{"id":158632,"date":"2020-05-26T00:01:37","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T07:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=158632"},"modified":"2020-07-20T14:43:38","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T21:43:38","slug":"how-to-create-your-backyard-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/how-to-create-your-backyard-escape","title":{"rendered":"West Elm + REI: How to Create Your Backyard Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"

This spring,\u00a0REI Co-op\u00a0and\u00a0West Elm\u00a0<\/a>are partnering on a\u00a0first-ever\u00a0co-curated\u00a0collection<\/a>\u00a0of on-the-go outdoor pieces to help people feel more at home\u00a0outside, from the campsite to your own backyard. As part of our partnership, we\u2019re publishing a\u00a0series of guest posts<\/a> from our friends at West Elm. Here, they share six tips for making the most of your outdoor space.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Think of your backyard as the outdoor outlet you can always depend on, even in times of uncertainty. By making the most of your outdoor space, you can increase your livable square footage during warmer months and carve out a versatile destination to relax and recharge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

City dwellers, this one\u2019s for you, too. The ultimate \u201cbackyard\u201d isn\u2019t just for those with the truest definition of the word. Whether you\u2019re working with a vast expanse, a room-for-two city balcony or something in between, you can create a low-lift, high-impact retreat with a few key essentials. Your backyard “staycation” is six steps away.<\/span><\/p>\n

At-The-Ready Lounging<\/b><\/h4>\n

Forget your grandparents\u2019 card-table lawn chairs. Simply put, if your outdoor seating isn\u2019t comfortable, you likely won\u2019t want to spend considerable time in your space. Think <\/span>living room comfort meets outdoor durability<\/span><\/a>. Plush, water-resistant cushions and furniture frames with casually reclined backs are the foolproof formula for achieving backyard bliss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Place To Eat Al Fresco<\/b><\/h4>\n

From a communal coffee table to an expandable dining table, you\u2019ll want <\/span>somewhere to be able to have a full-on meal<\/span><\/a>. If you\u2019re tight on space, consider a side table or C-table, offering just enough surface area to keep a cold drink and snack at arm\u2019s reach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A

A two-seater bistro table (like this West Elm Outdoor Wren Bistro Table & Metal Stacking Chair Set<\/a>) is perfect for small outdoor spaces. (Image courtesy of West Elm)<\/p><\/div>\n

Something Soft Underfoot\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n

Extending your living space outside means starting from the ground up. Instantly upping the cozy factor, a <\/span>durable outdoor rug<\/span><\/a> helps ground a space visually so it feels like its own \u201croom.\u201d Plus, it\u2019s easy to clean and softer than a wooden deck or stone patio under bare feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Outdoor

Choose an outdoor rug that suits your style\u2014it\u2019s an instant vibe-maker. Here, West Elm\u2019s Framed Arrows Indoor\/Outdoor Rug<\/a> is paired with the Acadia Outdoor Sofa & Lounge Chair Set<\/a>. (Image courtesy of West Elm)<\/p><\/div>\n

Mood Lighting<\/b><\/h4>\n

The best outdoor areas are just as inviting during the day as they are after dusk. Our recipe for instant ambience: <\/span>string lights, lanterns and hurricane vases<\/span><\/a>. Whether you\u2019re lighting up a small porch or an entire patio, nothing transforms a space quite like string lights. Look for medium-size round globes with brass accents\u2014not your average holiday lights, but so stylish you\u2019ll want to keep \u2019em up year-round. Hurricane vases with candles cast a flickering glow that begs for lingering well past sundown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Backyard

Set a *mood* with clusters of flickering candlelight and overhead string lights. Pictured: West Elm Portside Aluminum Outdoor Dining Table & 2 Bench Set<\/a>, Modern Porcelain Hurricanes<\/a> and Simple String Lights<\/a>. (Image courtesy of West Elm)<\/p><\/div>\n

Outdoor-Optimal Accessories<\/b><\/h4>\n

Weather-resistant <\/span>outdoor pillows<\/span><\/a> encourage lounging and stand up to the sun, splashes and sweat that summer throws their way. Large trays allow you to easily tote food and drinks from the inside out and simplify cleanup after. Unbreakable <\/span>acrylic or melamine tableware<\/span><\/a> is ideal for outdoor use, not to mention more eco-friendly than disposable paper or plastic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Backyard

Candlelight, throw pillows, a prop-your-feet-up-pouf. Think of what you love most about your living room, and extend those comforts outside. Pictured: West Elm Summit Indoor\/Outdoor Rug<\/a>. (Image courtesy of West Elm)<\/p><\/div>\n

Plant Pets<\/b><\/h4>\n

Like endorphins or puppies, plants make people happy. Is your porch street-facing? Hang plants on your railing for instant charm. Working with a teeny tiny balcony? A narrow <\/span>herb garden<\/span><\/a> will prove its worth. Styling out a larger rooftop, patio or back deck? Fill in empty corners and dead space with lush, leafy plants, like ferns or palms, to create an outdoor oasis. We recommend grouping together planters of varying textures, shapes or hues to add visual interest. The only rule: The more, the merrier\u2014it is the great outdoors, after all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Planters

West Elm\u2019s Cityscape Planters<\/a> come with built-in liners for easy watering. (Image courtesy of West Elm)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This spring,\u00a0REI Co-op\u00a0and\u00a0West Elm\u00a0are partnering on a\u00a0first-ever\u00a0co-curated\u00a0collection\u00a0of on-the-go outdoor pieces to help people feel more at home\u00a0outside, from the campsite to your own backyard. As part of our partnership, we\u2019re publishing a\u00a0series of guest posts from our friends at West Elm. Here, they share six tips for making the most of your outdoor space.\u00a0 Think […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":159529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[685],"tags":[758,2009],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-158632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-how-to","tag-west-elm"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/news\/how-to-create-your-backyard-escape","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"West Elm + REI: How to Create Your Backyard Escape","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/how-to-create-your-backyard-escape","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/how-to-create-your-backyard-escape"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/BackyardEscape_Image1_Lounge.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/BackyardEscape_Image1_Lounge.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000"},"articleSection":"News","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["how to","west elm"],"dateCreated":"2020-05-26T07:01:37Z","datePublished":"2020-05-26T07:01:37Z","dateModified":"2020-07-20T21:43:38Z"},"rendered":"