If you view your outdoor living area as an extension of your home, you will see how the right design additions here can enhance your life. Many people don’t make good use of these spaces because they aren’t used to thinking of the patio or yard as an extension of indoor living. Here are ways you can make your outdoor space more beautiful and comfortable.
Upgrade your Outdoor Furniture
To make the best use of your outdoor living area, you should make it comfortable so friends and family can relax there. The outdoor furniture you choose makes a big difference. Go the extra mile when picking out this furniture and it will reward you for a long time. Look for chairs, sofas and ottomans in a weather friendly material such as treated wood or wicker and make sure it is covered in plush outdoor cushions. Remember to add a few end tables and a coffee table so everyone has a place to set drinks or food.
Add an Outdoor Area Rug
Outdoor area rugs help define conversation areas and add intimacy and comfort . The right color and design also helps pull together your design theme and adds textural interest. Adding a rug is one of the fastest and easiest ways to spruce up your outdoor living area.
Define the Space with Potted Plants
Tips for designing an outdoor living space are very similar to indoor living spaces. You will want to define different sections using visual clues and objects, such as area rugs and subtle barriers. Large potted plants work very well outdoors to separate conversation areas from cooking or play areas. Use plants such as palms or conifers and arrange them to set the seating areas off from other areas. Just a few will usually do. The point is to create a visual break between areas rather than to close off anything.
Include Better Landscape Lighting
Good lighting means you will be able to use your outdoor area late into the evening, but that and increased home security aren’t the only benefits. You can use landscape lighting for dramatic affects, such as uplighting to draw attention to foliage or landscape art or downlighting to cast interesting shadows. Adding features like solar lights along a pathway or staircase also helps party guests safely navigate unfamiliar terrain in the dark.
Designers encourage homeowners to use a similar decorating theme outdoors as indoors, but this rule can be bent a bit to suit your desires. Outdoor spaces are, after all, places to unwind and this means you can add whimsy to the decor, if you’d like. Whatever decor style you choose, once you begin to spruce up your outdoor living area, you might be amazed at how it changes the overall feel of your home for the better.
Leave a Reply