How to style your outdoor space.

Any modern design aficionado like you will be ambitious for an outdoor space that is just as beautiful and useful as your indoor space - a space you can live in, not just look at. Modern design is big on functionality, simplicity, natural materials, ergonomic design and perhaps just a hint of quirk or a splash of bold color.

Living inside out

One aspect of outdoor living that harks back to the popular Eichler “California Modern” homes of the 1950s and 60s are floor-to-ceiling windows that blend indoors and outdoors together. Glass walls, sliding glass doors - or as much glazing as you can muster - allows your outdoor space to be a natural extension of your indoor space.

Eichler Home. Image credit Thomas J Story

Go natural

Of course, you don’t have to totally remodel your home to infuse a modern design flavor to your yard. Use local and natural raw materials like local wood for decking and local stone for paved areas to adhere to modern design’s philosophy of natural material, and if the material is recycled or reclaimed, so much the better.

Furniture – the instant makeover

If you don’t have much flexibility with your space, there’s plenty of modern design outdoor furniture out there to give your place a bit of practical, beautiful pizzazz. For the traditional clean lines of modern design, choose the crisp and minimal white aluminum simplicity of the Skiff collection by Blu Dot; chairs and sun loungers for big spaces or barstools and tiny cafe tables for more bijou spaces all the way down to outdoor stacking chairs for those special occasions.

Skiff Collection by Blu Dot

For something to really curl up in, go for the Pop Outdoor Armchair by Lissoni and Tamborini for Kartell

 
Pop Outdoor Chair by Kartell .... So Comfy!)

And if spare and angular is more your thing, go for the Bertoia Range by Knoll. Designed by Harry Bertoia in 1952, the Bertoia Range has all the things you like best about modern design: industrial-influenced functionality, an architectural aesthetic, and a clean look. Most of the Bertoia collection is available in vinyl coated and suitable for outdoor use.

Bertoia Asymmetric Chaise & Side Chair both vinyl coated for outdoor use.

For something more natural, the BK14 Sunbed by Carl Hansen could be what you’re looking for. It’s super-sophisticated and pop a simple table between two and you’ve got an uber-stylish place to hang out with your bestie.

BK14 Sunbed by Carl Hansen is a cool place to chill.

Light it up

What makes a space is great lighting, and you’ve plenty of cool choices. Want to stick with sleek, unobtrusive lines? Go for the soft, deep and diffused light of a timeless Fresnel lens By Oluce. Another great option would be the Ipnos outdoor lamp by Flos.

 
Fresnel Outdoor Light by Oluce

Ipnos LED outdoor by Flos.

If you fancy some statement lighting, because, let’s face it, who doesn’t? try Smart & Green’s cordless Flatball LED Outdoor light or the elegant Tolomeo Mega Outdoor.

The Flatball lamp by Smart and Green is rechargeable & waterproof!

Tolomeo Mega outdoor by Artemide.

Add a bit of fun

One of the glories of modern design is the acceptability of a splash of personality. Sleek forms and simple functionality is all very well, but sometimes you might want something just plain weird. You don’t need kids to make the most out of Aarnio-designed outdoor Flying Carpet by Magis. It rocks. Literally.

Flying Carpet by Ero Aarnio for Magis

There’s no need to go for the 1950s time-capsule look or break the bank. Keep in mind clean, simple lines; natural materials and a splash of color and you’ll have an outdoor space you can really feel at home in.