Outdoor Design

It took a good deal of convincing on my part to get my husband to believe that we really can leave our outdoor cushions out all season without covering them. Yes, it’s true, even in the rain. They are made with outdoor fabrics and outdoor foam, allowing the water to pass through and preserving the fabrics against the weather.

It’s almost time to start using your outdoor rooms, and you should consider how they function for you. If designed well, they become an extension of your indoor space. I like to start with some type of hardscape rather than placing lawn furniture right on the lawn, which kills the grass and makes said hubby unhappy.

Try unifying your look so that it flows with what is indoors. A contemporary interior with a neutral palette should flow right through to the outside to create visual harmony. If you have a white boucle on a block arm stylish sofa inside, don’t opt for thick traditional navy blue cushions from the online store for the exterior.

If your yard is presently one giant swath of grass, create “rooms” in the yard, which could be done simply with separate seating arrangements or more formally with varying hardscape (think patio) areas. Consider factors such as where the shade and the breeze are, whether there is a view, and what’s in close proximity to your kitchen. In a recent outdoor design that we created, I placed the dining area off the back door, closest to the kitchen. We set up lounge chairs in an area further back, where there was a gorgeous view. I located the firepit in a more secluded, sheltered space for cozying up on chilly evenings.

There is an enormous variety of high-quality exterior furniture, and a good designer will carry many styles. We recently did a contemporary powder-coated metal dining table (in a light color so it won’t get too hot) that extends to 14 feet when open. In another area of the same home, we designed a brightly colored sectional around the firepit and where the outdoor TV is in view.

Pool seating should be canopied with large umbrellas. I often use “hotel style” umbrellas that are permanently fixed into the ground or patio. They open at the touch of a button and cannot blow over in the wind. Some come equipped with lighting and even misting to cool your bathers.

At Fresh Design, we carry permanent structures such as canopies and pergolas with louvers, shade screens, and fans. These structures create outdoor rooms of their own, defining different spaces and creating a homey feel even outside. We recently designed and installed a 20-foot-long European contemporary pergola around an existing outdoor kitchen so the chef and guests could be cool and out of the sun. At the touch of a button, the shade screens lower, the fan mounted on the ceiling blades blows, and the louvers can open or close for ultimate comfort.