1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

First, you need to choose the best place for your backyard oasis. Consider how near or far you'd like to be from your home. You may want to bring food or games out to entertain so closer may be the better option. If you have a pergola (that gorgeous wooden structure in the photo up top) or a patio these spots are ideal!

2. LET'S GET COZY

There are so many different furniture layouts you can opt for it can be overwhelming. Let's help you break it down:

• Outdoor dining table and chairs - this setup is best if you love to hold dinner parties! What's better than hosting dinner outside to a sunset backdrop?
• Patio Sofa - Who doesn't want to live outside in the summer? Set up your outdoor living room with outdoor sofas, chairs and a coffee table. This is also a great option for entertaining guests.
• Bistro table & chairs- You know those cute little tables you see outside of French cafes? These make the perfect romantic sitting area for two. It's also a perfect fit for those who have limited outdoor space (i.e. - small patios, decks or balconies)
• Porch swing - Have a beautiful porch that you don't know what to do with? Hang a porch swing, add a few cushions, a blanket and curl up with a good book or snuggle with your sweetheart!
• Chaise lounge- This element is a must-have if you love napping or basking in the sun! It may be a solo seat but when you pair it with an outdoor living room set it becomes a guest favorite.
• Hammock - You don't need a pergola, a patio, or a deck to have an outdoor oasis. Find two trees, string up a hammock and let that be your starting point.

3. GREEN WITH ENVY

Yes, you're already outside where there is probably plenty of grass, trees & flowers but you can really elevate your space by adding even more lush greenery! Potted plant gardens are like a beautiful necklace - the perfect accessory. Pots come in so many textures, colors, and sizes make sure you mix and match for a lot of visual interest. 

5. BOUGIE BABY

Your living space wouldn't be as comfortable without some comfy cushions and plush pillows. There are so many fantastic outdoor options to make your seating a bit more cozy and pillows are a perfect way to bring a pop of color into your life. Poufs are another way to add softness to hard outdoor surfaces. You can use them as footstools or extra seating when you decide to throw a big backyard bash. Just remember to get ones that can weather the elements.

6. LIGHTING THE WAY

If you plan on partying past dusk, lighting is going to be uber necessary. One simple way to add a little glow is with tiki torches. You don't have to get those dated ones now either! There are so many more stylish options online these days. Candles are a great way to add a little glow to the top of deck posts or side tables. My favorite option, though, is zigzagging a long string of twinkle lights or bistro lights above your seating area or around a tree trunk!

7. LET'S GET TOASTED!

This one could fall under lighting but we think it deserves a classification all its own. A firepit is essential to the outdoor atmosphere. It's got SO many benefits - roast marshmallows or cook hotdogs, warm up on a cool spring evening, allow the glow to light the night. You can go as extravagant as a stone fireplace or as simple as those cutie little metal firepits. There's no wrong decision on that one!