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5 steps to create your poolside paradise

With spring just around the corner and summer following quickly on its heels, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to create your poolside paradise. First, you'll need the proper furniture. At Decorating Den Interiors, we have a wide variety of outdoor furniture. So let a personal decorator from Decorating Den Interiors assist you to determine the styles that are right for your space. Before you know it, you're well on your way to establishing an oasis that will make your home the envy of the neighborhood. 

Work with your decorator to complete these five steps for a flawless poolside outdoor living arrangement:

1. Establish a primary purpose for your space
What is your outdoor gathering area used for most? Do you like to invite friends over for cookouts, or do you prefer to reserve the space for quiet weekend afternoons with the kids? This will determine everything from the furniture you need to how you should arrange your pieces and accessories.

Talk to your professional designer from Decorating Den Interiors about how you plan on using your space for a few layout suggestions and furniture recommendations.  For example, if you plan to host graduations and birthdays by the pool this season, you may want to spruce up your patio area with a couple of sofas, a coffee table, arm chairs and ottomans for extra seating. However, this may be overboard if you plan to use the area for only you and your family members. Whatever your specific needs are, Decorating Den Interiors has the unique and stylish outdoor furniture required to design the space you have in mind. 

2. Decide on a focal point
After you've determined how many people will regularly be using your outdoor living space, solidify your effective layout by deciding on a focal point. This will serve as the heart of your space and the rest of your furnishings and decor should build off of this area. For example, if you've recently invested in a new barbecue and plan on using it frequently for cookouts, your dining table should be the focal point. Your personal decorator can give you a few table options from Decorating Den Interiors, from smaller, round wicker tables to large, rectangular wood products that seat up to six people. Then select accents and accessories that coordinate with your table's color scheme and style.

If you have a stunning fireplace, make it the focal point of your gathering area. If you have a stunning fireplace, make it the focal point of your gathering area.

However, another popular focal point is the fireplace. This would call for more focus on a conversation-based seating arrangement, with your table, chairs and sofa surrounding your fireplace. If you have a fire pit, make sure that it's set up far enough away from the pool that you're able to place seating around all sides. Ask your decorator for advice, which may include forgoing a coffee table and decorating with nesting tables instead, as your fire pit or fireplace will take center stage where your coffee table normally would.

3. Accommodate the youngsters
While a poolside gathering area has the potential to be a relaxing environment, it may also mean wet bathing suits and energetic children running around. Your furniture and setup should cater to this. Look for water- and weather-proof sofas, chairs and tables to ensure your investments last for years. Don't forget to work with your Decorating Den Interiors professional decorator to find cushioned furnishings that reflect the style you've accomplished indoors. 

Leave plenty of walking room in high-traffic areas so that no one is at risk of tripping. If there are spots that get slippery, consider looking for a stylish outdoor area rug that's durable and cleanable. If you have a diving board or your kids simply love to show off their cannonball skills, work with your decorator to set up a charming fence that surrounds your gathering area, or ask how much room is needed between your setup and the pool to ensure you and your guests don't get splashed. 

4. Decorate with nature
Nothing creates a brighter, more lively living area than a garden full of colorful flowers. If you don't have space in your outdoor gathering area for a garden, hang potted arrangements of your favorite flowers from your fence for a charming, whimsical appearance.

Decorate your dining table and fence with colorful flower arrangements. Decorate your dining table and fence with colorful flower arrangements.

Similarly, if your dining table is the focal point of your living space, create a head-turning centerpiece with a vase of tulips, sunflowers, orchids or lilacs. Or, consider drawing the eye up with a floor plant in between your sofa and arm chair. This is an easy way to add splashes of color to the area. 

5. Accentuate your furnishings
Choosing your outdoor furniture is only half the fun while decorating your gathering space. Your decorator from Decorating Den Interiors will help you find accents and accessories that make your living area come to life and your larger furnishings pop. You may want something simple like a colorful umbrella that coordinates with your surrounding color scheme or a cozy reclining chair that you can dry off on under the sun after a dip in the pool. Don't forget about lighting, as this sets the mood and ambiance. Decorating Den Interiors has got it all, from elegant lighting fixtures to lounge chairs and stylish ottomans to complete your poolside paradise. 

Are you planning on hosting a spring wedding celebration? After you've mastered how to set up your outdoor living space for pool parties and cookouts, find out how to organize your area for this special occasion with the help of a Decorating Den Interiors personal decorator. We have all of the products you need, from indoor and outdoor sofas and accent chairs to table lamps, mirrors and consoles – all within your budget! Don't know exactly what you're looking for? Get the design process started with expert advice from our decorators with a free consultation!

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