A Guide to Moving to Fort Myers
Posted by Pamela Glassburn in Home Design
Make the most out of your home’s outdoor living space with furniture and decorations that will invite gatherings, outdoor dining, and plenty of wonderful memories!
Here are our go-to lanai decorating ideas to inspire your home exterior makeover.
How to Decorate a Lanai
- Consider How You and Your Household Will Use the Space
- Choose Comfortable, Durable Furniture
- Stick to 2–3 Colors in Decorations
- Invest in High-Quality, Decorative, Effective Lighting
- Don’t Overcrowd the Area
These 5 helpful steps ensure that your lanai stays efficient and usable for your hobbies and activities, rather than becoming a structure that’s only attractive, not functional.
If you love to grill out, you have a bookworm in your family, and weeknight dinners are a must in your house, opt for an outdoor kitchen (or at least a grill), a comfy seating area, and a dining table with chairs.
You’ll also want to ensure that you have enough lighting to keep the lanai just as usable in the evenings—think string lights, outdoor lanterns, and pre-wired ceiling fixtures if possible.
If you have a pool, arrange your seating to enjoy the view and keep everyone engaged.
Take measurements of your space before you go furniture or décor shopping to save yourself a big headache later!
Lanai Decoration Ideas
Once you have your color palette and purposes determined, it’s time to bring your vision to life!
Seating
If you have 1–2 people in your home, a sectional couch is an excellent choice, especially if it doubles as a cushion storage solution. Add a few weatherproof pillows and a small table for beverages or a plant, and you’re good to go.
A lanai is the perfect place to have cocktail hour with your guests, so consider a 4-seat arrangement with a table in the middle to invite conversation.
To create a new favorite reading spot for the kids, enhance your space with hanging egg chairs that are both cozy and elegant.
Tables
Imagine serving a decadent breakfast spread and a freshly brewed pot of coffee to weekend guests while enjoying your backyard views on a beautiful, bright morning. This rectangular table is great inspiration.
Add plush seating and a few outdoor candles to use this space equally as much in the evenings.
For a 2–4-person dining area perfect for homemade burgers or weeknight takeout, find a smaller table that you can move around as needed. The rattan chairs add a lovely boho flair.
Family dinners together will be delightful on your lanai—just ensure your table has enough elbow and leg room for everyone. Al fresco dining will soon be a new routine in your family!
For a buffet- or potluck-style dining option place your table near another surface to lay out your impressive menu for each to dish up a plate.
Decorative Pieces
Liven up your space with outdoor décor like pops of color, wall art, and table centerpieces to bring the whole look together!
A few fun geometric throw pillows and a mix of floral and wicker tabletop decorations add a coastal theme—perfect for a Florida lanai.
Brighten up your outdoor table with aqua-colored placemats and a fun centerpiece like a height-ranging set of vases or a pair of aquatic pieces.
Make ornamental outdoor planters part of the lanai décor and carry nature themes through your other pieces, like living wall arrangements, jars full of citrus or other greenery, and smaller tabletop plants.
Designate a dining area apart from other seating by adding a statement wall piece and a three-part table decoration. You can even decorate each separate element of your lanai slightly differently to create distinct living spaces for reading, dining, cocktails, and just lounging around.
Don’t forget to add a Bluetooth speaker for the ultimate outdoor entertainment destination!
You can even switch up your lanai décor seasonally to get in the holiday spirit and continue enjoying your lovely outdoor living space.
From refueling after an afternoon in the pool, to a date night at home enjoying a lovely evening with a delicious cocktail, to taking a staycation to finish an engrossing novel, your lanai will be your new favorite go-to spot.
Author
Pamela Glassburn
Author
Pamela Glassburn is the Design Studio Manager for our Orlando Division. She has over 28 years of experience in new home design and has been with M/I Homes for 8 years. Her passion for design and all things color drives her enthusiasm and dedication to help our homeowners personalize their new homes. Seasoned in all areas of interior design, Pamela is relentlessly keeping up with the hottest trends, most popular designs, and latest products.
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Author
Pamela Glassburn
Author
Pamela Glassburn is the Design Studio Manager for our Orlando Division. She has over 28 years of experience in new home design and has been with M/I Homes for 8 years. Her passion for design and all things color drives her enthusiasm and dedication to help our homeowners personalize their new homes. Seasoned in all areas of interior design, Pamela is relentlessly keeping up with the hottest trends, most popular designs, and latest products.