Designing and building a luxury home is no small feat, but don’t forget about the exterior space of your property. A well-kept lawn and rose bushes are nice for cookie-cutter homes, but luxury homes need lush gardens and captivating fixtures. Use this guide to create the backyard of your dreams.
Find a Theme or Style
Design and blueprint your luxury outdoor space before you build. Find a style that resonates with you and your home. What colors and textures will complement the interior design of your home? Once you decide on a theme, style and color palette for your outdoor space you’ll find furnishing much easier.
Design the Layout
In a conversation with designer Rachael Ruddick, she tells us that the “laid-back yet sophisticated aesthetic of Australian living” is the perfect example of creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. Utilize materials like wood, marble and metal to reflect the warmth of the home in outdoor spaces. Create zones in your backyard to define eating areas versus lounging areas versus play areas. Work with an experienced outdoor designer to ensure your space is being used at its maximum capacity to meet your vision.
Privacy and Seclusion
A beautiful way to incorporate private borders around your property is with green fences or shrub borders. These towering walls can be artificial or made using living vines and greenery. These green walls will transport your guests to a secluded backyard gathering where a passerby’s eye can’t get past.
Statement Decor
Leave room around your lawn for statues and art pieces. Have collectors scout out work that captures the essence of your outdoor space or get pieces commissioned by artists. Unique pieces make great conversation starters and leave a memorable impression on guests.
Opulent Outdoor Dining
For a space made for hosting, you will need to incorporate large tables and plenty of seating areas throughout the property. Opulent but durable dining tables are best in the shade and necessary for brunch gatherings and family dinners. Supply the table with upscale plate settings to mimic the dining experience you’d offer indoors. Just because you’re outside, it doesn’t mean you have to toss class out the window.
Comfort Seating
The epitome of luxury is comfort. While you can’t bring the furs or velvets outside, there are outdoor fabrics you can use for upholstery that feel just as soft. Fit outdoor couches and chairs with weather-proof pillows and throws to offer guests a bit of coziness. Don’t forget to cover any concrete or hard flooring with outdoor rugs. It’ll be soft on peoples’ feet and add a touch of your personality outside.
Lighting to Set the Tone
Incorporate layered lighting into your outdoor spaces. Layered lighting involves having multiple light sources at different voltages, colors and spaces to create an ambiance. String lights, oversized lamps and candles are beautiful ways to brighten your yard when the sun goes down. Illuminate pathways with motion-detected lights so guests can watch where they are stepping at any time. Incorporate sustainability into your property by using solar-powered lights where possible.
At-Home Culinary Experiences
You have more room for entertaining people outdoors, so why not turn your backyard into an exclusive restaurant? A kitchenette outside makes it easy for you or your chef to show off in front of guests. Your luxury outdoor kitchen designs should include built-in appliances, dining areas and shade.
Fully Stocked Beverage Station
Bottled water, juice, non-alcoholic drinks, beer and wine should always be accessible outside. No one will ever be thirsty with a fully stocked bar and fridge. Craft a homemade specialty cocktail you can always have on deck when guests are over. Be fun and name it after yourself or your home to serve at dinner parties or on pool days.
Outdoor Media System
Keep everyone connected to the music or what is playing on the TV with monitors and speakers around the property. Quality speakers will ensure music flows throughout the property to set the mood you hope to achieve. Keep guests entertained for hours with outdoor TVs to stream sports games and movies.
Pickleball Courts
After a long day of work, decompress outside with an exhilarating activity. Pickleball courts are small enough to fit one on your property, and the game is easy enough for beginners to pick up a paddle and play along with the pros. Your outdoor space will become the weekend hotspot with pickleball courts.
Beach Entry Swimming Pool
Beach entry, or walk-in style swimming pools are accessible to everyone. No more worrying about how to get people in and out of pools, you can just wade in as if you were at the coast. For pool furniture, keep in-pool lounge chairs in the shallow waters to cool you off as you tan and a small cocktail table is perfect to sit a drink or book on.
Elegant gatherings can be year-round using your luxury home’s entertaining spaces. Blend creativity, comfort and style with seasonal changes to create a new experience every few months. Don’t forget about balance, though. You need adaptable furniture and lights to work in both party spaces and at quiet, more intimate times. While increasing your property value is a plus, ultimately, your outdoor entertaining spaces should foster personal connections and aid in creating long-lasting memories for years to come.
Written by Tahlia Gutierrez.