We did it — we made it to summer! For those of us who live in Chicago, there’s no better time or place to be (in fact, I usually hold off on my travels during the summertime so I can make the most of the amazing weather and things to do here). As any good Midwesterner knows, we take advantage of any bit of good weather we get — so from May through September (and on any warm day in between), you can find us outside. Because of this, most of my clients request outdoor space decked to the nines…

 

I’ve designed lakefront residences, vacation getaways, indoor-outdoor dining areas, and more — and they all have a few outdoor elements in common. Here, I’m sharing my best designer tricks to making the most of whatever outdoor space you have.

Laying the Foundation

I’ve been fortunate enough to work on homes with some truly incredible existing outdoor space — I mean, when you have Lake Michigan as your backdrop or the trees of Amagansett as your backyard, it’s hard to mess things up. Not every home is in these types of settings, though, and some outdoor space must be created (I’ve done many a garage-top patio!). No matter how big or small a deck, patio, or yard is, we can turn it into a place you want to spend your time.

 

The secret? Giving it as much love as we give indoor rooms. Outdoor furniture technology has come so far, and outdoor rugs offer the perfect opportunity to add coziness and warmth to a patio. In addition to outdoor rugs (which, admittedly, have to put up with more than their fair share of wear and tear), it’s important to layer. Instead of a single love seat or set of chairs, consider the level of comfort in your living room, then replicate it outside — make sure there are places to set your drinks, ample opportunities for putting your feet up, and plenty of plants and decor. 

 

When I’m really going for it, I love to add outdoor TVs and fire features, whether smokeless or of the honest-to-goodness fire pit variety. Whatever luxuries you expect inside, we can bring out!

Choosing the Right Materials

When you live in a place with wind, rain, snow, ice, AND sun, you know you need to focus on durability. Thankfully, there are some seriously amazing weather-proof materials out there, and they don’t require sacrificing comfort or style. We can work together to find both textiles and furnishings that feel as luxurious as their indoor counterparts, while also not getting destroyed outdoors. Quick pro tip: we often start with teak, metal, resin, and wicker, then go from there.

Prioritizing Shade and Shelter

As much as you want materials that hold up to bad weather, you shouldn’t have to withstand the same elements yourself. I always ensure that outdoor spaces offer a mix of covered and uncovered seating, so you can take a break from the sun or even read a book outside with the sounds of rain soothing you (then hop back out from under the shelter when you’re ready!).

Bringing In Heaters and Lamps

Sometimes, you have to fake it ‘til you make it — and while I’d love every Chicago evening to be 75 degrees with a light breeze, that’s not quite the case. For this reason, I like to bring in heaters that both add warmth and don’t detract from the ambiance. There are also some really amazing outdoor lighting options as well — for example, some personal favorites are solar-powered, so they charge during the day then can be used to add subtle brightness to your evening. We’ve even installed lighting that’s controlled by an app, so the homeowners can tailor the dimness, color warmth, and more without getting up from their comfy seat. We’re not constrained to choose only functional, utilitarian lighting — so many outdoor options are super chic.

Topping It All Off

Even with all the advances made in durability, I often recommend seasonal covers for furnishings — and if there’s space, we can design stylish storage solutions for cushions and pillows. The reality is that while we provide the same level of care and detail outside as we do inside, a few added steps must be taken to protect outdoor furnishings. Thankfully, we can make that as easy as possible for you, so you can spend less time worrying and more time with a glass of rosé.