8 Steps to a More Blissful Backyard
Bring the elegance of the indoors to the wonders of the outdoors with these simple decorating ideas.
Back to Basics
Select neutral colors and natural fibers. They consistently feel clean and will help create a peaceful environment.
Seamless Transitions
Connect indoor and outdoor spaces by using the same color scheme in both.
Tropicals Add High Drama
Gargantuan banana trees deliver a lushness and scale that some traditional plants can't.
A Level Playing Field
"When choosing a secluded corner for your backyard idyll," says Karla Stevens, the owner of LA store Patio Culture, "level ground is crucial. You don't want your lemonade to slip off an uneven table."
Break Monotony
Using plants of different sizes and statures gives a yard's border a horizontal profile.
Bedroom Oasis
"A screened sleeping porch makes the ultimate guest bedroom. It's such an escape—like camping for adults," says Jon Carloftis, a Pennsylvania-based designer.
Breaking Barriers
Erase the barrier between indoors and out. Furnish your deck, porch, or patio as if it were your living room. Then you can't help but enjoy the good weather.
Textures Emphasize Depth
As a counterpoint to the broad-leafed tropical, intersperse finer, more feathery foliage, like that of the dwarf Japanese maple, along with ferns and variegated grasses.
Next: Summer space: designing from the inside out
Published 07/10/2012
