Outdoor Living Design Ideas

Outdoor Living Design: Bringing Family and Friends Together

If I were to tell you just how easy it is to transform your back deck into an island oasis, would you believe me? There are plenty of ideas and design options that can help turn your dream room into reality all you need is a little motivation.

Well here it is. This photo featured on My Home Ideas is a great example of what happens when you think “outside” the box. With a few simple designer tips you can create your own outdoor living private getaway.

Begin with finding a location. A backyard porch or deck is a great place to start. If you have a sun room or large breakfast area, preferably a place with lots of light. These can be idyllic spaces for your new getaway.

Once you have determined where you’re outdoor living space will be, you’ll want to create a living area within that room. Teak furniture was a significant choice for this location because of its humid climate which was a concern to the home owner.

That’s what so fantastic about outdoor furniture, you have oodles of choices. Teak, cast aluminum, all weather wicker and wrought iron are just to name a few. Outdoor furniture has come a long way since the 80’s and 90’s. Manufacturers have capabilities that have never before been seen until now. Durable, rust proof and even made of recyclable materials are just a small taste of what’s available. Innovative and unusual styles, traditional and contemporary designs are all what make today’s outdoor living furniture top notch.

Just as equally important is furniture placement. Having a focal point in your outdoor living area is essential. Think of a movie cast. You have the lead actor then supporting actors along with extras. A beautiful honey woven wicker three seat sofa can be the lead actor. Depending on the size of your space, you might select a love seat as your focal point. Remember, you want your eye to be drawn to a certain inviting spot in your room. A deep seating rocker or an ottoman placed in front of a lounge chair will add extra seating as well as a cozy feel. These items are considered to be the supporting actors, not quite as noticeable as the lead but significant.

As for the extras, when you add small side tables, think balance. Having the same weight on either side of the room is so pleasing to the eye. In this photo, the home owner wanted to utilize these tall lamps, by adding them to either side of the sofa; it gives real presence and drama to the space. Foliage and tall potted plants will instantly transport your outdoor living space to that tropical island. Add a coffee table lined with candles or glass vases to bring a personal touch. Think water. There are a variety of water fixtures that can make your space calm and soothing just by the sound of trickling water. Your selections are endless.

Color is very important, especially if you want to capture a certain mood. Outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella can offer a variety of color and texture choices. They are ideal for outdoor living areas because of their solution dying process that adds color throughout the acrylic fibers. This allows for a fade free fabric that will keep the color true to its hue for many years.

Choose reds and yellows to bring you back to the summer you spent in Mexico. Think cooler colors, like periwinkle, ice blues or turquoise, to submerge you back to snorkeling in the waters of Cozumel. This teak sofa and chairs are adorned with Aruba #5416 Sunbrella fabric and coordinating custom pillows. The home owner obviously wanted to convey a casual tropical beach feel.

If you remember to think about what colors make you happy, you can’t go wrong. If you’re not sure what you like or don’t like, look in magazines and photo deign books. Ask your friends. We all know someone with a great eye that can advise us on balance and color choices.

Finally, don’t forget ambiance! Outdoor drapes can bring stage presence to your space. These light sheers are perfect for this deck. They allow light and privacy without blocking the breeze. A candle lit dinner for two, a quiet place to read or nap, a place for friends to come together and chat, that’s the place you create by adding outdoor drapes. Pergolas and gazebos are another alternative for dramatic drapes. Lighter sheers can be changed to heavier drapes during the winter. Add a fire pit surrounded by rocking chairs and teak benches padded with custom cushions for a night time outdoor bon fire.

Remember the purpose is to bring family and friends together. Create the outdoor living space that will be the gathering place for those you care about. This is how we build relationships that last a lifetime.

Article by Anita Winter

Deep Seating Chairs with Ottomans Cozy up the Night

We all can be a little narrow minded when it comes to our home decorating. At times we fear that anything different or nontraditional is too drastic and severe. It took a long time for me to realize that I had been stuck in a place of boring, lackluster and mindless design. Always placing the couch against the wall along with the television as the typical focal point, no matter how big and distracting it was. I’d like to get you to think about taking a step in a direction you normally would avoid and that’s the outdoors. Right outside your backdoor is a blank canvas waiting to be fashioned into a picture that reflects you and your family’s desires and imaginings.

A great way to begin a design of your outdoor area is to start with good quality outdoor furniture. Deep seating chairs made of teak wood can give you a traditional look but they are anything but traditional. Teak can be a great choice for anyone who is not interested in the upkeep and high maintenance of conventional wood. Teak doesn’t need to be stained or treated because it has natural oils that keep the wood from warping or rotting. It even serves as a natural defense against insect infestation. It is one of the hardest, strongest and most resilient of all timbers. The texture stays smooth and never splints even after years of being exposed to the elements.

This photo is a great illustration of deep seating chairs being used like recliners outside your home. Placing the ottomans in front for full relaxation is perfect after a long day of work. The ultimate outdoor experience is always adding the comforts of home to your space and deep seating chair cushions are a necessity. These beautiful Sunbrella fabrics are Brick #5409 with coordinating Antique Beige #5422 cording for a defining touch. Your fabric options are endless when it comes to outdoor Sunbrella acrylic fabrics. Unlike traditional outdoor fabric where they coat only the top layer of fabric with color, Sunbrella saturates the fibers all the way through so your color will not fade. They also dry very quickly in wet weather which helps against mold and mildew.

Having a room outdoors is not just for those that live in warmer climates. You have an enormous amount of selection in the creation of your outdoor living area. You want what will suit your lifestyle. Living in a colder climate will definitely require more heating mechanisms. A fire pit or a patio hearth fireplace will allow warmth and comfort to the outdoors. This photo shows a cast iron patio hearth that sits to the side of these deep seating chairs. What a terrific place to lounge on a cold night sipping hot chocolate with family.

Adding those additional touches like planters, urns and coffee tables complete your design space. This is usually the easy part. Just remember that less is more. Too many items can be distracting to the eye and take away from your focal point of your space. Consider color, texture and approach when you include those extra items.

If you’re not sure what color pallet you want, look at a certain belonging that you love, maybe a vase that you’ve had for years or a painting that encompasses all your favorite colors. Just remember balance. When you decide neutral for your deep seating chairs or furniture than decide to use pops of color on top of these neutral items. The owners of these deep seating chairs decided to keep it simple. Cushions in an antique beige fabric would have made these chairs pop even more, but the subtleties of having different color cording are just as effective. It’s all in what makes you content and satisfied. So start thinking outside the box of traditional design and imagine greater possibilities.

Article by Anita Winter