There really is nothing like the glorious, lazy days of summer that inspire us to enjoy the outdoors. Relaxing beach days basking in the sun; enjoying leisurely walks through extravagant, city gardens; sipping iced coffees on an outdoor patio at a favorite restaurant....... These are all wonderful ways to embrace summer hygge.

But my favorite way to enjoy hygge during the summer is by taking advantage of my own backyard. I love creating cozy spaces where my family and friends can sit and visit under the warm, summer sun. We eat outside every evening that the weather co-operates, and you'll often find us snuggled under a blanket in front of our outdoor fireplace, long past dusk. The summer is relatively short here in the small Alberta town where I live, so it's extremely important to me, to make the most of every moment during the season.

Regardless of it's size, any backyard can be transformed into a lovely, hygge sanctuary. By investing a little time, money, and ingenuity, anyone can design a cozy, inviting atmosphere that will keep you basking in summer hygge throughout the season.

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1. Consider painting out your door to your back deck.

It might seem odd, but painting the exterior door to your back (or side. or front) deck will make huge impact on your space. This is not the time to play it safe! Take a risk! Choose a bright, bold color to instantly add a pop of hygge cheer to your space. I promise, if you choose a color you love, you won't regret your decision. And if by chance you do, you can easily just paint it out again.

2. Set up a cheerful lounge area.

Nothing says summer living like an outdoor sitting space! This is my favorite space on our back deck. And because it's placed under a covered area, we are able to sit out here even when it's raining. If you'd like to see the rest of our gorgeous, hygge living space on our back deck, click here!

Don't be deterred by the size of your deck. Even in a small space you can create a cozy, hygge outdoor space with a smaller lounge set. Like this sweet set here!

3. Anchor your lounge area with a pretty outdoor rug.

Just like a rug cozies up the inside of your home, it will also cozy up your outdoor living space. Choose a color that will compliment your patio furniture whether bold and bright or soft and neutral. Be sure to get a size that will properly anchor your area. A rug that is too small will look cheap and chincey and not at all hygge. I love the pattern on this rug and it comes in multiple colors and sizes. Gorgeous!

4. Consider investing in a backyard firepit.

We spend more time around our outdoor fireplace in the evenings, than we do anywhere else. It's the perfect place for telling stories, or relaying our day to each other. It's one of my favorite summer hygge activities!

Check out this absolutely perfect hygge Sunnydaze Rustic Chiminea from amazon!

(I do believe I NEED this one!)

5. String up fairy lights.

There is something so absolutely beautiful about lingering through summer evenings beneath twinkling fairy lights. You can hang them in trees, or from your eves trough or wind them around your deck railing. Wherever you decide to display them, they'll add a gorgeous ambiance to your outdoor living space. I absolutely LOVE these vintage inspired string lights. How fabulous would they be strung through trees or above your deck!

6. Use outdoor lanterns to brighten up those evenings.

There are hundreds of options for outdoor lanterns these days. And while I'm still quite fond of these simple second hand silver candle lanterns I found a few years back, I'm thinking it's time to up my hygge lantern game and purchase a few pieces that make a bigger statement like this one here.

7. Candles!

Lanterns are gorgeous but in my humble opinion, nothing speaks hygge like real, burning candles. Now, the one thing I've learned about burning candles outdoors is, even the slightest breeze can snuff them out. I've been super frustrated in the past, lighting and relighting my outdoor candles so this year I'm going to burn candles enclosed in glass or jars. I found these beautiful soy wax candles and as a bonus, they have four perfect, hygge scents!

7. It goes without saying that a hygge outdoor living space needs to have flowers.

My personal preference is to keep my flower assortment cohesive and soft. I love the tranquility it adds to an outdoor living space. But you can go as bold and inclusive as you like. There are really no wrong color choices when it comes to flowers.

Get creative and plant flowers in unique containers. You can use all sorts of different items. Vintage watering cans, wash tubs, wheelbarrows; you're only limited by your creativity. I absolutely ADORE this realistic tree stump planter! Imagine how gorgeous this would be planted out like my white planter above! Gah!

8. Don't forget about softening your outdoor living space with outdoor cushions and throw blankets.

Choose colors that will compliment your furniture and your outdoor rug. They don't have to match but they should compliment each other. Too many competing colors will detract from the overall hygge atmosphere you are working to create. As in my outdoor living space photos above, while the colors are not all the same, the blues, browns and whites compliment each other beautifully.

And here's a little bonus tip. If you can get your hands on some tree stumps, painting them out white (or black would be gorgeous too!) (OR ROBINS EGG BLUE!!!) is an excellent way to incorporate side table for the cost of a little can of paint. You could even paint them the same color as your door!

9. Hang a Hammock.

If you have the space for a hammock, hang one! This kind of lounging is the absolute epitome of hygge! I love this totally hygge macrame fringed hammock from amazon and, you can also purchase a hammock stand! No need for backyard trees to soak up the sun in your cozy hammock!

10. Or consider a gorgeous hanging chair!

You can set the whole stage for your hygge, outdoor living space with a statement piece like this hanging chair from amazon. It comes with the stand so you can place anywhere you like and then, once the summer comes to an end, you can bring it inside to enjoy throughout the whole year. (And while I'm not wishing summer away by any means, can you even imagine how cozy this would be nestled somewhere close to your Christmas tree????)

Whatever your style, and whatever size your outdoor living space might be, it isn't hard to cultivate a hygge atmosphere that is perfectly suited to your needs. With a little planning and creativity, you'll be able to procure a summer sanctuary that you can escape to every day of summer.

Happy hygge, my friends!

Love, Melinda