Design 101 - Urban Outdoor Living

Rees Roberts + PartnersFor the urban dweller having a functional outdoor living area has become an important amenity.
And with space at a premium they are seeking imaginative ways to expand outdoors.

My customers are not spending more but spending smarter, says Kati Curtis of Nirmada Interior Architecture and Design based in New York City. Instead of heading off to the beach on Fridays and sitting in traffic for hours, many are investing in their outdoor space by creating a summertime getaway on their patios and rooftops.

Bob O'ConnorOne of the reasons we purchased our home is because it had a landscaped outdoor room, says Diane McFadin, who owns a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn. The well landscaped 1,000 sq. ft. space is multifunctional. My husband does his office work in our garden area, and we do lots of entertaining outdoors. It‘s also a lovely place to have coffee in the morning.

Elle DecorManhattan-based Molly Warner does a lot of entertaining in her multifunctional outdoor space. Her penthouse hosts a 2,000 sq. ft wraparound terrace that overlooks Central Park. It‘s wonderful because I can enjoy three separate views, she said. Warner‘s outdoor environment is really more of an outdoor living room, divided into an area for dining which has long-lasting teak pieces, and separate spaces for watching outdoor movies and year-round celebrations. Her terrace has been greened up with a garden, trees, shrubs and vegetables.

The Chapman Los AngelesMultipurpose furniture, like modular seating, stackable chairs, adjustable chaises, unique benches or extension tables can save space and prevent a cluttered look. Scale the furniture to fit the size of your space, says Nirmada‘s Curtis. Instead of filling your patio with lots of small items, select some larger and more compelling high quality pieces as a focal point and gradually add accessories. Before purchasing, think long-term investment and you will get more bang for your buck.

Photo Resources
Rees Roberts + Partners
Bob O'Connor via Desire to Inspire
Elle Decor via La Maison Boheme
The Chapman Los Angeles via Apartment Therapy