Design your perfect Outdoor Space!

infobluebellevinta
Apr 25
4 min read

Follow these 12 easy steps to create your outdoor oasis.

Spring has sprung and with it comes thoughts of outdoor games and family bbq's. If you are in need of an outdoor refresh, here are our top tips to take your patio from boring to

1.Start with the purpose of the space: How will the space be used and design accordingly.

Do you host dinner parties, family bbq's, brunch with friends?
How many guests do you usually entertain?
Do you need a quiet space just to relax and unwind?
Does the space need to be pet or child friendly or is there an opportunity for a separate space for children and pets.

2. Let's talk layout: Use the same logic as you do when designing the inside of your home. Every outdoor area should have a logical function and connect to the inside. If you host get togethers, you would want the outdoor kitchen/ dining area close to the kitchen.

3. Surroundings: Make sure you can enjoy any and all views of your property. Have a cozy area to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine at night. Situate a larger seating area with room for hor d'Oeuvres when you are entertaining. Hedges and tall flowy grasses can be used to hide eye soars such as air condition units, trash bins, etc. Think outside the box and get creative.

4. Exposure: Think about the direction your space faces. Take into account sunrise and sunset as well as wind patterns especially if adding a fire pit or alternative heating source. You do not want to create a beautiful space and then have it be down wind to the fire pit.

5. Comfort: This is where we think about shade. If your space gets a lot of afternoon sun, you will want shade for comfort of you and your guests. Umbrellas and pergolas can create shelter from a hot day or a passing afternoon shower.

6. Hardscape vs. Softscape: Just like the interior of your home, we recommend a mix of surfaces. You want enough hard surface for tables and chairs, but you also want a portion of the area to be soft and inviting. Whether you choose grass or turf depends on how low maintenance your space. We love incorporating natural elements such as wood, flagstone, pea gravel and large boulders.

7. Plant Selection: We recommend easy care/ low maintenance plants when it comes to greenery. Rounded easy to trim shrubs are the perfect compliment to a walkway. Think boxwood, aloe, and agave.

Be sure to choose what works for your climate. Also keep in mind, that most plants do attract bees and other pollinators and while they are great for your yard, you may not want them close to your living/dining spaces.

8. Furnishings: Outdoor furniture choices will depend on the intended use of the space. Are you using the space for relaxing, dining, or entertaining? Most likely, it is a combination. Be sure to choose furniture that is comfortable , weather resistant, and washable. We recommend small side tables that are easily moved for serving food and drinks.

9. Water: We always recommend a water feature for sound. The sight and particularly sound of a water can be very helpful in enhancing relaxation and can even help lower blood pressure. Keep in mind, it does not have to be an elaborate waterfall, it can be a small fountain or even a tabletop feature. If you are fortunate enough to live close to or on any form of water (lake, beach, river) be sure to design your space to take advantage of this natural element.

10. Fire: As evenings get cooler at the end of summer, don't take the party indoors. Extend the outdoor season by creating a fire pit area with comfortable seating. Your family and friends can enjoy evenings by the fire. Take it up a notch by adding a basket with blankets and don't forget the tray of s'mores.

11. Lighting: Create a true extension of your home by illuminating each area. Lighting at cooking areas will allow more meal prep to be done outside. Create visual interest by wrapping trees and fencing with solar lights. This will save electricity and create safety in areas further away from your house. We also like to recommend lighting to brighten any steps and walkways.

12. Accessorize: This is the fun part, where you can truly bring your style to life! Start with an outdoor rug. This is a great area to go bold with color and pattern. Grab fun outdoor pillows and throws that coordinate with the rug. Remember, you can mix patterns. The success of mixing patterns is based on using varying size and different patterns in the same color scheme. Example: Large florals on a rug, choose smaller patterns, stripes, or polka dots on pillows.