Reimagine, redefine & cultivate the outer boundaries of your home
Invite what you want and filter what you don’t — these exterior design ideas will help you define the way you meet the world.
Photo by Randy Fath.
When you begin designing a space in your home, the first questions to ask yourself are:
What am I wanting this space to do? What am I inviting? What am I blocking?
The same is true, and perhaps even more essential, when it comes to designing outdoor spaces. Do you want a place to gather with friends? A quiet, controlled space to take or host Zoom meetings? A zen reprieve to tune in—or tune out?
Living in the city often means limited privacy, small outdoor areas, chain-link fences and substandard flooring. Outdoor spaces can often be the first we neglect because they are “alive” and tend to need the most attention and maintenance.
Transforming your outdoor space—taking what you have and making it serve your life in an intentional way—can directly add greater harmony and flow to your days.
Rachel gazing over Boston’s Back Bay skyline. Rooftop spaces have a ton of design potential—and incredible views!
There is powerful energy in the process of cleaning and clearing; defining and refining specific zones of your home.
Whether you are working with a balcony, patio, rooftop deck, porch, backyard, flower bed or a combination of these, there is room within your outdoor spaces to love more. Start at the beginning; ask yourself what you are wanting from the space. Then, scroll through this post to find the lighting, plants, flooring, structural elements and sounds that will elevate your outdoor environment—and transform it into exactly what it needs to be for you.
Define your outdoor zones.
Photo by cottonbro.
1. My outdoor space is a place for gathering.
The best way to hold space for guests is by creating thoughtful zones within your outdoor areas. If you make the most of Boston’s summer days by entertaining friends and family, consider separating your outdoor space into designated zones for conversation, dining and playing.
Lighting:
Use passageway lighting to highlight a walkway for your guests. Line paths with solar lanterns, illuminate your doorway with an outdoor sconce or create an invitation with a cluster of brass lanterns. Bringing focal points of warmth will inspire guests to stay a while. Try an outdoor fireplace or heat lamps (you can find many for under $200!) for chilly Boston nights—these upgrades will extend the usability of your outdoor spaces, starting in Spring and stretching deep into Fall.
Plants:
Section your space and establish clear zones with hedges or a trellis. A vertical herb garden does wonders to define a smaller space and add herbal aromatics. For a conversation-worthy centerpiece, try a curated succulent bowl from Stapleton Floral in Southie.
Succulents also make a beautiful hanging garden. Photo by Spacejoy.
Flooring:
Building or enhancing a deck on your home will add value and physically (and figuratively) elevate your space. A composite deck will last a lifetime—spill on it, put it through New England winters, let your kids make it their playground. It will always be a beautiful invitation to gather outside. Beyond composite decking, we are starting to use polished concrete and tile rather than wood—like these globally-sourced, heirloom tiles from Clé Tile.
At our newest South Boston development, Townhomes On Third, our vision for indoor-outdoor living—and our focus on maximizing flex spaces to match the needs of the modern family—inspired us to uplevel the entire exterior experience. Check back to our project page to watch the collaboration between our developer, builder and designer come to life, complete with exterior tile patterns!
Show stopping tile from Clé.
Structural elements:
Create conversation areas with tables and outdoor couches. To define a dining zone, start with a round table—the energetics of this shape encourage people to connect in conversation from a level playing field. Long tables for food, a grill for cooking al fresco and yard games will get the party started.
Sounds:
Sounds, like lighting, can have a powerful impact on the energy you are trying to create in this outdoor “container” you are cultivating. Music brings people together, and a custom playlist will define the vibe and frequency for your soirée. Try Tank and the Bangas for a dose of joyful funk. Or, play Parisian Cafe on Pandora for a more chill vibrational back drop.
Erica creating a bright conversation area on a rooftop oasis. Potted plants make up for the lack of soil!
2. My outdoor space is an extension of my home.
More time spent at home means each space is required to do more. In the past year, dining rooms have become classrooms, kitchens have become home offices and living rooms have become fitness centers. By envisioning your home’s exterior as a personal oasis, you can design your world in a way that fills and uplifts you. Thinking about outdoor areas as additional rooms in your house can help you make the most of all your usable space—particularly in terms of storage solutions and office space.
Lighting:
Make the light work for you. If you need a sunny place to stretch or write, orient furniture toward the sun. If you struggle to work on a laptop in direct sunlight, create shade with large plants—we find many of our favorites at Niche Plant Shop—or a luxe sunbrella or awning.
The Bode Well Team working under strategic shade. A fence makes a beautiful—and practical—impact. Photo by Freebird.
Plants:
To make the outdoors feel more like home, fill your space with a variety of colors, textures, shapes and heights. One way to do this is by incorporating an array of eclectic pots and planters—stop by Micro Plant Studio to swoon over their potted masterpieces. This works especially well for small spaces or areas with limited soil. Think about gardening as collecting art, then filling each piece with living plants—the result is your own personal creation.
Photo by Brina Blum.
Flooring:
When a space needs to function in one specific way, the elements under your feet make a difference in terms of setting the tone. For grounded energy in an outdoor “office,” bring in stone, rock or brick. Peastone, crushed gravel or crushed seashells are best for passageways leading into or away from the “main event.” Don’t forget to install a cloth weed barrier underneath to ensure years of very low maintenance.
Structural elements:
Outdoor areas provide extra storage, even in small spaces. A storage bench offers a place to sit, plus hidden storage for yoga mats, extra decor or outdoor cushions that need to be kept out of the rain. Bringing large tables or lounge chairs outside can expand your home space, creating new places to dine or work.
A long table and upper lighting hold all the right energy. Photo by Tabitha Turner.
Sounds:
Home extends past your front and back door. Bring the feeling inside your home outdoors with a crackling fire table or a retro record player.
Photo by Ron Lach.
3. My outdoor space is a private sanctuary.
Living in harmony with your outdoor space is the key to enriching your mind, body and spirit. Outdoor areas offer room to deep-dive into your passions, whether you’re interested in gardening, painting, reading or writing. By envisioning your home’s exterior as a personal oasis, you can design your world in a way that fills and uplifts you.
Lighting:
Lighting has the power to create boundaries, establishing a container that holds your desired energy. Upper lighting can create a ceiling effect outside. Spaces with subtle enclosures can feel gentle and blissful in an outdoor setting, where warmth and privacy can carry your mind away from city bustle. Lighting directs focus—if you want to bring your attention to a certain area, add a soft glow to highlight that spot.
A well-placed lantern and illuminated skylights invite Sara up to a gorgeous rooftop.
Plants:
Caring for plants is an act of love that creates ripples of positivity within your entire home experience. People who come in and out of your space will notice!
Flooring:
If the purpose of this space is to bring you closer to nature, keep your flooring design organic. Soil, grass and stone will allow you to connect your feet to the electrical circuit of the ground and literally draw energy from the Earth, helping you renew and recharge. If this idea excites you, watch The Earthing Movie for more insights on the concept of Earthing.
This structural swinging chair is the work of Michael Javidi. We’re in love!
Structural elements:
There is no formula for creating an intentional outdoor environment. In terms of furniture, choose pieces that bring you the most joy and comfort. If you are using this space for personal projects, consider a plotting table or an easel. A meditative swinging chair or an overstuffed couch is just as appropriate—and don’t be afraid to re-upholster cushions with a sassy water proof or sailing fabric. Bringing in your favorite patterns will make the space your own. It can actually be less expensive to reupholster than to buy cushions new!
Sounds:
Water helps us reflect, both literally and figuratively. It supports innovation and the flow of ideas. To inspire this kind of concentration, add a water feature to your space.
Photo by Maria Orlova.
Investing in the form and function of your outdoor space adds value to your home—this is a fact. The most expensive houses are houses in which lighting, high-quality fences and well-defined and designed outdoor entertaining areas have been given much attention.
Remember, begin by asking yourself what you are wanting from your outdoor space. By setting your intention for the space, you can create a living expansion of the home you love—and the life you are building inside—outdoors. Enjoy!
