How to Design Style-Forward, Yet Functional Outdoor Living Spaces
This week on the blog, we’re sharing how to create the outdoor space of your dreams. We’ll walk you through how we like to establish different zones such as cooking, lounging, and dining that curates a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living. Let’s get started!
establish a layout
Before you get started with purchasing furniture and making any extreme design decisions, it’s most important to organize an outdoor layout that is separated by zones. In order to distinguish which ”zones” are compatible with your lifestyle, ask yourself what the purpose of your space is. Is it for personal resting and relaxation? Hosting plenty of gatherings with loved ones? Are you envisioning a safe outdoor space to enjoy with your kids? Are you needing pet friendly spaces? Are you intending to cook and invest in an outdoor kitchen space? Are you installing a pool?
Once you establish your purpose and location of each zone, you can begin making stylistic decisions. No matter the area, think about how you can intentionally bring your indoor design style fluidly outdoors.
Consider utilizing different materials that further establish and compliment your desired zones. For example, you may consider concrete in a hosting area where you need stable ground to for tables and chairs; maybe grass is the best foundation to be able to run around with your kids; pavers can be beautiful, functional flooring surrounding your pool.
OUTDOOR STRUCTURES
The obvious purpose of outdoor structures is to offer shade. However, you can also use certain ones for aesthetic purposes and partitions as well.
Pergola: if you’re looking to cover a larger area in your yard that provides ample shade with an eye-catching, accessorizable design.
Arbor: if you’re looking to mark an entryway or if you’re wanting a charming structure to add within your garden.
Pavilion: if you’re wanting a modern, stable structure that is fully covered.
Gazebo: if you want a relaxing space or want a structure that makes a statement for your commercial or residential landscape.
Covered Patio: if you want to protect your outdoor furniture and have a hideaway from the sun where you can host and relax. For smaller tables and chairs, add umbrellas! Have fun with the patterns too.
Partitions: if you need dividers for your zones, some ideas are screens, hedges, fences, and gates.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE + Decor
There’s much to consider when planning furniture and decor. This is what ties everything together and where you can really allow your creativity to shine. Here are some of our best tips:
Seating: Similar to our advice on zoning layouts, seating can be determined best once you decide what the space will be used for.
Large dining tables: perfect for outdoor meals and hosting larger groups.
Benches: great for areas that are aimed for rest and relaxation.
Intimate Communal Hubs: ideal for casual conversations with friends. Think a small table with complimentary lounge chairs to enjoy some wine and charcuterie.
Couches: the ultimate comfort decision. If your goal is to make your outdoor space feel like your living room, this may be the choice for you.
Poufs: this is for those who love to spend time on their lawn. There are a myriad of textured, elevated poufs to choose from. Don’t forget that stylish picnic blankets also do the trick!
Bar Stools: stools around your outdoor bar are another casual, yet comfortable seating option for guests.
Poolside Lounge Chairs: investing in quality lounge chairs e is always a good idea and an incentive to get out and enjoy your pool year-round.
Weather-Tolerant Furniture: When shopping for outdoor furniture, the most important detail is that every piece is weather safe! We’d hate for you to spend good money on a stunning set, only for it to get ruined by the weather. This is not limited to rain; scorching sun can also create damage. If there are pieces you are inclined to protect, make sure they are covered when they’re not in use.
Tones & Texture: Have fun intersecting a variety of textures, colors, materials and styles! For example, patterned cushions and vibrant throw pillows can make a huge impact. This is how you can make your space extra cozy, personable, and eye-catching.
Rugs: A non-landscape decision, such as outdoor rugs, can assist with establishing zones. Does something feel incomplete, cold, or unclear? Try adding a rug! This is another opportunity to experiment with tone, texture, and material.
Potted Plants: Not everything has to be in the ground! There are endless ways to style your outdoor space with potted plants. Try contrasting pot colors like cobalt blues and warm terracottas. If you’re eager to fill an empty area, pair pots in clusters and choose pots of differening shapes and sizes to give more dimension and interest.
Outdoor Kitchen and/or Bar: Installing an outdoor kitchen and/or bar is the pinnacle of bringing your indoor space, outside. Expand hosting capabilities by investing in additional outdoor kitchen/bar appliances that eliminate the need for you to continuously access your indoor kitchen. The kitchen and bar area is an unexpected seating area that guests will naturally flock to! Showcase your design style through beautiful kitchen/bar tiling, unique bar stools, kitchen cloths, hanging art pieces, and so on.
AMBIENCE
Now that you have your ideal outdoor living space drafted, let’s build the ambiance! These are the small details that are often missed, but can make a world of a difference:
Lighting: This is one of the main contributors to a pleasant ambiance. You have plenty of options here such as string lights (popular choice), solar pathway lighting, uplighting, fire torches, outdoor lamps/lanterns, overhead lighting within your patio, etc. Your lighting choices will be heavily contingent on the zone you’re working on.
Mounted Television: Investing in an outdoor television is never a bad idea. Watch your backyard shape-shift as you center your gatherings around sporting events, tv show watch parties, cozy movie nights, etc. This small detail has a big impact of the atmosphere that you’re intending to set!
Fire Pit: This is an easy way to set a snug evening mood. Chit chat by the fire for hours and roast some s’mores while you’re at it!
Outdoor Activities: Having lawn games and other activities such as bocce ball can be an easy way to keep guests entertained and engaged.
Music System: You can always bring out a bluetooth speaker outside, however, if you are interested in elevating your outdoor space, consider installing surround-sound speakers throughout all of your zones. This allows for all areas of your space to fluidly enjoy the vibes you’re setting through your playlist.
Water Features: Nothing is more zen than a water feature. Not only is it appealing to the eye, the sounds of cascading water effortlessly gives a space a sense of tranquility.
Landscaping: Last but certainly not least, landscaping of course! Nothing helps establish the ambiance more than a beautifully landscaped yard. Lush green grass, big trees that bring a sense of familiarity, hedges that make spaces feel like a private oasis, whimsical garden boxes, paver patterns that feel luxurious and modern. The list goes on!