Outdoor Spaces

• Tour a modern mansion built in a former church. — Curbed
• 5 nautical decorating ideas. — Real Simple
• A great argument for the backyard office. — Houzz
• Inspiration for your backyard escape. — House Beautiful
• Try a gallery wall that floats. — Apartment Therapy
• Minimalism goes tropical. — EcoSalon

• Amazing outdoor room transformations — House Beautiful
• Eight stylish solutions for magazine storage — Houzz
• This room-within-a-room will wow you — Remodelista
• Moving? You need this checklist — Real Simple
• See why architect Frank Gehry is teaming up with Brad Pitt — Curbed
• Tour an art-filled Austin apartment — Apartment Therapy

City dwellers may be strapped for outdoor space, but many have access to a balcony (or know someone with that coveted access). We were reminded of this overlooked but essential space when we spotted this still from Lola Versus, which is set in Manhattan. This Summer, take a cue from the movies and dress up your diminutive outdoor spaces so they're party-ready at a moment's notice. Here are seven of our favorite suggestions.

1. Make your balcony foot-friendly by layering outdoor rugs. For the short term, try one of the cool indoor/outdoor rugs from Dash and Albert.
2. Ask your barbecue to multitask. Make yours do double-duty by investing in a Black + Blum Hot Pot BBQ ($124). This grill looks like a terra-cotta pot filled with herbs when not in use, but conceals a BBQ grill underneath.
3. Don't stop at our barbecue: dot your balcony with plants. Save space and add some privacy by using hanging planters or Woolly Pockets hung from the railings or along the wall.
4. Mount matching lanterns on either side of the window or door leading to your balcony. These Half-Bottle Lanterns ($48) are a versatile choice.
5. Invest in sturdy and stylish glassware. Leave your crystal indoors and try enamel glasses and pitchers instead, like this Flower Enamel Pitcher and Glasses ($55), which are just begging for sangria.
6. Balcony furniture should be versatile, which is why we recommend folding furniture. You can tuck it out of the way when it's not in use and easily pull it out when it's needed. Try the Pottery Barn Surry Folding Bench ($199 to $389).
7. Pick out beautiful outdoor fabrics and have some custom pillows and poufs made. Coordinate these items with your living room furniture, and you can use them indoors when the Summer season fades.

Photo courtesy Fox Searchlight

• Quirky vintage finds add personality to this tiny boho pad. — Houzz
• Anchor your rooms with these affordable area rugs. — Real Simple
• See why these 10 teeny Manhattan apartments have not-so-teeny price tags. — Curbed
• 10 swoon-worthy designer closets. — House Beautiful
• Red, white, and blue color schemes that go beyond the flag. — Country Living
• Peek into the outdoor spaces of these talented designers. — Garden Design

We're happy to present a post from Stylelist Home!

You splurged on a new outdoor dining set and comfortable lounge chairs to entertain on the patio this summer, but something's lacking from your sitting area. We suggest adding a stylish outdoor rug to tie it all together and allow your outdoor living space to become an extension of your interior. And with the unlimited variety of outside rugs available to choose from, there is sure to be one that complements your needs and tastes perfectly. Alfresco decor has become a priority for homeowners, and now more furnishings dedicated to the outside are available than ever before. Outdoor rugs are designed to reflect the same trends and styles found in interior floor coverings but are made specifically for outdoor use. Whether you are decorating a porch, patio, veranda or solarium, our buying guide and slideshow below will help you choose the best one for your home.

Consider materials. The innovative use of both natural and synthetic woven materials allow outdoor rugs to be durable enough to handle all weather conditions. (For these reasons, outdoor rugs are commonly used in high-traffic interior areas, too, such as entryways or mud rooms.) Natural fibers such as sisal, hemp, jute, and seagrass are very strong, sound-absorbent, sustainable, and add lots of texture to your space. Synthetic coverings, such as polypropylene or plastic rugs, often come in a wider range of bright colors, can be easily hosed down, and dry quickly. Additionally, they are lightweight, so you can easily roll them up to move them around. Synthetic rugs are often less expensive than natural materials as well.

Keep reading for more outdoor rug buying tips and information on rugs on sale!