According to a recent survey from Realtor.com, 13.2% of respondents consider outdoor space to be the most important thing about a home.
Whether it’s a small yard, patio, or a sunroom, homeowners want a place to relax and entertain friends. It does not need to be spacious; it just needs to be outdoors.
You will not want to spend time out there if it’s not comfortable or inviting. Luckily, some thoughtful interior design can transform any outdoor space. Read on to learn how color palettes can tie indoor and outdoor spaces together to give you more living space.
Related: The top 4 deck enclosure transformations
Stick to the Same Color Family
Whether you’re picking outdoor furniture or a deck stain color, think about the colors inside your home. Are they warm or cool colors? Warm colors are shades of red, pink, and yellow, and cool colors are blue, green, or gray.
For the most cohesive design, your interior and exterior colors should be in the same temperature range. So if you have a red living room, you should choose a warm orange or yellow for the outdoor space. This way, when you are looking outside in or vice versa, your eye will see a consistent color palette.
Consider Sightlines
A sightline refers to the rooms you can see when you’re standing in one spot. Stand in your outdoor space and notice which rooms of your home you can see. If you want a cohesive color palette, these are the rooms that need to complement your outdoor space. Take inspiration from the colors in neighboring rooms to select your outdoor color ideas.
Pro Tip:
If you have a lot of lush greenery in your sunroom and decorated in shades of blue, consider lining the flower beds outside your sunroom with similarly shaped greenery. Then select outdoor accents that are in similar cool tones as your sunroom’s blue decor.
Related: Sunroom optional- The urban jungle trend
Use Accent Colors to Tie the Spaces Together
Another great way to tie your interior and exterior designs together is to use accent pieces that pull from the same color family. Think accent pieces like outdoor rugs, throw pillows, and umbrellas.
For example, if you have a navy living room sofa, you could choose a navy umbrella for your outdoor table. If you have yellow curtains inside, use a yellow patio set. If you have a lavender area rug in the living room, plant some lavender alongside your deck. Using the same color both indoors and out is a subtle yet effective way to make your patio or deck feel like an extension of your home.
Pro Tip:
Spray paint can help you turn anything into an accent piece in your chosen accent color! Consider spray painting flower pots, outdoor metal furniture, storage bins, or votive holders in your favorite accent color. You can then use these pieces both inside and out.
Choose Outdoor Pieces That Resemble Indoor Furniture
Your outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home. The best way to do that is with outdoor furniture that looks like indoor furniture. Think area rugs, sofa-like patio furniture, throw pillows, and coffee tables.
Not only will it join the two spaces together, but it will also feel more comfortable and inviting. This is an especially great option if you have a sunroom or an enclosed patio. Plus, you can get away with using more indoor furnishings since they won’t get damaged by the elements.
Pro Tip:
Consider using an outdoor furniture piece in your sunroom and on your patio to tie things together. Bonus: If you need more seating in either space, you can use the additional furniture piece to entertain more people in a single area.
Related: Turn Your Porch into an Enclosed Patio
Start Enjoying Your Outdoor Space Today
No matter where you are in the design process, interior and exterior color palettes and furniture can still work together. An area rug or a throw pillow in the right color can easily make your whole design look more cohesive.
