For so long, a major interior design trend has been to bring the outdoors indoors, but ironically enough, it now seems as though the new trend is to bring the indoors outdoors! This “reverse” trend is nothing new, actually, and it’s not even a trend… People are just finally recognizing and appreciating their outdoor spaces.
In designing an outdoor living space, you have to approach it as though you’re designing your indoor living room. Why? Because that’s the space you’re basically creating. Your outdoor living space is simply an extension of your living room, thus the “outdoor living room.” And the same elements and principles you have to design your living room interiors will be the same in designing your living room exteriors.
When looking to bring the indoors outdoors to create your outdoor living room, here are the design elements and principles you want to follow.
Design Elements and Principles For Your Outdoor Living Room
Incorporate an Elegant Variety of Seating Options
Just as your home’s living room has a variety of seating options, so should your outdoor living room as well. Lots of homeowners today enjoy a nice open floor concept, which incorporates the living room, dining room, and kitchen. And the best part about being outdoors is that you can create that same type of layout with outdoor patio furniture options.
The main outdoor patio furniture staples you’re going to need will include:
- Deep Seating: Deep seating is the outdoor version of your indoor couch or sofa/love seat combo. And just because it’s going to be outside doesn’t mean the level of comfort, durability, or aesthetic should be scaled down. All of our deep seating collections actually embody beauty, durability, and comfort, and all at reasonable prices as well.
- Dining Table and Chairs: Your dining table and chairs are just like your home’s indoor kitchen table and chairs. When the weather is warm, why not have dinner outside in the fresh air. Whether you grill or prepare the food inside and bring it outside, having a meal outside will completely change the dynamics of eating at your house.
- Chaises: Sometimes you don’t want to sit in a chair or on a couch, so what other way can you enjoy being outside? By laying on a chaise. It’s the perfect staple for a good book or stiff cocktail.
- Benches: Benches aren’t going to be your main furniture staples but they’re perfect for providing additional seating to have more people in your main seating area.
With a variety of seating options, you’re creating a fun entertainment space for gatherings of any size.
Design the Layout For a Functional Flow of Traffic
In order to create a functional flow of traffic for your outdoor living room, you’re going to have to be strategic with the layout of your furniture, accessories, and even landscape. You can do this by creating specific areas of your outdoor space.
For example, for your seating area, you can add an area rug to give it a true living room vibe and feel. You can also lay walkways and plant shrubs to create paths and corners. Regardless of how you choose to lay things out, there should be an easy and functional way to maneuver through the space.
Add a Fire Pit
If you have a fireplace in your home, you’re going to want a fire source outside your home too. Similarly, if you don’t have a fireplace in your home, you’re going to want a fire source for the exterior of your home; And a fire pit is the perfect addition to bring the best of both worlds to your outdoor living room.
The great thing about fire pits is that they’re not a one-size-fits-all outdoor accessory. There are many different styles of fire pits to complement the overall design style of your outdoor living room. Whether you have a rustic outdoor theme or a coastal theme, there’s a fire pit out there that will match your aesthetic. Check out our wide selection.
Add Complementing Accents
Last but certainly not least, your outdoor living room wouldn’t be complete without beautiful accents. These accents can be store-bought or from your own backyard. Maybe for your dining table, you get a vase and put flowers from your garden in it. If you have a patio deck, hang string lights for a nighttime vibe.
From pillows to mini fountains, the accents you choose are what’s going to bring your outdoor space together.
Bring the Indoors Outdoors With Nashville Billiard & Patio
If there’s one thing we know, it’s outdoor patio furniture. We carry only the top luxury brands of furniture, assuring that our selections are not only beautifully crafted but are also built to last. Stop by our showroom to see our selections.