Making your outdoor space look more expensive does not always require a large financial investment. You can improve the appearance and style of your outdoor space by following strategic design principles and incorporating sophisticated elements. This process requires careful planning, a keen eye for design, and material selection. Mastering these concepts will allow you to develop your design sense and take advantage of opportunities as they arise to choose cost-effective but beautiful elements that exude opulence and elegance.
Setting a budget and prioritizing your purchases are important steps in creating an expensive-looking outdoor space. Another is to make use of the things you already own. Creating a beautiful outdoor space does not have to be done all at once; take your time and build your space gradually so that it grows organically into a design that you will cherish and enjoy.
Invest in Quality Outdoor Furniture
Purchasing high-quality outdoor furniture may not appear to be a cost-effective strategy, but in the long run, this type of furniture will pay for itself every year that you own it. High-quality outdoor furniture made of durable materials such as teak, aluminum, wrought iron, or synthetic wicker is designed to withstand the elements. They are resistant to fading, rust, and corrosion, ensuring that your furniture will last for years. This means that you will not have to replace your furniture as frequently as you would with inexpensive outdoor furniture. Take care of your furniture by inspecting it each season to ensure it is in good condition and addressing issues like resealing as needed.
High-end outdoor furniture enhances the appearance of your outdoor space. Look for pieces with a timeless design and comfortable cushions that encourage lounging. You do not have to buy entire sets of furniture; instead, curate your outdoor pieces in the same way that you would your indoor elements. Look for items on sale and invest in high-quality pieces at a discounted price.
Choose a Largely Neutral Color Palette
While vibrant outdoor spaces with vibrant colors and patterns are always impressive, an outdoor color scheme consisting primarily of neutral hues will age the best. This strategy means selecting your largest pieces in neutral colors. Rugs, seat cushions, and umbrellas work best in neutral tones such as white, ivory, beige, gray, and taupe. These colors will last for a much longer time and never look dated.
Even if your large pieces are all neutral, your outdoor space does not have to be devoid of color and pattern. Throw pillows, blankets, and colorful dishware can be used to accent the larger pieces. These are simple to swap out with the seasons or when you are ready for a new color scheme.
Add Lighting
Not only will lighting your outdoor space make it more visually appealing, but it will also improve the appearance of any patio or front porch. String lighting and lanterns are among the most effective outdoor lighting options. Not only are these relatively inexpensive, but they will create a soft, romantic look that will instantly elevate your outdoor space. Other lighting options include a central chandelier, which can be mounted from an overhead structure, as well as lamps on tables and consoles in outdoor entertaining areas.
Keep Your Outdoor Space Clean and Manicured
Cleaning is an effective way to elevate the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor area without spending a penny. Clean pathways, pristine landscaping, and sparkling outdoor furniture create a polished and refined atmosphere reminiscent of upscale environments. Patios and porches that are immaculate and well-organized show care and attention, convey a sense of luxury and refinement, and highlight the thoughtful details of your space. This also makes the space more inviting and encourages people to spend more time there.
Add a Rug
Anything you do to make your outdoor spaces more comfortable and inviting will also make them look more upscale and expensive. This includes adding a rug. A rug provides multiple benefits; it can better define spaces and zones, it makes the ground surface more comfortable, and it adds color and texture to outdoor arrangements.
Delineating specific areas with a rug gives the space a planned and cohesive appearance, instantly creating a sense of purpose and careful design. This can help you define distinct areas of your outdoor space, which is particularly helpful in large areas, and make these hard and angular spaces more inviting. Patios and porches frequently have hard surfaces such as concrete, wood decking, or stone pavers. These materials are hard underfoot and often have an unpleasant temperature. Rugs soften hard surfaces, encouraging longer and more comfortable lounging. With rugs, you can also introduce eye-catching textures and patterns. Select durable materials with tactile appeal and visual interest, such as sisal, jute, or synthetic fibers.
Incorporate More Texture
Texture adds more depth and dimension to your outdoor space, making it feel more visually interesting and dynamic. By layering different items and textures, you can create a multi-dimensional environment that evokes richness and complexity.
Consider all the decorative elements that you can use outdoors and compare their textures, varying smooth, rough, matte, glossy, organic, and man-made materials to achieve the most complexity. Consider items like cushions, throw pillows, blankets, baskets, trays, lanterns, dishes, glassware, and other items of decor when thinking about how to bring in more texture.
Diversify Your Greenery
Adding more plants to your outdoor space with varying heights, shapes, textures, and colors will add visual interest and depth. Look for plants with varying growth habits, such as upright, trailing, and spreading, to create contrast and dimension in your landscape. Diversify your plant species by season, ensuring that you have plants that remain vibrant year round. Pair plants with interesting pots and containers in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Arrange your potted plants in groups to make them more noticeable; groups of three are a good place to start.
If you want to add greenery at a lower cost, consider asking family and friends for plant cuttings or shopping at commercial nurseries at the end of the season to find the best deals. The same strategy applies to pots; look for fun and unique pots and containers at end-of-season sales or thrift stores.
Create Distinct Zones
Designating different areas in your landscape and porch areas is a thoughtful approach to creating a space that is both usable and appealing. Specific areas may include areas for eating, resting, cooking, and entertaining, but this will depend on your outdoor footprint as well as the needs and preferences of the household.
Select furniture for each zone and arrange it in conjunction with the others to create a cohesive design. In addition to the furniture that will distinguish these spaces, other useful visual cues include lighting, plant arrangements, and rugs. These will assist in softly defining areas while keeping them visually connected. To create more private zones, use taller, more structured elements such as trellises, pergolas, and screens.
Provide a Focal Point
Focal points attract the eye and serve as captivating centerpieces, anchoring the design or area. Depending on your area, you may have only one focal point or several if you have different zones. A focal point could be a standout piece of furniture such as an outdoor sofa or coffee table, a water feature such as a reflecting pool, a firepit, or an outdoor sculpture. Consider the location and placement of a focal feature to ensure that it is as visible as possible in the area. Use other landscape or decor elements to draw attention to the main feature.
Bring Out Indoor Decor
Indoor furniture and decor are not constructed from materials that can withstand outdoor weather conditions. However, using them sparingly in your outdoor spaces can make them feel luxurious and opulent. Bringing indoor furniture and accessories such as cozy fur throws, velvet cushions, vintage wooden side tables, delicate glassware, and leather pieces will give your outdoor space a unique ambiance. These items are not suitable for outdoor use because their delicate material will deteriorate in the elements, but they are suitable for occasional gatherings.
