At Home With Yelp: A Must-See Patio Renovation

When the host of OWN’s Home Made Simple Laila Ali wanted help redecorating her backyard patio, she knew just who to call. Enter Yelp’s Home Editor Lauren Makk. Before the renovation, the space featured two simple chairs and a bare floor. Lauren revamped the outdoor living area to give the functional space a picture-perfect update fit for entertaining or relaxing during summer nights.

If you’re in the market for an update to your own patio, check out Lauren’s tips on how to get the look for your own home!

Lauren and a local contractor renovate the outdoor space

Find a great indoor/outdoor rug – To make the space feel like a room and ground your furniture, purchase a slightly oversized rug. We picked a simple, clean rug so that the accent colors could really pop.

Add curtains – Floor to ceiling linen curtains allow you to control the breeze and add an additional layer of texture. We used Yelp to find a professional contractor to help install these curtains.

Mix wooden textures – Mixing wood textures helps to create a more relaxed and bohemian feel. Consider adding wood with a coffee table, wicker and wooden furniture or even wooden pots.

Throw in a little green – Any great outdoor space requires some greenery. You’re able to create the look of a luscious oasis vibe by staggering plants — try mixing and matching your planters with different plants like succulents and trees. If you’re not sure where to find plants, try searching on Yelp for your local nursery. 

Just add water – The sounds of the water drive home that feeling of zen and create a tranquil space to meditate and relax (after a long day).

Add personal accessories – Don’t forget to bring some of the inside out by adding living space furniture like a bar cart.

Interior design and life stylist, Lauren Makk is Yelp’s new Home Editor. You may recognize Lauren from TLC’s “Trading Spaces,” ABCs “FAB Life” and OWN’s “Home Made Simple.” Now as a part of the Yelp family, she’ll be sharing how you can use Yelp to create incredible, affordable transformations in your home. You can find more tips from Lauren here.