5 Mistakes To Avoid When Designing An Outdoor Space

When it comes to design, rooms inside a house are pretty straightforward, most rooms have a specific purpose. A bedroom for sleeping, an office for working, a kitchen for cooking, and so on. However, when it comes to designing your outside space, it’s up to you what purpose you give it. It’s an entirely personal choice. 

You can go the easy route with your design, throw some lawn furniture around the place and plant a couple of flowers, but you’d be missing out on a unique opportunity to create a visual journey for both yourself and guests. Your outdoor spaces get to be expressive just like your indoor spaces. If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few tried mistakes you can avoid.

When you are aware of what not to do, figuring out what you can do feels a lot easier. Being aware of these five common mistakes will set you on the path to creating an amazing outdoor space that you love.

Remember that it's outdoors, not indoors

This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people design outdoor spaces as though they have four walls and a roof. Don’t get carried away when it comes to outdoor furniture and furnishings. Your patio is not a place for the living room sofa and coffee table. 

What you do want is a seamless transition between your interior and exterior, but avoid using the exact same furniture. The furniture pieces don't have to match exactly, but something should tie them together for example materials, color, height, etc. 

No plants, or even worse fake plants

Again maybe this is obvious, but sometimes it’s so obvious it’s forgotten. Ensure you bring life to your outdoor space by bringing in greenery. When planning an outdoor space add all the green stuff as potted plants, patio trees, an herb garden if you’re feeling adventurous, or even a vase of cut flowers from nearby bushes. 

Plants can help soften an outdoor room. Think of plants as part of the furnishings. Not to mention that certain ones will release a wonderful aroma to complement the space! 

Poor furniture placement

This connects back to having a clear intention for your outdoor space. Randomly placed furniture will make the space look cluttered and less desirable. If your space is going to be a social area then ensure your furniture is placed to allow for long conversations whilst leaving space to move around. 

Beware of overcrowding. Less is always more in most cases. In a well-proportioned outdoor living space, the space should be designed for your favorite activities. This might include dining, relaxing, or entertaining. Choose furniture that is practical for your needs. If you’re tripping on furniture or climbing your way to your favorite chair, it may be time to let some things go. 

Choosing colors you like instead of colors that work

Color mistakes often occur when there is either too little color (for example everything being the same), or too many colors are used together. Try to stick to neutrals for your furniture such as white, tan, grey, or beige as these provide a great background for colorful accessories. It’s your accessories that really personalize your space. Notice how the space makes you feel, if there’s too much color it will feel chaotic and you won't know where to look.

 Forgetting about vertical spaces

It’s possible to utilize vertical surfaces creatively when designing your outdoor space. Consider mounting storage units and even furniture to your exterior walls. You can also decorate any exterior walls according to your design. Wall-mounted flower pots are also a great idea to free up ground space, you can even consider designing a full vertical wall garden right in your backyard. This is a great trick to bring life to your outdoor living space without it feeling too busy and overcrowded.

Whether this is your first time designing an outdoor space, or you’ve done it before and you’re looking for fresh inspiration, ensuring you’re aware of these five design elements will ensure that your outdoor space is perfect for you and your needs.

Need help? Contact us today! We’d love to help create your dream outdoor space!