With Memorial Day upon us, all I can hear in my head is Andy Williams singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”! No, not Christmas or Winter… but the start of Summer! For me this really is the Most Wonderful time of the year, when I can finally shed three layers of clothing and feel the sun on my skin! Happiness has arrived. It’s time to take advantage by living outdoors. Whether you have a glorious rolling green backyard or a tiny piece of asphalt to call your own, you can absolutely make the most of it.

First, decide what is most important to you. Do you want to have a place to lounge out on a chaise or is having people over for a dinner party the most important factor? In this post, I’ll present some wonderful chair options for creating that outdoor living room.

First is the fabulous Rex chair from CB2. It is available in two sizes, lounge and standard. For a lounge chair which sits lower to the ground and is a bit wider, the price is inexpensive. I can just picture us now….a drink in one hand and legs hanging over the side. The poppy, which is EVERYWHERE right now, is my favorite color. Talk about a sunset!

I absolutely love the vintage feel of Atuto’s ring chairs. Their style is sweet and full of interest. The gentle, delicate klismos back made of sturdy iron creates a nice contradiction. I could see them used in a little garden in the summer and then pulled inside as an accent chair in the cooler months. Lovely!

Smith & Hawken always has sturdy, wonderfully crafted pieces, like this Whitfield chair…I’m in love with the scrolled arms. But to be honest, sometimes they are a little expensive for pieces I’ll use just three months out of the year.

Luckily, S&H is now doing a line for Target. Their Marlton Club Chair is a great option! This is the perfect compromise of style and price, only $169 compared to the $699 version shown above. The cushion is plush and sits comfortably. The only change I might make is to replace the cushions with a fun Sunbrella fabric from Ballard Designs. This Citrus Stripe is on sale for $17/yard; that’s a great deal and it looks very summery!

So go on…soak up the sun in your new chair and use your outdoor space in whatever way your heart desires. After all, it is the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!