Now that the weather is ridiculously amazing in Northern California right, now my mind keeps shifting to all the outdoor projects I want to complete. I swear I have design project ADD. That's just my personality when it comes to my home, I love my entire home inside and out which means I'm in a constant state of fluffing pillows, obsessing over fabric possibilities. Basically my home will never be 'done.'

In our backyard just off our laundry / mudroom (mudroom update coming soon!) we have a large patio that we covered with a classic style pergola. For me, its makes our backyard & patio. One of the elements I would love to add to our pergola is lighting! Currently on our patio we have to light sources. One light right off our back door and another light in the corner of our house. Just like lighting adds ambiance inside, I want to layer in lighting outside to add ambiance to our pergola. I'm dreaming up two ideas, I'm obsessed with bringing in large baskets and turning them into light fixture and I also like the idea of swagging cafe string lights on our pergola. Perhaps a mix of both are a must.

My style indoor & out is California casual meets modern with a dash classic, I love classic textural feeling of using baskets outdoors as lighting. My inspiration pictures, have me swooning over the possibilities. PLUS I love how bringing light fixture outside & using unexpected ones helps create a whole outdoor dining / lounging environment.

I've been basket stalking Target. If you been in Target anytime on the last 2+ years then you already know they have a booming basket selection that's constantly changing. I saw a few basket options online that I'll be picking up this week to try out at home. I pinky promise to share pictures.

This lighting project will be simple and easy DIY. My plan is to weatherproof the baskets and use a indoor/outdoor lighting pendant kit and hang the basket lighting from the pergola. I'm also wanting to hang cafe lights draped on our pergola for added ambience.

Below are photos of our pergola and patio area, taken around this time last year. Not much has changed in this area. Right now, we're in Spring clean up / clean off mode. Cleaning up our patios and washing away all the dreariness of Winter. Which is why it's THE perfect time tackle adding lighting to our pergola.

Can you totally picture two super large pretty woven baskets hanging from our pergola above our dining room table? I think they'll be a perfect addition to our outdoors. We also plan on finally finally adding patio furniture to our patio, so the current placement of our patio table + grill etc may change.

What style lighting do you love outside?

Every Monday, I'm sharing Small Home Style ideas and design solutions, to incorporate into your home. When you're a small home dweller it's easy to get envious of home that an actual entryway or a grand foyer for guests to land before entering your home. Often times when you have a small home your front door opens directly into your living room, or your home may have narrow hallway that's your entryway. Both entries into your home can make you wonder is it possible to squeeze an entryway into your space.

However, no entryway is no problem! There are several ways to carve out a small entryway in your living room. Today, I'm sharing 6 Big Impact Entryway Ideas for the Small Home Style series.

ONE. Shelf + Artwork. In narrow entryway, its a great idea to add a shelf + artwork above to creating a landing zone. The should be wide enough to hold a vase and flowers along with a small bowl to toss keys into, but now wide enough that it feels awkward passing by.

TWO. Go Vertical. Use the area next to your front door and go vertical, with multiple shelves or bookcase. By using the entire wall as you entryway, it can triple your storage space, making for a tidy entry. A perfect spot to store blankets, hold books, magazines, objects and photos. Think of all the fun styling possibilities.

THREE. Narrow Console Table + Pattern. A stylish console table is perfect spot to create a nice welcome for your guests. When looking for a console table, choose one that's narrow and has extra storage, a 'leggy' console table will help make a small space feel more open vs. using a large heavy feeling piece. To help define your console table in a small space consider having fun with pattern 1. Go blog with wallpaper or a large stencil 2. hand large colorful artwork above. The console table + pattern is a classic, never go out of style look.

FOUR. Create a Landing Zone. Having an entryway that feels purposeful and is a great addition to small spaces and don't need much wall space to integrate into your space. To creating a landing zone entryway, use three key ingredients to make it feel stylish & cohesive with your home: fun hooks, artwork, spot for shoes & a spot for umbrellas.

FIVE: Go Clear. I love the idea of using a clear console table to create an entryway. CB2 makes a great acrylic console table, that is perfect for small spaces. Acrylic console tables take up almost no visible space, and can be perfect to store books under or a cute bench. Bonus, they can also easily double as a desk, if you need to squeeze in work zone into your living room.

SIX. Hooks + Bench. Sometimes less is room, when incorporating a small entry into your home. Sometimes all you need are pretty hooks and small bench to create a small landing for you and your guests. If your tight on space and love the look of benches, start searching on CL and Thrift Stores for small benches or for a piano bench. Target has also been an amazing source for small benches lately in their Threshold Line. Aonus about a simple bench, they can easily be updated in fabulous fabric.

I hope you liked my 6 ideas for adding an entryway in your small home that creates big impact. Does your home have a bonafide entryway? If yes, How did you style? Have you created an entryway in your home?

Social Media friends, use the hastag #SmallHomeStyle to share your small home design ideas!