Create outdoor spaces for your garden furniture
More and more people are thinking outside the confines of walls and rooms when designing an outdoor living space. This is an easy guide on how to design the best outdoor space for your patio furniture. Use these tips to create an outdoor living environment you’ll love.
Surprisingly, many of the interior decorating and design principles apply to the outdoor space as well. You’ll first want to create an outdoor room using hedges, latticework, stone, or plants. This brings order to a huge area of chaos.
The use of the word “chaos” does not infer disorder or carelessness but rather indefinite open spaces. By enclosing the area you are designated and define your outdoor living space creating a sense of calm and orderly peace. It also helps simplify your design requirements.
As with an interior room, start by laying out the space on graph paper. Think in terms of related space. Too small in a large yard, and it will look and “feel” fractured. Too much patio and furniture in a small space will easily become cluttered and cramped.
Unlike an interior room where common rooms are square or rectangular in shape, an exterior space has no such boundaries. Take advantage of the natural nooks and crannies that nature offers. Add benches, trellises, fountains, and even arches to add some geometric variety and inviting retreat spaces.
The main area, however, will need some basic decorating apps. Design your space using a balance of color, weight, and furniture placement. Include everything outside that makes an indoor gathering comfortable and relaxing; chairs, tables, and even lighting should be set up in the overall design scheme.
Balance and clutter resistance is also an important aspect to consider. If you’re working with a large area, why not make designated “rooms” for specific functions? Create one path to the dining area that leads to a gazebo, while another path could open into a comfortable lounge area with patio furniture and a themed water feature.
The location of your garden furniture will also need to be a flat area that allows for effective drainage of water. Putting water in your outdoor retreat is never an attractive feature!
Work from a high point, working your way down. A standard measurement to consider is 1 inch of slope for every 10 feet of surface area.
Your planning should go beyond spring and take into account the higher temperatures during the peak summer season. Although you can enjoy the heat of the sun on your face, especially during the spring, it can get terribly uncomfortable in the midst of those “dog days of summer.” If possible, choose a space that provides a great mix of sun and shade.
Create shade using umbrellas, gazebos, awnings, or beautiful pergolas. The most common easy-growing climbers for pergolas are: Bougainvillea, Clematis, Sweet Peas, Boston Ivy and Climbing Hydrangea Vine.
Where and how you place your patio furniture is very important to the overall comfort of your outdoor space. With a little planning, you’ll have plenty of summer comfort to enjoy!