As most people with school-aged kids know, summertime is for family. Whether it’s vacations, barbecues or simply making good use of your air conditioning, summer’s great appeal lies in increased face time with loved ones. As an interior designer, I see this as a perfect opportunity to create seamless transitions between indoor comfort and natural beauty, extending our living spaces beyond four walls.
With thoughtful design, you can create an outdoor space for well-being that not only enhances your clients’ homes’ appeal but also enriches their lives. After all, time outside is crucially important for our health and well-being, and thoughtful design can make these outdoor experiences even more enjoyable and memorable.
Taking a Similar Approach to Design
When approaching outdoor design, it’s crucial to consider both functionality and aesthetics. Just as you would with interior spaces, create designated areas for different activities – a dining space for al fresco meals, a lounge area for relaxation and perhaps a play zone for children. Use landscaping elements like plants, trees or even water features to naturally define these spaces. The key is to consider the flow between these areas, ensuring a cohesive and inviting outdoor environment.
Much like you’d work with the layout and floor plan for the interior of the home, apply the same principles to the outdoor areas. For example, consider keeping the outdoor cooking and dining area near the entrance to reduce travel time for food and other materials. This thoughtful planning can blur the line between indoor and outdoor living, especially if you ensure visual continuity by using similar plants in the kitchen and just outside.
Throwing Shade
Color plays a vital role in outdoor design, much as it does indoors. While you might want to echo your clients’ interior color scheme for continuity, don’t be afraid to embrace bolder hues inspired by nature. Blues and greens can create a sense of tranquility, while vibrant yellows and oranges can energize the space. Bring these colors to life through weather-resistant fabrics in your outdoor furniture and decor, creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
Engaging the Senses
To encourage more time outdoors, focus on creating a multisensory landscape design. Start by incorporating inviting pathways using materials like natural stone, brick or decorative pavers. These paths should rove through the outdoor space, leading to various seating areas or points of interest, guiding family and guests through the outdoor sanctuary.
Within this landscape, create a series of outdoor “rooms,” each with its own purpose and ambiance. A meditation corner might feature a small garden with a trickling water feature, while a reading nook could be nestled under a pergola draped with climbing vines. For social gatherings, design an open area with comfortable, weather-resistant seating arranged in a conversation-friendly layout. This approach to outdoor design mimics the thoughtful planning we typically reserve for interior spaces.
Don’t forget the auditory aspects of your outdoor design. The gentle sound of water from a fountain or a small stream can mask urban noise and create a sense of tranquility. Wind chimes or outdoor speakers disguised as rocks can add another layer of sensory experience, enhancing the overall ambiance of the outdoor space.
Leverage the Lighting
Illumination is another crucial element in outdoor design, extending the usability and enhancing the atmosphere of a space well into the evening hours. Use a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. Solar-powered path lights can guide the way after dark, while strategically placed uplights can highlight architectural features or beautiful trees. String lights or lanterns can create an intimate feel for evening gatherings.
Good outdoor design is about creating a place where your clients and their families look forward to spending time together. Adding elements like a cozy fire pit for evening gatherings or an outdoor movie screen for family film nights under the stars can transform a backyard into a memory-making haven.
There’s a reason I work with each client to ensure their spaces reflect their personality and style. Adding beauty to their surroundings and being in a place they enjoy makes it feel like home. This principle applies just as much to outdoor spaces as it does to interiors. Your clients’ outdoor area should be an extension of their home, reflecting their tastes and meeting their needs.
By Elizabeth Burch, Founder of Elizabeth Burch Interiors, a Nashville-based full-service interior design firm
