Name: Lacee
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 245 square feet

Your Favorite Thing About Your Outdoor Space: A blanket of Texas sky and treetops, a colorful vintage bowl to aid in my bottle cap collection and deep, inviting lounge seating are some of my favorite things about our outdoor space. I also greatly enjoy my frequent self-indulging sense of accomplishment in my ability to get the most out of my student's income and achieve a colorful and comfortable outdoor living room.

Biggest Design Challenge With This Space: The biggest design challenge is competing with the amazing view and the tall wall that backs our lounge space. With nothing but sky and stars, when streetlights allow to be visible, it was hard to feel satisfied with some design choices because they felt dinky in comparison. So, we chose to keep it casual and let the perks of our space take center stage and focus on affordability and comfort. With low-lying seating, we kept the energy feel toward stargazing and the ability to support a decent amount of our dear friends at one time.

Tips for Creating a Great Small Outdoor Space: Biggest decorating tip: try to avoid breaking the bank for a relaxing, ideally stylish, patio space that could be easily achieved with a little thriftin' and scavenger-ness. We found our miniature pallets free at a neighborhood shop and the large deep cushions are baby crib mattresses, chosen for their second-hand affordability on Craigslist and liquid-proof lining, covered in thrifted outdoor fabric and shower curtains. Add a vintage trunk, bought at a garage sale, to keep all pretty things safe while not in use and you have a pretty, easy, pop-up lounge area when friends come a calling and Texas nights are cool.

Thanks, Lacee, and good luck!

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