Imagine an Outdoor Living Room

When it comes to patio furniture, almost everyone thinks first of outdoor dining settings and

Outdoor Living Room Basics

Creating an el fresco living room means furnishing your outdoor space, however big or small, as you would an indoor living room, complete with lounges or chairs for sitting, tables to hold your drinks, and accessories to complete the look. You can add lighting and decorative items, for example. You’ll begin, of course, with the furniture, but the furniture you choose depends upon how you’ll use your outdoor living room.

Outdoor Seating 101

If you’ll use your outdoor living room for entertaining, you’ll want seating that can accommodate family and guests. Modular wicker outdoor lounge settingscan seat a crowd, and they allow you to fit the furniture to your space’s configuration. For balconies, smaller sofas or loungers give you comfortable seating with a compact footprint. Chairs that can be used with your outdoor dining setting, then made into loungers with the addition of an ottoman and a cushion are a good idea if your outdoor living room will also host meals. If your outdoor living room will be more of a den—a private retreat where you’ll spend your downtime—consider an outdoor daybed where you can curl up with a book or tablet and a drink for rest and relaxation.

Cocoon 3 Seat Sofas

Accessorising Your Outdoor Living Room

Start accessorising your outdoor living room by adding the all-important tables, if necessary. Some modular wicker furniture settings come with built-in tables, so if space is at a premium, consider those options, or choose tables that can do double-duty as seating or provide storage for cushions and other odds and ends. Cushions for your chairs and loungers are a must, as are smaller cushions that let you lie down or prop up with a book or computer in comfort.

Linz 6 Piece Outdoor Modular Lounge Setting

Lighting is another important consideration. Unless your outdoor el fresco room is already well-lit, you’ll want weather-proof lamps for lighting. Don’t forget the candles, potted plants, flowers and other touches that really make your outdoor living room a defined space and not just a few chairs and a lounger placed outdoors. Consider cooling, too. If the area is covered, you might consider adding a ceiling fan.

Try thinking of your outdoor living room the same way as you would the rooms in your home—as a space that can serve as a comfortable, attractive ‘room’. That's the key to creating an el fresco space that will have leave your indoor living room gathering dust.