For the highest quality outdoor furniture, décor, and accessories transforming outdoor patios and pools into picture-perfect and comfortable spaces for over 20 years, Backyard Living in Ridgewood has been the go-to place. New owners Patrick and Beth Connor had a simple objective when they purchased the store earlier this year: Keep in place a business that has been doing it right for two decades. “What we fell in love with there was what we want to continue with going forward,” says Patrick. “When Beth and I first came in right away it ticked a lot of the boxes you look for in a new venture; a successful local business with loyal customers, an incredibly dedicated staff, who are continuing to work for us, and being part of an incredible community.”
With a store that’s over 5,000 square feet of furniture and much more, customers are invited to settle in and try out the merchandise. “There is something about touching and sitting on furniture that really helps you make the right decisions,” says Beth. “We also have a wide range of fabric and finish samples from each collection to see and feel.” And as an interior decorator, Beth’s passion has now extended to outdoor spaces. “In a design consultation, I can help with spatial planning and make suggestions for different options of furniture, décor, and lighting to fit our clients’ own design styles.”
What sets them apart from big box stores and shopping online? “There are a few major things,” says Patrick. “In the larger stores, you might see the same line of furniture pieces for a whole season; you’re likely paying for delivery, you probably have to set it up yourself and the warranty might last only 90 days. At Backyard Living we’re always sourcing new and different items with every order. We have white-glove delivery and set-up service that’s free to all customers in Bergen County. We can do that as a smaller store.” Patrick has also been known to spend part of his day going to customers’ homes making sure the set-up is satisfactory.
The furniture lines they sell are top tier so although pricier, they’re second to none in quality, Patrick says. “Outstanding outdoor designer furniture brands like Brown Jordan, Kingsley Bate, Gloster, Barlow Tyrie, and Polywood have strong reputations and amazing warranties, from three or five to 20 years, whether they’re made of metal or teak.” He adds that when it comes to outdoor lighting, with the evolution of LEDs, battery and solar power, they offer great options. “Outdoor lighting doesn’t always have to be fixed on the house, it can be used to decorate, to add a mood or accent, it can change how a space feels at night.”
Among the décor and accessories, their offerings come in all price ranges and include summer party hostess gifts like tablescape serving pieces (platters, bowls) gardening tools and bird feeders (“we sell them as fast as they come in,” says Patrick). Faux flower arrangements like wreaths or tabletop décor can be customized by their in-house floral designer and gift wrapping is always available.
And when fall hits the festivities start. In September, Backyard Living begins its multi-month transition into an incredible holiday shop with colorfully lighted trees and decorations throughout. “After we close out the summer furniture side of things, the store is completely transformed, all 5000 plus square feet. Everything comes down, moved out and the holiday gear goes up,” says Patrick.
Patrick and Beth live in Wyckoff with their seven-year-old daughter, and Paul’s 20-year-old daughter is an incoming senior at the University of Texas. Being part of the community where they live and work has become important to them. “We have donated 50/50 raffle tickets to charities and nonprofits in the area and plan to do a lot more of that in the future,” says Beth.
“I grew up in Woodcliff Lake and moved around a bit, but Bergen County is our home now, this is where we want to dig our roots in and be part of this store, an institution that’s been so lovely and so loved for the last 22 years.”
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In a design consultation, I can help with spatial planning and make suggestions for different options of furniture, décor, and lighting to fit our clients’ own design styles.
