10 Lounge-Worthy Patios, Porches and Decks
Little touches like lighting and a cushy spot to sink into can transform any outdoor space
Laura Gaskill
June 23, 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Get my bi-weekly email: https://www.lauragaskill.com/thesimplelist/
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
During the warmer months, your outdoor rooms can truly be an extension of your living space if you take the time to outfit them with the comforts of the indoors — think sink-in seats, bar carts and mood lighting. Pull up a chair (or pouf, hammock or daybed) and stay awhile. These 10 outdoor spaces are packed with ideas for making your porch, patio or deck the place to be.
1. Flexible Seating for a Crowd
Bench seating with built-in storage keeps outdoor cushions protected from the elements yet ready to grab when you need them. A selection of thicker floor cushions can be used as extra seats to accommodate a large group, and a table on casters makes a portable surface for setting down drinks and snacks.
Bench seating with built-in storage keeps outdoor cushions protected from the elements yet ready to grab when you need them. A selection of thicker floor cushions can be used as extra seats to accommodate a large group, and a table on casters makes a portable surface for setting down drinks and snacks.
2. Party-Ready Patio
A large shade sail covering the patio provides more coverage than an umbrella alone. An extension table and folding director’s chairs can handle a crowd, but can easily be scaled back when it’s just family. Dress up for a party with a colorful tablecloth and lanterns, and personalize plain canvas chairs with stenciled-on numbers.
Browse awnings and shade sails in the Houzz Shop
A large shade sail covering the patio provides more coverage than an umbrella alone. An extension table and folding director’s chairs can handle a crowd, but can easily be scaled back when it’s just family. Dress up for a party with a colorful tablecloth and lanterns, and personalize plain canvas chairs with stenciled-on numbers.
Browse awnings and shade sails in the Houzz Shop
3. Daybed Hideaway
Give a daybed on the porch an eclectic look with layers of rich textiles and pillows. For the ultimate in outdoor comforts, pull up a bar cart with drink fixings and a bamboo stool on which to set your beverage and book. Leafy potted palms add to the lush, tropical feel.
Give a daybed on the porch an eclectic look with layers of rich textiles and pillows. For the ultimate in outdoor comforts, pull up a bar cart with drink fixings and a bamboo stool on which to set your beverage and book. Leafy potted palms add to the lush, tropical feel.
4. Hammocks for Everyone
If one hammock is good, three are even better! Use a mix of larger hammocks (good for napping) and chair-style hammocks to maximize the hangout options. Bonus: Hammocks have a very small footprint when not in use, making them the perfect choice for a compact outdoor room.
Shop for hammocks and swing chairs
If one hammock is good, three are even better! Use a mix of larger hammocks (good for napping) and chair-style hammocks to maximize the hangout options. Bonus: Hammocks have a very small footprint when not in use, making them the perfect choice for a compact outdoor room.
Shop for hammocks and swing chairs
5. Cozy Outdoor Lounge
Built-in benches topped with thick cushions, a sturdy coffee table and an eye-catching Moroccan-style pendant light make for an outdoor space you’ll want to settle into and not leave. Extend seating possibilities with a pouf or two, and don’t forget the candles for even more evening ambiance.
Want custom built-in furniture? Find a carpenter on Houzz
Built-in benches topped with thick cushions, a sturdy coffee table and an eye-catching Moroccan-style pendant light make for an outdoor space you’ll want to settle into and not leave. Extend seating possibilities with a pouf or two, and don’t forget the candles for even more evening ambiance.
Want custom built-in furniture? Find a carpenter on Houzz
6. Solo Escape
A postage-stamp-size balcony doesn’t have to be a setback — think of it as an opportunity to create a getaway perfectly sized for one. A curvy lounge chair, a few potted plants and a string of colorful lanterns transform this small space into a nook you’ll look forward to escaping to.
A postage-stamp-size balcony doesn’t have to be a setback — think of it as an opportunity to create a getaway perfectly sized for one. A curvy lounge chair, a few potted plants and a string of colorful lanterns transform this small space into a nook you’ll look forward to escaping to.
7. Urban Green
Missing the green grass? Bring it to where you are with a cheeky fake-grass rug and plenty of big potted plants, shrubs and even trees. With greenery up high and down low, this little city balcony feels downright verdant. Solar stake lights placed in a potted tree glow in the evening, making this a lovely place to unwind after work.
Missing the green grass? Bring it to where you are with a cheeky fake-grass rug and plenty of big potted plants, shrubs and even trees. With greenery up high and down low, this little city balcony feels downright verdant. Solar stake lights placed in a potted tree glow in the evening, making this a lovely place to unwind after work.
8. Pallet Perfection
Recycled wooden pallets are transformed into a spacious outdoor sectional when topped with thick cushions and bolsters. When you’re entertaining outdoors, don’t forget the flowers — a vase of fresh blooms can make your outdoor room even more inviting.
Tip: For best results, sand the wood to reduce chances of splinters or fabric snags. You can also apply a few coats of paint, stain or furniture oil to finish the pieces.
Recycled wooden pallets are transformed into a spacious outdoor sectional when topped with thick cushions and bolsters. When you’re entertaining outdoors, don’t forget the flowers — a vase of fresh blooms can make your outdoor room even more inviting.
Tip: For best results, sand the wood to reduce chances of splinters or fabric snags. You can also apply a few coats of paint, stain or furniture oil to finish the pieces.
9. Sanctuary in the City
Slow down and savor the little things — with places to gather, or relax on your own, this rooftop deck manages to feel secluded even in the midst of tall buildings. Multiple levels and smart landscaping help carve out private-feeling areas, while the generous use of natural wood makes for a relaxing atmosphere.
Slow down and savor the little things — with places to gather, or relax on your own, this rooftop deck manages to feel secluded even in the midst of tall buildings. Multiple levels and smart landscaping help carve out private-feeling areas, while the generous use of natural wood makes for a relaxing atmosphere.
10. Nighttime Magic
Sometimes the right lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a small outdoor space, lighting the edges will help the area seem more spacious. Smaller accent lighting in the form of lanterns or candles brings the focus to tables and seating areas, and illuminates faces.
Shop for outdoor string lights
More on Houzz
8 Patio Arrangements to Inspire Your Outdoor Room
Browse more outdoor design ideas
Find a landscape architect or designer near you
Shop for outdoor decor
Sometimes the right lighting makes all the difference in the world. If you have a small outdoor space, lighting the edges will help the area seem more spacious. Smaller accent lighting in the form of lanterns or candles brings the focus to tables and seating areas, and illuminates faces.
Shop for outdoor string lights
More on Houzz
8 Patio Arrangements to Inspire Your Outdoor Room
Browse more outdoor design ideas
Find a landscape architect or designer near you
Shop for outdoor decor
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All very inviting, summer is so short in Canada, we spend as much time as we can outside !
Many of these comments about the inconveniences of outdoor living make me glad I live in a desert environment. Mosquitos? Rare. Pollen and leaves to clean? Non-existent. Wet cushions to worry over? Infrequent- only during the monsoon. The clean spareness of the desert equals less fuss!
our oasis, why ever leave...?