Get Outside!

Upgrade Your Outdoor Space With These Summer Essentials

A bit of spring cleaning? That applies to the backyard, too. As the weather improves, it’s time to reassess your outdoor space. What upgrades are in store for your yard this year? From fabrics to service ware to furniture to planters, spring is an excellent time to take stock—and to upgrade your spaces where applicable. Our favorite stores on the East End have plenty to choose from. Here’s where to start. 

Add a bit of whimsy to your backyard fire pit with the addition of new Adirondack chairs. At Rumrunner Home Furniture, in Wainscott, these chic outdoor chairs are available in royal blue and in white. Made from an outdoor-friendly composite material that is easily cleaned (and that can even be power-washed), these chairs can stand up to the elements—and to even the most robust of outdoor gatherings. Pair your chairs with a modern and sleek outdoor fire pit from Sag Harbor Fireplace. The retailer carries luxe offerings from many different manufacturers. Among our favorites? The customized Gneiss boulders, fashioned into fire masterpieces from the fine folks at Waterstone. 

Upgrade your outdoor sitting area, too, with a visit to Serena & Lily, also in Wainscott. The retailer sells large-format rugs, pulling together patio spaces (the 11 x 14 Kittery Rug, in Coastal Blue, is made from polypropylene and can stand up to all the elements and all the seasons). The Pacifica outdoor collection, which includes sofas, ottomans, sectionals, and benches, is made from a light wicker weave that is bright and playful. Sunbrella fabrics can be customized to match whatever your outdoor space requires. Add to the look a series of Summerland Outdoor Lanterns (also fashioned from wicker) and you’ve got an outdoor living room that will set the scene for a summer to remember.  

Embrace a bit of the sea this summer with a whole new outdoor tablescape. At Hildreth’s, in Southampton, tuck into a maritime look with serving platters that recall a bit of the ocean. Manufacturer Caskata offers a line of plates, mugs, and platters with striking iconography: crabs, shells, lobsters, octopus. They’re available in red and blue colorways and in a variety of sizes to fit the style of your outdoor service. Pair them with tea towels from Hildreth’s (block-printed with sardines, naturally) and you’ve got a table that’s fit for a sea-loving queen. 

And don’t ignore those florals. Spring is as good a time as any to up the ante on your planters. Take stock of cracked ceramics and invest in new—and beautiful—homes for both annuals and perennials. At Marder’s, in Bridgehampton, the garden shop, set in the backdrop of a 19th century barn, is the perfect place to peruse new planting options. Consider your colorways and look to stagger different heights, shapes, and sizes for visual interest. Planting perennials that bloom in stages can also change the look and feel of your outdoor space, so consider where you intend to place your pots, how you plan to group them, and what they will look like at all points in the season.