Outdoor areas are often the last to receive design attention, but they shouldn’t be. By carrying your design style outdoors, you can turn a patio, deck or even a balcony into another room of the house.
Many outdoor spaces have become quite elaborate, including cushy seating areas, cozy fireplaces and firepits, full-size kitchens and elegant dining areas.
If you have a pool, you may want to incorporate a cabana. Or you can add a basketball court or a spot for bocce ball or croquet. Even if your space isn’t that elaborate, you can still create a relaxing backdrop for lounging and entertaining.
Patio play
Your lounging experience doesn’t have to be bound up indoors. With high-performance indoor-outdoor fabrics, you can introduce color, texture and pattern outside and expand the indoor aesthetic. All the amenities of a living space can be present, from fireplaces to televisions, accent lighting and music. The options for luxuriating are endless.
Source: Zillow Digs
Balcony basics
Even small or narrow spaces deserve the royal treatment when it comes to outdoor living. Sophisticated details such as hidden lighting, see-through railings and plush seating can create the ideal setting high above the hustle and bustle.
Source: Marc-Michaels Interior Design
Simple seating
Sleek and contemporary looks complement outdoor environments seamlessly. A separate dining or living room with a fireplace centerpiece creates the perfect getaway right in your own backyard.
Source: Horst Architects
Hit the roof(top)
Often in a city environment, the only place to go out, is up. Rooftop living can be one of the most innovative and luxurious ways to get away from it all. Sleek design elements such as metal, glass and wood can frame out the perfect perch for growing plants and herbs or defining simple lounge areas that rest beneath the sun and stars.
Source: The Corcoran Group
On fire
Outdoors, fire incorporates not only warmth, but also ambiance, during the day or night. Consider gas-run firepits to provide unexpected architectural interest at the flip of a switch, while welcoming guests on cool summer evenings.
Source: Studio 6 Architects
Out in the kitchen
Outfit your outdoor kitchen appropriately and you may never cook inside again. Incorporate all of the extravagances of your indoor setup using stainless steel for easy maintenance and the perfect amount of shine. Grills, blenders, under-counter refrigeration, and a full sink make entertaining outdoors effortlessly beautiful.
Source: Bruce Clodfelter & Associates
All about dining
Dining outdoors takes on a wonderfully different feel when guests are comfortable to lounge around the table. A large tabletop and ample plush seating is always inviting to visitors, especially when accented by thoughtful lighting and lush foliage.
Source: Zillow Digs
Poolside paradise
Water inspires relaxation, and nothing says “luxe” more than the feel of the ocean. Consider an infinity version that reaches to the beach views. Or surround yourself with the quench of sea blue by incorporating blue glass tiles on pool walls, with a smart seating area at the center of it all.
Source: Zillow Digs
Crazy for cabanas
A cabana offers the ideal solution to experience the outdoors while remaining out of the sun. Belly up to the bar area for cocktails, lounge under ceiling fans for a cat nap or socialize with friends around a dining table — anything you can do indoors can be done outdoors, too, with the addition of a cabana.
Source: Scott Cohen
Sports-minded fun
For at-home entertainment outdoors, create a bocce court or croquet spot among your seating area. Incorporate umbrellas and plenty of cushions to ensure comfort day or night.
Source: Sage Outdoor Designs
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Related:
- Top Outdoor Patio Trends for 2015
- Deck Out Your Patio for Summer
- How to Grow a Spectacular Container Garden
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