10 Utterly Lounge-Worthy Outdoor Spaces
From floor cushions to drinks trolleys, here are some great tips to help you make the most of decks, verandahs and other outdoor areas
Laura Gaskill
14 April 2016
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Your outdoor rooms can truly be an extension of your living space, if you take the time to outfit them with the comforts of the indoors – think sink-in seats, bar carts and mood lighting. Pull up a chair (or pouffe, hammock or daybed) and stay awhile. These 10 outdoor spaces are packed with ideas for making your verandah, patio, balcony or deck the place to be.
1. Flexible seating for a crowd
Bench seating with built-in storage keeps cushions protected from the elements, yet ready to grab when you need them. A selection of thicker floor cushions can be used as extra seats to accommodate a large group, and a table on casters makes a portable surface for setting down drinks and snacks.
Bench seating with built-in storage keeps cushions protected from the elements, yet ready to grab when you need them. A selection of thicker floor cushions can be used as extra seats to accommodate a large group, and a table on casters makes a portable surface for setting down drinks and snacks.
2. Party-ready patio
A large shade sail covering the patio provides more coverage than an umbrella alone. An extension table and folding director’s chairs can handle a crowd, but can easily be scaled back when it’s just family. Dress up for a party with a colourful tablecloth and lanterns, and personalise plain canvas chairs with stencilled-on numbers.
Entertaining spaces ready for fun
A large shade sail covering the patio provides more coverage than an umbrella alone. An extension table and folding director’s chairs can handle a crowd, but can easily be scaled back when it’s just family. Dress up for a party with a colourful tablecloth and lanterns, and personalise plain canvas chairs with stencilled-on numbers.
Entertaining spaces ready for fun
3. Daybed hideaway
Give a daybed on the verandah an eclectic look with layers of rich textiles and pillows. For the ultimate in outdoor comforts, pull up a bar cart with drink fixings and a bamboo stool on which to set your beverage and book. Leafy potted palms add to the lush, tropical feel.
Give a daybed on the verandah an eclectic look with layers of rich textiles and pillows. For the ultimate in outdoor comforts, pull up a bar cart with drink fixings and a bamboo stool on which to set your beverage and book. Leafy potted palms add to the lush, tropical feel.
4. Hammocks for everyone
If one hammock is good, three are even better! Use a mix of larger hammocks (good for napping) and chair-style hammocks to maximise the hangout options. Bonus: hammocks have a very small footprint when not in use, making them the perfect choice for a compact outdoor room.
If one hammock is good, three are even better! Use a mix of larger hammocks (good for napping) and chair-style hammocks to maximise the hangout options. Bonus: hammocks have a very small footprint when not in use, making them the perfect choice for a compact outdoor room.
5. Cosy outdoor lounge
Built-in benches topped with thick cushions, a sturdy coffee table and an eye-catching Moroccan-style pendant light make for an outdoor space you’ll want to settle in to and not leave. Extend seating possibilities with a pouffe or two, and don’t forget the candles for even more evening ambiance.
Built-in benches topped with thick cushions, a sturdy coffee table and an eye-catching Moroccan-style pendant light make for an outdoor space you’ll want to settle in to and not leave. Extend seating possibilities with a pouffe or two, and don’t forget the candles for even more evening ambiance.
6. Solo escape
A postage-stamp-size balcony doesn’t have to be a setback –think of it as an opportunity to create a getaway perfectly sized for one. A curvy lounge chair, a few potted plants and a string of colourful lanterns transform this small space into a nook you’ll look forward to escaping to.
Small balcony beautifying ideas for renters
A postage-stamp-size balcony doesn’t have to be a setback –think of it as an opportunity to create a getaway perfectly sized for one. A curvy lounge chair, a few potted plants and a string of colourful lanterns transform this small space into a nook you’ll look forward to escaping to.
Small balcony beautifying ideas for renters
7. Urban green
Missing the green grass? Bring it to where you are with a cheeky fake-grass rug and plenty of big potted plants, shrubs and even trees. With greenery up high and down low, this little city balcony feels downright verdant. Solar stake lights placed in a potted tree glow in the evening, making this a lovely place to unwind after work.
Missing the green grass? Bring it to where you are with a cheeky fake-grass rug and plenty of big potted plants, shrubs and even trees. With greenery up high and down low, this little city balcony feels downright verdant. Solar stake lights placed in a potted tree glow in the evening, making this a lovely place to unwind after work.
8. Pallet perfection
Recycled wooden pallets are transformed into a spacious outdoor sectional when topped with thick cushions and bolsters. When you’re entertaining outdoors, don’t forget the flowers – a vase of fresh blooms can make your outdoor room even more inviting.
Recycled wooden pallets are transformed into a spacious outdoor sectional when topped with thick cushions and bolsters. When you’re entertaining outdoors, don’t forget the flowers – a vase of fresh blooms can make your outdoor room even more inviting.
9. Sanctuary in the city
Slow down and savour the little things – with places to gather, or relax on your own, this rooftop deck manages to feel secluded even in the middle of tall buildings. Multiple levels and smart landscaping help carve out private-feeling areas, while the generous use of natural wood makes for a relaxing atmosphere.
Slow down and savour the little things – with places to gather, or relax on your own, this rooftop deck manages to feel secluded even in the middle of tall buildings. Multiple levels and smart landscaping help carve out private-feeling areas, while the generous use of natural wood makes for a relaxing atmosphere.
10. Night-time magic
Sometimes the right lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a small outdoor space, lighting the edges will help the area seem more spacious. Smaller accent lighting in the form of lanterns or candles brings the focus to tables and seating areas, and illuminates faces.
TELL US
MORE
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
Picture Perfect: 25 Decks That Look Into the Wilderness
Sometimes the right lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a small outdoor space, lighting the edges will help the area seem more spacious. Smaller accent lighting in the form of lanterns or candles brings the focus to tables and seating areas, and illuminates faces.
TELL US
MORE
Light Up: 10 Good Reasons to Use Outdoor Lighting
Picture Perfect: 25 Decks That Look Into the Wilderness
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Loved this, awesome outdoor places!
I did not know that squirrels would eat outdoor lights, but good to know!
Inspired by many ideas from Houzz, I just completed an outdoor room with all the extras. For obvious reasons, I just can’t stay inside. Thanks Houzz for the inspiration!