Let’s celebrate the good news: You have an outdoor space! No matter where you call home—a tiny apartment in New York City, a far-flung cottage on the California coast or somewhere in the vast space in between—getting to create your own green oasis is a real perk of human existence.
In need of patio decorating ideas? Here's one tip: Invest in conversation-focused seating.
But where do you begin the decorating process? As is the case with so many design projects, getting started is the toughest part. For seating, do you want a patio dining set or an outdoor sectional (or both)? If you like to entertain well into the evening, how do you make your space conducive to after-dark hangouts? To help you approach the undertaking with confidence and inspiration, we consulted a crew of interior and landscape designers for their best backyard and patio decorating ideas. Ahead, here are 10 ways to make the most of your outdoor space.
Create A Series Of Zones
The pros at Surrounded by Color, a design studio in Baltimore, have a smart tactic for getting over that initial overwhelming feeling: “Many of our clients come to us sort of paralyzed by furnishing an outdoor space because they are looking at it as one big room, so our first order of business is always to create rooms—or zones, as we call them,” say Robin Heller and Jen Levy. “This makes an open space so much more functional, and then designing becomes more digestible.” To break your patio or backyard into zones, think of the space as an area with multiple functions. In one area, for example, you could have a lounge area that’s anchored by a fire pit or a group of Adirondack chairs.
In another part of your yard, you could place a colorful bistro set for taking in the sunset with your partner.
Also, for those with younger kids, don’t forget a play area for them. If you have the space, you can’t go wrong with a swing set or trampoline. You don’t necessarily need to dream so big, though; you can always dedicate a small area for them to play with a few outdoor toys.
Never Underestimate The Power Of A Really Big Rug
It’s easy to forget some of the most important interior design rules when you’re working outside—but don’t forget about scale. Indoors, most people take the time to consider how the size of art may play with the furniture in a room. Outdoors? Not so much. But designer Leah Alexander, founder of Atlanta-based interior design firm Beauty Is Abundant, warns against falling into this trap. “When upgrading your outdoor space on a budget, consider a large, durable outdoor area rug,” she says. “A large rug, rather than an undersized one or none at all, makes the space feel larger, more inviting and more put together.” Available in multiple sizes (and two colors), this scallop-y Marimekko design is a great pick for those looking for a pop of pattern.
Another beautiful option is this flat-weave rug from Revival, which has a sunset-inspired color palette that can bring an outdoor conversation space to a new level.
If You Want To Add Plants To Your Space, Think About Watering First
Before you even start to think about how you want to incorporate plants in your outdoor space, think about watering. “In general, I think people underestimate how much water plants need in the first season,” says Irene Kalina, a landscape designer and co-owner of New York City-based landscaping design company Outside Space. If you want to have a few outdoor planters with flowers, you can likely get away with a watering can. For those who dream of having a garden or lining their yard with all kinds of flowering plants, you’ll need a lawn irrigation system or a long-range garden hose. (For most spaces, a 200-foot hose is plenty big to get the job done.)
Once you’ve considered how much watering you’re willing (or able) to do, then you can think about how you want to house the plants (and where you want to place them in your yard). For those who want to use containers, “buy large pots—just do it,” says Kalina. “And make sure they’re high-grade pots from companies that specialize in planters.” For most people, she recommends clay planters, as they’re heavy and have a classic look. If you live in a colder climate, just “make sure they are frost-proof,” she adds.
Choose Plants Based On What Will Thrive—Not What You Want
“There's an old gardeners saying, ‘right plant in the right place,’” says Kalina. “It’s very true—when you select plants that would thrive in the conditions of your space rather than the plants you want, you’ll hardly have to look after them.” Determining what your conditions are is key. If the area has six or more hours of sunlight in the summertime, it’s full sun. If it gets less, it’s part shade. And if the area gets absolutely no direct sunlight, it’s considered full shade. Also keep in mind that trees and buildings can create full shade scenarios in a backyard that may appear to be full sun, so make sure and look up.
If you’re willing to splurge a little bit, “working with a landscape architect or gardener who really knows the native blooms is priceless,” say Heller and Levy. “The cycle of plant growth is fascinating and makes for the most gorgeous yards when there is always something in bloom.”
Lastly, don’t feel like these rules of landscaping only apply to large, outdoor swaths of greenspace. “Even if your outdoor area is a small deck or balcony of a city apartment, having living outdoor plants that you take care of and get to watch change throughout the season brings joy to outdoor living,” says designer Noz Nozawa of Noz Design, a San Francisco-based interior design firm.
Go All In On A Coat Of Paint (Especially If You’re On A Budget)
A painting project may seem intimidating at first, but there are many low-touch ways to work some color into your outdoor space. “Painting goes such a long way for transforming any space, and it’s DIY-friendly,” say Heller and Levy. “You can paint a wall, old furniture, pots or even your actual decking.” One idea, inspired by one of their recent personal projects: Cover Ikea’s Nämmarö Table in a coat of something cheery from Benjamin Moore. (Brilliant Blue, anyone?)
Brighten Up Your Space With Multiple Light Sources
You don’t want to feel like you’re underneath a spotlight when lounging outside in the nighttime, but you don’t want to be stumbling around, either. “Three light sources are always nice if you have the space for it,” Alexander says. “And I do consider any outdoor fire pit or fireplace a light source.” One combination she likes: wall sconce, floor lamp and fire pit.
That said, you don’t need multiple sources. In fact, there are lots of budget-friendly types of lights that can illuminate a larger area. “There are so many great outdoor lamps and string lights these days that can completely transform the mood of an outdoor space at dusk and into the late evenings,” says Nozawa. “Battery-chargeable units offer lots of flexibility, too.” For something rechargeable, consider this LED globe light.
Make An Illuminated Path For Safety
If you like to entertain at night and you have a larger backyard, it’s important to create an illuminated walkway so you and your guests can safely move between your yard and home. “Ideally, the best way to approach outdoor lighting is to have a plan for walk paths that require lighting for safety, and then to have a plan for how you want to light areas for living and dining,” says Nozawa. “For walk paths, I prefer lighting close to the ground so your eyes don't have to adjust to dark skies and artificial lights in the same plane when walking around.” There are a ton of light types that can accomplish this: solar-powered lights, LED groundstake options, and sculptural designs, to name a few.
Invest In High-Quality, Durable Furniture You Love
All our experts are in agreement: If there’s one thing to really splurge on, it’s patio furniture. “A quality, comfy, stylish, deep outdoor sofa is well worth it,” says Alexander. “Treat outdoor seating just like any other area in your home and notice how you spend time in your outdoor space like any other area in your home.” Her most recent obsession? The Shore Sofa. “My favorite outdoor trend is silicone textile furniture that looks like a million tiny pool noodles woven together to make striking outdoor seating,” she adds.
Meanwhile, Heller and Levy recommend going all in on metal for durability. “I’m a die-hard Hay Palissade Collection fan,” Heller says. “The way that the pieces withstand all elements and seasons and look fresh and new year after year blows me away.” The pieces come in a few colors, including a green that she finds “magical against outdoor landscaping” and a grey that’s “so romantic and whimsical.”
Levy’s a fan of Hay’s outdoor pieces, too—she has pieces from the brand’s Balcony Collection in her own space. If you’re not drawn to metal designs, she also recommends the new wicker furniture from Lulu and Georgia.
Set Up Conversation-Focused Seating
There’s nothing worse than having to crane your neck to hear someone seated more than a few feet away (or awkwardly behind you). In terms of importance, “a conversational seating area is a close second to having multiple light sources,” says Alexander. What exactly does that mean? Think about having multiple seating options, centered around a larger piece like a sofa (and maybe a fire pit, too). “Secondary seating, facing the main seating, makes for a great game night or s’mores moment if the seating surrounds a fire pit. Sofa-facing poufs, low stools or two loveseats facing one another will transform how you interact outside, compared to sitting side by side on a singular sofa, looking left and right to chat.”
You also want to make sure that your seating options give people a reason to stay put. “My forever-favorite outdoor seats include the Helios family of heated concrete seats by Galanter & Jones,” Nozawa says. “They plug in like a lamp and keep you so warm and cozy. I think the designs are so comfortable for the human body, even without cushioning, and because they're concrete, they are easy to wipe down and keep clean.” (Of course, you can always opt for a classic cushioned sectional if you want something you can really sink into.)
And Don’t Forget About Creating Shade (In A Good Way)
On hot, sunny days, a large patio umbrella can help protect you from the sun’s rays and keep you cool. Simply put, it’s as essential as a comfortable sofa or lighting—and you don’t want to skimp on quality. “People often have to replace cheaper ones annually, or they get blown away in a late winter storm,” say Heller and Levy. “A nice, sturdy umbrella is a major investment but will definitely last. We love the Frontgate cantilever shades.”
