How to Make Your Outdoor Living Space Feel Like a Natural Extension of Your Home

Whether you have a larger or smaller backyard, an outdoor living space is a great way to make your yard feel like a relaxing oasis. With the right design, you can create a beautiful space that’s on-trend and goes well with your home style.

For example, if your interior design features wooden furniture and wicker planters, carry that look and feeling outdoors with your outdoor living space.

Design a Social Front Yard

A social front yard is a great way to invite neighbors and friends to your home, while also making it an attractive and comfortable place for them to relax. This type of design is also a great way to improve your home’s curb appeal and make it more desirable for potential buyers.

A key part of designing a social front yard is to keep in mind the functional needs of the space and how it will be used by the homeowners. This includes how much room you need for dining, entertaining, or family activities.

If possible, you should carve out a designated area for these purposes from the beginning of the design process. In this way, you can avoid spending too much time and money on a space that won’t be used.

Another key to designing a social front yard is to consider how much privacy it will need. This is especially important if you live in an area with high traffic or are concerned about your neighbors’ safety.

In addition, you should think about the type of planting that will best complement your space. Every region and climate will have varying planting needs, but there are some general rules of thumb that can be helpful.

For instance, you should keep plants that can reach heights of at least eight feet away from the street or sidewalk, and make sure they don’t block views. In addition, you should also try to avoid tall hedges and other structural barriers that will prevent neighbors from getting a good look at your outdoor living space.

This is a very important step to take because it can make your front yard feel like a closed-off space, which will only discourage people from spending time there. If you’re worried about this, you can always add a screen to your yard that will help create more privacy without blocking the view of the outdoors.

In the end, there are many ways to make your front yard a more social space. You can choose to install a gazebo or a pergola, build a firepit or even put up some decorative furniture.

Incorporate Interior Design Elements

One of the best ways to make your outdoor space feel like a natural extension of the home is to include elements that complement the indoors. The most obvious is to incorporate furniture and decor that can withstand the elements without looking out of place. A smattering of plants, shrubs and trees will also help keep your backyard green. The most gratifying is to be able to relax in style, regardless of the weather. With a little creative thinking, you can enjoy your outdoor oasis all year round. The key is to take the time to map out your acreage and devise a strategy to get the most out of it.

Add Texture and Color

The key to creating a cohesive outdoor living space design is to add texture and color. Adding texture can be done with a variety of objects, fabrics, and furnishings. It can also be accomplished by integrating natural elements into the design, such as stone retaining walls, water features, reclaimed wood or large pottery urns.

A mix of different materials and textures is a design staple in many modern and contemporary homes. For example, a designer might combine natural wood with reclaimed metal and glass to create a one-of-a-kind space.

Another way to create a sense of depth and texture is by using patterns in your designs. For example, you can use a pattern of marble or a mottled color to create visual interest.

You can also add texture through the fabric used on chairs and tables, or a woven rug. You can choose a variety of colors and textures for these items, including acrylic, olefin, polyester, canvas and cotton.

Incorporating a mixture of different colors and textures can help to create depth and visual interest in an outdoor living space, says Liz Foster, Los Angeles-based designer. You can choose to use a mix of light and dark shades, or you can opt for an eclectic style that mixes tones like brown, blue and green.

You can also create a visual connection between the interior and outdoor spaces by choosing similar exterior paint color schemes, furniture choices and outdoor fabric colors. You can also use an outdoor landscape lighting plan to highlight your favorite colors and textures. For example, you can light up your trees and plants or other areas at night, so that you can see the contrast of texture.

Accessorize

One of the best ways to make your outdoor living space design stand out is with the right accessories. The right outdoor furniture, weatherproof decor, and the right lighting can all go a long way toward making your space look more like home than it did before.

Whether you choose to go all out on the decor or keep it simple and understated, the right accessories can turn your outdoor living area into an oasis that rivals your living room. It’s no secret that outdoor spaces can be quite expensive to furnish, but with a little creativity, you can bring the look and feel of your home outside without breaking the bank.

The right rugs and pillows can do wonders in adding texture, color, and style to your outdoor space. A good area rug will draw the eye to the best features of your outdoor living area, including your patio or deck. It can also serve as a comfortable place to rest your feet when you’re not using your outdoor furniture.

For the best possible experience, consider a space that incorporates a few zones to accommodate the flow of family and friends when you’re entertaining. With a few well-placed furniture pieces and a few nifty tricks, you can create a multi-level social space that will be the envy of your neighbors.