This Is the Secret to Designing the Chicest Outdoor Space

The West might be blessed with sunshine and warm temperatures year-round, but there’s something about summer that gives the great outdoors a magnetic pull. We mean, if you’re not spending the majority of the season outside, are you really making the most of summer?

Of  course, if you’re going to spend a lot of quality time with Mother Nature this season, your backyard should be designed to deliver endless fun in the sun. While some people will go big with a statement pool or high-end kitchen, a few simple tweaks will have your backyard looking just like an outdoor space at your favorite hotel. Because, let’s be honest: We all want our homes to feel as curated and chic as a five-star property.

To help, we caught up with hotels with stunning outdoor spaces, and asked how you can get a similar look in your neck of the woods.

Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

Perfect Your Color Palette

If you ask some properties, a beautiful outdoor space starts with a thoughtful, cohesive color palette. Not only can carefully selected shades set the tone for your backyard, but they can also make the area a lot easier to decorate. For example, if you’re working with coastal blues and whites, there’s no need to entertain the idea of a highlighter-yellow umbrella.

So, which colors are the best to take al fresco? Well, it depends on your personal style. For Jessica Pell of Manola Studio, who designed Hotel Wren near Joshua Tree, it’s important to select shades that mirror your surroundings. “Nature is always a big influence in my work and the desert really led the way for this project,” Pell explains. “At Hotel Wren, we chose exterior colors that echo the tones of the desert so the building could feel like part of the land, not placed on top of it.”

However, over at Parker Palm Springs, it’s all about cheery, can’t-miss colors. “Embrace contrast using different colors and textures,” recommends Brandon McCurley, the Palm Springs property’s managing director. “Be bold. Think about wild bougainvillea spilling over hedges and greenery against brightly-colored furniture.”

Translation? While there’s no one correct answer, find a palette that represents your personal style—and stick with it.

Work with Your Landscaping

Most design enthusiasts would celebrate the architectural details on their interiors—be it time-honored molding or a cool arched threshold—so why would your exteriors be any different? “Work with the landscape instead of against it,” Pell shares. “I think of the transition between a building and the landscape not as a hard edge but as a gentle gradient.” The Wren, she adds, is packed with native species as they are best suited for the climate and help create a habitat for local animals and insects.

Instead of ripping out that shrub that’s totally throwing off your backyard’s flow, consider decorating around it to create a sense of whimsy. You may also want to create more synergy between your hardscaping and landscaping with natural materials like stone and wood. “I use similar materials, tones and visual language to let the rooms expand outward both visually and physically,” Pell says. “It creates a sense of continuity where you feel connected to the landscape while still feeling anchored to the architecture.”

Ethan Jones

Invest in High-Quality Materials

While we’re on that topic: Unless you want to buy brand-new outdoor furniture every few years, it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality materials. “I recommend low-maintenance finishes for your furniture that are durable in the sun and rain,” says Sandra F. Benitez of Design Atelier, who worked on Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California. “Make sure that the finish does not get too hot to the touch in direct sunlight.”

Erin Fritz, co-general manager of VEA Newport Beach, says teak is a great option because it “weathers beautifully and holds up incredibly well by the coast.” However, you should never overlook your upholstery. “Include cushions and fabrics that are designed to weather the elements in [being] stain-, fade-, water-, and mildew-resistant,” Benitez adds. 

Create Zones

With the exception of a small studio apartment, your home isn’t a one-room-suits-all situation—and neither is your outdoor space. “We created vignettes within a larger landscape, whether it’s a nook beneath a citrus tree, a tucked-away path, quiet hammock moment, or a bold banana sculpture,”  McCurley says. Not sure how to break up your backyard? Pell says considering your routine can “Add rhythm and give the space more life. At Wren, we thought about how people might want to move through the space across the day,” she explains. “Where they’d want to read a book, have a conversation, or just be still.”

Courtesy of Parker Palm Springs

Let There Be Light

That’s exactly why Debbi Snavely, co-general manager of VEA Newport Beach, says you should never skimp on lighting. “Good lighting transforms an outdoor space,” she explains. “At sunset, the entire property glows in a way that feels magical.” For the ultimate ambiance after dark, Snavely recommends using a mix of solar-powered path lights, string lights, and lanterns.

Pack in the Personality

An outside space must be designed to combat the elements, but it should still be rife with personality. After all, the best thing about decorating any area—indoors or outdoors—is to make it your own. “Create moments of surprise with a vintage planter here and a fun sculpture there,” McCurley says. “The most important part is that your garden is a reflection of your own personality.” Looking for some extra inspiration? Take a note from these beautiful backyards that manage to pack on the fun—yes, even without a pool.