Designer-Approved Tips for Decorating Your Outdoor Living Spaces

At DKOR, we create the interiors our clients have been dreaming of. But the magic doesn’t stop at the back door! We also bring our designer touch to their outdoor living spaces.

A couple of summers ago we shared some of our favorite outdoor spaces we’ve created in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas. This year, we’re taking it a step further and giving you tips you can bring into your own home … or backyard or patio.

Our goal is always to create a seamless connection between a home’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Take a peek at some of the outdoor spaces we’ve designed to see how we apply a home’s interior design style to the outdoors. Bringing the materials, textures, and colors outdoors is the first step.

An important element that helps us to create an indoor-outdoor connection, is the furniture selections and their style. Selecting your outdoor furniture and decor should be as important as your selections inside. The DKOR’ design team prepared design tips to keep in mind when shopping for outdoor furniture.

 

Furniture Selection – Outdoor Living Spaces

 

Space and Layout

 

 

The first step is to evaluate the shape and size of your outdoor living spaces. Don’t worry, a small footprint doesn’t mean your outdoor living space can’t be relaxing—it’s all about making the most of what you’ve got, understanding its limitations and potential.

Start by defining your focal point. If you have a gorgeous ocean view, that might be it. If you have a firepit, that could be your focus. Then, assess the amount of square feet you’re working with to determine how much furniture you’re able to fit in the space.

Next up, consider the furniture you want in the space; perhaps you want to sunbathe, then you probably want some lounge chairs. Once you know what you want, consider whether or not that furniture will fit in your space and begin to get a grasp of how much furniture you’ll need to create the look you want.

Finally, think about the look and feel you’re going for. Is it formal with spaces for both chatting and dining? Or is a casual combo of both? There are no right answers, we’re just getting your design juices flowing.

 

 

 

Function

Next up, consider what you want to do in the space; perhaps you want to sunbathe, then you probably want some lounge chairs. If you want to host dinner parties, a dining table with comfy chairs is key. But if you want to spend quiet mornings curled up with a book in your outdoors, lounge chairs or a dining table aren’t quite right.

Once you know what you want, consider whether or not that furniture that will help you achieve your goal will fit in your space. Then you can begin to get a grasp of how much furniture you’ll need to create the look you want.

 

 

In this Fort Lauderdale luxury home, our designers selected this table and chair set, which feel cozy and casual, because our clients wanted to eat breakfast outside each morning (or when Mother Nature allows!). The oval table allows every family member to enjoy the awesome waterfront views, while the decor mirrors the home’s exterior color palette.

 

Style

 

 

This is the fun part! Using your home’s interior style as inspiration, it’s time to start designing your dream outdoor space. There are so many different outdoor materials these days that can stand up to weather—think wood, metal, plastic, fabric (thank you, Sunbrella!), and wicker—so your options aren’t limited.

Define the look and feel you’re doing for. Once you’ve done that the design process will be much easier as you’ll know the right vendors and brands to work with. Take a look at their websites to start exploring your options or if you have a little more time, visit their showrooms for a touch and feel experience. Test out your options before purchasing because comfort is key in a relaxing outdoor space.

Accessorize

 

Just like inside your home, don’t forget the finishing touches! Have fun adding your personality and style to your outdoor living spaces. Look for items that are also functional: garden stools double as seating or tables, lanterns and candles light up the space at night, pillows and throws add comfort, and plants—well we don’t have to tell you why plants are a good idea!

 

 

Looking for more? We’ll be sharing shoppable summer decorating ideas with you very soon. So, make room in that budget because you might just be catching the decorating bug!

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