Creating an Outdoor Living Space

Creating an outdoor living space is about turning part of the garden into somewhere that feels genuinely comfortable and useful.

That does not necessarily mean filling it with:

• Outdoor kitchens

• Pergolas

• Fire pits

• Expensive furniture.

A successful outdoor living space is first about:

purpose + position + proportion + comfort + connection to the garden.

At Kirman Design, we design outdoor living spaces throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

The aim is to create a space that feels like somewhere you naturally want to spend time.

What Is an Outdoor Living Space?

An outdoor living space is a part of the garden designed specifically for everyday use.

It may be used for:

• Relaxing

• Dining

• Cooking

• Entertaining

• Reading

• Evening drinks

• Family time.

It can be:

• Open to the garden

• Partially enclosed

• Covered

• Positioned beside the house

• Located further into the garden.

Start With What You Want the Space to Do

Before choosing furniture or features, decide how the space should work.

Ask:

• Is it mainly for dining?

• Is it for lounging?

• Will you entertain often?

• Do you want an outdoor kitchen?

• Should it work after dark?

• Does it need privacy?

• Does it need shelter?

The intended use should drive the design.

Outdoor Living Garden Design

For the broader design of a whole garden around outdoor living, see Outdoor Living Garden Design.

That page focuses on how multiple outdoor spaces work together across the entire landscape.

This page focuses specifically on how to create an individual outdoor living space successfully.

Creating an Outdoor Room

If you want the space to feel more enclosed and room-like, see Creating an Outdoor Room.

Outdoor rooms may use:

• Pergolas

• Walls

• Screens

• Planting

• Trees

to create a greater sense of definition.

Luxury Outdoor Living

For more substantial high-end schemes, see Luxury Outdoor Living.

Luxury outdoor living may incorporate:

• Bespoke outdoor kitchens

• Architectural pergolas

• Integrated lighting

• Fire features

• Mature planting.

Choose the Right Position

Position is one of the most important decisions.

The best location should consider:

• Sun

• Shade

• Wind

• Privacy

• Views

• Access

• Relationship with the house.

The most convenient location is not always the best one.

Outdoor Living Close to the House

A space close to the house can be ideal for:

• Dining

• Everyday seating

• Outdoor cooking.

It is easy to move between:

• Kitchen

• Living areas

• Garden.

Outdoor Living Further Into the Garden

A secondary outdoor living area can create a stronger destination.

This can work particularly well where:

• Better evening sun exists further away

• Views are stronger

• More privacy is available.

Indoor Outdoor Living

The relationship between internal and external space can be particularly important.

Our Indoor Outdoor Garden Design page explores how:

• Internal rooms

• Glazing

• Terraces

• Views

can connect.

Seamless House-to-Garden Design

For the physical transition from home to garden, see Seamless Transition House to Garden.

The success of an outdoor living space can be influenced by:

• Thresholds

• Levels

• Door positions

• Drainage.

Outdoor Living Around Bifold Doors

Bifold doors can create a strong visual and physical relationship with the garden.

Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores how external spaces can respond.

Outdoor Living Around Sliding Doors

For larger sliding openings, see Garden Design Around Sliding Doors.

The furniture arrangement should support rather than obstruct the view from inside.

Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors

Where the outdoor living space sits immediately outside the house, see Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors.

This explores:

• Terrace proportions

• Furniture

• Circulation

• Levels.

Decide Whether the Space Is for Dining or Lounging

Dining and lounge seating require different proportions.

Dining needs space for:

• Table

• Chairs

• Pulled-out chairs

• Circulation.

Lounge seating often requires:

• Sofas

• Coffee tables

• Side tables

• More relaxed circulation.

Outdoor Dining Spaces

If outdoor dining is the primary use, see Garden Design for Outdoor Dining.

That page explores:

• Table position

• Furniture dimensions

• Shelter

• Lighting.

Outdoor Living for Entertaining

If the space needs to accommodate larger groups, see Garden Design for Entertaining.

A good entertaining space should still feel comfortable during normal everyday use.

Evening Outdoor Living

If you want to use the space after sunset, see Garden Design for Evening Entertaining.

After-dark use depends heavily on:

• Lighting

• Shelter

• Seating

• Fire

• Planting.

Get the Scale Right

An outdoor living space should be large enough to function comfortably.

But making it unnecessarily large can:

• Increase cost

• Reduce planting

• Make it feel exposed

• Create too much paving.

The right proportions depend on:

• Furniture

• Number of people

• Activities.

Design Around Real Furniture

Furniture dimensions should be considered early.

A plan that only shows generic furniture symbols may underestimate:

• Chair movement

• Sofa depth

• Circulation.

The terrace should be designed around the way furniture will actually be used.

Do Not Forget Circulation

People need to move:

• Around chairs

• Between the house and garden

• Past an outdoor kitchen

• Into other parts of the garden.

Routes should remain comfortable even when the space is occupied.

Avoid Furniture Blocking the Garden

Furniture should not create a barrier between:

• House

• Lawn

• Planting

• Other garden rooms.

This is particularly important on terraces immediately outside large glazed doors.

Patios for Outdoor Living

A patio is often the physical foundation of the space.

Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores different patio layouts and styles.

Choosing Paving

The paving should respond to:

• House architecture

• Garden style

• Intended use

• Maintenance.

Possible options include:

• Porcelain

• Natural stone

• Other suitable exterior materials.

Porcelain Outdoor Living Areas

Porcelain can work well with:

• Contemporary architecture

• Modern extensions

• Clean-lined gardens.

Our Contemporary Garden Design page explores this broader style.

Natural Stone Outdoor Living Areas

Natural stone can suit:

• Country houses

• Period properties

• Softer landscapes.

The material should feel appropriate to both the building and the garden.

Do You Need a Pergola?

Not always.

A pergola can help provide:

• Shade

• Shelter

• Privacy

• Structure

• Lighting.

But it should have a clear purpose.

Pergola Ideas

Our Pergola Ideas page explores different types of structure.

Pergolas for Privacy

If overlooking is the main issue, see Pergolas for Privacy.

A pergola can sometimes provide overhead screening while keeping the rest of the garden more open.

Aluminium Pergolas

Aluminium pergolas can create a more architectural appearance.

Some systems may incorporate:

• Adjustable louvres

• Side screens

• Integrated lighting.

Timber Pergolas

Timber can create a softer and more natural character.

It can work particularly well in:

• Country gardens

• Period properties

• Planting-led schemes.

Do Not Use a Pergola Just to Fill Space

A pergola is a major visual element.

If it does not improve:

• Shelter

• Privacy

• Proportion

• Function,

it may simply make the garden feel busier.

Creating Privacy

Privacy can make an outdoor living space feel much more comfortable.

Our Garden Privacy page explores how:

• Planting

• Trees

• Hedges

• Screens

• Structures

can work together.

Outdoor Living in an Overlooked Garden

If neighbouring properties overlook the seating area, see Overlooked Garden.

The solution may be to protect the most important seating areas rather than completely enclosing the garden.

Screening an Overlooking Window

Where one particular neighbouring window is the main problem, see How to Screen an Overlooking Window.

Garden Screening Ideas

For broader options, see Garden Screening Ideas.

Shelter From Wind

Wind is one of the main reasons an attractive outdoor space may not get used.

Shelter might be created using:

• Trees

• Hedging

• Walls

• Screens

• Pergolas.

Consider Wind Before Positioning the Space

It is better to choose a naturally sheltered location than to add large amounts of screening later.

Prevailing wind should influence the layout from the beginning.

Creating Shade

Shade may be provided by:

• Trees

• Pergolas

• Structures.

The amount required depends on:

• Aspect

• Time of use

• Site exposure.

Outdoor Living in North West England

North West England has a different climate from many of the outdoor-living images seen online.

The design should account for:

• Rain

• Wind

• Cool evenings

• Seasonal variation

• Drainage.

That does not prevent excellent outdoor living.

It simply means the space should be designed realistically.

Designing for Rain

A sheltered area can make a major difference.

It can help protect:

• Furniture

• Food

• Guests

during unsettled weather.

Designing for Cooler Evenings

Comfort can often be improved by:

• Reducing wind

• Providing shelter

• Positioning seating carefully.

This can make more difference than relying entirely on heating.

Outdoor Kitchens

An outdoor kitchen can make outdoor living more convenient.

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores:

• Cooking

• Dining

• Position

• Services

• Pergolas.

Does Every Outdoor Living Space Need a Kitchen?

No.

An outdoor kitchen should be included because:

you will use it.

Not because it has become expected in a high-end garden.

For some households, a:

• Barbecue

• Small preparation area

• Drinks fridge

may be more appropriate.

Fire Pits

A fire pit can create a strong evening focal point.

Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores the design of dedicated fire-pit seating areas.

Hot Tubs

Where a hot tub is part of the lifestyle, see Garden Design Around a Hot Tub.

Hot-tub spaces often need particular attention to:

• Privacy

• Access

• Shelter

• Lighting.

Swimming Pools

For larger landscapes, see Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool.

Pools can form part of a broader outdoor-living landscape containing:

• Dining

• Lounge

• Kitchen

• Shade.

Water Features

Water can add another dimension to an outdoor living space.

Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores different approaches.

Use Features Selectively

An outdoor living space does not need:

• Kitchen

• Pergola

• Fire

• Water

• Hot tub

all in one place.

Good design is often about deciding what not to include.

Planting Around Outdoor Living Spaces

Planting is what prevents an outdoor living area from feeling like an external room built entirely from hard materials.

Our Planting Design page explores how plants can provide:

• Structure

• Privacy

• Seasonal interest

• Atmosphere.

Planting Around the Edge of a Terrace

Planting can soften:

• Paving edges

• Walls

• Pergola posts

• Kitchen cabinetry.

The mature dimensions of plants should be considered carefully.

Fragrant Planting

Fragrant plants can work particularly well around:

• Seating

• Dining

• Paths.

Scent can make the space feel more immersive.

Planting for Movement

Grasses and other plants that move in the breeze can create a softer relationship between:

• Architecture

• Landscape.

Trees Around Outdoor Living Spaces

Trees can provide:

• Shade

• Privacy

• Scale

• Seasonal structure.

They can also help balance larger built features such as pergolas.

Specimen Trees as Focal Points

A seating area should ideally look towards something attractive.

A specimen tree can create a strong focal point from:

• Sofa

• Dining table

• House.

Lighting the Space

Lighting can extend outdoor living into the evening.

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores the wider approach.

Task Lighting

Practical lighting may be needed around:

• Outdoor kitchens

• Dining tables

• Steps

• Routes.

Ambient Lighting

Softer lighting can create atmosphere around:

• Seating

• Planting

• Pergolas.

Avoid Overlighting

An outdoor living space should not feel like an illuminated showroom.

Too much light can flatten the garden and remove atmosphere.

Light the Garden Beyond the Seating Area

A particularly effective technique is to illuminate selected features beyond the terrace.

These might include:

• Trees

• Planting

• Walls

• Water.

This helps the garden retain depth after dark.

Outdoor Living in Small Gardens

Small gardens can make excellent outdoor living spaces.

Our Small Garden Design page explores compact layouts.

One multifunctional terrace may provide:

• Dining

• Lounge seating

• Cooking.

Do Not Overfill a Small Outdoor Living Space

A compact space can quickly become overcrowded with:

• Large sofas

• Dining sets

• Pergolas

• Kitchens.

Prioritise the uses that genuinely matter.

Outdoor Living in Medium-Sized Gardens

Medium gardens can often support:

• Main outdoor living terrace

• Lawn

• Secondary seating

• Generous planting.

Our Medium-Sized Garden Design page explores this scale.

Outdoor Living in Large Gardens

Larger plots provide opportunities for several destinations.

Our Large Garden Design page explores how:

• Hierarchy

• Views

• Routes

• Garden rooms

can organise the landscape.

Outdoor Living in Very Large Gardens

For substantial properties, see Very Large Garden Design.

At this scale, outdoor living spaces need to form part of a wider garden masterplan.

Half-Acre Gardens

Our Garden Design for Half an Acre page explores how larger domestic gardens can be structured.

Acre Gardens

For more substantial plots, see Garden Design for an Acre.

The main everyday outdoor living space should usually still remain convenient to the house.

Contemporary Outdoor Living Spaces

Contemporary landscapes often use:

• Porcelain paving

• Architectural pergolas

• Structured planting

• Outdoor kitchens.

Our Contemporary Garden Design page explores this approach.

Modern Outdoor Living Spaces

Modern garden layouts may use stronger geometry.

Our Modern Garden Design page explores the relationship between:

• House

• Paving

• Walls

• Structures

• Planting.

Country Outdoor Living Spaces

Outdoor living does not need to be highly contemporary.

Our Country Garden Design page explores softer landscape-led spaces.

A country outdoor living area may use:

• Natural stone

• Gravel

• Timber

• Generous planting.

Naturalistic Outdoor Living

Naturalistic planting can create a much softer outdoor-living environment.

Our Naturalistic Gardens page explores this style.

Outdoor Living Around Period Properties

Older houses require careful integration between:

• Contemporary lifestyle

• Existing architecture.

Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores this balance.

Outdoor Living Around Contemporary Houses

For more architectural properties, see Garden Design for Contemporary Houses.

Outdoor Living Around Modern Homes

Our Garden Design for Modern Homes page explores garden design around modern architecture.

Outdoor Living at Barn Conversions

Barn conversions can work particularly well with:

• Large glazed openings

• Outdoor dining

• Contemporary planting

• Traditional materials.

Our Garden Design for Barn Conversions page explores this relationship.

Outdoor Living at Country Houses

Larger country properties may have several possible locations for outdoor living.

Our Garden Design for Country Houses page explores how terraces and garden rooms can respond to the wider landscape.

Outdoor Living in New-Build Gardens

New-build homes often have strong internal spaces but weak external landscaping.

Our New-Build Gardens page explores how these gardens can be transformed.

Outdoor Living After a House Extension

A house extension can completely change how the garden is approached.

Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores:

• New views

• New access

• Terrace position

• Landscape relationship.

Garden Design for New Extensions

If the extension is still being planned, see Garden Design for New Extensions.

Early garden planning may influence:

• Door positions

• External levels

• Terrace proportions.

Garden Levels After an Extension

Where a new internal floor level creates a difficult external transition, see Garden Levels After an Extension.

Level Access to Outdoor Living Spaces

Step-free movement can improve everyday use.

Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores this issue.

Accessible Outdoor Living Spaces

Our Accessible Garden Design page explores how:

• Routes

• Surfaces

• Seating

• Levels

can be designed more inclusively.

Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Living

For wheelchair users, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.

Furniture and circulation need to be planned with enough space from the beginning.

Family Outdoor Living Spaces

An outdoor living area can become the centre of a family garden.

Our Family Garden Design page explores the relationship between:

• Adult use

• Children

• Play

• Planting.

Outdoor Living With a Trampoline

Where a trampoline is required, its position should be considered relative to the main seating areas.

Our Garden Design with a Trampoline page explores how to integrate one into the wider garden.

Dog-Friendly Outdoor Living

For households with dogs, see Dog-Friendly Garden Design.

Durability, routes and planting all influence how practical the outdoor living space feels.

Outdoor Living in North-Facing Gardens

North-facing gardens can still provide excellent outdoor spaces.

Our North-Facing Gardens page explores how sunlight moves through them.

The best seating area may sometimes be positioned further into the garden.

Outdoor Living on Sloping Sites

A sloping garden can create opportunities for distinct outdoor living terraces.

Our Sloping Gardens page explores the wider design issues.

Garden Terracing

Our Garden Terracing page explores how usable levels can be created.

One terrace might be used for:

• Dining

while another becomes:

• Lounge seating

• Fire-pit space.

Outdoor Living and Drainage

The practical construction beneath the space is just as important as the visible finishes.

Our Garden Drainage page explores the wider issue.

Drainage Around Patios and Extensions

For spaces directly beside the house, see Drainage Around Patios and Extensions.

Outdoor Living on Clay Soil

Heavy clay can influence:

• Drainage

• Foundations

• Planting.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores these conditions.

How Much Does an Outdoor Living Space Cost?

There is no single price because outdoor living can range from:

a well-designed patio and planting scheme

to:

a complete high-end landscape containing kitchens, pergolas, lighting and bespoke features.

Garden Design Costs

For professional garden design fees, see How Much Does Garden Design Cost?.

Landscaping Costs

For the construction side, see How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

Patio Costs

For terrace construction, see How Much Does a Patio Cost?.

Pergola Costs

See How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.

Outdoor Kitchen Costs

See How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.

Lighting Costs

See How Much Does Garden Lighting Cost?.

Garden Screening Costs

Where privacy is important, see How Much Does Garden Screening Cost?.

Garden Transformation Costs

Where outdoor living forms part of a complete redesign, see Garden Transformation Cost.

Luxury Garden Costs

For more substantial high-end projects, see How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?.

Prioritise the Space Before the Products

A common mistake is to choose:

• Kitchen

• Pergola

• Furniture

• Fire feature

before deciding how the garden itself should work.

This can result in a landscape being forced around products rather than designed around people.

A better sequence is:

define how you want to live outdoors

then:

design the space

then:

select the features.

Plan the Whole Garden

Even if the outdoor living area is the priority, consider the wider garden.

The space influences:

• Views

• Paths

• Planting

• Lawn

• Secondary seating.

The best outdoor living areas feel connected to the whole landscape.

Garden Design and Build

For projects requiring both design and professional construction, see Garden Design & Build.

Complete Garden Design and Build

For substantial whole-garden schemes, see Complete Garden Design and Build.

Landscape Construction

Outdoor living spaces may require:

• Excavation

• Groundworks

• Paving

• Walls

• Drainage

• Planting.

Our Landscape Construction page explores the build stage.

Garden Project Management

More complicated outdoor living schemes may require coordination between:

• Garden designer

• Landscaper

• Electrician

• Pergola installer

• Outdoor-kitchen supplier.

Our Garden Project Management page explores this process.

Outdoor Living Space Design in Lancashire

Lancashire gardens can vary from:

• Compact urban spaces

• Period homes

• Rural properties

• Large country gardens.

The design should respond to:

• Rainfall

• Exposure

• Soil

• Existing landscape character.

Outdoor Living Space Design in Cheshire

Cheshire properties can provide opportunities for larger outdoor living schemes combining:

• Pergolas

• Outdoor kitchens

• Dining

• Fire

• Lighting.

The strongest result comes from designing these together.

Outdoor Living Space Design in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester gardens may require more attention to:

• Privacy

• Overlooking

• Limited plot size

• Boundaries.

Targeted screening and careful positioning can create a much more comfortable outdoor area.

Outdoor Living Space Design in Merseyside

Merseyside gardens include:

• Suburban family gardens

• Period properties

• Coastal sites.

More exposed locations may particularly benefit from shelter and robust planting.

Outdoor Living Space Design in the Ribble Valley

Ribble Valley gardens can offer strong opportunities to create outdoor spaces that remain connected to the wider countryside.

Rather than enclosing the space completely, the design may use:

shelter behind

privacy to the sides

and:

open views forwards.

This can create a protected outdoor living space without losing the connection to the surrounding landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About Creating an Outdoor Living Space

What is the first step in creating an outdoor living space?

Decide how you want to use it before selecting furniture, structures or materials.

Does an outdoor living space need to be next to the house?

No. Dining and cooking are often convenient close to the house, while secondary lounge spaces can work further into the garden.

How big should an outdoor living space be?

It should be sized around the furniture, number of users and required circulation rather than made as large as possible.

Do I need a pergola?

No. A pergola should only be included if it provides useful shelter, shade, privacy or spatial definition.

Do I need an outdoor kitchen?

No. Include one only if outdoor cooking is a genuine priority.

Can a small garden have an outdoor living space?

Yes. Compact gardens can often work especially well when functions are combined efficiently.

How can I make my outdoor living area private?

Use planting, trees, screens, layout and structures. See Garden Privacy.

What planting should I use?

Choose plants according to soil, light, exposure, garden style and maintenance. Structural planting, fragrance and trees can all work well around seating.

How should I light an outdoor living space?

Use enough practical lighting for activities while keeping the wider garden atmospheric and layered.

How can I use the space more often in North West England?

Consider shelter, wind protection, drainage and evening lighting from the outset.

Can I have several outdoor living spaces?

Yes, particularly in larger gardens, but each should have a clear purpose.

Should I buy furniture before the garden is designed?

You do not need to buy it first, but knowing approximate dimensions helps the designer create correctly proportioned spaces.

How much does an outdoor living space cost?

It depends on the paving, structures, lighting, planting and specialist features involved. See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

Should I design the whole garden at the same time?

Usually, yes. This helps the outdoor living area connect properly with paths, planting, views and the rest of the landscape.

Can Kirman Design design and build an outdoor living space?

For suitable projects, an outdoor living space can form part of a complete Garden Design & Build project.

Creating an Outdoor Living Space Is About Creating Somewhere You Want to Stay

The strongest outdoor living spaces are not defined by the number of features they contain.

They work because:

the position feels right.

The:

furniture fits properly.

The:

space feels sheltered without feeling enclosed.

The:

planting makes it feel like part of the garden.

The:

view gives you something worth looking at.

And after dark:

the lighting allows the landscape to remain part of the experience.

That is the difference between:

putting outdoor furniture on a patio

and:

creating a genuine outdoor living space.

At Kirman Design, we approach outdoor living spaces by combining:

purpose + position + furniture + circulation + shelter + privacy + planting + lighting + landscape construction.

If you are creating an outdoor living space in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, beginning with how you genuinely want to use the space will usually result in a more comfortable, practical and visually successful garden.