Tips for designing an outdoor living space this summer

An outdoor living space remains as important as ever while we are still stuck at home, shielding from the ongoing pandemic. Whether it is a self-contained balcony, a simple patio or a sprawling garden, it is a wonderful escape for relaxing, unwinding and enjoying some sun.

Here are five tips on designing a comfortable and cohesive outdoor area, for this summer and beyond.

Create zones for different uses

Much like indoors, get the most out of your outdoor space by assigning roles for different areas, such as al fresco dining, working, entertaining or play. These zones can be defined using a border of plants, screens, sculptural pieces or furniture.

If space is limited, you can create a sense of variety by moving lighter pieces of furniture around, alternating their function by location. A low chair with a flat top, for example, can double as a footstool or side table.

Extend your interior to flow out

Bring elements from inside your home to the outside to create a connected design scheme. Use the same patterns, colours, potted plants or small pieces of furniture to mirror the two spaces. For larger areas, consider running the same indoor flooring or rug out into the decking. The Indoor/Outdoor collection from our parent company Topfloor by Esti offers a wide selection of hand-woven rugs with weatherproof fibres, suitable for taking outside.

Choose furniture for all seasons

Small decorative pieces like cushions and throws can be stored indoors during rainy days or the winter months. But for larger furniture, consider investing in waterproof and hardwearing pieces that can withstand dry and wet weather, as well as heat and cold.

Let there be light

Enjoy your outdoor space for longer by installing lights for when the sun goes down. This could be flickering candles, twinkling solar-powered string lighting, or a cosy fire pit to gather around well into the night – or a combination of all three.

Bring indoor furniture on outdoor adventures

Make the park, beach or woods feel like home by bringing your own furniture on a day trip out. Our colourful Candyland collection seats not only adds an element of fun, but are also practical and versatile: water-resistant, UV-tolerant and small enough to fit into a car trunk, they can be used as stool, kid’s chair or occasional table anywhere. The Sugarplum pouffe also has a lift-off lid and removable bucket to double up as storage. If it is covered in mud, dirt or snack crumbs, simply wipe clean with soap and water on a damp cloth.

We wish you a bright and happy summer!

Image credits:
Formitura, Topfloor by Esti, Unsplash