3 Simple Outdoor Living Space Ideas to Create a Cozy Backyard Oasis
3 Simple Outdoor Living Space Ideas to Create a Cozy Backyard Oasis
During our short Midwest summers, we all want to make the most of our time outside. Over the past few years, I've been working to turn my quaint backyard into a cozy outdoor oasis and I finally feel like it's coming together. It didn’t happen overnight, but I've found a few simple ideas that have made a big difference.
If you're looking for outdoor living space ideas that make your patio or backyard feel more inviting, here are a few of my favorites.
1. Bring the Comfort of the Indoors Outside
My biggest goal when designing an outdoor space is creating a place where friends and family naturally want to gather. Comfortable outdoor furniture is the foundation of any great backyard. Whether you build your collection over time or purchase a matching patio set, comfort should always come first.
Once your seating is in place, decorate your outdoor space just like you would your living room. Add colorful outdoor pillows, a weather-friendly rug, decorative accessories, and even outdoor lighting to make the space feel warm and welcoming.
One of my favorite additions has been outdoor lamps. It may sound surprising, but outdoor lighting has come a long way. At Montgomery's, we carry rechargeable lamps with waterproof bulbs that don't require an outlet. Depending on the brightness setting, they can provide anywhere from 8 to 24 hours of light on a single charge. They add the perfect finishing touch for relaxing evenings outside.
2. Give Your Houseplants a Summer Vacation
Not every houseplant can spend the summer outdoors, so be sure to research which varieties are safe before moving them outside.
As someone whose house is overflowing with plants, one of my favorite summer traditions is bringing my succulents outdoors. They absolutely thrive during the warmer months, and the results are well worth the effort.
My backyard receives a lot of shade, making it difficult to grow many perennials. Using my existing houseplants helps fill the space with greenery while reducing the number of annuals I need to buy each year. Best of all, surrounding yourself with plants you've cared for over the years makes your backyard feel even more personal and inviting.
Sometimes the best outdoor decorating ideas don't require buying something new, they simply involve using what you already have in a different way.
3. Design Your Backyard Around What You Love
Think about how you naturally spend your free time, then create an outdoor space that makes those activities easy to enjoy.
For my husband and me, it's movies. We love going to the theater, but we also enjoy creating that same experience at home with a projector screen in our backyard. Pulling down the screen transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable movie night under the stars.
Your favorite activity may be completely different. Maybe it's hosting game nights around a large outdoor dining table, playing cards with friends, or setting up yard games for the kids and grandkids.
The key is making your favorite activities convenient. When everything is ready to enjoy, you're much more likely to spend time outside and make lasting memories.
The best backyard is the one that fits your lifestyle. Focus on creating an outdoor space that is comfortable, beautiful, and functional. Don't worry about following every trend or copying someone else's backyard.
Instead, choose pieces that make you happy, add personal touches that reflect your style, and create a space where you'll truly enjoy spending time.
Our Midwest summers may be short, but with a little planning, your backyard can become your favorite room of the house.
Yours in Design,
Karli
Every month, Karli dives into the world of design and shares her knowledge on the newest design trends in the "Design Pulse", in which she offers thoughtful insight on the trends that are shaping the design world today, and keeping an eye on what is coming next next! Click below to read more editions of Design Pulse!
