6 Tips for a Chic and Functional Outdoor Space
When the weather is nice, you can add a significant amount of living space to your home, with the right outdoor design. The goal is to create decks, patios, terraces and other outdoor spaces that are chic, stylish and great to look at, but that are also functional. The best outdoor spaces not only look fabulous but also tend to be useful, comfortable and well-appointed, much like an indoor living room or gathering area.
Below are six tips that can help you achieve that perfect balance when you’re designing your outdoor space this summer.
Designate Spaces Bases on Purpose
When you’re creating an indoor living room or gathering area, you’ll often follow design advice which says to create “sectors” within that room. For instance, bring together sofas and chairs around a central point to make conversation easier, or create a separate space for children to play and do crafts. The same idea can be followed when you’re designing outdoors. Bring together furniture and accessories in groupings based on purpose.
Light It Up
If you’re working to create the perfect outdoor space, chances are it’s going to be used at night as well as during the day. Remember this with your design, and add lighting that’s soft, gentle and ambient, but also purposeful. Hanging string lights, lanterns, and outdoor chandeliers are all great options to create enough light while ensuring your outdoor living area feels relaxed and soothing.
Create Privacy
If you want to make an outdoor space feel intimate, inviting and private there are quite a few things you can do. One is using sheer curtains or fabric panels to surround your deck or patio. This is an excellent way to also add a feeling of romanticism to an outdoor living room, and it’s essentially like you’re creating your own walls. You can also build walls by adding trellises with vines growing along them, or living walls made of shrubs.
Functional Fire
An outdoor fire pit is a fabulous addition to almost any outdoor area. During the warm months of spring and summer, it’s a good source of light, and it can add intimacy and coziness to conversation areas, and also anchor seating areas around a central focal point. During the winter it can become more functional, allowing your family and guests to continue enjoying the outdoors even if the weather is chillier.
Lounge Space
While you may be focused on adding sofas, chairs or dining areas to your outdoor space, it’s always a good idea to have lounge furniture available as well. This will increase the level of functionality because you’ll have the option to entertain, or simply relax and enjoy the sun from a lounge chair as well.
Layering
One of the best ways to make sure an indoor room feels warm and inviting is to layer colors, textures, textiles, and patterns. You can achieve the same look outdoors and take it from basic and bland to perfectly styled. Use colorful outdoor throw pillows to accessorize your outdoor living room, and also consider the use of an outdoor rug.
Most real estate agents and home professionals agree that a well done outdoor space not only improves the level of enjoyment you take from your home, but it can also increase the value of your property. Take advantage of the tips above as we head into summer, and create a fantastic outdoor living space that rivals the one you have indoors.