How to design outdoor areas that mirror interior style

Outdoor living is the in-thing in landscape design.

The garden has transformed from a simple patch of lawn with selected trees and flowers to enhance aesthetics into a place for lounging, dining, relaxing and entertaining.

There is also a clear shift in design thinking. Modern landscape and building architects are finding creative ways to blur the boundary between the indoor and the outdoor.

While the traditional garden space was clearly distinct from the interiors, the modern garden is part of it, with a seamless link between the indoor and outdoor activities. Here are a few tips to help you plan your outdoor living space.

Lifestyle

Your lifestyle is the most important consideration when planning an outdoor living area.

Unfortunately, many of us start putting up gazebos and patios on the garden without thinking how and even whether we are actually going to enjoy using them.

Start by assessing your needs. Do you and your family like to have private dinners or do you prefer to host regular parties for friends, colleagues and business acquaintances? How about your preferred style of entertaining? Do you prefer a picnic-like arrangement or a catered cocktail?

The answers to these questions will determine what kind of spaces you need outdoors. Also remember to plan for your daily life as opposed to yearly events.

Privacy

Privacy is an equally important ingredient for a successful outdoor living space. The last thing you want is neighbours and passers-by gawking at your every move as you have fun with family and friends. Fortunately, there are many solutions to choose from.

If space is not a problem, choose an area that is tacked away from prying eyes.

A back garden usually works very well. Otherwise, you will have to create privacy for whichever space is available using screens, barriers and plant materials.

Accessories and furniture

The other primary consideration when designing a backyard for outdoor living is to plan for comfort.

You will need some kind of shelter from the scorching sun and cold sweeping wind. You will also need a level and firm surface that is large enough to accommodate your furniture and accessories.

Such structures can take many forms but the most common ones are patios, gazebos and pergolas.

In themselves, there are all kinds of styles to choose from - from prefabricated styles to custom-made types and even temporary and movable kinds.

Remember to choose accessories and furniture that can withstand outdoor conditions without too much maintenance. They should also sit in well with your house and garden’s architectural style.