5 mistakes to avoid when designing an outdoor space
When it comes to design, rooms inside a house are pretty straightforward, most have a specific purpose. A bedroom for sleeping, an office for working, a kitchen for cooking, and so on. However, when it comes to designing exterior spaces, you have many options for defining a purpose!
You can go the easy route with your design, throw some lawn furniture around the place and plant a couple of flowers, but you’d be missing out on a unique opportunity to create a visual journey for both yourself and guests. Your outdoor spaces get to be expressive just like your indoor spaces. If you’re not sure where to begin; start with what not to do! When you are aware of what not to do, figuring out what you can do feels a lot easier. Being aware of these five common mistakes will set you on the path to creating an amazing outdoor space that is beautiful, functional and reflective of your personal style.
Selecting the right durablity level for your space and lifestyle
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people design outdoor spaces as though they have four walls and a roof. Even if you have a screen porch or area with a roof, outdoor furniture needs specific durability to be exposed to wind, rain and humidity. If your at the beach or near salt water (think saltwater pools!) You’ll need another set of specific “marine grade” furniture.
Think about your personal commitment to caring for exterior furniture. If you don’t mind bringing cushions in during pollen season or for a big rainstorm, go ahead and purchase something with great, removable cushions. If you prefer to be more “hands off” when it comes to up keep, look for integrated cushions like the “All Weather” or “Low Country” series from Lloyd Flanders or even easier care from Pollywood Furniture for classically styled Adirondack chairs and coordinates.
Poor furniture placement
This connects back to having a clear intention for your outdoor space. Randomly placed furniture will make the space look cluttered and will be less functional. If your space is going to be a social area then ensure your furniture is placed to allow for long conversations while leaving space to move around. In a well-proportioned outdoor living space, the layout should be designed for your favorite activities. This might include dining, relaxing, entertaining or playing games. Choose furniture that is practical for your needs. Beware of overcrowding; less is always more!
Color Mistakes
Color mistakes often occur when there is either too little color (for example everything being the same), or too many colors are used together. Notice how the space makes you feel, if there’s too much color it will feel chaotic and you won't know where to look, too little color and it feels drab and lifeless. Remember the main focus should be on the beauty Mother Nature is already providing! Find a balance and work with your natural surroundings. If you have a lot of greenery, look for a complementary color accent like orange. If your in a pool setting that has a lot of blue and white, look at pairing with a bright green hue.
Forgetting about vertical spaces & ceilings
It’s possible to utilize vertical surfaces creatively when designing your outdoor space. Consider mounting storage units or waterfalls to your exterior walls. Wall-mounted flower pots are also a great idea to free up ground space, you can even consider designing a full vertical wall garden right in your backyard. This is a great trick to bring life to your outdoor living space without it feeling too busy and overcrowded.
Adding electrical
Creating a truly outdoor livable space needs to have amenities from the inside world. Many people forget they can add electrical features such as light fixtures and even televisions to outdoor spaces. Watching the “big game” while the kids splash around in the pool keeps everyone happy! Installing a wonderful, exterior rated chandelier continues dinner conversations well past finishing the last of the dessert or adding in some fans to keep you cool on a hot summer night. Keep those exterior spaces as highly functional as possible by adding some smartly placed electrical features.
Whether this is your first time designing an outdoor space, or you’ve done it before and you’re looking for fresh inspiration, ensuring you’re aware of these five design elements will help you create an outdoor space is perfect for you!
Need help? Contact us today! We’d love to help create your dream outdoor space!
