Patio Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Space

The allure of outdoor living charms us with warm sun, fresh air, and gentle breezes. By designing the perfect outdoor oasis, you’ll not only make the most of your patio or deck but also extend the outdoor season beyond the summer months. Whether you’re hosting gatherings under the sun, hanging out with friends around a cozy fire pit in the moonlight, or simply appreciating some solitude in the ambiance of nature, let us help you make outdoor living something you cherish.

As we’re all spending more time outdoors, our appetite for comfort, style, and casual living in our outdoor spaces is growing too! Here are some simple design guidelines and creative ideas to help you make the most of your outdoor space.

Go with the Flow – Creating Multi-Purpose Spaces

Designer Tip: Diana Wilkinson, Brick, NJ

Creating different seating groups will encourage people to mingle by giving more options to connect in different ways.

Pro-tip: Always plan for more people that you think you’ll need, as outdoor gatherings tend to be larger. 

Consider the focal points you’d like to emphasize – a certain view, an architectural element like a fireplace, placement of a screen for outdoor movie night, or the like. Arrange the furniture to allow for best view of that focal point.

Want to obscure a less pleasing view? Think about using screens or arranging furniture away from that view. Plan the traffic pattern between spaces, allowing for easy movement.

Just like your indoor space, your outdoor space should reflect your personal style and bring you joy. Think about the energy you’d like to evoke in that space.

This also creates the opportunity to pop with season specific colors as the years go by.

Designer Tip: Diana Wilkinson, Brick NJ

As with designing indoor spaces the surrounding finishes, existing pieces and even the foliage impact outdoor spaces as well. Consider the color of the house, building or backdrop, as well as the materials and finishes of the flooring (deck, patio, grass etc.) and any other existing elements such as an awning, the colors of the permanent plant materials and of course the view!

For a cohesive look, it's best for the color palette to flow from indoor to outdoor, especially if the outdoor area is visible from the indoor. It’s ok to kick it up a notch for the outdoor area, choosing a brighter or lighter shade or tint, yet it should still feel like it flows.

Giving your outdoor space a designer look will elevate the experience and create a seamless transition as you cross the threshold from indoor to outdoor. Here are some basics to get started:

• Mix furniture materials for a curated look vs. all matching

• Build the color story from the ground up – begin with the rug, then select fabrics to coordinate.

• Size matters. Choose a rug that unites the conversation grouping with all furniture pieces touching the rug, or for dining, all chairs are able to stay on the rug when in use.

• Define functional areas using fabrics and rugs that coordinate but do not match exactly

• Use potted plants to add height and texture, as well as color.

• Don’t forget the lighting!

Designer Tip: Lauren Thompson, Wichita, KS

To transform your outdoor space from blah to amazing, here’s what I suggest:

• Anchor It: The rug anchors the space and makes it feel more like a room vs just an outdoor area. The visual change really helps define and dress up the space.

• Cozy It Up: Use deep-set cushy seating to help cozy the space to make it more inviting. Curl up with a coffee and the morning paper or relax at night with a glass of wine and a good book. If the space is in an area that gets lots of sun, add in an oversized umbrella for shade. No one will want to enjoy the space if it's too bright to relax.

• Tie it All Together: Use colorful cushions and pillows pulling colors from the rug and your outdoor landscaping. Don't have decent landscaping? Add in potted plants with complementary colors. Complete the look with some string lights to set the mood and extend your enjoyment into the evening.

Stand Up to the Elements

Here are some tips from our product experts and design consultants:

• Not all outdoor furniture is built to last and look good for years. Bassett uses only exceptional materials and quality construction, with finishes that won’t fade or flake off and fabrics that retain their color, resist mildew and clean easily.

• If you’re placing the furniture near saltwater - an ocean or saltwater pool – opt for resin wicker for minimal maintenance. Aluminum furniture can work well, too, as long as you’re willing to clean it more often. Or go with fully upholstered collections, like Beckham, and plan for frequent cleaning with a mild cleaning solution.

Designer Tip: William Neely, Tucson, AZ

If your space gets late afternoon sun, dark colors will be much hotter. If your space has overhanging trees, you’ll want to consider the practical concerns of birds, leaves and sap and choose materials that are easy to clean.

• Comfy seat cushions that dry quickly make it easy to relax. Bassett’s cushions are not only plush and resilient, but they’re wrapped in a water-resistant ticking with sonically welded seams and treated to prevent mildew and mold. The rain doesn’t soak in, so after a rain shower, they’re ready to use as soon as the fabric dries – usually within an hour on a warm day.

• To keep cushions and fabrics looking their best, brush off dirt before it becomes embedded and wipe up spills immediately. Clean periodically using a mild cleaning solution ( ¼ cup Dawn liquid dish detergent to 1 gallon of water) and sponge or soft bristle brush.

• For guidance on materials + care, please check out our outdoor care page.

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