5 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing an Outdoor Space
When it comes to design, rooms inside a house are pretty straightforward, most rooms 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 your outside space, it’s up to you what purpose you give it. It’s entirely up to you!
Photo: Marcia Prenice
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 start, there are a few tried mistakes you can avoid.
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 you love.
1.Remember that it's outdoors, not indoors
You’d be surprised how many people design outdoor spaces as though they have four walls and a roof. Don’t get carried away when it comes to outdoor furniture and furnishings.
Photo: Marcia Prentice
You want a seamless transition between your interior and exterior, but avoid using the same furniture. The furniture pieces don't have to match exactly, but something should tie them together, for example, materials, color, height, etc.
2. No plants, or even worse fake plants
Again maybe this is obvious, but sometimes it’s so obvious it’s forgotten. Ensure you bring life to your outdoor space by bringing in greenery. When planning an outdoor space, add all the green stuff as potted plants, patio trees, an herb garden if you’re feeling adventurous, or even a vase of cut flowers from nearby bushes.
Plants can help soften an outdoor room. Think of plants as part of the furnishings. Certain plants will even release a wonderful aroma to complement the space!
3. 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 less desirable. If your space is going to be a social area, ensure your furniture is placed to allow for long conversations while leaving space to move around.
Photo: Marcia Prentice
4. Choosing colors you like instead of colors that work
Color mistakes often occur when there is either too little color (for example everything being the same), or too many colors are used together. Try to stick to neutrals for your furniture such as white, tan, grey, or beige as these provide a great background for colorful accessories. It’s your accessories that really personalize your space. 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.
Photo: Ricahard Labougle
5. forgetting Vertical spcae
It’s possible to utilize vertical surfaces creatively when designing your outdoor space. Consider mounting storage units and even furniture to your exterior walls. You can also decorate any exterior walls according to your design. Wall-mounted flower pots are also a great idea to free up ground space. You can even consider designing a full vertical wall garden in your backyard. It is a great trick to bring life to your outdoor living space without feeling too busy and overcrowded.
Photo: Unknown
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 ensure that your outdoor space is perfect for you and your needs.
Need help? Contact us today! We’d love to help create your outdoor dream space!