How to Design Your Outdoor Living Space

When the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer in the spring and summer, you’ll naturally want to get outdoors as much as possible. Going to the park, fishing, or taking a hike on a nature trail are all great activities to keep you active during the warm months. 

But sometimes it’s nice to switch it up and take time to relax while still enjoying the beautiful weather. If you have a deck or patio attached to your house, you already have a convenient place to soak up the sun. If you feel like your outdoor area is lacking in some way and therefore making it a less desirable place to spend your summer days, then it might be time to consider new ways to design and furnish this space.

Draw Up a Plan

You don’t have to be a professional designer or have access to advanced software in order to make a mock-up of what you want your space to look like. It can be as easy as taking a blank piece of paper and drawing an aerial view of your deck or patio and then deciding what type of furniture you want and where you want it to go.

Knowing the dimensions of your deck and the furniture you are shopping for is important as you start doing your shopping. This is when it is a good idea to break out the yardstick or measuring tape so you can ensure your furniture will fit. Taking the time to do some measuring will save you from buying furniture that is too big, preventing headaches and frustration.

The Outdoor Living Room

When people think of decks and patios, the type of furniture that typically comes to mind is some style of lounge chair. However, if you are only furnishing your outdoor space with lounge chairs, you are missing out on opportunities to create cozy areas throughout your patio or deck.

If you are interested in making an outdoor living room, you can invest in a sectional or sofa that is designed for outdoor use. These couches will most likely come with removable cushions so you can put them in a safe place when it rains. If you have space, you can also add a rocker to provide a seating option perfect for lounging.

If you want to further add to the living room feel, a coffee table is essential. You can put a large outdoor throw rug underneath the couches and table to tie the entire area together. Your goal with an outdoor living room should be to make it as cozy and welcoming as possible.

Dine Under the Stars (and Sun)

Some evenings, the weather is too good to pass up eating outside. There’s something special about having a meal with your family and friends outside on a warm day. Just a few feet away, the grill is on and you can smell your dinner wafting through the evening air. Having a dining area in your outdoor living space provides you with the perfect place to make memories over delicious meals and cold drinks.

Finding the right dining set to meet your needs can be a challenge. The most important thing is finding a set that fits your style and budget. King’s Impressions offers a great selection of low-maintenance, poly furniture that will meet your outdoor dining needs.

For those extra sunny days, having an umbrella that fits in the center of your table will do wonders for blocking out the sun and making your dining experience much more pleasant.

A Place to Warm Up on Chilly Nights

Even after dinner is finished and the sun has gone down, it isn’t necessarily time to go inside. Having a place where you can stay warm even when the temperature drops is a great way to make your backyard the go-to spot in the summer.

If you have a wood deck, it isn’t safe to have a fire pit on that surface, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fire pit. You could turn this into another project of its own, but you could build your own pit with bricks and river rocks.

If your outdoor space is made out of a non-flammable material, then you can put a fire pit directly on the surface without having to worry about any safety hazards. You can either buy your own portable fire pit or have one professionally installed. Either way, having a fire pit is a great addition to anybody’s outdoor living space.

When it comes to designing this space, you have a lot of freedom to make it your own. You can find inspiration all over, from magazines to Pinterest. Proper planning is important, but once you feel like you’re ready to start furnishing and designing your patio or deck, check out Kings Impressions for all of your outdoor furniture needs.