Create an Outdoor Space that Knows its own Mind

Lets talk about the great outdoors.

Found this image on Instagram and can’t stop looking it.

Now I don’t have a balcony or exotic european view.

What I have is a great ugly back verandah that the dogs have the run of with views of lawn that likes to go wild.

Then I found this pic

Almost needed a lie down

My great lumping backyard could totally do this !!

She could be a beauty yet.

These two pictures so different reminded me of what counts in an out door space or any space for that matter, that doesnt relate to size or dollars

Purpose

Then throw in some personality.

They both have a clear purpose and both have leaned into there limitations.

Were not often encouraged to do that.

For me, what stands out in both spaces is:

1. Exposure to the elements

Some outdoor living area are so fortified against rain and wind and sun and God forbid a bit of dirt that you may as well be sitting inside. I’ll take fresh air and sunlight, a nightsky and a crisp breeze. and theres not that much rain a decent sized beach umbrella wont sort out.

2. A clear purpose

Neither are trying to be something they are not

Balcony clearly says : cozy seating for 2-3. It also says “sit for a while, get comfy, sip a glass of something nice. It’s not trying to be an outdoor eating/ BBQ/entertainment area. Its not trying to seat twenty. They haven’t squeezed a mini bar in. The size dictates its ultimate purpose and it plays to those limitations by making quiet and cozy the star of the show.

Leafy back yard on the other hand says: “time for a party”. Its says “come as you are and leave your high heels behind”. It says “bring wine and a friend, we’ll be here a while”. You can almost smell the wood smoke and hear the hum of conversations. They have dirt for a floor and the sky for a ceiling, its rough, its outdoorsy, its mismatched but arranged with such purpose in mind.

3. Good Lighting

People will gravitate to light and warmth. Always, always. It warms the heart first.

Its subtle and soothing on the balcony and dramatic and compelling in the back yard.

4. Simplicity

They both let just three main elements do all the talking

The balcony focuses on – good comfy seating – layers of greenery and texture, a mix of comfort not surgery lighting

Leafy backyard focuses on – the decorative back wall – the arrangement of chippy old roadside find furniture and the atmospheric string lighting .

5. They both make the most of their limitations

Your average balcony is smaallish. This one looks tiny. A perfect reason to up the ante on the private cozy comfy factor.

Leafy back yard hasn’t let a shortage of grass or a deck/patio type arrangement stop them creating an out door seating area that works for gathering and eating and talking and laughing just like the posh kind.

What they have got a lot of is space and its creating a cozy feeling that might have been the challenge yet they’ve done it in spades, with the friendly arrangement of chairs, creating an outdoor room by making a back wall, and letting those lights droop and drape and sway. It may not be everyones cup of tea but its inspiring what you can do with very little.

So I say

Start with what you’ve got.

Don’t try and make it something its never gonna be.

Decide what’s its for.

Pick three things to do the heavy lifting

Celebrate your limitations – we all have them, its good practice

So if you think having an outdoor area requires this