As the weather warms up, most of us can officially kiss cabin fever goodbye and celebrate the abundance of fresh air and sunshine.

Now is the perfect time for homeowners and Superhosts to expand their living spaces without living with the dust of renovation or construction by creating new rooms … outdoors!

Having living space that calls us outside is a boon for better health both mentally and physically. And it certainly uplevels anyone’s ability to entertain!

We love our outdoor spaces at the Anderson house. There’s something for everyone out there. Virtually anything you can do inside can be done just as comfortably (often more so!) outside! Here are some of my favorite tips for creating outdoor spaces that will make you wish summer would never end!

1. Plan your outdoor space first.

Dining al fresco may be front and center when you think about your outdoor living wish list. But how else would you love your fair-weather space to be used? Would morning coffee on a private patio appeal? Maybe a hammock or daybed for reading and naps would be up your alley! 

Outdoor living rooms are more and more realistic with high performance fabrics and materials growing in availability and popularity. 

Want to keep smoking outside? I created a spot in our backyard where my hubby can sit next to a trickling wall fountain and a very manly firepit to enjoy a cigar with his buddies! 

Maybe you’d love to create space for an outdoor kitchen with a fireplace or a pizza oven! 

Outdoor speakers, heaters, and lighting can bring outside all the comforts of home! With a little ingenuity you can create a space of your dreams in much less time than inside the property, and for far less mula!

2. Layer from the ground up.

When it comes to styling an outdoor space, it’s not that much different than decorating indoors. With the sky as your ceiling, you will find you want to keep the scale a bit larger. But if you incorporate a patio cover or pergola over the space you wish to use, the scale will be very much the same as it would be inside. 

Layer your decor just as you would indoors, starting from the ground up. Whether your foundational surface is concrete, wood, tile, or brick, soften it up with an all-weather rug. Seating and table surfaces come with the next layer, followed by decorative cushions and soft decor.

Don’t skimp on lighting! Plants make beautiful accessories and show well in candlelight. But don’t stop there! There are so many more outdoor accessories to choose from as well!

3. Choose the right materials.

It’s true, anything you place out in the elements is by nature going to endure more wear and tear than their indoor counterparts. Sunbrella was one of the first lines of outdoor fabrics and furniture that endured inclimate weather well with easy maintenance. The market continues to expand with products that stand the test of time, moisture, and UV rays! 

Outdoor living is stylish, too! Vendors from Front Gate To Renovation Hardware serve up a wealth of products to rival indoor furniture fashion.

When it comes to an outdoor kitchen, the basic kettle barbecue has been all but replaced by a plethora of grill and outdoor cooking offerings. My husband swears by his “egg” kamado grill. He also has quite the collection of smokers.

It’s a sickness, really….

What's next?

Along with gardening, creating outdoor living spaces your guests can enjoy is one of the most healthy and rewarding things you can do for your listing. Moments of tranquility and rest are easier to come by when you are outside, food always tastes better there, and nothing quite lights up the night than torches, outdoor fireplaces or chimeneas, and strings of party lights!

Whether you just put a couple of chairs outside facing a delicious water feature, or opt for a full-scale entertaining space, you’ll find there is no nicer place to invite your guests to be than out in the fresh air. Reach out if this is something you would like help creating in your very own slice of Eden!

Have a question about styling your outdoor space? Leave us a comment below, and we'd be delighted to answer!

Warmly,