Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

I’ve received several messages asking for an update on our patio and garden areas, and I’m happy to share what little we have done even though it is a bit late in the season! While the bones of this outdoor living space were established by the previous owners, we’ve simply built upon their wonderful foundation. It’s been fun to add our own personal touches and watch it evolve into a space we truly love. Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor living space is a great way to extend your home, providing areas for relaxation and a charming backdrop for entertaining. It’s all about thoughtfully curating a space that feels both cohesive and comfortable—a natural extension of your home and personal style. Whether you have a sprawling garden or a tiny patio, hopefully these tips for creating an inviting out door living space will help you transform your backyard or outdoor living area into a perfect haven where you can enjoy the rest of the summer.

Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

Create Zones & or Rooms

Define areas for dining, lounging, or conversation to make the space feel more functional and friendly.

Our courtyard seating area with sofa, lounge chairs coffee table and side tables for drinks surround our outdoor fireplace (another feature we love). The water feature adds an oasis like ambiance. We enjoy both year-round. The coffee table is from Habitat. The chairs are no longer available but similar here. Steve drilled holes in the top and bottom of the side table to fit our umbrellas. All available items are linked in the shop my courtyard widget. The umbrellas are from Midtown Umbrellas. In my opinion they are the best available but according to some of my readers they are having some issues. I have contacted them but received no response. Shop with caution until they resolve them.

The dining area of our courtyard. We brought the table and chairs from our former home. We constructed the battery operated light a couple of years ago out of an old vine from Atrium Mercantile.

Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor Lighting Sets the Mood

Mix different types of lighting—string lights for ambiance, lanterns & candles for a soft glow, and task lighting for defining spaces.

The beautiful gaslights on either side of the fireplace were here when we moved here.

There was no power above the dining table so Steve repurposed a vine ball from Atrium Mercantile into a chandelier by adding a battery operated light here, and some old chain we had left over from a former chandelier.

Sting lights add ambiance and extra lighting. You can find them on Amazon here.

The entry to the courtyard also had no electricity in the ceiling so we repurposed a vintage carboy and added a battery operated candle.

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This is the seating area on our pool patio area. The coffee table was made by our friend Jim. The small wicker side tables are no longer available but World Market has similar here. Cushy throw pillows in weather-resistant materials add tranquility and comfort.

We added an outdoor TV to our pool patio area and we love watching TV under the stars. The tv cabinet is no longer available. The console table is vintage from Atrium Mercantile.

We added these comfy chairs this season for the area off our primary suite. The large ottoman is on sale at World Market for $65!! Monogrammed pillows by Trish from Cottage by Design. All other items linked below in the shop my pool patio area widget You can find the stump end tables on Amazon here.

The main outdoor dining area on our pool patio area. The table was built by our friend Jim. I linked similar. The chairs are no longer available but I have linked similar below.

This little table was added this year (linked below). This spot serves as extra seating when we have large events and my office desk during nice weather.

This table (brought from our Chualar home) overlooks the garden. It is a great spot for morning coffee. You can get the details on the table setting in my post How to Curate a Simple Outdoor Tablescape.

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Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

Plant in Hydrozones

Group plants with similar water needs into the same area of the garden bed, or pots. 

The copper trellis (by my brother in law) marks the entrance to our vegetable and flower garden. This area requires the most water in our yard.

The former homeowners planted alstromeria (which I love) cannas (not a fan) and oenothra (never plant this it is invasive and almost impossible to get rid of). These flowers are at the beginning of the rose garden.

The former owners planted the table grapes that are at the back of the garden area (currently netted because Scouty kept trying to eat them and they are toxic to dogs). There are tomatoes and basil (good companions) in the back bed. The two front beds have a mix of perrenials and herbs. We added the little willow fence around the beds to keep Scouty out. He was digging everything up!

Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

Start with one or two foundation pieces

A comfortable sofa or a dining table & chairs, to ground the space. Granted, we have a lot of outdoor space, so my home is not the greatest example.

Mind the Flow

Make sure to create pathways for movement between areas.

Layer for Comfort and Coziness

Use durable, indoor outdoor fabrics on pillows, cushions, and throws to bring the same comfort you’d find indoors out.

Provide Plenty of Shade

We are fortunate to have deep awnings around our courtyard and on the back patio, but we have unbrellas in the sunny areas as well.

Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space

Mix Different Types of Lighting

Sting lights can create ambiance, lanterns & candles a soft glow, porch and chandeliers for task lighting.

The gas lights were installed by the former owners. You can find the string lights on Amazon here.

This light is a repurposed vine ball from Atrium Mercantile with a battery operated light bulb that dan be found here.

There is no electricity in our courtyard entry, so we added this battery operated candle (with remote) to an old demijohn bottle carrier. We had some old chain that we were able to repurpose to hang it.

Add Container Plantings

Plant a mix of flowers, herbs, and plants for a lush, layered look. Choose plants that compliment the colors of your home and existing landscape. Our pots here are pretty simple—many plants just can’t tolerate the heat. My containers were more varied in my former home. You can read my post 10 Simple Tips for Creating Beautiful Container Gardens for more helpful tips on this.

The fountain and planters are from The Pot Stop in Moss Landing. They are filled with easy care iceberg roses and white lantana.

These pots are from the Pot Stop in Moss Landing. Olive Ateliers has similar here.

The vintage bathtub is from Patine. The planter in the foreground is from Lowes.

This was another addition this year outside my office door. My son found the espalliered apple tree at Costco! The concrete pots are from Lowes.

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Give Your Outdoor Living Room a Collected Look

You know I am a big fan of adding personal touches like vintage and found objects, and items from your travels to make the space feel unique.

This bench was gifted to us by Steve’s brother and wife many years ago when they moved back to the bay area. It was on the balcony of our Chualar home, the courtyard of our fixer upper and now here in our courtyard.

We purchased this console from Habitat when we moved here. All of the accessories are things we have collected over the years. The zinc planter is from Atrium Mercantile. The Grape Hotte is from Patine in Soquel.

Steve made this console table from a leftover top (made of reclaimed wood) that Colin had and added an iron base. This year I ordered the cute striped ottomans for a pop of pattern.

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Feed the Senses

Incorporate fragrant plants like jasmine, roses, and herbs to engage all the senses. As I said we don’t have a lot of options with our container gardens, succulents and a few items survive the heat.

Don’t Forget the Details

Make sure every seating area has a small table or surface for a cup of coffee (or more importantly a glass of wine). Comfort is king. If you purchase uncomfortable seating no one will linger. Don’t forget the walls. Add interesting architectural details for interest.

Steve made this mirror years ago from vintage ceiling tiles. It was in the wine room of our Chualar home. The sconces were thrifted many years ago.

You might enjoy these posts for more info:

How to Make the Most of your Patio Space

Courtyard Design and Sources

How to Create an Outdoor Space That Guests will Never Want to Leave

10 Ways to Maximize Space and Bring Life to a Small Garden

This article from Architectural Digest, The Best Outdoor Decor ideas to Make the Most of your Exterior Space is a good one as well.

Ultimately, creating a beautiful and inviting outdoor space is all about bringing the comforts of the indoors outside. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet morning cup of coffee or gathering with friends for a casual brunch, your outdoor area should feel like a sanctuary. I hope these tips will inspire you to start small, perhaps with a great pot, a simple bistro set, or a cozy throw, and create an outdoor space that is uniquely yours. Sorry this post was so late. We spent the week with Summer. More on that Sunday.