When temperatures start to rise, aesthetes invariably turn their focus to beautifying their outdoor spaces. And with the bounty of nature’s beauty at our fingertips in early summer, the world seems our oyster. But where to begin? We sat down with some of the country’s foremost landscape architects to chat about all things designing for the outdoors, from how to best set up seating arrangements, to the importance of scale, lighting concepts, materials, and more.
Read on for actionable tips on how to get your outdoor space styled for summer, no matter the size.
Scale it up (or down)
When you ask any interior or landscape architect a “how to” question, everything inevitably leads back to scale. Such is the case with Robert Bell, of Bell Design Inc., a Palm Beach, FL-based landscape architecture firm working on many of the most beautiful tropical oases in the Sunshine State. “My first tip on designing a garden of any size, tiny city garden or country estate, is to think of scale: just how you wouldn’t overcrowd a room with furniture, don t put a massive dining table for 12 in a rowhouse garden,” Bell says.
When envisioning the most common scenarios, such as “morning coffee, or a few pals for drinks,” Bell suggests designing the space around a 36" diameter cafe table and a few occasional chairs. And when it comes to thinking about scale, that doesn’t only apply to the furniture. Bell recommends utilizing two to three different species of plants, to avoid creating a stressful, high-maintenance space, and sticking to a simple color palette.
Similarly, Jonathan Fargion of Jonathan Fargion Design likes to play with scale when it comes to greenery. Using plants of different sizes and species is a great way to add visual interest to your outdoor space. “I like to anchor a lounge space with large and small plants, playing with a hierarchy of scales in a concentric fashion,” he says. “Starting from the inner circle, I suggest using four multi-stem trees, in this case blooming in summer, planted in terracotta pots. Pots provide a timeless look and help elevate the tree s height. Trees are perfect for a nice, dappled shade, creating a cozy atmosphere.”
And scale matters with textiles, too: Bell recommends using solid fabrics or small stripes for cushions, pillows, and umbrellas like Birdseye or Bengal stripes. If you’re lucky enough to have a large garden, try to see that as an opportunity to go in the opposite direction. “Large vintage furniture or antique garden ornaments and lots of repetition in form and pattern to create drama and really accentuate the size of the space,” Bell suggests. “Avoid tiny patterns: swing big with bold prints like a classic Awning stripe or a poppy Madras.”
Layer different species, heights, and textures
Bedford, NY-based landscape architect Matthew Bromley, of Bromley Landscape Design, suggests using planters as a way to layer different plant materials, textures, and colors together to create a harmonious outdoor environment. “You can grow herbs, small shrubs, perennials, and grasses. Mix it up and use them to define more intimate spaces,” he says, while also suggesting maintaining interest throughout the seasons by planting species that will bloom throughout the summer and into fall. Plus, Bromley notes, “It’s good to get your hands dirty [and] work the soil—it’s fun and great exercise!”
It’s also important to take note of your local growing conditions when choosing which types of greenery and florals to plant. Howard Freilich, President and CEO of New York-based celebrity landscape architecture and design firm Blondie’s Treehouse Inc., suggests opting for plants suited to your climate and light conditions, layering in a mix of species for ultimate visual effect. “Incorporating a mix of perennials, annuals, and evergreens will offer visual interest as well as year-round interest,” Freilich says. “Consider using vertical space with climbing plants or hanging baskets to maximize your greenery and make the most of outdoor areas.”
Fargion also suggests layering smaller plants, planted both at the base of trees and at the base of pots. By doing so, it creates a focal center point where you can utilize other plants and flowers to radiate out from it, fleshing out the overall design. And Fargion echoes Freilich, reminding us to not be afraid to think vertically: “In a terrace where you might have walls and a limited space, you can add climbing vines perfect for adorning the bare walls,” Fargion suggests. “When I see vines inhabiting a garden, it makes me feel like that garden has been there for a long time—it acquires a certain allure.”
In a larger garden, Fargion recommends enclosing the lounge space with a series of plants, to create some separation and make a space feel more intimate. “I like a big statement, which can be achieved by using only one type of plant, for example hydrangeas, or evergreen plants like English yews, intermixed with smaller plants at the base,” he says. Using either one single species in multitudes, or a mix and match of scale in different heights, allows you to play with the vibe you are ultimately after.
Don’t skimp on lighting
In a garden of any size, Bell suggests considering the time of day you’ll likely enjoy it. Is it weekend afternoons with a new book, or in the evenings with friends? Its intended use leads you to your next question: Will you need lighting? “One of the biggest mistakes I see is people adding outdoor lighting as an afterthought—if I see a solar light I have an immediate meltdown,” Bell cheekily adds. He suggests lighting gardens first for safety (i.e. steps, areas in which people change elevation or direction, dark entrances, et cetera) and then for aesthetics: highlight the pretty old brick wall or a special urn or tree with lovely bark, Bell says.
Lighting can also change the mood from morning to evening, going from bright and clear for breakfast in the garden to low-lit and hazy for evening cocktails al fresco. “A well-illuminated garden is a great asset; it’s almost like having two different gardens: a day one and a night one,” says Fargion. He recommends strategically placing lighting to emphasize the textures on tree bark, using an up-light near the base of the tree. Additionally, twinkle lights are always a good idea, according to Fargion. “String lights are always well appreciated and romantic, anchored on the treetop and hanging over a lounge area.”
But whatever you do, avoid using harsh or very direct lighting in your outdoor spaces. “Indirect lighting makes people look wonderful, and avoid using motion-activated security spotlighting when entertaining. I’m shocked how many people think this is fine—it is not,” says Bell.
Bell recommends using lanterns as an easy way to quickly add a theme for party lighting. “I love pierced metal lanterns for their subtlety, but I try to avoid glass hurricanes,” he says. “They always tend to break at the worst possible moment!”
Entertaining essentials
Bell firmly believes that all gardens need a little prep and cocktail area—“even if it’s as simple as a shelf or tiny table for a cup of espresso or pitcher of chilled lemonade.” Outdoor bar carts are a fun and chic way to make a statement in any sized space, he suggests. Or, if space allows, “a fabulous outdoor kitchen with all the accouterments, from grills and sinks to wine refrigerators and pizza ovens, is a wonderful luxury.” Including an outdoor ice maker, meanwhile, is “an absolute must—no one likes lugging bags of ice around the garden after that third round of cocktails.”
And it’s important to design a flexible space for both the everyday and for entertaining: source furniture that allows you to use your space in a variety of ways, suggests Bromley. One of the most interesting ways to activate your outdoor spaces is by tying in the outdoors with the indoors, a theme echoed by all: Bromley recommends creating a kitchen garden as one way to accomplish this for easy entertaining: “Whether you have the space to create raised beds for vegetables, or just grow herbs in pots on your terrace, creating an active area where you can clip herbs from automatically makes the garden a space you will want to be in more frequently,” he says. Bromley also recommends cooking outside: from a small charcoal grill to a full outdoor kitchen set up, “food on the grill never tastes as good as in the summer.”
Plan your layout
Thinking through how you want to use your space can serve as a roadmap for executing the actual design plan. Freilich recommends beginning with an overall evaluation of your space first, to think about what parts of that space you actually have available, and how you would ideally intend to use them. “Consider designating areas such as lounging, dining, entertainment, and storage, and add in comfortable seating and a table for outdoor dining, to extend your living space to the outdoors.”
Fargion believes strongly in the value of a good floor plan. “My number one piece of advice on how to make your outdoor space great is focusing your attention on making one big statement around a seating area,” he says. Centering your seating arrangement with views either toward the house or apartment, or outwards, toward the surrounding views, activates the space and gives guests something to look at. The seating arrangement can be emphasized by an area rug, “especially on terraces or a hardscape material like crushed stone,” Fargion adds, “or any material that is different from the rest of the patio—it can also be elevated by a couple of short steps.” One of the best ways to envision your floor plan is to first think of how you intend to use the space, then make a list of what you would need in the area to accomplish those activities, and then plan from there.
On the topic of planning, Freilich notes a key point many forget when getting gung-ho about your outdoor space: understanding the necessary maintenance plan for your gardenscape and scheduling seasonal services in advance. Doing so ensures that you can relax and fully enjoy your space. And don’t forget about watering the plants! “By installing an irrigation system, you ll reduce wastewater and free up your time to sit back and enjoy your blooms knowing they re receiving optimal care,” Freilich says.
Maximize comfort with shade
Beautiful outdoor spaces are designed and defined by appropriate scale, visual attraction, inviting various uses, and comfort. When it comes to the summer season, “successful spaces always incorporate an element of shade and refuge,” Mizell says. Filtered sun is always preferred over direct sunlight, a point Bromley mentions as well, highlighting the cooling effects of plants and trees.
When working through garden plans, Mizell employs umbrellas, pergolas, shade structures, trees, palms, and various other garden elements as a thoughtfully placed way to provide sufficient shade. “Successful gardens are designed to be enjoyed year-round,” Mizell says. “If you plan accordingly, you will enjoy perpetually!”
Tap into all five senses with water and sound
Consider adding in a water feature as a way to help lower the heat in the summer months—whether a pool or a fountain, it not only makes for a beautiful addition visually, but adds a multisensory component too, thanks to the peaceful sound of running water. (Plus, fountains provide hydration for our avian friends, and can even attract hummingbirds!) Thinking of how you will experience your garden space with all of your senses, Freilich notes, is a great way to weave in additional decorative elements: “Wind chimes and water features layer in added sensory appeal,” he adds.
Infuse your personality
Regardless of the size of your outdoor space—whether it’s a rooftop garden or a spacious estate—the overriding goal should be to create a visual and sensory environment that reflects your preferences, says Dustin Mizell of Palm Beach, FL-based Environment Design Group. “Nobody walks into a garden and says, ‘That’s an amazing planting bed’—people walk into a garden and are moved by amazing spaces,” Mizell says.
Freilich also suggests infusing your personality into the garden through every element of what he calls “functional ambiance”, from the furniture to the lighting. Ultimately, he says, it’s about blending indoor and outdoor living. “When you add comfortable seating and a table for outdoor dining, it extends your living space to the outdoors,” he says. “Layering in lighting to add atmosphere in the evening, decorating with outdoor rugs, colorful cushions, and unique planters that reflect your style all add to the indoor-outdoor experience.”
And if you’re having trouble getting started, kick off your process with a moodboard to collect inspiration images and to define a material and plant palette, suggests Bromley. “Tune into your personal style and make it yours,” he suggests. “Think about contrasting textures, diversity of materials, and the simplicity [or complexity] of the palette [you are envisioning],” to get the inspiration flowing. Most importantly, he says, “Make it yours! Source elements for your garden that you enjoy. Make it fun, playful, and ultimately something that you will want to spend time in.”