It's completely natural to want to spend a lot more time outside in the garden and on the terrace than usual during the warm summer months. But of course we don't want to miss out on the comfort of the living room either! The solution is a cozy outdoor living room that combines both. What are the options and what trends influence the design of the lounge?
Not everyone has the opportunity to install huge sliding window fronts around the living room in order to slide them open in the warm summer months and transform the room into an outdoor living room (that wouldn't be particularly efficient in our latitudes). Fortunately, the garden and terrace usually offer enough space for a second lounge area.
Design an outdoor living room – these are your options
Depending on how much space you have available and what exactly you want from your outdoor living room, you can design a wide variety of areas. Some people would like the full program with a seating area, dining area and even kitchen, while others are satisfied with a small, cozy lounge. But what shouldn't be missing is, of course, onecomfortable seating area to relax. How you ultimately set this up is up to you and your taste.
A lounge is essential
The seating area alone can be designed in such a versatile way and can accommodate all wishes, so you often don't need much else. In addition to the sofa, armchair and coffee table, there are numerous other pieces of furniture that take relaxation to the highest level. Eating, chilling, sleeping – all of this is also possible in a seating area if you design the outdoor living room correctly.
- Hanging chairs or hammocks create an exotic holiday flair and are classics when it comes to a siesta. A swing is also a great and similar option.
- Daybeds/lounge beds are modernand large, so that several people can relax at the same time.
- If there is no space for large structures, a padded lawn is an optimal compromise. These are laid out as needed and can be stowed away at any time.
A comfortable dining area for al fresco dining
If space is limited, the seating area can also double as a dining area by setting up a dining table instead of a coffee table. However, if you have a larger terrace, a separate dining area will make your outdoor living room look even cozier and more authentic.
Maybe an outdoor kitchen too?
Just like the open living room with kitchen inside, this can also be doneLiving room in the gardenbe divided in this way if you don't want to always have to carry the food and dishes outside and back in again. It doesn't have to be a long kitchenette either. An integrated grill and/or an oven with an adjoining worktop and cupboards above and below can be completely sufficient.
A few tips and ideas for the perfect outdoor kitchencan be found here.
The floor for the outdoor living room
Depending on the area, the floor design can vary. The more it resembles the usual indoor flooring, the more your outdoor area will look like a real living room. However, it is important that you still choose tiles or stone that are suitable for outdoor use. Wood is also a great option that provides a warm atmosphere, but also requires more maintenance. Otherwise, terracotta and fine ceramics are very popular. The icing on the cake can then be a beautiful outdoor carpet - for both the seating and dining areas.
What shouldn't be missing in the lounge?
The outdoor living room should be usable at any time, including in the sun, rain and, if possible, in wind and in the evenings. Therefore, remember the following:
- Sun protection: This can be a simple parasol, awning or a solid roof.
- The canopy can also provide wonderful protection from rain, so you don't have to avoid your lounge even on warm rainy days or during short showers.
- Sufficient light: Not only so that you can see something in the dark. The atmosphere is also greatly influenced by this. Candles, fairy lights, hanging lights, lanterns – all of these light sources are suitable. Or how about even a flickering fire in a tabletop fireplace or a freestanding or built-in outdoor fireplace?
To guarantee comfort, do not neglect the quality of the upholstery. To ensure that all your efforts are rewarded with the right amount of comfort, these are particularly important (if not more important) alongside the atmosphere you radiate.
These are the trends for 2023
Of course, you can design your own outdoor living room however you like. But perhaps you would also like to follow current trends. These are they:
Sustainability in design
Furnishing experts have long since established it: everythingwhich is environmentally friendly, is preferred. Under the keyword “sustainability”, homeowners use recycled wood for furniture when furnishing and designing and this garden furniture is in no way inferior to the usual ones. Would that perhaps also be an option for you?
Which materials are current in 2023?
- It won't surprise you that especiallyHolzis preferred. The robust teak wood, which garden owners always choose, is particularly popular here, as is rattan. In general, you can't go wrong with natural materials, because they complement the naturalness of the garden and radiate cosiness.
You can learn how to properly care for teak woodread here.
- But alsometalssuch as aluminum (due to its simplicity but also its light weight) and stainless steel are often found in modern patio furnishings, which is not only due to their appearance but also because of their ease of care.
- Easy to care for, but also pretty good looking these daysplastic. But we don't mean the classic plastic chairs and tables, but rather those that imitate rattan, i.e. represent a wicker structure.
The look of the lounge furniture
Do you have a lot of space outside? Be sure to take advantage of this becauseXL furnitureare a hit and practically scream “comfort and relaxation”. Daybeds are a favorite, but an oversized sofa with lots of pillows can also have the same effect. The daybed variant is also available in the form of swings - can you imagine something more inviting for your outdoor living room?
Naturalness also remains preferred when it comes to the choice of colors. But if you want to be a little bolder, you shouldn't be afraid of bold colors. It doesn't matter whether you choose a complete furniture set in a bright color or just present a single piece as a highlight in a lively color. In any case, you will set a trendy accent that is suitable for any interior style. It's not just modern facilities that benefit from this. Vintage furniture is also suitable for this.
The plastic already mentioned above in the form of an imitation rattan is not only easy to care for, but is extremely popular, so that artificial rattan furniture has established itself as a trend this year. No wonder, because they also represent two other trends: the natural look and, especially, sustainability. If you invest in this furniture, you will have the perfect furnishings for many years without much effort and care.
Trendy decorations and accessories
Lighting with wooden details or a wicker look, potted plants and other natural accessories are not only in trend right now, but will remain so for some time - at least that's the trend. Match the decorations not only to the furniture, but also to each other.
These types of lamps are currently particularly in demand:
- Mobile lights that run on batteries
- Large floor lamps that can also be used indoors
- Lamps with integrated music function
- Fairy lights continue to be big favorites
The organic style
It is part or a variant of the modern furnishing style and fits particularly well outdoors due to its natural, curved shapes. There you can continue these shapes in the outdoor living room in the garden: with the help of gravel, for example. Espaliers, ornamental grasses, Mediterranean plants and even wildflowers are also suitable, which you can plant around your seating area. Trend expert Kendra Poppy recommends: "Choose materials that have a lived-in look, like patinated metal chairs or a garden bench made from reclaimed wood, natural finishes like rattan and jute, and timeless vintage clay pots."
Cozy swing as a bonus in the outdoor living room
Modern artificial rattan on a small terrace
XL sofa invites you to relax
No matter what type of furniture, color and accessories you ultimately choose, the outdoor living room should always radiate the same atmosphere as the normal living room. Therefore, always choose materials and decorations that are suitable for outdoor use but do not look different from those for indoor use. Then the facility is guaranteed to be a perfect retreat!
