From large backyard patio ideas to apartment balconies, a thoughtful floor plan can transform the space into comfortable living areas that serve a multitude of functions. Arranging furniture correctly helps create distinct multi-use areas.
An arrangement featuring a sofa, chairs and coffee table works well in many spaces; adding an ottoman offers additional flexibility to seating arrangements.
Pools and Firepits
A pool should be at the center of your patio layout, providing easy access to both house or gate and plenty of open space for traffic flow. In terms of furniture placement, consider how much sun your pool area receives as this could influence furniture placement decisions; shade structures such as awnings and pergolas may make sitting by water more pleasant in hotter environments.
Containers can make for an effective pool border, but you should remember that they require regular watering, pruning, or repotting – something which may prove cumbersome for newcomers to outdoor gardening. If you opt for container plantings instead, try pairing them with lush tropical plants for an appealing contrast of colors and textures.
Even if your pool is small or if your yard is limited in terms of seating space, creating an enjoyable outdoor space is still achievable. To do so, arrange the furniture close together for intimate conversations while adding an eye-catching focal point like a fire pit or table to provide more focal point. A firepit will also help heat the room at night for comforting warmth when guests return after dining!
This fire pit’s round shape fits seamlessly with the curving lines of its patio, while its sapphire blue furnishings take their color cue from expansive sky views, connecting this intimate seating area with the larger design scheme.
This room boasts a wooden chaise lounge adorned with throw pillows and cushioned synthetic-wicker club chairs with soft cushioned cushions for optimal comfort for two. When extra guests arrive, simply add more chairs. Finally, this arrangement includes tables, ottomans and accent pieces completing its overall aesthetic.
Before purchasing furniture for your outdoor patio, draw a simple scale model of its layout on paper or use painter’s tape to mark out an arrangement on the actual floor. This provides a quick and easy way to ensure that what you plan will actually work before committing to buying anything. Furthermore, be sure to include walkways so as to prevent anyone from wandering off or wandering into a path of moving vehicles.
Conversation Areas
As part of your seating arrangements for a large patio furniture layout, take note of conversation areas when creating seating arrangements. As Sara suggests having one area with sofa and chairs can create more intimacy for guests while leaving the center open for more socializing; each conversation area should feature something interesting such as a firepit or piece of artwork to draw the eye and anchor each section of your patio. It is also wise to leave enough open space around lounge areas so guests can easily enter and leave without disrupting conversation flow.
Dining
As patios evolve into multi-use spaces, dining areas have become an integral component. Deliberating on what activities your patio will serve can help determine which seating types best support those activities; creating a dining area in your patio furniture layout requires nothing more than pairing a sofa and chairs (pictured here), adding coffee tables, side tables and an outdoor rug (picture). Finally, providing shade will complete this experience for outdoor meals!
Asymmetrically positioning the loveseat and sofa provides plenty of seating while still remaining manageable in terms of footprint. For additional versatility, lounge chairs may be preferred over standard chairs which only seat two. They can easily be moved around to create multiple seating arrangements.
A focal point in patio design refers to any large piece of outdoor furniture which draws the eye and establishes balance within a space. It could also include entertainment amenities like firepits or water features which add visual interest at night when lighting brings them alive – this feature is especially essential if the patio will serve as a gathering spot for meals or parties in the evenings.
Small Spaces
If your patio is smaller, aim for the minimum seating required – adding additional pieces can always come later – so as to create an intimate spot where coffee or tea can be enjoyed while relaxing under the sun without creating an overcrowded deck that looks like it hosted an event.
If a table and chairs won’t fit your space, consider purchasing a dining bench instead. It seats three as comfortably as would a table/chairs set while taking up far less floor area; making it perfect for small patios or corners on larger decks.
An attractive sofa-chair arrangement can make relaxing or conversing easier, and Suzanne Kasler’s Directoire collection demonstrates this perfectly with its use of two loveseats and two lounge chairs to comfortably seat four while adding visual interest through an outdoor rug, side tables and decorative pillows.
Ottomans make great additions to sofas and chairs, providing extra seating or places to kick up your feet comfortably, or acting as usable surfaces for food and drinks. They can easily be pulled over to provide extra seating or act as convenient surfaces.
Keep a focal point in mind when designing your floor plan, particularly if the patio will serve multiple functions. An effective focal point will draw attention and help guests navigate around more easily; something like a firepit, water feature or wall art installation may serve this purpose perfectly.
