How I Design An Outdoor Space
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The way I approach designing an outdoor space, or outdoor room, is much the same as how I create an indoor room or space.
First, there are the bones. Outside, this refers to outdoor furniture, such as seating. In other words, everything that isn’t a plant or tree. After all my “bones” are in place, I situate the plant containers.
I like to cluster them together just by eyeing what looks right with what. It’s more a matter of personal preference than anything else.
In a home, or my apartment, the bones would be the indoor furniture, then the lighting, and then the decor.
Outside, I do the same thing. I space out the height of my plants according to the view I want above and around them. I choose the colors by sprinkling them throughout the space for the same reason I just cited.
Color In Design:
Color is important in design. Indoors, I opt for mostly neutral furniture as a backdrop, then I add just a handful of colors. I like to spread those colors fairly evenly throughout my home, giving the human eye a place to rest.
It makes things appear cohesive and fluid. My goal in designing an outdoor space has to do with achieving a coherent garden design, focusing on unifying elements like a common color palette, repeated plant types, and consistent hardscape materials throughout the space.
Also, consider using larger groupings of plants, varying heights for visual interest, and incorporating groundcovers to knit the planting together.
This year, I have added more blues to my outdoor space. I already had the blue raised bed and the old distressed blue rooster. Last year, I added the blue birdbath. This year, I added the blue fountain and two large blue pots.
How I design an outdoor space also depends on new additions I tend to add every year.
If you have only a few items of one particular color, it’s best to spread them out evenly throughout your space.
Along with my purples, yellows, and white flowers, I added a few blue flowers this year as well—same premise as above.
It’s taken me years to get all this figured out.
Developing Your Style:
You develop your particular style over time, through trial and error. Element by element, you figure out your own design methodology. How I design an outdoor space depends on what I have that I want to include, such as hardscaping (non-living elements).
I’ve had most of the galvanized containers since I lived in Texas. I put them all together for the greatest impact. I also have galvanized buckets for use when working in my garden.
Then I added the two galvanized tubs that I had hung on the fence a few years ago. I design an outdoor space by incorporating texture and going vertical with elements like these rustic galvanized tubs.
These tubs add texture to the landscape. Among the frilly, delicate flowers, they become a rustic backdrop. The same goes for the distressed patina of the fence. It is a balancing act when adding textures.
Editing Your Outdoor Space:
Now it’s relatively easy for me to determine what I need to add or subtract from the space.
I truly love my outdoor space. I love to sit inside and stare out at what I have created.
It is like a painting in some ways. The canvas is framed by the French doors from the inside and the privacy fence on the outside.
Your own design is determined by your personal preferences and the amount of space you have to work with.
Just found you:-) What a beautiful space you’ve created. Brilliant how you “stacked” the galvanized containers (kinda one of those ‘duh’ why didn’t I think of that moments.) Bet it is calming to the soul just being out there.
Thank you for this article. I’m new at gardening and unfortunately my sister got the creative, artistic side from mom while I got the data analytics side from my dad. I look at my back fence and pictured raised beds running along. Straight lines everything. Your pics have shown me things can be completely random and still beautiful. I can’t wait to figure out my style. Thank you.
Your garden is so beautiful, Brenda. I so enjoy your photos.
It would surprise a lot of people in Tulsa to realize that such a beautiful garden area exists, hidden from the view of everyone in town but seen by readers of this blog each day. I’m glad you share it with us. Many years ago, I was visiting a friend who lived in a townhouse. Somehow we got to talking to a woman who lived in another townhouse and she showed us a secret garden she had created along a creek bank behind her residence. She had gotten permission to plant things there. Unless she specifically took you there, you’d never be able to see it. It was a small but enchanting place filled with plants and some lawn ornaments. I often think of her little secret garden when I see yours, because there is a similar peace and beauty to it. Thanks for the inspiration.
The only thing missing is bird feeders to amuse the cat.
It is truly a beautiful spot, Brenda…and oh how I love blues and purples…just gorgeous!!
I really live the log used as planter. That’s such a wonderful natural beauty. The rain on the tubs on my he fence must sound wonderful.
The fountain. Wonderful.
How are the movable bases holding up? Recommendations? How’s the wire cover working?
I may buy yarrow for pots when we can get out more. Love butterflies 🦋
Frances in MD
Beautiful, Brenda! I think a lot of it depends on having a “good eye”, too. I pretty much do as you do. A lot of the fun is playing around with adding and subtracting things!
Amazing! Amazing!Amazing!
Your outdoor spaces are always beautiful and they add so much to your living space. xo Laura
Thanks Brenda for the tutorial ! Your patio garden is absolutely beautiful !
I love your outdoor space…the colors, the galvanized tubs, the plants…I understand why you love it so much.
Just beautiful!!
You have made such a beautiful garden patio area. I look at my space outside as an extra living space too. You have your looking so great. Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Kris
Absolutely gorgeous patio garden!!! love the planters below your galvanized buckets I’m looking for 2 of these for my screened in back deck you give me inspiration
Your garden is just beautiful!
Beautiful design .I could sit there and relax with a coffee . Thanks for sharing what you do .
You have an absolutely beautiful patio, Brenda!
Your outdoor area is so relaxing. I could sit there for hours.
Beautiful! And so inspiring 💕
I love seeing how you have turned a plain apartment patio into a peaceful and beautiful oasis! You have a wonderful style and artful creativity! Thanks for sharing.