Elevate your outdoor relaxation with interior design
In the world of interior design, you often hear about bringing the “outdoors in” but did you know that there are equally as many benefits to bringing the “indoors out”!? In this blog, we’ll share with you about the power of outdoor living spaces to enhance everyday moments and make memories alongside the beauty of nature. Designing an outdoor living space makes time relaxing in the outdoors even better!
Why Outdoor Living?
Here in Naperville, IL, we have all four seasons and so we only get so many opportunities to enjoy the benefits of outdoor living. When we do, we like to enjoy every minute and encourage our clients to do the same.
Spending time outdoors has a myriad of benefits physically, emotionally, mentally, and even socially. Being outside allows you to connect with nature which has a grounding and calming effect on your mood and overall well-being. Fresh air, sunlight, and nature can help to enhance relaxation and reduce stress.
Whether you’re relaxing with friends in the summer sun, enjoying a laughter-infused meal outside with family, or just simply watching the sunset from the back deck, being outside has the power to make every occasion even better as it encourages meaningful conversation, laughter, and bonding. With the aesthetics of nature as the backdrop, outdoor living can also help to stimulate creativity and inspire new ideas and invites an opportunity for fresh perspective and innovative thinking.
Ready to bring the indoors out and get started in designing an outdoor living space?
Planning is Key
Beautiful and relaxing outdoor living spaces don’t happen by accident. It’s essential to start with a plan for your outdoor living space and how it will be used. Will you be dining al fresco? Sunbathing on the weekends, book in hand? Gathering around a firepit making s’mores?
Develop a space plan that takes into consideration the activities you’ll be doing as well as the focal points of nature you have access to. If you have a scenic view, you’ll want your outdoor living space to be set up in a way that lets you look at and soak up the beauty! It’s also important to consider any natural screenings already in place for privacy (ie. arborvitae or ornamental trees) and use them to your advantage in the planning of your outdoor living space.
Ground Your Outdoor Living Space with an Area Rug
After you’ve created a plan for your outdoor space, it’s time to implement it! Ground the furniture settings you’re creating with a great area rug. For outdoor spaces, you’ll want something that’s durable, easy-to-clean, and weatherproof. We recommend a low profile rug made from a durable PET yarn or 100% polypropylene fiber that won’t fade and can be easily scrubbed and sprayed clean with a hose.
Choosing the right fibers is essential and having an area rug will help to ground your outdoor living space and set the scene for the experiences you’re going to enjoy outside!
Getting Cushy: Comfortable Outdoor Furniture
Here in Naperville, IL, we’re no strangers to inclement weather and need to carefully select outdoor furniture that can stand up to sun, rain, snow, and other elements. Many outdoor living furniture pieces (sofas, sectionals, chairs, etc.) offer synthetically-wrapped roping and wicker over their bases. The pieces are stylish, functional, and also add texture to the space while helping them last for years to come.
If you’re choosing cushioned furniture for more comfort, we recommend a thick cushion (6-8”) that’s made of a highly-resistant foam. You don’t want your cushions losing their shape over time, fading due to sun exposure, or getting moldy from water. Many manufacturers offer a foam cushion wrapped with a DACRON core to help with moisture resistance and for fabric covers, you’ll want to invest in outdoor performance fabrics that were made specifically for outdoor living spaces. And of course, the best way to protect your cushions and increase their lifespan is to cover them when you know there’s troubling weather on the way!
One of the benefits in working with Vermilion Interiors is that we have access to trade-only furniture pieces that’ll elevate your outdoor space and set it apart from anyone else in the neighborhood!
Let’s Talk Tables!
Just like the furniture designed for seating, dining tables, end tables, and coffee tables should be made of materials that are durable and can withstand most outdoor climates. We recommend teak, aluminum, wrought iron, or natural stone for stylish durability!
One of our favorite things to do is go in search of unique vintage or antique finds to use as tables and displays for outdoor potted plants and flowers.
Let Nature’s Paintbrush Inspire Your Palette
With so many colors at your fingertips, the world is your oyster when it comes to selecting a palette for your outdoor living space! Take cues from the natural environment or choose a color you just can’t get enough of in your home and bring it outside!
When designing your outdoor living space, I recommend starting with neutral colors for your larger pieces and bringing in pops of color and accents through your throw pillows and accessories. You may be inspired by the colors of your garden, or a bird that frequents your feeders, or the color of flowers budding on the apple tree in your yard. You can layer your colors, or utilize different shades of a color throughout your design using a mix of patterns, solids, and mini prints.
Accessories are another great place to bring in color by way of flowers, art, plants, and functional items such as a serving tray or beverage cart. Don’t forget to personalize and add character by utilizing things that are a reflection of you! Bring out that sea glass collection, show off items you’ve collected around the world, and make it your own.
Don’t Sit in the Dark
Lighting is another important part of outdoor living, especially if you plan to enjoy your space under the stars, as the sun goes down, and with laughter that ripples late into the night. Outdoor lanterns can help illuminate pathways, door entrances, and table tops while wood fireplaces, firepits, and fire tables are a wonderful way to establish ambience and also provide an element of warmth.
My favorite is adding string lights to establish a perimeter for outdoor entertaining spaces and I find that they set a mood in and of themselves for a relaxing evening filled with good food and friendship.
Design Your Outdoor Living Space!
Local to Naperville, IL and ready to get started on your outdoor living space!? I help you bring the indoors out with stylish interior design that reflects exactly how YOU like to live and enjoy the great outdoors! Reach out so I can help you design your outdoor living space.