The dog days of summer are just around the corner, and thankfully if we’re not yet prepared for them, it won’t take much time or money to play catch-up. Whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard with an infinity-edge pool or the teeniest tiniest apartment balcony ever built, it’s entirely possible to create a chic patio environment without breaking the bank.
World Market may be a phenomenal place to go for those little dinner party trinkets and savory items for wine-and-cheese nights at home, but it’s also a mecca for inexpensive patio accents, like the collection of colored glass hanging tea lights, above, which run $18 per set of six.
IKEA, of course, swoops in to the rescue as well with its Ammero outdoor table and chair set — a classic black and white patio table with room for four. The same series offers cocktail tables and stools as well; the entire patio set shown here is under $400 for all five pieces. Of course, as with all things IKEA, a bit of assembly is required, but hey — sounds like a perfect family project for a Saturday afternoon, right?
Target, of course, also offers a plethora of budget-friendly backyard treasures like this comfy wicker daybed presented in a gorgeous cream-and-walnut palette, perfect for deflecting sun and keeping cool:
And bringing up the rear with a quartet of accessories is the ever-worldly Pier 1 Imports with its patio umbrella, stacking chair, petal pillow and beverage cart, all in the double digits… and there’s more where these came from:
As with any design, it’s important to remember that less is more; generally, the less fussy the look, the more timeless it is. When all else fails, a beach towel or picnic blanket just might be all you need, but if you’re in the market to spruce up your outdoor space, there’s no shortage of options that look positively high-end… and you’re the only one who’ll know the difference.
Photo credits: World Market, IKEA, Target and Pier 1.
