It’s not just lanterns and string lights that make an outdoor space feel dreamy. Just ask Savannah K. Barry, a home and hosting digital content creator, who learned the importance of curating a space from watching her parents host in her childhood home. She implements those lessons by romanticizing everyday moments and sharing them online. “You might have a small, tiny space, but it can hold a lot of magic, and it’s up to you to create it,” Barry says.
Here, she shares how to transform your home’s porch or patio to help you slow down this summer and make everyday moments feel special.
Photo: Savannah K. Barry
Barry shares how she turned her patio into her dream outdoor space and her best tips for romanticizing outdoor areas this summer.
Barry’s decorating style is largely influenced by her family and childhood. Because her parents and grandparents were always hosting, Barry says she grew up studying what people needed and wanted from a space. “I’ve had this really rich education of loving on your people,” Barry says. “So, I draw a lot of inspiration from my family.”
For example, growing up, Barry’s parents would host get-togethers in their garage where they would play darts and drink a cold beer while someone played the guitar in the background. Today, one of Barry’s favorite activities for romanticizing her outdoor space is playing darts with loved ones. “That’s just my DNA,” Barry says.
Barry also draws inspiration from ’90s and 2000s movies and TV shows, including Hope Floats, Practical Magic, and Gilmore Girls. “I love it when I receive feedback that says, ‘Wow, this feels like an outro to a movie,'” she says. Films can guide outdoor activities, too. Whether you’re hosting happy hour on the patio or sipping wine after a long workday, take inspiration from your favorite scenes and settings to romanticize your space. For example, play the soundtrack from one of your most-loved movies or hang an extra strand of string lights to make your happy hour feel more whimsical.
If there is one time of day to get outside, Barry says it’s the magical hour between evening and night. Called “blue hour,” Barry says it’s the time of day she can’t resist sitting out on her patio with a glass of wine.
“I can’t help myself,” she says. “The sun basically has gone down, and the lanterns are glowing, and I just sit there and look at my beautiful yard.” Embrace the blue hour by watching the sunset on your porch or patio, or spend some time journaling to reflect on your day. Make sure to bring your favorite drink or sweet treat to make the moment even more special.
One of Barry’s most practical tips for spending more time on your porch or patio is to move everyday activities outside. Barry says one of her philosophies is that if she’s reading or scrolling on her phone, she’ll sit outside on her front porch swing instead of in her living room. She recommends bringing pillows and blankets outside to make the space more cozy and encourage you to use your outdoor room more frequently.
Leave a comment