It’s never too early to start planning for warmer weather and enjoying our outdoor spaces. We asked the experts to share some of their best ideas to create a sensational outdoor space.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL ENTERTAINING
“My clients were looking for a relaxing multifunctional space to entertain guests in their Bloomfield Hills home on Gilbert Lake. There’s a table for dining and playing cards, a sectional for group gatherings, and a quiet corner for reading. We needed to be strategic with scale and placement to allow everything to fit. When planning your outdoor space, it’s good to start early. The outdoor fabric took a little extra time to source, so starting early is key.” — Terry Ellis, Room Service Interior Design
TERRY’S OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS:
- To create natural ambiance, employ the use of warm earthy colors, textural fabrics, and use a few lamps rated for outdoor use which adds a special soft light in the evenings.
- If using tile, make sure it's rated as frostproof for Michigan winters.
- Exterior roller screens are a must to extend a room’s use into the evening when the mosquitoes take over. They're wonderful and can be operated by remote control.
- Consider adding a corner fireplace and an outdoor-rated television for all the comforts of your family room.
Available at MDC: The Ghiordes Knot outdoor area rug; Pindler fabric.
FOUR-SEASON FLEXIBILITY
“When designing the porch area of this Huntington Woods home, we wanted a variety of seating options—lounge and dining for entertaining, as well as cozy places to really enjoy the outdoors. We utilized a folding glass door entry and encased it in retractable screens. A fireplace and fire tables serve as centerpieces while side tables and pods float around the space for additional seating and serving. Ceiling heaters were installed, but you must be mindful of using the right size for your space, you don’t want to hang decorative lighting too close to them!
Our space is within the exposed aggregate porch, but it can be flexible depending on our client’s needs. The daybed can be moved to accommodate different layouts, or the position of the sun. To anchor our lounge seating, we added an indoor-outdoor rug. It’s a space they can enjoy year-round.” — Jill Schumacher, Rairden Schumacher Mio & Co.
JILL’S OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS
- Be practical! Look for furniture options without cushions when possible. A cozy sofa is great but skip cushions on your dining chairs. And Teak is beautiful, however, it may be better in a covered space.
- Warmth can be added by bringing in natural materials, like we did with the stained wood on the ceiling. You can also add ambiance with lighting. We chose hanging fixtures that bring a soft glow. Battery powered lamps are also a great (and affordable) way to bring in intimate lighting. Fire tables can also be a fun option!
- Don’t be afraid of color. Neutrals are always great, but adding a little color can bring a lot of interest into an outdoor space. It’s very easy to use blues and greens to tie into the outdoors. Also, white may look beautiful in outdoor furniture catalogs, but it’s not the most practical.
Available at MDC: CAI Designs side tables; Italcasa Design lounge chairs, ottoman with cuff, pods, and daybed; Lighting Resource Studio lighting; Fifi & Coco Interiors swivel chairs; Flooring Design outdoor rug.
NATURAL TRANSITION
“The screened-in sunroom of this Northville home opens by way of a large sliding door into an informal family room and was meant as a transitional space to an incredible back yard. Functionally, the space has plenty of room to walk around, sit by the fireplace, play games, and watch the kids play in the yard. Equipped with Infratech heaters, it helps to extend the use into cooler seasons and creates an extra layer of comfort.
Our biggest goal is to always represent elements of nature in any indoor/outdoor space. Textured natural surfaces, clear space planning, and appropriate case goods and upholstery helps to support the use of the space. The best way to create ambiance in an outdoor space is to let the landscaping be the big player. Integrate the backdrop as the key focus. Depending on your style, pulling in colors that lean into the house but nod to the exterior colors can help warm up the space. For example, use fabric colors that blend with the exterior paint color of the house, or use the same natural stone on the fireplace that is used on the home.” — Amanda Sinistaj, Ellwood Interiors
AMANDA’S OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS:
- Define the use of the space and how many people will be utilizing it. Having pieces of furniture that can double as tables as well as seats helps with versatility. Be mindful of egress pathways.
- Determine what comfort feels like to you. If you want to use the space in cooler months, consider radiant heat, gas fireplaces, and Infratech hardwired heaters for additional warmth.
- Establish a lighting plan. Do you want a chandelier that can be dimmed to a soft glow, brightly lit recessed cans, or does this room rise in temperature and require a fan to cool off? Once you have a plan you can dial in on the mood.
Available at MDC: Schumacher fabric; Sherwin Williams paint; Kravet fabric.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
“Our clients wanted a custom home that truly reflected their bold and unique style. They had a clear vision of how they wanted the space in their Salem Township home to look and feel but needed guidance to bring it to life. By joining the project early, we helped shape everything from the floor plan and palette—featuring black marble, walnut accents, and warm whites—to seamlessly integrating outdoor spaces like their covered backyard patio and outdoor kitchen. The result is a home that perfectly balances beauty and functionality; inside and out.
Outdoor spaces, much like interiors, are best when thoughtfully divided into functional zones ensuring both practicality and aesthetic harmony. Some of these zones include seating, cooking, and dining spaces. Landscaping, lighting, and special features like fireplaces, water features, or even integrated tech such as sound systems, enhance the overall experience. By taking a strategic and client-focused approach to zoning, we create outdoor spaces that feel as intentional and personalized as any interior room.” — Rachel Nelson, Concetti
RACHEL’S OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS:
- If you’re looking to enhance an outdoor space that is otherwise short on natural features, incorporate natural woven textiles, wood tones, or stone-inspired finishes to help ground the space and add depth. Greenery—real or faux—can breathe life into a space, and soft, earthy tones or serene neutrals help to evoke the feel of nature creating calm and cohesion.
- Think through your everyday use. Start with functionality. Identify how you’ll use the space—hosting, relaxing, or dining—and plan areas for each purpose.
- Treat your outdoor area like an extension of your home. Use colors and materials that tie into your interior design and incorporate natural elements like planters or garden walls for a seamless, inviting retreat.
ALFRESCO FAMILY ROOM
“The clients wanted fun and colorful outdoor furnishings to complement the home’s vibrant interiors. They enjoy entertaining, so plenty of seating options were important. Relaxation was also important to them. The chaise lounges poolside and on the rooftop deck provide spaces to enjoy the sunshine or read a good book. The loggia patio was designed similarly to how I would lay out an indoor entertaining space. Comfortable seating, a cocktail table, a wall mounted television, rug, bar cart, and sculptural planters make for a sophisticated and welcoming outdoor family room.
Typically, a home’s architecture and professional landscaping helps to define the outdoor space. This home’s covered loggia provided the layout for sitting areas. A covered pergola adjacent to patio doors opening to the kitchen was the natural spot for outdoor dining.” — Lorell Thompson, Jones-Keena & Co.
LORELL’S OUTDOOR DESIGN TIPS:
- Begin with a plan based on how you want to use the space. Do you want to entertain, cook/BBQ or simply relax? Should it be kid or pet friendly?
- Sizing your outdoor space correctly requires accounting for the components you want to include, especially in outdoor kitchens. Planning ahead ensures you avoid design mistakes and creates a functional space that allows you to fully enjoy all the features you want.
- Choose materials wisely. Invest in high-quality, weather-resistant outdoor furniture like couches, chairs, and ottomans. An outdoor rug can help to define the space.
- To create ambiance and add character to an outdoor space, consider some or all of the following: potted flowers and plants, tile accents, water features, a fire pit, string lights, lanterns, and botanical fabrics.
Available at MDC: Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils outdoor cushion fabric on couches, chairs, and chaise lounges; Designer Furniture Services + Fabrics cushion welt trim; Rozmallin accent pillow fabric; Tennant & Associates accent pillow trim; Baker|McGuire cocktail table; City Lights Detroit ceiling fans.