting as your indoors.


Purchasing outdoor furniture is similar to buying indoor furniture in some ways, but there are a few added things you need to think about before choosing your pieces. These tips should help you to make an informed decision to find outdoor furniture that will stand the test of time.

Decide What You Need
Just as you would for a room inside your home, take a good look at the outdoor space that you are designing and think about exactly what you want that space to be. Will it just be for you and the family to lounge and enjoy outdoor activities, or will you be entertaining guests often? Do you want a relaxing oasis or a place where friends and family can get together and let loose?

Once you have a good idea of the style you are going for and the feeling you want for the space to evoke, it's time to figure out exactly how much room you have to work with. You'll want enough furniture to fill the space, but not so much that there's not enough room to move around it. If there is a lack of shade in your yard or on your patio, furniture that can provide that, such as umbrellas, is a good idea. All-weather rugs are an excellent addition too, providing comfort for bare feet and added beauty to a wooden deck or concrete floor.   

Find Easy to Care for Pieces
Outdoor furniture needs to be able to handle whatever type of weather is possible where you live. Most pieces will remain outside, even if it storms, and plans to remove cushions when it rains don't work if you're not home when the rain starts. Also be aware that furniture outdoors is going to come in contact with a lot more dirt, water, and possibly food items than most of your indoor furniture will. Make sure you take a look at the care instructions before you buy any furniture to use outside.

Another thing to think about is whether or not the pieces will all stay in place, or if you prefer to be able to change the layout of the furniture when you need a new seating arrangement. If it's the latter, look for pieces that are lightweight and easy to move around. Be sure to keep in mind a plan for winter storage while you're at it. If you don't want to have to remove the furniture completely, you'll need to search for pieces that will stand up to snow and ice as well as sunshine and rain.


Look for Dual-Purpose Furniture
Doubling up on function and beauty when designing your outdoor space is a nice bonus. Storage inside the seats of chairs or benches can hide cushions when you aren't using them or even outdoor equipment you want to keep out of sight. Ottomans that can be used as side tables or a place to sit offer flexibility. A bench that is the right height for an outdoor table can be used for extra seating when you dine outside, but it will also look lovely on its own in another part of the yard. 

Enhance Your Curb Appeal
The look of your outdoor furniture should complement the outside of your home and the surrounding area. The goal is for the design to look like it belongs with the style of the house, not just random pieces that have been thrown together. Especially be aware of this if the furniture can be seen from the street view. Curb appeal is a very important factor for any home. 

Invest in Quality
You've all heard the old saying, "You get what you pay for." It may be tempting to pick up inexpensive furniture for the outside of your home, but that discounted price doesn't do you much good if all of that furniture has to be replaced every spring. Our Lake of the Ozarks furniture store takes pride in only offering the highest quality furniture for every room inside your home as well as the spaces you want to design outside. Each piece in our store is built to last for years and stand up to daily use so that you can truly enjoy it.


The living space outside of your home deserves the same special attention that the interior rooms are given. Let John Elliott Interiors help you make that happen in the most beautiful way possible!