1. Use Your Imagination
An outdoor getaway is the perfect place to flex your creativity. Designer Matt Partridge of Juergen Partridge Limited suggests thinking of a place that inspires you — maybe a luxury resort you stayed at on your honeymoon or even just a photo you saw online or in a magazine — decide which elements you like best and incorporate those into your design. For this backyard, Patridge designed it to resemble a Caribbean resort. Separate destinations, from the pavilions to the pool, provide many features for the family to enjoy.
An outdoor getaway is the perfect place to flex your creativity. Designer Matt Partridge of Juergen Partridge Limited suggests thinking of a place that inspires you — maybe a luxury resort you stayed at on your honeymoon or even just a photo you saw online or in a magazine — decide which elements you like best and incorporate those into your design. For this backyard, Patridge designed it to resemble a Caribbean resort. Separate destinations, from the pavilions to the pool, provide many features for the family to enjoy.
2.) Add Ambience
A fireplace takes an outdoor living space from typical to luxurious. It's the perfect gathering spot for adults and kids, whether they're cozying up on a cool evening or roasting marshmallows. Designer Heather Lashbrook Jones of a Blade of Grass Landscape Design uses American and Corinthian granite to create this custom fireplace
A fireplace takes an outdoor living space from typical to luxurious. It's the perfect gathering spot for adults and kids, whether they're cozying up on a cool evening or roasting marshmallows. Designer Heather Lashbrook Jones of a Blade of Grass Landscape Design uses American and Corinthian granite to create this custom fireplace
3.) Create Go-To Destinations
Designed by Scott Cohen of The Green Scene this backyard has an oasis-like feel. Located below the infinity edge pool is a lounge-like seating area, which can only be reached by walking over the concrete stepping pads. Water spills over the stacked stone wall creating the sound of rain sticks.
Designed by Scott Cohen of The Green Scene this backyard has an oasis-like feel. Located below the infinity edge pool is a lounge-like seating area, which can only be reached by walking over the concrete stepping pads. Water spills over the stacked stone wall creating the sound of rain sticks.
4.) Leisurely Walk Through
This sunken garden is designed in a formal style with stucco perimeter walls in quadrants. Because the garden's grade drops three steps, proper drainage is a must. Designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates Inc. added a runnel down the stairs leading to a one-of-a-kind water feature she created from a big copper syrup kettle. "In every space, add something to make people want to linger," recommends Grace.
This sunken garden is designed in a formal style with stucco perimeter walls in quadrants. Because the garden's grade drops three steps, proper drainage is a must. Designer Margie Grace of Grace Design Associates Inc. added a runnel down the stairs leading to a one-of-a-kind water feature she created from a big copper syrup kettle. "In every space, add something to make people want to linger," recommends Grace.
5.) Work With the Natural Setting
Make the most of your outdoor space by working with the surroundings. The lines of this garden and structures are geometric closer to the house and become wavy and organic as the cultivated areas blend into the natural forest. Design by Juergen Partridge Limited
Make the most of your outdoor space by working with the surroundings. The lines of this garden and structures are geometric closer to the house and become wavy and organic as the cultivated areas blend into the natural forest. Design by Juergen Partridge Limited
6.) Rethink the Space
When designing for the outdoors, designer Matt Partridge of Juergen Partridge Limited says, "Be objective. Look at your current space as if you have never been there before and think what would I do to make this better?" For this casual entryway, he incorporates an integrated seating wall, which maximizes the use of the space without furniture.
When designing for the outdoors, designer Matt Partridge of Juergen Partridge Limited says, "Be objective. Look at your current space as if you have never been there before and think what would I do to make this better?" For this casual entryway, he incorporates an integrated seating wall, which maximizes the use of the space without furniture.
7.) Think About the Journey
Crossing over water is an enjoyable experience, so designer Scott Cohen of The Green Scene uses a concrete bridge to link one patio to another. "An important part of hardscaping and landscape design is determining how one will walk through the space," says Cohen.
Crossing over water is an enjoyable experience, so designer Scott Cohen of The Green Scene uses a concrete bridge to link one patio to another. "An important part of hardscaping and landscape design is determining how one will walk through the space," says Cohen.
8.) Take a Seat
Not only do this patio's low walls act as room dividers, they're also just the right height to be used as extra seating when entertaining. A bluestone cap tops the fieldstone walls for a smooth, comfortable surface. Design by a Blade of Grass Landscape Design
Not only do this patio's low walls act as room dividers, they're also just the right height to be used as extra seating when entertaining. A bluestone cap tops the fieldstone walls for a smooth, comfortable surface. Design by a Blade of Grass Landscape Design
9.) Mix Stonework
A combination of different stones gives this outdoor space a customized and visually interesting look. Stacked New England fieldstone is used throughout the backyard to create seating walls on the patio and retaining walls that terrace the yard. Antique cobblestone divides the bluestone patio to create a separate dining room and conversation area in front of the fireplace, and reclaimed granite is used to make the steps and pillars. Design by a Blade of Grass Landscape Design
A combination of different stones gives this outdoor space a customized and visually interesting look. Stacked New England fieldstone is used throughout the backyard to create seating walls on the patio and retaining walls that terrace the yard. Antique cobblestone divides the bluestone patio to create a separate dining room and conversation area in front of the fireplace, and reclaimed granite is used to make the steps and pillars. Design by a Blade of Grass Landscape Design
10.) Extend Your Living Area
Before stepping down into the backyard, the homeowners first walk out onto a curved patio, which acts as an extension of the living room. Sofas mimic the shape of the patio and provide a cozy spot to gather under the pergola. To tie the patio up to the pergola, stacked stones create the lower half of the columns, and Sweetwater flagstone is used to veneer the patio. Design by The Green Scene
Before stepping down into the backyard, the homeowners first walk out onto a curved patio, which acts as an extension of the living room. Sofas mimic the shape of the patio and provide a cozy spot to gather under the pergola. To tie the patio up to the pergola, stacked stones create the lower half of the columns, and Sweetwater flagstone is used to veneer the patio. Design by The Green Scene
