More and more people are thinking outside the confines of walls and rooms to design outdoor living space. This is an easy guide on how to design the best outdoor space for your patio furniture. Use these tips to create an outdoor living environment you’ll love.

Surprisingly, many of the principles of interior decorating and design also apply to outdoor space. You’ll first want to create an outdoor room using hedges, trellises, stone, or plants. This brings order to a huge area of ​​chaos.

The use of the word “chaos” does not infer disorder or carelessness but rather indefinite open spaces. By enclosing the area, you designate and define your outdoor living space creating a calm and orderly sense of peace. It also helps simplify your design requirements.

As with an interior room, start by mapping out the space on graph paper. Think in terms of related space. Too small in a large yard, and it will look and “feel” fractured. Too much patio and furniture in a small space will easily become cluttered and cramped.

Unlike an interior room where common rooms are square or rectangular in shape, an exterior space has no such limits. Take advantage of the natural nooks and crannies that nature has to offer. Add benches, trellises, fountains, and even archways to add some geometric variety and inviting retreat spaces.

The main area, however, will need some basic decorating applications. Design your space using a balance of color, weight, and placement of furniture. Include anything outside that makes an inside meeting comfortable and relaxing; chairs, tables, and even lighting should be configured into the overall design scheme.

Balance and resistance to clutter is also an important aspect to consider. If you’re working with a large area, why not make “rooms” designated for specific functions? Create a path to the dining area that leads to a gazebo, while another path could open up to a comfortable sitting area with patio furniture and a themed water feature.

The location of your patio furniture should also be in a flat area that allows for effective drainage of water. Putting water in your outdoor retreat is never an attractive feature!

Work from a high point, down. A standard measurement to keep in mind is 1 inch of slope for every 10 feet of surface.

Your planning should go beyond spring and take into account the higher temperatures during the peak summer season. Although you can enjoy the warmth of the sun on your face, especially during the spring, it can get terribly uncomfortable in the midst of those “dog days of summer.” If possible, choose a space that provides a great mix of sun and shade.

Create shade using umbrellas, gazebos, awnings, or beautiful pergolas. The most common easy-growing climbers for pergolas are: Bougainvillea, Clematis, Sweet Peas, Boston Ivy and Climbing Hydrangea Vine.

Where and how you place your patio furniture is very important to the overall comfort of your outdoor space. With a little planning, you’ll have plenty of summer comfort to enjoy!