Timeless Trends in Outdoor Design
Over the last year, we’ve all developed an appreciation for the great outdoors. But once the pandemic is over and the great indoors fully reopen, there’s no reason we shouldn’t continue to plan our warm weather months around the outdoor spaces we’ve created.
It’s officially spring, so here is some simple yet timeless design advice to remake your home’s outdoor spaces.
Blur the boundaries
Blurring the boundaries between inside and out will make your outdoor spaces more welcoming. Patio furniture that resembles living room furniture, pergolas and outdoor shelter, large windows and open doors, indoor furniture arranged to look out those windows and doors—these simple steps can create spaces that begin to resemble luxe vacation resorts, according to Master Spas. “The key is to choose complementary design pieces for the spaces so that moving from the indoors out feels seamless.”
Invest in lighting
It may be some time before we can safely enjoy indoor dinner parties the way we used to, but with a well-lit backyard, entertaining outside can still be an option. Investing in good quality solar and accent lighting, placed strategically around outdoor sitting and walking areas, means you’ll be able to enjoy the space well into the evening. Placing a few blankets around and, if space allows, setting up a fire area can also make chillier spring and summer evenings more comfortable.
Upgrade your garden
A garden can be much more than a design feature if you want it to be.
Want to enjoy fresh flowers around the house? Create a cutting garden with zinnias, dahlias, peonies, gladioli and others, and cut and assemble your own bouquets. Don’t have the time or energy to carefully tend to more delicate florals? Consider setting up a sustainable garden with hardy and attractive plants and a drip irrigation system (composting yourself also provides a ready “superfood” for your garden, according to Veranda). Living in an apartment? A herb garden offers an irreplaceable fragrance and quick options to spruce up any home cooked meal. Growing your own vegetables doesn’t have to be a design tradeoff either. Aesthetic edible gardens are a wonderful way to marry function and form.
You can further entice people who want to appreciate your green thumb by plotting stone paths that travel from sitting areas towards and through your garden.
Design for where you live
All of the above design tips can be adapted whether you have an expansive backyard or a modest apartment patio. The trick is determining which suits your space best. Potted or hanging garden options can spruce up smaller spaces. For lighting, hanging or string lights can make cozier spaces more charming and whimsical in addition to serving their practical purpose.
You also want to do your best to take advantage of the natural features in your backyard. If you have a large tree, consider how to incorporate it in the design. If you don’t get a lot of rain, consider landscaping options with hardier plants and opt for rock gardens, stone patios and wooden decks over water-intensive lawns.
If you’re looking for a new home or selling your current home, don’t go it alone. Get in touch with the experts at Spectrum Realty to help you find the right home for the right price.
