The 10 most common mistakes in outdoor decoration

Fitting with the decoration of our patio, terrace, porch or garden is not always an easy task. If we do not choose carefully the elements we need we can find that our outer space is not as enjoyable as we had thought.

You may have doubts when planning and designing your space but if you know in advance what you should not do you already have a lot of space travelled.

Thanks to the extensive experience of PATIO professionals, we tell you which are the most common errors we can find in the decoration of outdoor spaces.

Keep reading if you want to know the 10 most frequent errors we have found and rectify in time!

1. Use materials not suitable for outdoor use.

More often than desired we have found that the choice of materials suitable for outdoor use has not been taken into account. The climate of the Costa del Sol and Spain gives us​ many hours of sunlight but it is a double-edged sword because it can ruin the materials of our garden furniture.

It is important to use furniture with an aluminium structure so that it resists the weather and does not rust. If we opt for furniture based on fibres we must demand that they are tested to withstand UV rays, avoiding natural materials such as rattan or hemp.
​
For the choice of cushions, it is convenient to have water-resistant Quickdry padding. This way we don’t have to worry about cushions if it rains occasionally, we wear them with bath clothes or waterfalls from the sprinklers.

2. Misuse of colour.

Errors in the choice of the colour of our terrace occur when we use very little colour or are combined in the wrong way.
​
Following the basic rules of the professionals of PATIO, you will always succeed with the use of colour. The use of white and neutral tones as a base is a sure bet for its ease of combining.

3. Use little or too much furniture.

Some people accumulate furniture on their terrace or garden in such a way that it resembles a flea market rather than a homogeneous outdoor space.
 
Nor is it advisable to take the minimalist style to such an extent that our guests do not find a place to sit. As Aristotle rightly stated, "virtue consists in a middle ground between two bad extremes, one by excess and the other by default".

4. Do not use plants.

Plants will help you create a much more welcoming atmosphere for your terrace or garden. They are the perfect and natural complement to your outdoor sofas, pool loungers or your dining table.
​
Today, the use of artificial plants has emerged as the easiest, most practical and affordable way to give the natural and green touch that any outdoor space needs.

5.  Choose furniture based solely on aesthetics.

When choosing sofas, chairs armchairs or sun loungers and for our terrace, we have to take into account both aesthetics and functionality. If we do not find them comfortable when we sit down we will hardly use them often.
​
Don’t make the mistake of buying furniture online or catalogues without having tried them before. It is essential to test any piece and see it up close before buying it.

6.  Forget the functionality.

In exterior decoration, we must take into account the functionality we want to give to our space.
​
For large families or if you have many guests it is convenient to have extendable tables or modular furniture to have extra seats.
​
If you are few or only live, you may be able to manage with a folding table or a compact sofa. This way you will get the most out of your terrace or garden.

7.  Impersonality.

Our outer space is the reflection of our personality and should bear our seal just as we do with the interior decoration.

Whether you prefer the Mediterranean, Nordic, classic or minimalist style, you should pay attention to the decorative elements to make your terrace or garden a space more of your home following the same decorative line.

8.  Proper lighting.

At nightfall, it is essential to have enough light to continue enjoying our terrace or garden.

On the market there are solutions to illuminate outdoor spaces, from rechargeable lamps without the need for cables or low-consumption LED luminaires.

It is important to decide if we want warm or cold lights since in this way we can homogenize our space.

9.  Obstruct the crossing areas.

Although it seems obvious we do not always leave free access to the different areas of our terrace. The passage between these must be clear and accessible.

It avoids any superfluous elements that hinder the circulation between the different areas. There is nothing more uncomfortable than having to take a detour to go from the porch sofas area to the pool hammocks or the barbecue area. 

10.  Do not create a space that is welcoming.

We are going to spend a lot of time on our terrace so we’d better create a cosy atmosphere. Decorative cushions, a good shade umbrella, or having a good barbecue are details that will make your guests never want to leave your garden.

Fernando Bueno 

Patio Top Garden Furniture  Estepona.