Whether you dream of a whimsical shaded pergola to escape the heat or the ultimate outdoor game night patio with a fire pit, you’re in luck. Pahlisch Select offers endless possibilities to achieve the space of your dreams. We’ve curated some of our favorite ideas for how to design outdoor living space on a budget and timeline that suits you.
Dream Up a Mood Board with Your Favorite Designs
Before you start putting items in your shopping cart, take some time to really sit with what you want out of this space. Whether it’s a generous yard or covered patio, this will help move you in the right design direction. Alternately, if new construction plans are in your future, then you may have the freedom to work with a blank slate. A design theme is what will drive most decisions about furniture, including accents like floor pillows and colors. Era-driven design themes are popular (mid-century modern) or even textures like rattan and wicker. Get imaginative and make a mood board on Pinterest to dream up some design themes or eras you love. Also, taking initial measurements before ordering furniture and decor will help you work with what you’ve got.
Extend Your Lifestyle Outdoors
More of us are working from home than ever before, which could mean fewer boundaries between workspace and home life. This is an incredible opportunity to extend your lifestyle to embrace outdoor living. Biophilic design draws inspiration from architectural features that bring the outside indoors. We are familiar with this trend and can guide you through a perfect design for your outdoor living space.
What aspects of nature inspire you most? Is it fire? Water? The lush shade cover of trees? Or something grown in your raised garden beds? Include these organic features into your design, even if you don’t have the space for a garden. Also, think about the change of seasons. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll want cover from rain or snow. Be flexible with the space and imagine how your needs might change by adding outdoor heaters or a hot tub.
Lounge in Style on the Perfect Outdoor Furniture Set
Above all, no outdoor space is complete without the perfect place to sit! A beautiful outdoor sectional complete with a coffee table is the perfect place to start. Consider couches, chairs, and outdoor rugs that add the right comfort and texture to the space. Thumb through design collections to find styles you like or visit stores like Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. For eclectic or whimsical furniture picks, consider World Market. For traditional takes on interior design styles, try Ballard Designs. For global interior design trends, The Citizenry is a good pick. Or West Elm’s modern and earthy design styles might be right for you.
Dine Al Fresco All Summer Long
Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity for all the ways to dine al fresco. Pizza ovens and an outdoor wet bar could make a tasteful sidekick to your BBQ grill or smoker. Curate the outdoor dining experience of your dreams with the right table or casual bartop seating to chat with friends as you prepare. Pergolas are another popular design trend for setting up an outdoor dining space that feels like an absolute getaway. String up some vintage Edison outdoor lights, use terracotta planters to frame up the space with a splash of texture, or drape your favorite billowy fabric from the overhead rafters for added privacy or shade.
Create Ambience with the Sound of Running Water
Water features can transform your outdoor space into a zen retreat. A meditative spot in the sun or beside a tree in the backyard will meet your wellness needs and provide a sanctuary of calm. Pedestal and stone fountains are a chic way to achieve zen by invite the sound of running water into your backyard. Place a water feature outside a primary bedroom window for the perfect ambient sound to help you fall asleep at night. An in-ground pool is the ultimate luxury and convenience to beat the heat in your own backyard or to entertain summer guests.
Bring in poolside loungers and shade umbrellas to your outdoor oasis or leafy plants like palms or banana trees for shade. If your backyard doesn’t have room for a pool, consider an in-ground hot tub as the ultimate relaxation spot. This will ensure you can use the space year-round on cool summer nights or even in snowy winters.
Light Up the Night When the Sun Goes Down
Keep the party going with amazing outdoor lighting when the sun goes down. A fire pit is often the go-to centerpiece for outdoor living spaces; however, there are always patio string lights, solar lanterns, or outdoor lamps. Floor cushions and poufs can help to create pockets of coziness in your outdoor space for lounging long into the night. Place candles as centerpieces on outdoor coffee tables or hang a few LED lanterns from trees to create that secret garden feeling. Outdoor fire bowls in various colors and materials will bring the atmosphere.
Tune in to the Perfect Playlist (Without Plugging In)
Finally, tech and audio capabilities can help to blend the barrier between indoor and outdoor living with ease. The right soundtrack can create a rich experience for entertainment. Curate the perfect playlist for a themed wine-tasting event in your backyard, or create a bit of atmosphere for a romantic dinner. If a sports game or outdoor movie is on your mind, bring these experiences outside and catch every second of action on the big screen. From waterproof speakers to Bluetooth capabilities for convenience, making this upgrade can pay off for years to come.
Hide subwoofers under foliage with Sonance speakers built to disappear into your landscape. Outfit your patio with an HD TV that’s made for outdoor viewing with Samsung’s Terrace. And when it’s time to close up shop for the evening, go to bed carefree by setting up your home surveillance or alarm system. This also brings convenience and peace of mind if you only use the home seasonally but want to know it’s taken care of.
How to Design the Outdoor Living Space of Your Dreams with Pahlisch Select
Now that you have a dreamy vision for your future outdoor living space, make it a reality with Pahlisch Select. Put power outlets where you want them, design the path before we lay a single paver, and handpick lighting options. Select’s many floor plans favor the outdoor lifestyle, from covered patios to courtyards and beautiful verandas. If you found inspiration from this blog and want to speak to a Pahlisch team member about your outdoor living plans, contact Select today.