Outdoor Entertaining with HomeGoods
It’s no secret that I have an obsession with HomeGoods. I can’t explain the excitement I get walking through those doors...never knowing what inspiration might strike as I make my way through the aisles. You, of course, can find beautiful art, furniture, and really any household necessity from kitchen tools to decor, but HomeGoods is also my go to for seasonal items. The selection is constantly changing and there is always a chance for something to grab my eye and inspire my next party. And their prices are unbeatable!
When HomeGoods asked me if I wanted to team up to reinvent our outdoor space, I jumped at the opportunity. We are about to head into summer and that’s my favorite time of year to entertain. I wanted to cozy up the outdoor living space, add a little pop of color to the poolside loungers, soften the outdoor movie theater, and bring our outdoor dining to life!
Our outdoor living room is truly something we enjoy daily. It has the loveliest fireplace that seems to always be used, the tv usually has some sort of sports on, and it’s serves as a nice place to relax and watch the kids swim for hours. I felt like it was really missing a couple of major things. It needed to feel a bit more fun and airy. The existing furniture was really heavy, but swapping that out with the collection of light rattan furniture really kicked things up a level. The palate was inspired by some gorgeous outdoor yellow pillows and we were off and running our way to a cozy space filled with a subtly bright mix of textiles and accessories. I also LOVE the addition of lanterns and coordinated potted plants. The hanging plants are especially fun. Adding greenery to an already ‘green’ living space is surprisingly effective in increasing warmth and coziness and HomeGoods has an amazing garden selection!
Next up was making sure we had a great poolside bar area. And I must say, this high top table and stools have been in constant use since it came home with me! It’s always nice to have a designated area to mix a cocktail, pour some lemonade, and have a little snack!
The drink dispensers with galvanized bases caught my eye and I usually fill one with a kid friendly beverage and another for the grown-ups!
I have had so much fun with my ‘PARTY’ dishes too! For Mother’s Day I filled them with berries and parfait toppings. And at one of our happy hours I used them for olives and assorted nuts. It’s the little things that get me most excited, people!
Around the pool, I wanted a fun pop to our lounge area. My new teak loungers from HomeGoods are so versatile and I know will be easy to transform with each season!
Our outdoor movie theater is really one of my favorite spots in our yard. It’s tucked away and has a magical fire pit. But it was needing some TLC in preparation for those summer movie nights. HomeGoods has an amazing selection of outdoor rugs and floor cushions. And I knew it was exactly what that space needed. The rugs really provide cozy landing spots to take in a movie or enjoy the fire. The floor cushions are also an essential part to giving it that intimate and relaxed feel. Now all we need are some graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows and we are ready for summer nights!
Last but not least I added a little excitement to our outdoor dining area. Living in California, having a beautiful space for al fresco dining was a huge priority for me. We are always firing up the pizza oven and using the grill, so when I saw this beautiful table I had to have it. Originally I had a large round table in the space, so the rectangular shape was a breath of fresh air.
And like all of my HomeGoods trips, I got some springtime/summer dinner party inspiration with these beautiful melamine plates. Melamine is my secret weapon for elegant outdoor entertaining without the fear of shattered glass and tiny bare feet. HomeGoods has an enormous selection of fabulous melamine. And the prices are so great, refreshing with each season is really affordable!
I can’t tell you how much I love my new outdoor space. It has a really cohesive feel, but each area feels special and different. And I was able to do all of this at such an affordable price so that I don’t feel guilty about it! I even have an extra little stash of items that caught my eye when I started this project. I can’t wait to share all of it with you. HomeGoods really is my secret weapon here at The Happy Place. I love to ‘Go Finding’ for new and special things that bring to life special moments for my family.
Have you found your nearest HomeGoods? Does it inspire your creativity the way it does mine? If so, tell me what kinds of things you look for when you explore their aisles!
Xx,
Jo