Now that outdoor spaces have come to resemble indoor rooms, the details that connect them deserve a closer look. Here are some ways to elevate natural settings, from comfy seating to colorful decor.
Dan Davis, senior designer for Bureau of Interior Design in Ferndale, knows how to achieve a seamless transition. “I like to connect the inside and outside through color and theme, so you feel like you haven’t left your house; you’ve just walked into an extension of your house,” he says.
For a client in Royal Oak, a cushy sofa and woven chairs with cushions add a luxurious feel to the natural environment, where the designer also likes to incorporate protection from the sun with an umbrella or awning. After dark, he suggests ambient lighting and task lights for al fresco meals to illuminate the space. “All fixtures should be on a dimmer,” says Davis. Selections might include white string lights, Italian hanging lights (like the ones in cafes), torches and candles.
Collections can also lend comfort like the personal pieces on this property, such as Buddha statues and an old wind turbine that takes on a sculptural tone. “What makes this outdoor space comfortable is that it feels like the client with pottery and plants and similar colors to the inside of the house,” the designer explains.
Take it outside
For another home in Birmingham, blue hues make their way to the backyard. “The house is very neutral with touches of color,” adds Davis. “We took that approach outside as well.”
Unique pieces include a salvaged beam turned coffee table on the patio, where a retractable screen helps with pest control. A ceiling fan and recessed lighting on dimmers add comfort to the outdoor space that also incorporates an outdoor kitchen.
Custom pillows soften the benches near the fieldstone fireplace. “It was sited so that you can see it from the house,” says Davis. Landscape architect Michael J. Dul also worked on the project.
Outside his own home in Ferndale, the designer adds color and comfort with custom-made cushions and a retractable portable umbrella that provides much-needed shade. “The patio is the sunniest part of the yard,” says Davis. Outdoor speakers and incense engage the senses, while a rechargeable fan cools the area and deters pests.
Other thoughtful touches include cozy throws for guests on chilly nights and side tables to set their purses or drinks.
A hot tub also adds comfort. “The lights are on a dimmer, and we light incense and listen to music,” says Davis, who keeps towels inside the home, just steps away. “If you hang them outside, they can get cold,” he explains.
For the best location for a hot tub, Davis says you should consider wind protection and privacy. Shatterproof wine glasses are practical picks, while decorative pieces further personalize the popular spot beside the house. “We can see elements we love like plants and pots and architectural pieces,” the designer adds.
Davis says people often think outdoor spaces are so different from indoor rooms. “I try to transfer enough from the inside and design for all the senses,” he says. At his home, the lines are also blurred with oversized doors that connect his great room to nature. “There are pots inside and out as well as other artifacts like glass paperweights that stay out all year,” he says. “In mid-January when no one goes outside, it’s fun to see some color.”
Special features
Efficiency can also lend comfort to an outdoor space when low maintenance leads to more time with nature. For instance, Nathan Caspers — regional manager for Infusion Showrooms with seven Michigan locations that include Wixom and the Michigan Design Center in Troy — says winterproof faucets can remain outside year-round. “You can be doing what you want instead of doing chores,” he says about the selections that fit this description. “We have new outdoor faucets that don’t have to be winterized, even in Michigan markets.”
Outdoor showers can add another deluxe touch. “You can use them everywhere; on the lakeshore, by the pool,” adds Caspers. “A freestanding shower looks so sculptural; it’s like a piece of art. If you have a closed-in courtyard — even without water features — you can shower outside after you sunbathe. With the birds and the wind and the trees, it hits all the senses; it’s just a great experience.”
Another luxury product they offer in preparation for the winter can be installed during the milder months. “Snow melt systems for sidewalks and driveways are a little costly, but they are simpler and safer,” he says. “You want to make sure the ground is soft enough to install when it is warmer outside. It’s like radiant heat for your floors.”
Natural progression
Unique finds can make your outdoor spaces shine, like the ones from Rita O’Brien Interiors at the Michigan Design Center in Troy. Decorative selections include a bird cage filled with fresh flowers and faux topiary balls placed in planters. Vintage patio furniture and accents from Paris and works from local artists are among the other highlights.
Principal Rita O’Brien says outdoor furniture has become so sophisticated like cozy sofas. “The rain goes right through them. The technology is amazing. In the past, you had to cover them up. Now they can be next to the pool and they will dry in an hour,” she explains. “Indoor/outdoor fabrics are phenomenal. Everything can be outdoors and sustain this weather.”
Another durable material that mimics natural stone can be customized for indoor/outdoor fountains and more. “They can be made in any size, even a little one for an outdoor porch just to have that sound,” says O’Brien. “They have a pump inside and there is no plumbing. You have to maintain and clean it, but it can stay outside because it’s weatherproof. People love it.”
Ground control
To accentuate a natural environment, handmade and machine-woven outdoor rugs from companies like Annie Selke come in various colors and patterns. “They are lightweight, washable, scrubbable and dependable for busy families, both indoors and outdoors,” says Wendy Reiss, VP sales wholesale. All are UV treated to prevent fading and many are reversible. Custom sizes are available along with decorative outdoor pillows to refresh your space.
“People are putting as much time and energy into outdoor spaces as they are their indoor,” she says. “Bright colors and fresh patterns create a livable extension to the home. We learned a lot after COVID that a ‘staycation’ might be just what the doctor ordered. Turning your outdoor space into a personal oasis has become important to many.”
For the best fit, consider the size, construction and materials. For instance, Reiss says you may want a rug for a deck to dry faster than the one you pick for an enclosed porch. “Remember, outdoor rugs, based on their cleanability, also work beautifully indoors as well,” she adds.
Botanicals have been in demand, as have tailored stripes and fresh plaids. “Texture is also playing a more important role in outdoor rugs and accessories,” says Reiss. “Amazing what you can now put both indoors and out.”
Jeanine Matlow writes the Smart Solutions column in Homestyle. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Elevate your outdoor space with these design ideas
Reporting by Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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