10 Inviting Outdoor Room Ideas
Ease into summer days spent outside.
With warm weather and plenty of reasons to celebrate, summer is the best time to extend your home outdoors. We've put together a list of ten outdoor room ideas to bring indoor comfort to alfresco spaces. Keep reading for easy outdoor room designs to make you linger outside a little longer.
1. Design a Comfortable Seating Area
Make your outdoor space feel like a backyard living room with a comfortable outdoor seating area. We suggest choosing a simple outdoor sofa and a set of chairs that can easily be rearranged. Pick outdoor furniture pieces with clean silhouettes that are made to last and won't go out of style. Incorporate color with fade-resistant outdoor pillows and fresh greenery from the garden.
Pro Tip:
We recommend opting for outdoor furniture made with durable, long-lasting materials, such as teak. For more details and care instructions, read our guide The Many Things We Love About Teak Outdoor Furniture.
Looking for a tranquil outdoor sitting area idea? Transform a garden to a nature retreat with an outdoor sofa and pair of matching lounge chairs. Choose wood furniture so it blends into the natural surroundings and makes it easy to wipe down dirt and pollen. Add a coffee table for a spot to set down a cup of tea or a tray of evening drinks. Place an outdoor rug beneath to tie the space together. We recommend choosing a rug in a durable material made for outside areas, such as polypropylene. Stow a wicker basket or two beneath for extra storage or tuck an outdoor ottoman for additional seating.
Summer is the ideal time to enjoy a meal outside, whether it's a casual dinner or a special celebration. Create an outdoor dining area that feels like an extension of your home by starting with a dining set that has enough room for everyone – even last-minute guests. If you need help choosing the right outdoor dining table, read our guide Our Top 5 Outdoor Dining Tables & How to Choose Just One for helpful tips. We recommend situating the outdoor dining space near the house for easy access to the kitchen.
Make your porch a peaceful place to sip your afternoon cup of tea with a tall pub table and matching bar stools. Pub tables and bar stools are great for small spaces and can be used as a casual outdoor dining space. We recommend choosing bar stools with cushions and deep seating so that you can sit outside comfortably for hours.
For a relaxing outdoor sitting area idea, turn your veranda into a resort-inspired space.
Choose a pair of rockers in a breezy wicker material for a touch of natural texture. Or opt for a wooden rocking chair with a slatted seat and back for a timeless look. Layer blue accents for a coastal feel reminiscent of a calming, seaside vacation. Angle the rockers outward to appreciate the view while enjoying good conversation.
Stay cool in the shade with a patio umbrella. With a variety of solid and patterned options, patio umbrellas elevate any outdoor living room ideas and provide shade in sunny areas. Patio umbrellas are made with weather-resistant fabric to withstand rainstorms. When shopping for an umbrella, look for features such as UV protection, mildew resistance, and tilt options.
Summer evenings are made for relaxing with loved ones. For inviting outdoor room designs, create a welcoming seating area with a cozy fire pit. Place outdoor lounge chairs or adirondack chairs in a circular arrangement around the fire pit. We recommend leaving at least 30" of space between the chairs and the fire pit for safety. Opt for a fire pit with a mesh cover to prevent any stray embers. Stay prepared with a basket nearby with s'mores supplies and extra blankets.
Carve out an additional outdoor dining area with an easy-to-assemble bistro set. Three-piece bistro sets are a great option for small outdoor spaces like porches, balconies, and patios. Since they are typically small and lightweight, bistro sets can be easily moved or stored away for colder seasons. Bistro sets are made for laid-back moments like afternoon reading or sharing a refreshing pitcher of iced tea. Add outdoor lumbar pillows to make this spot on the patio an all-day favorite.
One of our favorite outdoor room ideas is opting for a spacious outdoor sectional to create the ideal backyard living room. With plush seat cushions, sectionals offer plenty of space for entertaining or simply stretching out with a good book. Cushions made with outdoor fabrics, such as Sunbrella, are weather-resistant and won't fade in the sunlight. Sunbrella fabric is also easy to clean with a mild soap solution, making it a great choice for any outdoor space.
Pro Tip:
We suggest choosing a sectional made with high-performance outdoor materials like wicker. Read our guide What Is Wicker? to learn more about wicker and how to care for it.
Another one of our favorite outdoor living room ideas is turning an unused deck space into the ideal spot for casual summer gatherings. Dress up the spot with a pair of outdoor loveseats and a coordinating coffee table. Place a simple flatweave rug below to soften the space and create a designated seating area. Flatwoven outdoor rugs are versatile and designed for high-traffic, all-weather spaces. The low-pile, stain-resistant material is easy to clean and stands up to occasional spills.
Ready to refresh your outdoor living space?
