Tips For Setting Up Your Home's Outdoor Area

Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a cosy apartment balcony, there’s nothing better than sitting outdoors to soak up some warm sun, feel the gentle breeze and listen to the distant chirping of birds chirping after a long week of hustle and bustle. If you love the idea of lounging in an outdoor living space during the weekends, then it’s time to unleash your creativity and create a stunning outdoor sanctuary. Here are some tips to help you get started!

1. Determine the Purpose of Your Outdoor Space

Before diving headfirst into designing your outdoor space, you need to decide what it’ll be used for. After all, the purpose of your outdoor area will influence its design and the furniture you choose to adorn it with.

Learn More: Choosing Garden And Patio Furniture

There are many things you can do in your home outdoor space. Small balconies in condos or HDB flats can be used for simple lounging, reading or relaxing, while larger gardens and backyards in landed properties are suitable for various activities like yoga sessions or a fancy soirée.

If your primary goal is to create an outdoor retreat for lounging, your design focus should be on comfort and tranquillity. Consider filling the space with a comfortable swing chair, hammock, or outdoor sofa topped with plush cushions, as well as large umbrellas to provide shade from the scorching sun.

If you’d like to transform your outdoor area into one that’s perfect for entertaining, prioritise seating and flow when designing your space. Provide ample seating and dining options such as outdoor sofas and dining sets, as well as shaded areas with awnings or pergolas.

2. Establish Flow and Proper Navigation

Once you’ve determined the purpose of your outdoor space and have a rough idea of what furnishing you need, you’ll have to establish proper flow, movement, and navigation around these pieces for safety, visual harmony, and a conducive environment. When these elements are carefully considered and implemented, you produce a clutter-free and functional space that can greatly enhance your overall experience and comfort.

Start by analysing your space to assess its size, shape and the existing features that cannot be moved. Think about how people will move through the area and identify potential bottlenecks that may impede flow.

Then, construct clear and logical pathways that connect different areas of the outdoor space, as well as paths to and from your indoor area. These paths should be wide enough for easy movement and designed to accommodate anticipated traffic flow. Consider using materials such as pavers, gravel, or stepping stones to delineate pathways and create a sense of direction. Even in small balcony spaces, having distinct paths can help to ensure safe movement in and out.

If you’re thinking about using your outdoor area for different activities, you can divide the space into functional zones and furnish each section accordingly. For example, dining sets for an outdoor dining space, outdoor sofas and poufs for a lounging area, or a sandbox for a children playground. Clearly define these zones using visual cues like changes in elevation, plants, or decorative elements.

With so many things in your outdoor space, it is important to maintain a sense of balance and proportion by factoring in their size and scale. Avoid overcrowding the space with too many objects and aim for a visually coherent arrangement by using a healthy mix of large and small items.

Lastly, ensure adequate lighting for safe movement, especially during evening hours. Incorporate lighting fixtures along pathways, steps, and entrances to ensure visibility and enhance the atmosphere.

3. Factor in the Sun Direction

Besides lighting fixtures, natural light is an extremely important aspect of outdoor design. Not only does it illuminate your space, but it also helps to draw you closer to nature and improve your overall mental and emotional health.

Understanding the path of the sun throughout the day helps you to optimise the use of natural light in your design to enhance the overall ambiance, energy efficiency, and functionality for your outdoor space.

Spend time observing how the sun moves across your property throughout the day, taking note of where the sun rises and sets, as well as areas that receive direct sunlight and shade at different times. Then, orient the key elements of your outdoor space according to the sun’s movement. For example, if you enjoy basking in the golden hour sunrays in the evening, place your swing chair or outdoor sofa towards the western side to catch the sunset.

Additionally, strategically place trees, pergolas, awnings, or umbrellas to create shaded areas during the hottest times of the day. This will make your outdoor space more comfortable while protecting against excessive heat.

Excited to embark on a design adventure to beautify your home outdoor space? Konopi specialises in distributing a collection of durable and stylish outdoor furniture. Shop them here.