Summer is here! As the temperatures moderate and the days lengthen, outdoor living is in full season. What better way to spend those extra hours of daylight than in a customized outdoor living space? There is no better time than now to be thinking about sprucing up these external rooms of your home. The work you put in now will pay great dividends in the summer and fall months ahead.
For many, outdoor design and decorating can be a bit overwhelming. There are many outdoor living ideas to consider. From choosing the right plants to selecting the perfect arrangement of patio furniture, finding the right design for your outdoor living space is more of an art than a science. Still, with practice and a little trial-and-error, even the most novice of homeowners can create an effective outdoor design.
When creating a layout that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, you must keep in mind the scale of the home and yard you have to work with. The addition of a large deck, for example, can minimize the appearance of an already tiny house. Similarly, short trees may look disproportionate to a house that is two-stories tall. Scaling errors in one’s design can quickly derail any attempt to structure an outdoor design that is visually attractive. Yet this is one of the common mistakes that well-meaning homeowners make.
Another consideration to be made in the design and development of your outdoor living space is the appropriate amount of design elements. These are things like furniture, accessories, potted plants, and statuettes. A living space with too many differing elements haphazardly placed can appear cluttered and the busyness of competing elements can intrude on any thoughts of relaxation. (And beware, too many lawn and garden gnomes never benefited anyone!) In contrast a design that appears to be a blank canvas is neither functional nor interesting. Finding the correct balance of form and function while minimizing clutter and maximizing the use of design elements is crucial to outdoor living ideas.
Developing a focal point to one’s outdoor space is yet another consideration that can make a vast difference in appearance and interest. The construction of a pergola or arbor can bring to life an otherwise dull area. Likewise, a strategically placed water feature can serve as inspiration for the entire space. Perhaps the best option, however, in providing a focal point, is the outdoor fireplace.
With a variety of designs to consider, from stone to brick to concrete, the outdoor fireplace can be just the element to add personality and comfort to the outdoor space. Who, after all, is not drawn to the warmth of a fire? Whether looking for something bold and dramatic, or something simple and elegant, outdoor fireplaces are a beautiful and practical addition to any space.
With the focal point in place, the arrangement of outdoor furniture is one of the final pieces of the design puzzle. This part is simple. Practicality mandates that the furniture be placed around the fireplace, not too close for burnt hands, but not too far for that outstretched marshmallow on a stick!
A properly designed outdoor living space can incite many hours of fun with family and friends. So work carefully to design your outdoor living area. Then sit back, by the fire, and enjoy!

Spring is here and summer is quickly approaching! As the temperatures moderate and the days lengthen, outdoor living is in full season. What better way to spend those extra hours of daylight than in a customized outdoor living space? There is no better time than now to be thinking about sprucing up these external rooms of your home. The work you put in now will pay great dividends in the summer and fall months ahead.
For many, outdoor design and decorating can be a bit overwhelming. There are many outdoor living ideas to consider. From choosing the right plants to selecting the perfect arrangement of patio furniture, finding the right design for your outdoor living space is more of an art than a science. Still, with practice and a little trial-and-error, even the most novice of homeowners can create an effective outdoor design.
When creating a layout that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, you must keep in mind the scale of the home and yard you have to work with. The addition of a large deck, for example, can minimize the appearance of an already tiny house. Similarly, short trees may look disproportionate to a house that is two-stories tall. Scaling errors in one’s design can quickly derail any attempt to structure an outdoor design that is visually attractive. Yet this is one of the common mistakes that well-meaning homeowners make.
Another consideration to be made in the design and development of your outdoor living space is the appropriate amount of design elements. These are things like furniture, accessories, potted plants, and statuettes. A living space with too many differing elements haphazardly placed can appear cluttered and the busyness of competing elements can intrude on any thoughts of relaxation. (And beware, too many lawn and garden gnomes never benefited anyone!) In contrast a design that appears to be a blank canvas is neither functional nor interesting. Finding the correct balance of form and function while minimizing clutter and maximizing the use of design elements is crucial to outdoor living ideas.
Developing a focal point to one’s outdoor space is yet another consideration that can make a vast difference in appearance and interest. The construction of a pergola or arbor can bring to life an otherwise dull area. Likewise, a strategically placed water feature can serve as inspiration for the entire space. Perhaps the best option, however, in providing a focal point, is the outdoor fireplace.
With a variety of designs to consider, from stone to brick to concrete, the outdoor fireplace can be just the element to add personality and comfort to the outdoor space. Who, after all, is not drawn to the warmth of a fire? Whether looking for something bold and dramatic, or something simple and elegant, outdoor fireplaces are a beautiful and practical addition to any space.
With the focal point in place, the arrangement of outdoor furniture is one of the final pieces of the design puzzle. This part is simple. Practicality mandates that the furniture be placed around the fireplace, not too close for burnt hands, but not too far for that outstretched marshmallow on a stick!
A properly designed outdoor living space can incite many hours of fun with family and friends. So work carefully to design your outdoor living area. Then sit back, by the fire, and enjoy!