How to Combine Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Seamlessly
Who does not love having some leisure time in their garden? You can sip on some coffee and recharge your batteries for the day ahead. But, when that garden is aesthetically pleasing, filled with all your favorite things, and perfectly combined with your indoor space… Talk about paradise.
Even if you’re not a professional, you can create an oasis for yourself and a lovely space to hang out with family and friends. With the help of the internet, transforming your garden has never been easier (or cheaper). Plus, platforms like Locanto can help you find affordable and stylish furniture in your area, so you don’t have to worry about high retail prices or shipping costs.
So, let’s talk more about how you can combine your indoor and outdoor space and create an even more cozy home. In today’s article, we’ll go over what to focus on, where to look for inspiration, and more. Let’s get to it.
Why Should You Combine Your Indoor and Outdoor Area?
Here’s the thing. The lines between what we consider ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ furniture and materials are getting more blurred as we speak. We like to be as comfortable in our garden as we are in our home, so the option of using a comfy couch outside just sounds better.
This is not only functional, comfortable, and great for entertaining guests, but when done right, it can look stunning. When enhancing your space, why limit yourself?
Plus, there are a ton of features you can use to make this transition even smoother. Just using a large glass door can help you put everything together while letting more light into your interior. And using the same elements (like similar flooring) in both areas can create more of a connection between your home and garden.
So, it really is as easy as it sounds and looks fabulous. Now, let’s talk more about how to do it.
How to Create Flow Between Your Indoors and Outdoors
Creating this connection is all about consistency and establishing balance. Here’s our suggestion for how to work that out:
Add Plants to Your Interior
Since your garden is probably filled with different plants, grass, and other natural elements, a great way to create a bridge between it and the inside of your home is to use more greenery.
Adding some plants to your living space will also make it more beautiful and enhance your air quality and mood. One study even found that interacting with indoor plants can reduce stress. Just don’t forget to water them and check what conditions they need in order to grow. You can even bring them out in the garden occasionally if they need a little bit more sun.
Focus on placing the plants near the door or window that’s next to your yard. Using materials like wood and stone, and textures that feel more natural can also help. Remember, local plants will respond to your home better.
Use Similar Materials
One simple trick to make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel more connected is to use some of the same materials in both areas. Let’s say your living room has wooden flooring, try adding touches of wood outside too (like in your deck, furniture, or planters).
It doesn’t need to match exactly, but keeping a similar feel helps the outdoor area feel like it belongs to the rest of your home. It’s all about creating a smooth, natural flow from one space to the other.
Match Your Vibes
Think about your style inside the house. Is it modern, boho, minimalistic? Try to reflect that same energy outside. Use similar colors, materials, or textures in both areas (like wood, rattan, or cozy throws) to tie them together.
For example, if you’ve got neutral tones inside, go for soft whites, beiges, or earthy greens outside too. This way, everything flows together instead of feeling like two separate worlds.
Break It Up Into Zones
Even though your indoor and outdoor spaces should feel like one big connected area, that doesn’t mean everything has to serve the same purpose. Creating little zones for different activities can actually make the space feel more organized and inviting. Think: a cozy lounge corner, a dining spot, maybe a grilling area, or even a chill place by the pool if you have one.
It really comes down to what you need. You can use pathways, rugs, or lighting to gently define each area without making them feel cut off. The zones can also have different atmospheres, but they should still tie in visually.
Group Similar Spaces Together
Another good tip is to put zones that share the same functions next to each other. If you enjoy entertaining and want to build a small outside dining area, you can place it next to your kitchen. This will just feel like a natural extension of your home. Plus, it’s practical.
You can even lay out your furniture in a way that connects to your interior to create more of a flow between the spaces. Create a little journey for your guests when they walk through different zones that are linked to each other and thought out.
Create a Color Palette
Colors are perfect for creating harmony. And in order to do that, you have to know which colors to use. If your interior is beige or neutral, keep those colors in mind when you’re picking out items for your outdoor space.
You can also use soft earth tones like sand and warm greys. If you want to go lighter, beige also looks great with crisp white. Then, if you want to add some pops of color, you can go for complementary colors like olive green or burnt orange.
Keep the main colors consistent and then build around them with two to three accents. Remember, just think of your garden as an extra room. You can add personality, just don’t make drastic changes.
Choose a Furniture Style and Stick to It
Matching your furniture is just as important for the outside. The pieces don’t have to be from the same designer, but they have to go with your theme.
For example, if your interior is a bit more modern, a minimalistic approach could look nice for your outdoor space. Think black metal frames or sleek, neutral cushions. You can go for a geometrically interesting rug or structured plant pots. On the other hand, if your interior has more of a boho style, adding a boho hammock and a dreamcatcher could do the trick.
Use Similar Decor for Both Areas
We’ve already talked about how consistency is important. Having consistent, similar decor elements can help combine the two areas. It will just create a continuous, calming environment.
Even if the style isn’t exactly the same, the mood should be. For example, if you have black metal frames in your home, you can try to find a similar material for your patio chairs. It’s the details like this that will create harmony. Using the same candles, lanterns, and trays can also help.
Know Your Lighting
If you know a thing or two about decor, you know that lighting is super important. The lighting should also match in both areas.
It really helps bring out the atmosphere, and if the lighting in your home is more on the warm side, your exterior should go with that. You can add lanterns or solar lights outside and light up your paths and plants, so you can have a beautiful view at night.
Ready to Combine Your Spaces?
So, we went over some of the important factors you should think about when designing your outdoor space to match your interior. Using the same elements (textures, colors, style) in both areas can help connect them.
If you’re feeling a bit discouraged or don’t have the time, consider hiring someone to help you out. It can take a lot of effort to redesign a backyard or take care of a garden, but there are home and garden services out there that can take out a lot of the legwork, so you can spend more time on fine-tuning and relaxing.
You have to think about your backyard or garden as an extension of your home, not a separate area. Combining these spaces can help broaden and complement them, and it can add functionality.
So, take your time and figure out what works best for your place. Remember, you don’t need identical pieces. You just have to try to match the mood. So, hop onto Pinterest, find some inspiration, and start making your design plan. We know you have it in you.
