It’s easy to see why outdoor living spaces have become so trendy – there’s nothing quite like spending an afternoon relaxing, or an evening entertaining, surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air. Even better, an outdoor living area is so easy to put together, no matter how much space you have to work with. Here’s how to get started:
Choose the Perfect Spot
Your very first step is to decide on a location for your new outdoor living room. If you already have a patio or a balcony, then this would be the perfect starting point.
Alternatively, pick a spot in your garden, ideally one that’s on level ground. If possible, try to choose an area that’s next to or underneath some of your garden trees – not only will these provide shade and shelter, but you’ll also be able to drape lights and other decorations around them to brighten the space up even more.
Lay a Floor
This is an optional step – it depends on what you already have to work with. If your outdoor living space is situated on a grassy lawn, you may want to leave the grass as the flooring, so long as you’re still able to access it to cut it.
If you’d prefer something lower-maintenance, then gravel or stone paving work well. However, don’t rush into any flooring decisions – you could always cover your floor with a weed membrane for now, until you’ve decided on the perfect flooring material.
Find the Right Furniture
Outdoor furniture is a must, but this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Look on local selling websites to see what bargains you can pick up – just make sure that whatever you choose is comfortable.
If you’re good at DIY, then you could also make your own. Try to use materials that mirror those in your garden. For example, if your outdoor living room is surrounded by fruit trees, use cherry or olive wood to add some decorative features to whatever you’re building.
When it comes to the specific furnishings you’ll need, most start with a table and some seating. However, you could also add in outdoor rugs, side tables, fairy lights, and other decorative items.
Surround Yourself with Plants
You may already have a few plants and garden trees around your chosen spot, but, if possible, add in more. This will make your outdoor living space feel private, secluded, and wonderfully lush. Plus, you can never have too many plants!
Choose low-maintenance plants that are in line with the theme of your garden. If your garden is tropical-inspired, palm-like trees, such as a Yucca or a Tree Aloe, would be the way to go. Alternatively, a few Golden Barrel Cacti, or even a Grass Tree, would be a great accent in a desert garden.
If you’re not able to fit more plants in the ground, then consider dotting a few pots around your outdoor living room instead. Go with a variety of sizes – a couple of large GRC pots filled with some leafy trees, along with a few smaller pots of flowers, will give your space so much life and diversity.
Sit Back and Relax
An outdoor living space can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Do a bit of online digging and you’ll find some truly aspirational examples, but don’t feel pressured into replicating these all at once. Start off with just a few features – plants and basic furniture is all you need. Then, once you start actually using the space, you’ll have a better idea of how you can jazz things up to make the area truly unique and special.