See How Smart Staging Transformed an Empty Patio into a Lush Retreat

In warm-weather climates like Florida, the line between outdoor and indoor living often gets blurred. And in some cases, it completely disappears. Take this luxe home in Boca Raton: Thanks to expansive floor-to-ceiling glass pocket doors, the outdoor living space is just as integral a part of the home as the interior living spaces.

That means the lanai needed just as much attention when it came to design. Home stager Meridith Baer of Meridith Baer Home knew this when she was tapped to stage the modern farmhouse estate, comprising five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two partial bathrooms. Baer, who has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, the Hamptons, and Miami, wanted to show the functionality of the outdoor space, which overlooks a stunning resort-style pool with a spa and sun deck, while also maximizing the appeal of the contemporary residence.

“The house was brand-new construction and featured top-of-the-line finishes, so we luckily did not encounter any issues aesthetically that we had to overcome,” she says. “The primary issue when we stage a home, especially a more contemporary property, is making sure that it will appeal to all buyers, even those who prefer a more transitional or traditional home, while still staying true to the home’s architectural style. 

Plus, when the patio is empty, it doesn’t look as luxe as the interior of the home. Baer wanted it to feel more congruous as well as “warm, organic, and inviting,” she says. “We also wanted to highlight the gorgeous backyard by creating a seamless transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces.”

To help buyers envision themselves entertaining guests outdoors as well as in, Baer staged the lanai with a dining area and a lounge space, ensuring that the furnishings coordinated well with the indoor furniture to further erase that line. 

The patio is equipped with an outdoor kitchen, complete with a grill, so it only made sense to place the dining area in front of the grill. A chunky farmhouse table in oak brings warmth to the space and offers ample seating with its six coordinating oak chairs with dove-gray wicker accents. The table also echoes the rich wood finish of the high ceilings.

Next, Baer chose a white loveseat and two chairs for the sitting area, knowing that the color would brighten up the space and complement an indoor sofa nearby. Black accents on the set, as well as the square glass-topped coffee table, tie into the black pillars supporting the lanai’s roof. Plus, additional wood detailing on the chairs play well with the other wood accents in the space.

After adding a couple of pots of faux greenery, the staging was done, and Baer noted how much larger the space looked with the new furnishings in place. “In doing so, this also extended the size of the family room visually, which is incredibly impactful on potential buyers,” she says. 

Finally, a trio of chaise lounges with white cushions were placed alongside the pool, further drawing the eye outward and emphasizing the spacious backyard. Seems like a slice of paradise to me.