By Gary Farrell, Founder of Nth Degree

Even the most beautiful outdoor spaces run the risk of falling flat if the correct design principles haven’t been adhered to. Proper zoning, orientation and lighting all play a vital role in ensuring you maximise the natural class of the world around, creating a winning experience for your friends or guests.

A few small tweaks can transform a balcony, courtyard or patio into a space that feels effortlessly considered. So, we asked Gary Farrell, Founder of Nth Degree, designer of luxury outdoor coffee tables, lounge chairs and more, for their most common outdoor design mistakes – and how you can fix them.

No clear zoning or flow

Want your space to feel intentional and thoughtfully designed for its intended purpose? One of the most common mistakes I come across when renovating an existing space is a lack of clear zoning or flow, particularly when it’s a multi-functional space.

‘Zoning’ refers to dividing a space into distinct functional areas, improving flow, usability and aesthetics. Use flooring or material changes to distinguish between areas for dining and relaxing or hedges to stake out pathways. This should be one of your primary considerations when designing your outdoor space.

Ignoring sun orientation and shade

Given that most outdoor spaces are intended to allow guests to enjoy the outdoors, it’s surprising how many outdoor spaces are designed without accounting for sun orientation and natural shade.

Placing lounge chairs or dining tables in direct sun can make spaces uncomfortable, so the obvious fix is the addition of a sun umbrella or parasol, right? While this might be a utilitarian solution, it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing.

When designing your space, think about how you can use natural shade to your advantage – or use alternative shading methods like pergolas, retractable awnings and strategic tree planting that have more of a considered feel than the humble sun umbrella.

Not aligning your indoor and outdoor design

Another common mistake I often see is when people don’t align their indoor and outdoor spaces thematically. In recent years, there’s been a shift towards seamlessness between your indoor and outdoor spaces.

It can be jarring if your guests step out of an interior space that’s designed in a certain way and find themselves in an outdoor one that looks entirely different. Don’t design your outdoor space in isolation – think about the journey from indoor to outdoor and how you can ease the transition.

Lighting design failures

The best outdoor spaces help curate the perfect ambience, whether it’s daytime or night. If you’ve followed tip two and planned your design with naturally occurring sun patterns and shade in mind, then light distribution won’t be a problem during the day.

However, if you’re planning on entertaining guests at all hours, you’ll need to consider your lighting and how it helps build atmosphere at night. Floodlight-style lighting technically works, but can be overly bright and feel sterile.

Combine three types of lighting to maximise depth, with soft washes of ambient lighting, task lighting for paths, bars or seating areas, with accent lighting for key design features. Use warm lighting – 2700K to 3000K – to create a cosy and inviting mood, and you’ll have a space capable of accommodating your guests at any time of the day.

Furnishings selection

If you’re lucky enough to be blessed with natural scenery that accentuates or even defines your outdoor space, then the best thing you can do is let it do the talking; think lakeside dining patios, cliffside infinity pools or vineyard pergolas.

The worst thing you can do is detract from the surroundings with the wrong choice of furniture. Ditch the flimsy plastic chairs and opt for natural materials that slot seamlessly into the world around.

Furniture specifically designed for outdoor use should mimic the natural shapes, swoops and curves of the natural world and use organic materials that feel right at home amongst the landscape.

Ignoring verticality

The best spaces also take verticality into account – no matter how beautiful the material choices might be, flat spaces can feel lifeless. Height and verticality bring rhythm and balance, adding a depth to your space that might not be present in a more two-dimensional design.

Thinking vertically allows your space to feel more layered without feeling cluttered. Thoughtful elevation through raised planters and vertical garden features will draw your guests’ eyes and deliver a space that people can enjoy and appreciate being in. 

Forgetting a signature feature

The rise of minimalism has given us some incredibly tasteful spaces. Its restrained, understated look is perfect for creating a luxurious feel, whether you’re designing for indoor or outdoor.

However, with the Scandi style’s ascent into the mainstream, I’ve seen an increase in the number of outdoor spaces that look nice, but lack a bit of a wow factor. These spaces really benefit from a single signature feature – a well-chosen focal point like a statement sculpture or something elemental like a water or fire feature will make all the difference.

Don’t forget: any space designed for entertaining guests needs something with a little oomph!

So, now you know a little more about creating the ultimate outdoor ambience, whether you’re making the most of a sprawling garden, patio or al fresco dining area. Next, it’s time to get started and transform your space!