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Back in January, I decided that I wanted to take on a minimalist lifestyle.  I was so over having stuff with no real purpose just lying around the house.  Since then, it’s been a lot easier letting go of these items.  With warmer days finally on their way, it was time to tackle the basement. We store our gardening tools and pots in the basement.  During the winter, our basement also becomes home for plants that need to be taken indoors, along with our deck furniture.  When the first signs of spring come, I can’t wait to bring everything back outside!

A couple weekends ago, we took our deck furniture outside again.  Despite snow in the forecast, I also brought out a few of my pots.  Once everything was in place in our backyard, it was time to work on our curb appeal.  This year, I’ve taken a totally different approach to getting our home summer ready.  Not only have I downsized on what we already own, but my overall style has changed, too.  My outdoor decor style has become minimal and incredibly serene!

So this year, the minimal approach is going beyond the inside of our house.  It’s also become inspiration for our home’s curb appeal, too.

Take advantage of what you already have

Sure, minimalist design usually means keeping it simple, like using concrete and terracotta planters.  But before you go out and replace every single one of your pots, remember that minimalism also means using what you have.  I made the best of a couple of gorgeous ceramic glazed pots that I bought at a garden center a few years ago.  Instead of grouping them together on our front steps, like I usually do, I placed one on the front steps and the other in the backyard to keep it as neutral as possible.

Metal hanging baskets are also a good idea. The coconut liners can be replaced, if necessary, for a few bucks. Usually, the neighborhood birds are the only threat to my liners falling apart.  Hanging baskets are also a great way to add flowers or other plants if you’re short on space in the yard.  Despite the birds occasionally wanting to use the coconut liners as nest building material, they’ll also keep animals from digging around or nibbling on your plants! 

Consider foliage over flowers

Every year, I can’t wait to get my hands on the most colorful and unique flowers.  Last year, I swapped flower pots on our deck with pots filled with succulent arrangements.  We bring the pots in during the winter and, so far, the succulents have come back the next year.  They’re so much easier to care for!

I usually line our front steps with pots filled with bright and colorful flowers.  But this year, I’m keeping it simple.  Instead of multiple pots lining the steps, we have two black urns at the bottom of our steps filled with small shrubs.  At the top of the steps, I have a metal accent table and a ceramic pot filled with a simple fern.  It gives our front steps a stylish look without feeling too cluttered. 

Invest in classic pieces

Driving up to our house, you can probably catch a glimpse of the side garden.  It’s been a space that I pretty much used to hate because there was nothing going on.  It lacked pizzaz.  Last year, we added a couple new bushes to it and it started looking much better.  But it was still lacking something.  So I recently invested in some classic metal yard decor.  Even with trends constantly changing, you can’t go wrong with black metal pieces.  

I got rustic style, caged solar lights (kind of like these) and a metal sphere candle stake that has become one of my favorite reasons to walk past the side of the house now.   It makes a pretty cool art piece that doubles as a light at night.  Simple, but sturdy pieces like these can be enjoyed year after year!  Just a few simple pieces can really add some appeal!

Go solar

A string of lights looks pretty on the patio at night, but you can still get the same glow without using electricity.  We love solar lights!  Maybe a little too much!  I just got rid of a bunch that seemed to have lost their charge over the past year.  Just like investing in a few simple decor pieces, solar lights can add a bit of style to your yard.

They’re also great to light the way at night without using electricity!  Remember that metal accent table I told you about?  It actually doubles as a cool solar light!  We don’t even have to turn on the porch lights at night anymore!  Lining a pathway with solar lights also makes the house look nice and cozy at night. 

Welcome friends and family with a fun welcome mat

Okay.  Just because we’re simplifying, it doesn’t mean it has to feel like we’re walking into a stiff, boring environment.  We’re fun people.  I swear!  If there’s one piece that I would tell you to really have fun with, it’s your welcome mat.  Go with typography styles like this Home Sweet Home mat or be a little silly with a phrase like, “Home is Where the Pizza Is!”  A natural coir mat with a fun phrase will still look great alongside your minimalist decor!

Remember – minimizing doesn’t mean that you have to surround yourself with boring decor.  It means simplifying and showing off a few quality accent pieces.  Once your cleanup and decorating is done, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your beautiful outdoor space!

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How do you add curb appeal to your home?