Outdoor Living Room Ideas: 10 Incredible Ways to Add Style
You and your family will want to spend as much time in the backyard enjoying the wonderful weather and each other’s company. A big part of encouraging outdoor hangouts is to make the space as comfortable as a living room. Today, there are many functional and beautiful ways to really make an outdoor space feel like home. From furnishings to creature comforts, from accessories to the little touches that make a space feel homey, we’ll cover some of the best outdoor living room ideas, including immersive designs, large features, and simple changes.
1. Use a Variety of Materials for Visual Interest
Image source: Techo-Bloc
An outdoor living room can - and should - be composed of a variety of materials (otherwise, no matter the material, you could end up feeling like you’re sitting in a cardboard box where the vertical and horizontal elements are the same. There are plenty of choices: natural stone, clay bricks, wood, composite decking, concrete pavers, or a combination of any of those elements. In this example, you can see how a simple patio using two types of pavers alongside a brick wall has been used to create a pleasing and natural-feeling space that still embraces contemporary style. Each color used in this outdoor living room complements the others and complements the home as well as folding well into the natural environment. When deciding which materials to use in your outdoor living room, use the rule of threes: no more than three distinct materials and colors. Here, we have light gray pavers and bricks; gray pavers; and red bricks. As well, keeping the textures in threes creates harmony. Here, a smooth patio, smooth coffee table, and smooth yet soft upholstery pair beautifully with a rougher-textured wall.
2. Let a Retaining Wall Form a Cozy Embrace
Image source: Unilock
For an outdoor living room to feel comfortable, wide open spaces are usually not the right tactic. Unless there’s a spectacular view, a fully open patio or deck can feel like a fishbowl. A retaining wall is a wonderful way to create a cozy embrace in an outdoor space, as you can see in this gorgeous patio. The space is nicely tucked into a hillside and somewhat protected from the elements while holding the heat of the fire pit in just a little bit longer. Even if an outdoor living space isn’t on a hillside, a sitting wall can still create a sense of a cozy embrace around your patio. Better yet, these walls also provide a place to integrate lighting and add greenery. If your outdoor living room is a deck you can achieve the same welcoming embrace with laser-cut privacy panels that can be placed along one or more sides.
3. Separate Spaces of Use
Image source: Unilock
As outdoor living spaces evolve to meet the needs of modern living, many landscape designers have let the idea of a single patio or deck fall by the wayside. Instead, they focus on developing each section of an outdoor living space around a specific activity, such as enjoying great company by the fire, cooking and sharing delicious meals, watching the game or a movie, or enjoying a quiet afternoon with a good novel. In fact, when various activities are given priority in their own areas, each space feels a little more complete: just like your home. Notice how this outdoor living room is actually distinctly separated into two areas, each with its own purpose and energy while still feeling like parts of a whole. If you have a patio or deck that’s one big open space, consider creating physical barriers such as masonry planters or sitting walls in order to define each space and add interest.
4. Give Each Space Its Own Presence with Multiple Levels
Image source: Techo-Bloc
Another great way to separate activity spaces while also making an outdoor living room more dynamic is by putting various activities at different elevations. This can be done by carving out a small and cozy space for a fire pit, as seen in this example that takes advantage of the beauty of Techo-bloc masonry. In some landscapes, separating a space into multiple levels is necessary because of the grade of the landscape and challenges of changing elevations. However, as you can see here, even a flat space can become so much more interesting by moving some elements either up or down. Elevation changes are a dramatic yet functional way to give each space its own presence, making every activity just a little more special.
5. Design Each Space Around a Focal Point
Image source: West Elm
Creating focal points is one of the most basic and important strategies in landscape design. This example of a modern outdoor living room has not one but two distinct focal points: the long pool that draws the eye outward to create the illusion of a much bigger space; and a unique round table which contrasts the linear design. From any point in the landscape, people can start to get excited about swimming in the pool or simply relaxing with friends and family. Other focal points can include a fire feature, a special plant such as a gnarled old tree, a spectacular view, or a fountain.
6. Choose Rich Flooring
Just like in the home, another basis of landscape design is what kind of flooring material you’ll use on your porch, deck, or patio. There are plenty of choices to be made between the many variations of flooring including natural stone, pavers, clay brick, wood decking, composite decking, or a combination of several materials. Notice how in this compact outdoor living room, the deep earth tones of the brick pavers make the space feel intimate and warm. The juxtaposition of the light colors of the home and outdoor furniture against the rich pavers and dark green foliage makes for a truly inviting space. These gorgeous brick pavers from Techo-bloc make for sophisticated yet friendly patios when arranged in a classic herringbone pattern.
7. Use Monochromatic Designs for Tranquility
Image source: Techo-Bloc
Life is busy, fast-paced, and stressful. Remove all of that stress by creating a tranquil setting using monochromatic designs. When put in a beautiful natural setting under the sun, muted and consistent colors can make the space feel soothing. Of course, relaxation is paramount in an outdoor living room and you can see how peaceful and welcoming this space feels, between the modern furniture from West Elm and the thriving plant life. With an outdoor living room that is tranquil at its base, it allows people to recharge their batteries. And if you’re in a more lively and festive mood, adding color with potted plants and accessories like pillows will completely transform the vibe.
9. Bring Nature Closer
Image source: West Elm
No matter the size, style, or even location of your outdoor living room, it’s always important to keep the space connected to nature in some way. This can be done by removing obstacles that block a view of the outside environment, filling the space with vibrant plant life, and using natural (or natural-looking) materials. In this example, we can see that the outdoor living room is filled to the brim with lush plantings. The patio is made using tumbled pavers for a casual lived-in look. And the masonry outdoor fireplace and reflecting pond add natural elements: fire and water. Even though it’s just as comfortable as an indoor living room, this patio makes you feel that you’re surrounded by nature.
10. Provide Shelter
Image source: Renson Outdoors
Even though a fully equipped shelter is just feet away (your home, of course), a permanent shelter structure outdoors will go a long way in making the difference between a mass retreat into the house, to “let’s enjoy watching the rain from here.” In this beautiful example, we see an excellent modern pergola designed by Renson Outdoors. It provides shelter from the sun and light rain with a louvered roof, which gives you plenty of options: keep the louvers open to let the heat rise on a blistering day or keep them closed to ride out an afternoon rain shower. The addition of a ceiling fan will make the space feel as comfortable as your living room while the four open walls keep the feeling lively and outdoorsy. Outdoor living becomes far more comfortable with the help of a shelter like a pergola; and if you want even more protection from the weather, consider a pavilion with a permanent solid roof.