Design by Room / Living Rooms

Your No-Fail Guide to Designing an Outdoor Living Room

Upgrade your outdoor space (no matter the size) with these vibrant additions, from weatherproof fabrics to ﬂexible seating to bold accents.

design

Claire Zinnecker

build

Jay Summers

Anna Kocharian

Updated May 8, 2019 1:33 PM

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You’ve spent the better part of the past year working on your living room, curating every last detail down to the T—after all, it is the one spot in which we spend a good chunk of our evenings. Come summer, when the warm weather hits and we find ourselves drawn to the outdoors, creating a similar situation in the backyard suddenly becomes a priority. Combining form and function—all the while taking into consideration the square footage you’re given to work with—there is an art to creating the ideal

outdoor living room

Whether the space will come to stand in as one that promotes easy entertaining or a spot in which you can simply sit and idle by, it’s all about establishing an area that emulates your version of the perfect summer space. To help, we put together a no-fail guide to decorating the ultimate outdoor living space, complete with the season’s trendiest prints, patterns, and furnishings to boot.

Read on for six easy tips, the best new outdoor lines to shop this summer, and three curated looks to shop right now.

6 Steps to the Perfect Outdoor Room

1. A neutral base allows you to layer in pops of pattern and color with pillows, throws, and rugs—a more versatile and inexpensive alternative to splurging on that statement seetee.

2.

Take decorative cues from the nautically inclined: Materials that can withstand the elements and still look good—like brass and rope—add interesting texture.

3.

Working with an awkward corner? Make the most of vertical space by bringing in pieces that draw the eye up. This hanging chair proves that a cozy nook doesn’t require an expansive sofa.

4.

Foldable furniture makes your setup easily adaptable to party size and is a great option for even the smallest of spaces (think: ﬂat storage when not in use). Pieces that sit low to the ground create a relaxed, lounge-y feel, whether a sleek sofa or comfy ﬂoor cushion.

5.

A side table on wheels does double duty as a mobile drinks station and handy storage unit to keep the party ﬂowing.

6.

When setting the table, mix and match hardworking materials with elevated favorites, such as picnic-approved melamine plates, linen napkins, and brass ﬂatware. A bright bunch of blooms completes the look.