Elevate Your Space: Top Outdoor Living Ideas for Cooler Seasons
Photo Credit: Askar Abayev | Pexel
As temperatures dip, the opportunity to create a sophisticated yet cozy outdoor retreat becomes even more inviting. With the right design and thoughtful touches, your outdoor space can be as elegant and comfortable in the cooler months as any indoor living area. Watermark Pools & Outdoor Living is a premier pool builder in Nashville, and, as such, we understand the art of effortless luxury. While you can always count on us to design, build and maintain your custom pool, landscape and hardscape, here are also some ideas for those finishing touches to transform your space into a high-end autumn and winter oasis that will inspire you year-round.
1. Install a Fireplace or Fire Bowl
A luxurious stone fireplace or fire bowl becomes a stunning focal point, adding warmth to those brisk nights. Choose high-end materials like natural stone or marble to complement your home’s architecture, blending seamlessly with your landscape design.
Design Inspo: Imagine gathering beside a grand fire bowl under a canopy of stars, wrapped in warmth and comfort. Sure, you could go with a fire pit, but fire bowls offer a sleek, contemporary option that elevates any outdoor setting.
2. Embrace Weather-Resistant Luxury Furniture
Outdoor furniture is an investment in year-round enjoyment. Opt for hand-crafted teak or woven resin wicker that resists the elements yet exudes sophistication. Layer with wool and cashmere throws and add velvet or faux-fur pillows to create a plush, inviting atmosphere.
Design Inspo: Arrange furniture around a central focal point, like a custom fire feature or outdoor art piece, to create a cozy, inviting outdoor living space for connecting with friends and family.
Photo Credit: Watermark Pools & Outdoor Living
3. Illuminate with Bespoke Lighting Installations
High-end outdoor lighting goes beyond basic fixtures. It embraces custom lighting designs that enhance architecture and landscaping. Use warm, dimmable LEDs, or integrate path lights and lanterns with brass finishes for a soft, sophisticated glow. For a whimsical touch, consider chandeliers over outdoor dining areas, creating a dining experience reminiscent of an elegant ballroom.
Design Inspo: Artisanal light fixtures not only illuminate your outdoor living space, but they also create a statement about your outdoor living space. Picture a serene evening where soft lights highlight the surrounding landscape and view, creating a magical outdoor experience that’s both functional and exquisite.
4. Design an Enclosed Heated Lounge Area
For those who want the height of outdoor luxury, an enclosed heated lounge brings comfort without sacrificing style. Consider glass paneling or sliding doors that open to a view but shield from the cold. Luxurious fabrics, such as mohair and leather, combined with radiant floor heating and high-end heaters, create a refined retreat.
Design Inspo: Enhance the area with a statement piece like an art sculpture, a large planter, or even a swank outdoor bar cart. You can also increase your entertainment wow factor with an outdoor TV and sound system for movie night, game day, and everything in between.
Photo Credit: Watermark Pools & Outdoor Living
5. Create an Alfresco Dining Sanctuary
An outdoor dining sanctuary invites exquisite gatherings year-round. A long stone or custom wood table, covered with elegant linens and paired with wrought iron chairs and plush cushions, makes the experience both luxurious and memorable. Add a wine storage cabinet nearby or a hidden compartment for blankets and throws to elevate the ambiance.
Design Inspo: Visualize this—imagine a gourmet meal served under a stylish pergola, with heat lamps discreetly placed and candlelit lanterns creating an intimate glow. Add a wine-tasting element to make it a truly opulent experience.
6. Keep Your Outdoor Kitchen Open Longer
When you set up your outdoor kitchen, choose premium appliances so you can use your kitchen well into the fall and beyond. A grilled meal during the winter is a refreshing change from the usual weeknight dinners and staves off the winter blues with reminders of summer.
Design Inspo: The damper, colder weather of fall is a good reminder that your outdoor kitchen cabinet and countertop materials need to stand up to the ever-changing weather. Invest in high-quality materials and appliances for your outdoor oasis.
7. Think Cozy
When transitioning your outdoor living space from summer to fall, switch up your colors to a warmer palette with jewel tones like orange, ruby red and deep purple. Think about adding new textures to create a cozy vibe and change out accessories, including dinnerware, lanterns and rugs, to reflect the season.
Design Inspo: Use pillows and throws to shift from breezier textiles in warmer months to cozier knits in cooler seasons. Consider using nostalgic patterns and design touches that reflect holidays, too.
Ready to transform your outdoor living space? Reach out to us today and let our experts guide you through each step of bringing your vision to life.
