How to set up a Markets Deck, Patio, or Outdoor area
There are many ways to identify what type of spaces you resonate with.
From a Human Design Environment perspective, looking at your Environment Colour will let you know what your Body vibes best with. This can be translated to the people who fill the spaces you find yourself in, to your surroundings — from your location, to your nation, to your city, to your home — to how you hold your physical body in time and space.
These tips are for setting up an Outdoor Area that feels best for a Markets Environment person. These ideas are meant to be a starting point for you to expand on when considering your Outdoor Living Space from a Markets perspective. Always go with what feels good for you — and leave out the things that fall flat.
Seasonal Cleanse
If you’re a Markets Person, getting comfortable with the reset/cleanse may already be a part of your nature. I like to call these little “palate cleanses” where you have an opportunity to refresh the spaces around you according to your preferences each season. This is huge when it comes to an outdoor space. Depending where you live, there could be major environmental impact on your outdoor space. You may have to deal with falling leaves in autumn, snow in winter, or bugs in the warmer months. Each season, consider your climate and how you are using your outdoor space, and assemble little “cures” or arrangements for that time of the year. Maybe in the spring you can finally set out your outdoor furniture. Maybe in summer you set up the screen on the door. Have something different going on in your outdoor space each season. At the very least, bring something new to the space with each season. And of course, do a big clean and set up in spring to wake up the space.
Get planting
Plants! Plants plants plants for the Markets Person. Plants help encourage change and growth, reminding the Markets Person about care and change through time. And of course, that seasons come and go. Consider the lighting you receive each season in your set up, and coordinate your plants according to your climate and available light. Indulge in the planning process on which plants you want to raise! If there is food you want to grow for the season, or herbs you’d like to grow and harvest for your personal wellness rituals, consider how you might coordinate this into your outdoor space based on your preferences and interests.
Regular clean-ups
When you’re using your outdoor space, consider it an extension of your living space. Clean it up regularly through wiping, sweeping, rearranging, and tidying — the same way you would the living spaces inside your home. Among all the Environments, Markets is the most sensitive to freshness and selectivity. If your outdoor space gets super soiled, you aren’t going to want to spend time there. Consider how the elements may impact your space, and work with keeping things clean and arranged according to your preferences.
Play with arrangements
Where the Kitchen Environment can be one big zone, Markets People sometimes have a collection of zones — little arrangements of furniture or energy. Consider the little vignettes or furniture arrangement options you have when it comes to settling into the outdoor space. We like options!
When the space is “just so”
I’ve seen some Markets People have their veranda or porch set up JUST SO. It’s perfect. There’s nothing they would rearrange. They’ve tried some different arrangements of course, but there’s a clear winning arrangement and that’s the set up. Even in spaces like this — where everything fits just so — consider how you can bring freshness through plants, or new decor items around you. Perhaps winter you use decorative lighting, but the furniture hasn’t moved. Perhaps in summer you uncover the BBQ, but it doesn’t actually move positions. Notice these small but impactful changes from season to season. But if you’ve found what fits, don’t feel you have to change it.
Have an outdoor ritual
Consider the way you use your outdoor space, and have a reason to come outside and spend time there. For example, maybe you love to do morning yoga on the deck. Is there a little set up you can have ready where your mat, candle, lighter, and meditation pillow all have “their own spot” — ready and available? Maybe you loooove to have your morning coffee on the porch. Is there a blanket available and nearby for those crisp mornings? Or are the perfect pillows tucked up against the house where you watch the sunset as you have a bedtime indica? Maybe you hang out during the afternoon and go Live on Instagram. Maybe you love to walk around and water each plant, checking in with it. Where does your watering can hang out? Is it cute? Have a reason or a ritual to use the space. Your energy and presence keeps the space fresh.
Speaking of is it cute…
Markets People can be incredible collectors of things. You may have all kinds of treasures you’ve collected. Don’t forget to bring some of these special treasures from your collection or findings into your outdoor space. You really want your outdoor space to feel like a cozy extension of your home, with all your cute things around you. Markets People can find those perfect wicker baskets, or latest gadget, or know where to get the best outdoor coffee mugs, etc. Whatever your cute thing is, make sure you bring that taste to your outdoor hang out.
