When people think of home design, they usually think of indoor space. But exterior design is just as important to the livability of a home. When styling an outdoor space, think of it as an extension of your indoor design—deserving of just as much care and attention. Here are ten landscape design, lawn care, and outdoor furnishing ideas to transform your outdoor space into your favorite “room” in the house!
1. Think About Your Lifestyle
The foundation of any effectively designed outdoor space is functionality. Think about what activities you enjoy and what you envision yourself doing in the space. If you love entertaining, an outdoor dining room is the perfect place to host dinner parties. If you’re looking for a space to relax and read, a comfortable chair is a must. Just as you would any other room, make sure your outdoor space is designed for your specific needs.
2. Consider the Specs
Every outdoor space is different. The goal is to design yours in a way that takes advantage of the benefits of your specific yard space while working within its constraints. Start by considering the size and orientation. How much privacy do you have? Where does the sunlight land at different times of the day? How close is it to the house? These questions will help you determine what is realistic and whether you want to invest in changes to your landscape design or lawn care.
3. Start with an “Inspiration Piece”
If you’re not already sure what style you want, it can be overwhelming to think about the whole outdoor space at once. Instead, find one accessory or outdoor furnishing that inspires you or can act as a statement piece, and build the rest of the design around that. Don’t be afraid to choose something bold—you can always balance it out with more neutral accessories.
4. Define the Space
You can still create a cozy feeling even if your outdoor space is part of an expansive yard. Especially if you have multiple areas in your space (for example, both a dining area and a living area), it can be helpful to have some definition between the two. Area rugs are one effective way to accomplish this; but low walls, large furniture pieces, and strategically placed plants can also create a sense of coziness and order.
5. Vary Your Plants
Even if you aren’t able to use your outdoor space during certain seasons, you can still ensure an aesthetically pleasing exterior design. Choosing a mix of annual, perennial, and evergreen plants will help your outdoor space look bright and beautiful no matter the weather.
6. Coordinate Details
Having a cohesive color scheme is just one way to make your outdoor space feel neat and intentional. But you can also coordinate other details in your exterior design—things like textures, materials, and patterns. Try tassels on both your umbrella and your pillows, or hints of gold in your planter and your string lights. It’s the small things that will add up to impact the overall look and feel of your outdoor space.
7. Take Risks
When it comes to your indoor space, you probably already have a style you feel comfortable with. But with exterior design comes less pressure and an opportunity to indulge your more playful or whimsical urges. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new colors and textures, and, if you’re creative, even incorporate some DIY art. You may just inspire yourself!
8. The Sky’s the Limit
Don’t be so focused on your horizontal space that you forget the vertical options available to you. When your outdoor space is open to the sky, you have the ability to play with the height of your decor. Try vertical planters, hanging art, sculptures, or oversized furniture and really get creative with the proportions of your outdoor space.
9. Don’t Forget about Lighting
Especially if you’re hoping to use your outdoor space in the evening hours, stylish lighting is one of the easiest ways to create ambience. In addition to overheard fixtures, lamps, or landscape lights, adding a string of lights can add charm and whimsy to an outdoor space. String lights come in a variety of styles and are versatile enough for almost any configuration. If you don’t have access to an outlet, consider solar-powered options.
10. Prioritize Comfort
No matter how stylish your outdoor space looks, you’ll get the most enjoyment out of it if you actually use it! Making small accommodations for comfort—like choosing chairs with backs and cushions, rather than benches or stools—will ensure that your outdoor space is a place you want to spend time.
Design a space that reflects who you are.
Schedule a design consultation with Michael today!
