How To Create A Stylish Outdoor Space

Contrary to what you might think, a stylish outdoor space doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be complicated - it’s more about making good choices that are practical and suit the space, as well as how you want to use it, and if you can do that, you’re most of the way there. Whether you’ve got a small garden, a patio, a huge backyard or anything else, a few changes can make a big difference, and you’ll end up with an outdoor space that’s a stylish extension of your home. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.

Start With A Clear Plan

The best thing to do before you start buying furniture and plants (even though that’s the exciting part and you’ll probably want to get going with it sooner rather than later) is to make a plan. It helps to think about what you want to do with the space, as that’s going to ensure you make space for everything you need. For example, do you want to eat outside? Do you want a place to relax? Maybe you want a garden that looks good without too much effort? Having some goals in mind can help guide the rest of the plan.

It’s good to make a simple sketch if possible, and a list of priorities, and that way you won’t end up buying anything you don’t really need or that aren’t going to work together once you put them in place.

Keep The Layout Simple

A cluttered garden can actually feel just as overwhelming as a cluttered living room, even if you spend less time there. That’s why it’s important to try to keep the layout as simple and clean as possible, and ensure it’s easy to move around in, otherwise you’re not going to want to go outside, and that’s a waste. Make sure you’ve got clear pathways, defined seating areas, and some open patches of lawn because that makes the space feel bigger and you can enjoy it more.

Take the time to think about how people walk through the space and where they’ll naturally gather when they’re out there - that usually tells you where seating, tables, lighting, and paths should go, and that’s a big part of the plan dealt with.

Choose Furniture That Lasts

Outdoor furniture is a major element in your outdoor space because it’s the area people are going to be drawn towards, and it’s where people are usually going to use the most. It’s worth choosing pieces that are both comfortable and durable, and natural materials like wood and rattan are great options because they feel warm and look good. Of course, if you’re wanting something more contemporary, you might want to choose something like metal instead.

And remember, you don’t have to have a full matching set - you can mix a table and chairs, or add a bench, or some soft seating, and so on. Do what you want to do to ensure the space is more relaxed and lived in, and that way that’s exactly how it will be.

Use The Right Plants

When you think about it, plants are what make an outdoor space really come alive, but you don’t actually need to fill every corner with loads and loads of plants and complicated plans - just a few well-chosen plants in pots, some raised beds, or some pretty borders can really make a massive difference.

One thing that usually works is mixing evergreens with seasonal flowers so there’s always something interesting to look at. And herbs and small fruit trees are great because they look good but they’re useful too.

Pay Attention To The Lawn

A neat lawn can make or break an outdoor space, and that’s why keeping the edges trimmed and the grass at a consistent height is crucial - it makes everything look more put together.

For a lot of people, using an electric mower makes that job much easier, especially in smaller gardens where you’re going to want convenience and don’t necessarily need a lot of power in your tools. Doing some regular light maintenance on your lawn is often better than letting it grow wild, and it makes the job easier, so it’s worth making some time for.

Add Lighting For Atmosphere

Lighting can really change how an outdoor space feels when the sun goes down, and adding some string lights, lanterns, or some ground lights is going to make it warm and inviting, and somewhere people want to hang out, whether that’s just you, you and your family, or you want to have friends over.

Lighting the paths makes a lot of sense not just because it looks good but because it’s going to make the garden safer for everyone, and you’ll also need to have lights in your seating areas, and around any features you might like to highlight, like a tree or a pond, for example.

Add Personal Touches

A lot of the time, style really comes from personality, which is why you’ll want to add at least a few personal touches in the garden when you’re designing it - without them, things can look stark and even boring.

There are loads of things you can choose from when you start looking, like cushions, a fire pit, artwork, water features, and so on. And even practical items like storage benches or planters can be chosen with design and your personal style preferences in mind, so that’s exactly what you need to do.

Use Shade And Shelter Wisely

Don’t worry if your garden is a bit shady - you need that shade to make it comfortable. And if you don’t have much shade, adding things like parasols, pergolas, and awnings is definitely a good idea - that way, the outdoor space will look attractive, and you’ll be able to use it no matter what the weather (within reason, anyway).

If you live somewhere with a changeable climate, a covered area or an outdoor heater is essential if you want to be able to extend the amount of time you can spend in your stylish outdoor space - and if you’ve put a lot of work into making it look just right, there’s no point in not enjoying it to the utmost.