This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

#BigLotsOutdoor #CollectiveBias

**Styles and assortment vary by store.**

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

I can not believe that Spring is here and Summer is not far away. Soon the end of the year school parties will be planned, the summer vacations packed for and the heat of the day bearing down on us morning to night. Now, during the Spring time cooler weather, I am walking around my house looking for areas that need improvements that I can do before it is 100° outside! I have my landscaper coming in a few weeks to put in more heat loving plants, I am ridding my grass of weeds so little feet can run and play and I am planning a purchase of a new BBQ grill to make those summer nights even more fun. As I walked by my outdoor sitting area, however, I notices that it left little to be desired. Forgotten in the Winter months, it was in need of some serious attention. But on a budget, saving everything I can for summer vacations, I do not have the resources to redo everything. So I headed to Big Lots to check out their outside decor on a strict budget! I am happy to say that for under $100, my sitting area now is inviting and beautiful! In fact, I am typing this post from it as we speak!

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

Years ago, Big Lots was my store for anything that I needed. They always have really nice, creative decor and their furniture is affordable and stylish. So when I knew that I needed some pop in my outdoor seating area, I headed back to see if they still had those unique items that I love to have as conversation pieces. I was not disappointed! Big Lots carries high-quality lawn & garden and outdoor décor products, including patio furniture & gazebos, that are totally affordable and super stylish with the ability to mix & match to create a perfect outdoor space! I created mine with very little effort and I am not a ‘decorator’ type at all!

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

Greeted as I walked in by the sweetest cashier ever, I immediately started dreaming of new patio furniture for my awkwardly shaped, long covered patio area. There were so many sets to choose from at my store that I had to walk past them quickly or I would have lounged on them all day long. Heading back to the back of the store I could see outdoor chairs, umbrellas, portico’s and so much more! I dreamed of the ultimate outdoor space as I passed themed wall hangings, outdoor pillows and rugs and even cups and dinnerware that had a unique twist! I was amazing at aisle after aisle of outdoor items and had a very hard time choosing what I wanted!

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

I knew that I wanted to warm up my concrete surface that the furniture sits on so a rug seemed the easiest solution. But choosing was no small task. I thought then that if I chose the new couch pillows first that would help me narrow it down. Well, there is such a vast selection that it made things more complicated. And then my eyes landed on the prettiest little owl candle holder and I had to have it!

 

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

With this as my centerpiece, I started planning a tropical, own friendly space. I chose a muted rug that gave some depth to the area without overpowering it. I found some tropical pillows that seems like they would add color as well as tie in the couch color I already have outdoors. I then stumbled onto some beautiful metal flowers that are bright and cheery that I thought would go really well on my plain brick wall.

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

Once home, unfortunately on a day when a massive storm had some in the night before, soaking everything and taking my bright, Texas sunshine with it, I could not wait to get out and see if I could make the space wonderful again!

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

I cleaned the furniture that had been covered in pollen, tried to get the dog hair and dust off the cushios and set about decorating piece by piece! I quickly realized that I should have bought two sets of pillows and will be heading back to Big Lots. But as I added each piece I watched as the boring, non-imaginative corner of the sitting area turned into a pleasant place to sit down, grab a coffee and relax! or work… which is awesome for me!

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad

Next time you need to spruce up a backyard area, from grills to rugs to furniture and more, head to Big Lots and check out their selections of amazing items! (Styles and assortment vary by store.) What are outside do you need to dress up for summer?

Prep for Summer with an Outdoor Sitting Area Makeover @BigLots #BigLotsOutdoor ad