Outdoor Living Space Ideas for Comfort and Aesthetic Appeal
Ever imagined extending your living space outdoors?
Properties with landscaped and ornately decorated outdoor areas have a certain appeal that draws the eye. If you own a place like this, you might even feel a sense of pride knowing that the gorgeous exterior living space everyone in the neighborhood is praising is yours.
Beyond appearances, these outdoor areas also give you something to look forward to, especially after a tiring day at work. Sure, you can lounge indoors anytime you feel like it – but when the weather is perfect, a beautiful and comfortable nook just waiting to nestle you outside definitely takes the cake.
Inspired? Here, we’ll share some of the best outdoor living space ideas you can try to enjoy your front or backyard more.
Go Bold and Bright
Lean into the vibrant outdoor ambiance by decorating with bold and bright colors.
While earthy tones can work well in your indoor living room, these hues tend to shrink and just blend into the surrounding landscape (and not in the best way) if used outside. In some cases, they may even appear dull, especially when used as the primary color in the entire arrangement.
Conversely, black is a sleek and chic color choice inside the house. However, pieces of furniture in this hue get very hot when placed under the sun.
So go for bright red, yellow, and blue furniture to complement the greens and browns around your house. If you’re not a fan of bold tones for your outdoor sofa, try applying them to your decoration instead. This includes smaller elements like cushions, rugs, and accent chairs.
Build a Cozy Nook
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort over style and vice versa. Remember: You’re building an outdoor living area that is both pretty and functional.
When deciding on outdoor living furniture, always consider whether you would want to sit in it for hours while basking in the beauty of nature or reading a good book. After all, we don’t buy furniture just to take pictures of it to post on social media.
You can add cozy pieces like an oversized swing set with a cushion or lounge chair. Just remember to look at the bigger picture to ensure they don’t look out of place. Or, better yet, design the rest of the space around these larger pieces.
Add a Twist to Your Pergola
Shade is a must when decorating an outdoor living area, not only to protect against the sun but also to maintain your privacy.
Among the outdoor shade options available, pergolas are one of our favorites because they provide a shady but breezy area and help define the seating space. With their characteristic roof grid supported by sleek and sturdy columns, they can also help create a cozy dining space for you and your family.
Besides opting for contemporary pergola designs, you can add a twist by hanging a string of pendant lights so the fun and bonding can continue even after the sun has set.
Be Creative in Protecting Your Privacy
Privacy is a critical element in any outdoor living space. In addition to pergolas, canopies and a privacy wall can shield your outdoor area from prying eyes.
Canopies are available in all shapes and sizes. If you have an existing pergola, you can install a roll-up canopy that can be adjusted based on the time of day.
Meanwhile, privacy walls can be made of just about anything: wicker, plastic, wooden planks. There are also several styles to choose from, including stockade, shadow box, lock board, and lattice.
Get Inspired by Nature
We like outdoor living spaces because they serve as a bridge between manmade comfort and nature’s healing embrace.
To get the best of both worlds, build an outdoor garden design inspired by nature. Think wicker baskets, rattan furniture, and linen cushions. If you have a pergola, you can also decorate with real and artificial vines and hanging planters for a whimsical, fairytale-like look.
Install Dramatic Lighting
Lights are among the most cost-effective outdoor garden decors you can invest in because they combine function and style.
Besides pendant lights in pergolas, there are plenty of lighting options you can try to create drama in your outdoor living space:
- Drape fairy lights or small Christmas lights over bushes and your privacy wall to create an enchanted look.
- Accentuate focal elements like topiaries, sculptures, or outdoor art with spotlights. Aim them upwards to highlight a specific feature and adjust the distance based on the effect you want to achieve. The closer it is, the more precise the features are highlighted.
Remember: Good lighting accentuates the good side of your outdoor area while letting the less appealing elements fade into the background.
Prioritize Elements That Matter Most
We know it’s tempting to add everything to your outdoor space, but you must resist the urge. More isn’t necessarily better in this case, as adding too many elements defeats the purpose of having a relaxing haven just outside your doorstep.
Adding too many things – whether furnishings or decorations – may impede the flow of movement in the space. They can also make the area look cramped and cluttered, which is not ideal if you’re trying to build a place for chilling out after a tiring day.
Instead, focus on the elements that mean the most to you. For example, if you’re planning to host guests and dine outdoors, then by all means, build an outdoor kitchen. But if you only want a quiet place where you can read a good book, a cozy nook is more than enough.
Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds
Outdoor living spaces enhance your property’s aesthetic appeal and let you enjoy the best of indoor comfort and outdoor relaxation. Build your own today and relish the joys of a quiet weekend at home.
Looking for high-end outdoor blinds or custom pergola designs for your outdoor space? Sedar Global is here to help. Browse our online store or visit one of our branches to ensure you get exactly what you need.
