Outdoor Living Area Design Tips for Modern Spaces

In recent years, many backyards have received an upgrade as more and more property owners realize that their living spaces no longer have to end at the walls of their building. Almost everything you need for a comfortable, functional living area, from seating to lighting to stoves and countertops, can be added to your outdoor space as well. The sky—and the size of your space—is the limit, allowing property owners to flex their creativity and make their modern outdoor living area design truly cohesive and unique.

This is where our team at Blue Lizard Services comes in. With over 15 years of experience bringing outdoor design ideas to life for our clients, we are ready to help you create exactly what you’re looking for. But first, you need to know what you want, and what will work best for your property.

What is the Modern Outdoor Living Area?

A well-designed outdoor space is a true extension of the home, seamlessly flowing outwards from your indoor living area. You can achieve this by utilizing similar materials and color schemes, as well as elements like large windows and glass doors, in order to create a clear visual connection between the two. But modern outdoor living area design is more than just visually pleasing. It is the creation of functional spaces that allow residents to bring aspects of their lifestyle into their backyard. 

While your outdoor space can—and should—be designed any way you want, there are certain design considerations which can boost your backyard’s appeal for visitors or potential buyers. Like the attached residence, modern outdoor living spaces are often sleek and minimalist in color and design, creating a sophisticated, high-quality and cohesive appearance. Multi-functional furniture allows spaces to be used in a variety of ways without overcrowding your backyard or compromising on your design goals. And sustainable, wellness-focused areas allow property owners to relax and connect with the outdoors while also reducing their impact on the surrounding environment. 

Creating a Plan for Your Outdoor Space

Before you can start bringing your outdoor living space to life, you first need to create a plan. While it may be tempting to focus on what you want now and make it all work together later, that is a good way to waste money and end up disappointed. Instead, start by considering practical aspects, such as:

1. Size

The first thing to do when planning your outdoor area is measure it in order to determine how much room you have to work with. Once you know the size of your space, you can begin to plan and prioritize.

• If your outdoor space is on the smaller side, consider focusing on just one or two elements. For example, you could create a patio with a dining area and kitchenette, a drought tolerant garden with one or two small water features, or a cozy fire pit and gathering space. 
• Larger outdoor areas require planning in order to organize them in a way that makes sense instead of creating a jumbled, confusing mess. Divide your backyard into zones—cooking and dining, lounging and swimming, for example—and include landscaping elements and walking room between these zones to further separate them. 

2. Furniture

The outdoor furniture you choose depends on a variety of factors, including the needs of the people using it, the appearance and color scheme of the furniture inside your home, and your area’s climate. Consider features including:

• Comfort
• Durability
• Functionality 
• Aesthetics

Furniture made from materials such as aluminum, resin wicker or hardwoods like teak often fit most or all of these bills. Additionally, for couches and seating, consider pieces with removable cushions in order to protect them from rain. 

3. Lighting

Lighting can have an enormous impact on the mood and ambiance of your outdoor space. Color-changing lights, for example, may be on the fun and silly side. Warm, soft lights, on the other hand, like the glow of a fire pit or string lights, may evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation. You can install a range of lights in order to suit different moods and needs, as well as options like motion-activated spotlights for safety and security.

Designing Your Outdoor Living Area

When designing your outdoor space, it is important to think about what you actually plan to use in order to ensure that your new elements don’t just sit and collect dust. Some options to consider include:

1. Outdoor kitchens

Like any design element, the size of your outdoor kitchen should depend on how much you plan to use it. If cooking outside consists of little more than grilling during the summer, consider installing a prep space, grill and some cooking accessories. But if you plan to cook full meals outdoors relatively often, you could include everything from stoves and sinks to cupboards and refrigerators. 

2. Outdoor lounge areas

The perfect place to kick back and relax on a nice day, your outdoor lounge area in particular should be focused on comfort and aesthetics. Some elements to consider include:

• Comfortable seating, such as couches, hammocks and chaise lounges
• Canopies, awnings, umbrellas or other forms of shade
• Fire pits or outdoor heaters for cool mornings and nights
• Comfortable and attractive rugs
• Side or coffee tables for drinks and food

3. Entertainment

Ideally, your outdoor living space should be just as fun as your indoor space, if not more so. Consider adding elements like an outdoor bar, game area, swimming pool or theatre.

4. Landscaping

Your landscaping should complement your outdoor space, helping to enhance its appearance and create lines between the different zones. Some options include:

• Stone walkways to make traversing your backyard a more comfortable experience
• Water features to provide a pleasant ambience
• Draping plants to soften the hard edges of retaining walls
• Trees and thick bushes turn your space into a lush, private hideaway

Contact Blue Lizard Services to Start Redesigning Your Backyard Today

A modern outdoor living space contractor is more than just a place to sit and relax when the weather is pleasant. It is an extension of your property in both appearance and functionality, allowing you to host gatherings and connect with the outdoors in a unique, comfortable oasis. And at Blue Lizard Services, we’re here to help you translate your outdoor living area design goals into reality. Our skilled outdoor living space contractors will work with you throughout the entire project, from the design stage to the final walkthrough, in order to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. So if you’re ready to start designing your own outdoor living space, contact Blue Lizard Services today.