We Gave a Home Stager $150 to Shop for Outdoor Decor at Target
Summer is here (yay!) and that means a full calendar of outdoor hosting opportunities — from drinks on the porch or patio to BBQs to game night under the stars. That also means that it’s summer real estate season. In warm weather more than any other season, prospective buyers want to imagine themselves in outdoor spaces. In other words, it’s time to spruce up your outdoor space to maximize your outdoor appeal to potential buyers. To get your outdoor space looking its best, we turned to design expert Christine Boozer of Serenity Home Styling in New Jersey.
Boozer lent us her practiced eye to shop all of the goodies available at Target and pull together a stylish refresh that could work for decks, patios, and porches that could help boost the attractiveness of your outdoor space — for your next party or for your next showing.
“Even if you can’t get away this summer, you can always create an oasis in your outdoor living space — no matter how small it is,” she says.
Here are Boozer’s top picks:
Tilework Diamonds Square Outdoor Throw Pillow White Tilework Diamonds Square Outdoor Throw Pillow White
Boozer is a big fan of using throw pillows to give your outdoor space a big glow-up on a small budget. She picked three different patterned outdoor-safe pillows that all work together but add a touch of fun and luxe to any outdoor space.
Cavendish Canary Tropical Square Outdoor Throw Pillow Multicolor Cavendish Canary Tropical Square Outdoor Throw Pillow Multicolor
It’s clear what Boozer’s philosophy is: You can never have too many throw pillows! And I have to agree, especially when they’re as pretty as this trio she pulled together.
Micro Grid Rectangular Outdoor Lumbar Pillow Fern Green Micro Grid Rectangular Outdoor Lumbar Pillow Fern Green
“Mixing the bright color and pattern of these fun Target pillows gives you resort style at home,” she says. “Plus, pillows are so easy to change up throughout the year.”
Natural Woven Tray with Handles Natural Woven Tray with Handles
Next, Boozer picked out a wicker accent — an incredibly trendy material at the moment — that adds a dose of texture to any outdoor space. “Nothing says ‘summer’ and ‘resort’ like adding wicker to your decor,” Boozer says. Besides looking great on an outdoor coffee table, this 14x20-inch woven tray is a practical pick: It’s handy for toting drinks and snacks from inside to outdoors. Perhaps you want to serve lemonade at your next open house? It’s a wonderful receptacle to do it!
Carafe Beverage Server Carafe Beverage Server
If you need something to serve those lemonades in — or at least glassware that serves as the suggestion of lemonade in the future — this beverage server is the perfect stylish way to do it.
17 oz Tumbler 17 oz Tumbler
A chic carafe and tumblers like the ones above are must-haves for drinks on the patio or deck. Boozer likes these acrylic options from Threshold, which look classy but are outdoor-hardy.
“The last thing you want when entertaining outdoors is broken glass,” she says. She also loves the fact that they are clear. “It’s fun to see the bright colors of summer’s tropical drinks with mixed fruit by serving beverages in a clear tumbler.”
Textured Stripe Dobby Throw Blanket with Corner Tassels in Blush Textured Stripe Dobby Throw Blanket with Corner Tassels in Blush
“Don’t forget a soft throw blanket for those chilly summer evenings on the porch or patio,” Boozer says. She chose this textured, 100% cotton blanket in blush to complement the colors in the throw pillows.
Kate Aspen Blue Mercury Glass Tea Light Holder Kate Aspen Blue Mercury Glass Tea Light Holder
For a pop of color and ambiance, especially during an evening showing, Boozer suggests adding this set of four mercury glass tea light holders to your outdoor tablescape. She loves that they coordinate with the blue in the throw pillows for a cohesive look. Her pro tip: Fill them with citronella tea light candles to keep the bugs at bay. (And if they don’t exactly do that, at least your outdoor space will smell amazing!)
Mini Woven Resin Wicker Indoor Outdoor Lantern String Lights Mini Woven Resin Wicker Indoor Outdoor Lantern String Lights
String lights have become a go-to for creating ambiance in pretty much any outdoor setting—without breaking the bank. Boozer went for this adorable woven basket set to “add sparkle to any outdoor space on a summer evening.”
Lunch Napkin Summer Stripe Lunch Napkin Summer Stripe
Perfect for your next BBQ, cocktail night, or for those open house lemonades, this preppy set of 30 napkins is both cute and useful. “A paper cocktail napkin is such an easy way to infuse your personal style into an outdoor dining scene,” Boozer says. She opted for these adorable summery stripes that tie in perfectly with her color palette.
