When we first moved into our home, the backyard was a disaster. Weeds five feet tall, an awkward flowerbed, half dead plants, etc. It isn’t a huge yard, but it was such a mess that we never used it or enjoyed being out there. Living in Las Vegas, we can use the patio almost year round. This year we finally decided to do something about it. We kept the existing patio cover and concrete floor, but hired a landscaper to remove all of the old rocks, concrete barriers, and plants and start from scratch. The yard looks a million times better!

Now it is time to decorate and bring more container plants into the patio area. We have a table and chairs, but want an area for lounging and relaxing, and need to do it on the cheap. The weather is warming up quickly, so it is time to get the ball rolling! I have been on the hunt for ideas and wanted to share some outdoor living inspiration with you.

{images via Pottery Barn}

I love the look of the all-weather wicker Palmetto collection in black from Pottery Barn shown above (photos 1-3) and the Portsmouth collection (photo 4), but unfortunately I don’t love the price. Since we won’t be in this house forever (thank you, Air Force), I don’t want to commit to something this pricy when I don’t know if it will fit with future homes. Either way, Pottery Barn’s outdoor styling is incredibly inspirational and somewhat doable. The black wicker mixed with rusted, brown metal pieces would be something I might be able to recreate. The abundance of multicolored pillows could easily be reproduced – I can afford the pillows! :)

{images via Style at Home, photographer Michael Graydon}

This space is fantastic and is a great example of bringing the indoor decor outside. The candles mounted on the trellis and the fountain add another dimension.

{image via House & Home, photographer Donna Griffith}

{images via House & Home, photographer Brandon Barre}

The spaces shown above show the divided spaces I am looking for – one area for dining and another for lounging and relaxing. Now let’s see if I can bring some of this inspiration to life on a smaller budget. Do you have any plans to re-haul your outdoor living spaces before summer officially hits? Or is your patio summer ready? If so, do you have any recommendations for fabulous, but not outrageously priced patio furniture?