Summer 2021 Design Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space
We’ve all spent over a year at home and mostly indoors. Summer is upon us and we’re all looking forward to enjoying some much-needed time outside with friends and family.
Before you start using your patio, deck, or backyard it may be time to make some improvements. Whether you have an outdoor area that needs a little sprucing up or a complete overhaul we’ve got tips for you. No matter how big or small your outdoor space is we’ll help you maximize its function and style.
AHG Interiors - Aframe
Think about Function and Create Zones
If you’re doing a complete overhaul, first you’ll need to think about how you want to use your outdoor space and how it can best function for your needs.
Do you need spaces for entertaining? For kids to play? For lounging and relaxing? All of the above? These are the questions to ask yourself before you get started planning out the space and shopping for new items.
Architectural Digest
Once you know how you want to use the space, you can then plan out zones to make it functional. Like creating a dining and entertaining area, along with a separate lounge area.
There are a number of ways you can create separate and distinct zones in one space. You can strategically organize and group furniture. Use potted plants or landscaping to help distinguish zones, along with different flooring surfaces and area rugs.
For more tips on zoning your yard, check out HGTV’s article on the subject.
Add Some Shade
When it’s hot out you’ll want to create a space where you can enjoy being outside, but not in direct sunlight. There are many ways you can incorporate shade into your outdoor design. Think about planting trees, which is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to incorporate shade. You can also purchase outdoor umbrellas, build a pergola, or add an awning.
Masseria Moroseta
The Spruce has more ideas on how to incorporate more shade in your outdoor space.
Mix-in Greenery
Whether you already have a lush backyard (or not) you may want to think about ways you can incorporate more greenery and plants into your functional spaces. Nothing makes the outdoors feel more like a sanctuary and escape than lush greenery.
Think about integrating potted plants, hanging plants, climbing plants, and topiaries. They are a great contrast to stone, wood, or metal furnishings, and there are so many ways you can include plants in an outdoor living space.
We love Terracotta pots and planters. They’re so versatile and offer a chic and timeless aesthetic.
Bring the Indoors to the Outdoors
You’ll want your outdoor space to reflect the design elements of your home so you have a seamless transition from inside to outside. Think about the color palette and aesthetic you have going on inside your home and create a similar look outside.
Better Homes & Garden
This could be translating a clean and modern look outside with sleek and minimal stone or wood furnishings, clean lines, and neutral tones.
Or this could be creating cozy, lived-in spaces outside with more plush furnishings dressed up with comfortable accents, like cushions, pillows, and throws.
Another way to do this is with decor and accent pieces. You don’t want to necessarily have the same type of pieces outside that you use inside, any furniture or decor you have outside should be durable and made for outdoor use. However, you’ll want your outdoor space to feel like an extension of the interior of your home.
Serena & Lily
Multipurpose Furniture
A great way to make use of a smaller outdoor area is with multifunctional furniture. You may not have enough space to create all the zones you want, but with some multipurpose pieces, you can.
Lulu & Georgia
Like a lounge set that offers different seating arrangements to accommodate different-sized groups. A sofa set that can be used for lounging or dining, with an ottoman that can be transformed into a coffee table. Tuck some stools under a table and bring them out when needed as extra seating or side tables. Making your furniture work double duty will maximize the use of your space.
Woven Textural Accents
Woven and rattan pieces are making a major comeback in design right now. Source some great woven accents to add a bit of rusticity and texture to your outdoor space.
Architectural Digest
You can make a statement with larger woven pieces, like a sofa. Or add small accents like a stool that can also double as a table. Instead of going for a matching patio set you can mix and match coordinating furniture pieces. Like a teak dining table with woven chairs.
Williams Sonoma
Let There be Light
Outdoor lighting can often be an afterthought. Though it stays lighter longer in the summer, if you plan on using your outdoor spaces well into the evening you’ll want to make sure you have ample lighting.
Crate & Barrel