By Julie A. Palm
We talk a lot about interior design at Design News Now: It’s our mission and passion. But there’s a big, wide world outside the home that’s an exciting and increasingly important space for design, too. What better time to explore directions in outdoor design than the start of summer?
In warmer-weather climes like Southern California, Arizona, Texas and Florida, outdoor spaces — front yards and backyards, patios and porches — have long been extensions of the interior home, but the Covid-19 pandemic led people in other regions to head outdoors, as well, and interest in making the most of the outdoors continues.
As with interiors, in the exterior, we see a focus on materiality, comfort, functionality and making emotional connections. Thoughtful space planning gives outdoor design the same attention and weight that the interior demands. Intricately linking indoors and outdoors blurs the line between the two, encouraging easy movement and full use of the entire property.
I talked to designers about what clients want in outdoor spaces right now, how their designs meet those goals, and some of their go-to brands for outdoors. I’ll also share some new products you might want to consider for your own projects.
They want it all
“Homeowners today are increasingly looking for outdoor spaces that feel like a true extension of their home. More than ever, people want places to quietly retreat, recharge, entertain and fully enjoy their property,” says Adam Hunter, an interior and product designer based in Hollywood, California, who recently designed the patio and pool surround of the Living by Design Virtual Showhouse, set digitally in Texas and produced by Embello.
In that project, Hunter says, he and his team set out to create “a true outdoor oasis, a space designed to feel restorative, layered and deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. We focused on soft, tonal materials with moments of subtle contrast, incorporating a mix of teak, stone, metal, cork and richly textured fabrics to create depth and warmth. The goal was to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors while offering distinct experiences throughout the property, from quiet retreat spaces to areas designed for ingathering and entertaining.” An outdoor kitchen and pool anchor the space.
“Layering materiality played a major role in shaping the space,” Hunter continues. “We intentionally combined natural stone, warm wood tones, soft upholstery, and architectural metals to create visual richness without overwhelming the environment. We focused heavily on texture and scale, incorporating oversized furnishings, tailored upholstery, sculptural lighting, and substantial outdoor millwork to make the spaces feel intentional and residential rather than purely exterior.”
As an architecture and design studio based in Los Angeles, AAHA Studio is well-versed in blending indoor and outdoor living, say husband-and-wife founders Aaron Leshtz and Harper Halprin.
In residential design, and in retail and hospitality design as well, “there’s a lot of conversation about adjacent exterior space and this wonderful world called indoor-outdoor design,” Halprin says. “We take it for granted a little bit, but it’s something that we do automatically. … It’s just part of our (design) process and how we have spaces bleed from one to the next.”
AAHA Studio approaches exterior design in much the same way the team approaches interior design, starting with what clients want from the space: “If they have kids that play soccer, then we need a big yard, right? But if they host parties or they like having people over for a glass of wine, then let’s talk about more intimate spaces,” Leshtz says.
The uniqueness of outdoors
There are challenges in designing for outdoors, and it’s not just about the need for durable products (though that’s important), Halprin and Leshtz say. How does the sun move across the area? What noise needs to be mitigated? Is there a lot of wind? It all needs to be considered.
“Instead of having four walls and a roof, you have open space. You may have a permeable roof or no roof at all, and the sky is the so-called roof. How do you make people still feel comfortable with such an expanse? Halprin says.
Creating intimate “rooms” helps with that process, as do pergolas, retractable awnings, shade sails, “living” arbors and built roofs. (A recent survey by Houzz found that the percentage of homeowners investing in shade structures rose 15 points last year.)
Another challenge? Packing a lot into spaces, as clients increasingly want multifunctional yards, says Brandon Architects, an architecture and design firm based in Costa Mesa, California. “Every square foot of outdoor spaces (is) assigned a purpose — no dead zones,” the firm says. “… Every square foot of outdoor space (is) designed like a room with a purpose.”
Can the design incorporate a side yard? A terrace? A balcony? It’s all part of the thoughtful space planning process.
A recent Brandon Architects project is exemplary, incorporating everything from a putting green and outdoor shower to a pool and other water features to a sauna and cold plunge into the backyard.
The “rooms”
And that brings us to another trend: creating a wellness oasis. We’re seeing strong demand for wellness features in homes — and moving them outdoors makes sense. It frees up space indoors for other functions; allows for more spacious saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges; and naturally links those spa-like amenities with pools, often the centerpiece of a backyard.
Other current outdoor must-haves for homeowners include fireplaces, which are becoming almost requisite in outdoor design, as people seek gathering places that can be used year-round and into the evening. The options — from built, statement fireplaces to small fire pits, both in gas or wood — offer nearly endless options.
And, designers say, showplace outdoor kitchens remain in demand in luxury exterior design. “Forget the basic built-in grill,” Brandon Architects says. “Homeowners are investing in fully equipped outdoor culinary setups.” Elaborate kitchens linked to dining areas are in keeping with the idea of multifunctional outdoor areas that support gathering and entertaining, whether among close-knit family members or big parties. Key amenities for such kitchens: built-in grills and cooktops, small refrigerators, ice machines and plenty of storage.
Made for outdoors
Where are designers turning to furnishing outdoor spaces?
“We love sourcing through Robina Benson Design House, which carries brands like Kettal and Paola Lenti, both of which consistently deliver exceptional craftsmanship, material innovation and elevated outdoor design,” Hunter says. Other favorite sources for outdoor furnishings and accessories: Janus et Cie, McKinnon and Harris, Gloster, Dedon, B&B Italia Outdoor, and Manutti.
For outdoor surfaces, AAHA Studio frequently turns to Eco Outdoor. “They’re a great vendor and collaborator,” Halprin says. “They provide just beautiful options, and they’re a great business, as well.” For furniture, it depends largely on the client and the budget, she says, but a go-to is Teak Warehouse for “robust outdoor furniture” and Blue Dot “for more modern pieces.” Even online retailers like Article and West Elm can be budget-friendly outdoor options, Halprin adds.
Our sister publication, Casual News Now, is a great source for dedicated news about new outdoor furnishings, but here are a few new, recently introduced pieces that meet the demands of today’s outdoor designs.
As a centerpiece of a wellness space, Klafs offers the TARAS outdoor sauna with a sleek, minimalist design. It’s available in customizable finishes and has cutting-edge heating technology for use year-round.
Ann Sack’s Canyon Lake by Studio McGee field tile collection brings an indoor-outdoor sensibility to outdoor kitchens. Crafted in Spain, the tiles are now available in a new 4-inch x 8-inch size and in a Gloss palette of Antique White, Dusty Rose, Midnight, Mist, Sea Salt and Stone. With a gently undulating surface, the tiles are designed for mixing and matching. The company also offers the Timbrato collection of dry-pressed, unglazed large-format tiles ideal for outdoor showers.
Rugs add to the inviting, roomlike feel that homeowners increasingly seek in their outdoor spaces. This spring, Annie Selke introduced several new indoor/outdoor rugs, including Tirzah, a subtly patterned group available in Coral, Gray, Yellow and Teal; the Sundara Plaid in Gray or Blue; and several fresh florals: Duskan, Solari and Arroyos.
During Salone del Mobile in Milan in April, Tuuci immersed showgoers in its “A Study in Expression” installation, designed to show that “outdoor spaces, like people, are not defined by a single mood or style. Instead, they evolve through material, texture and tone — layered to support how we live, move and experience the world around us.” The installation presented four moods — Tactile Contrast, Design Atelier, Layered Ease and Natural Calm — and showcased products including the Softscapes parasol, with customizable print fabrics to personalize spaces, and several swivel chairs, including the Horizon collection. With classic and deep seating options and 360-degree range of motion, such chairs are ideal for intimate outdoor spaces where you want conversation to flow.
If there is one takeaway from today’s outdoor design, it is that the backyard is no longer an afterthought. Whether it takes the form of a wellness retreat, an entertainment hub, a quiet sanctuary, or all three at once, outdoor spaces are being designed with the same level of intention, personalization, and emotional consideration as the interiors they adjoin. The walls may disappear, but good design doesn’t stop at the back door.
Note: Header image is the Softscapes parasol from Tucci
