Designing an Outdoor Space
Here in the Midwest, we experience all four seasons and like to take full advantage of the weather when it’s good, which feels rare as we approach Spring and it’s still snowing. Harsh and unpredictable weather means our outdoor spaces are critical for those rare warm spring days and those cherished lazy summer days.
When we’re designing outdoor spaces for our clients, we use the exact same approach we do with our full service interior projects. We start off by doing a deep dive into the family to understand how they need their outdoor space to function, who will be using it, and how many months of the year they plan to use it. Some clients like to open their pools in spring, while others like to sit by the fire during those winter snows.
During our research phase for our full service projects, we review inspiration photos and an in-depth questionnaire and also to do a site visit so we can measure and take pictures. As you consider your own outdoor space, think about how you will use it. Who will use it? What activities will you do in each area? Do you need sun or shade for each activity?
Project: Inverness Outdoor Oasis | Service: Full Service Furnishing Design
Project: Inverness Outdoor Oasis | Service: Full Service Furnishing Design
The next step when we’re designing an outdoor space is the creation of floor plans. Sometimes there might only be one option that makes sense, other times we’ll draw up a few layout options. We always go over the pros and cons of each layout with our clients so they can choose what is best for their family/lifestyle. As you dream up your outdoor space, ALWAYS start with a furniture layout, even if it means sketching out a to-scale drawing on graph paper. Be sure to add in rugs when necessary to anchor seating areas and don’t forget to make space for umbrella bases for areas that need shade.
Once our clients approve the floor plan, we begin sourcing. For outdoor spaces, we look specifically at outdoor furniture, outdoor rugs, outdoor lighting, and outdoor accessories. Regardless of where you live, you’ll want to be very careful to source items that are meant specifically for the weather in your area (sun, heat, cold, rain, etc.). For items you love that aren’t intended for outdoors, you’ll either want to pull them inside or store them during inclement weather, purchase high quality outdoor covers, or know that you may have to discard the piece after each season if it gets damaged by the weather.
For this outdoor project, our clients requested a pool vibe that would rival the Four Seasons. Since they open their pool in April, they needed to have a dedicated fire pit area for warming up and lounging while others were enjoying the heated pool.
Project: Inverness Outdoor Oasis | Service: Full Service Furnishing Design
Project: Lake Geneva Blue & White | Service: Full Service New Construction Design & Furnishing Design
In this Lake Geneva outdoor project, we used high quality outdoor furniture and a combination of melamine and acrylic serveware to keep things comfortable for casual sunset dinners. Just inside of this outdoor areas is a console perfect for storing all the outdoor serveware so set up is a breeze.
Because this space was uncovered with no protection from the sun, we also included high quality furniture covers to protect the furniture from the elements.
Some other favorites to elevate an outdoor dining space: washable woven trays, acrylic drink tubs and ice buckets, linen napkins, and flickering candles.
Project: Lake Geneva Blue & White | Service: Full Service New Construction Design & Furnishing Design
As we’re preparing for warmer weather here in the Midwest, we are putting the finishing touches on several lake home projects and can’t wait to share them with you. Until then, we encourage you to start now on designing your outdoor space so you can get in front of the lead times and be ready for the first official day of summer. Find more inspiration in our portfolio or on our Instagram page.
