10 Helpful Tips For Planning An Outdoor Seating Area You’ll LOVE!

Don’t waste your money on backyard seating that is only ‘good enough’. Here’s 10 TOP things to consider when planning an outdoor seating area.

Tips For Planning An Outdoor Seating Area

You know that moment when you’re walking through Home Depot and you see that cute lounger or bench on sale and you think, I need more seating, might as well grab this.

Only to realize later that it doesn’t really match anything or fit your space and you just wish you hadn’t bought it. I’ve been there too. Sorry, Home Depot. It’s not personal.

I should have planned out my backyard living space the same way I plan my indoor spaces.

Planning your backyard space before you buy anything will save you time and money while giving you that grown up outdoor living space you’ve always wanted.

In this post I have the TOP 10 things to consider when planning an outdoor seating area. With tips to help you design an outdoor living space you’ll LOVE!

What To Consider When Planning An Outdoor Seating Area

Answering these questions will help you design the best outdoor seating for your backyard living space.

1. What’s The Best Backyard Seating Size For Your Space?

What is the size of the area for this seating? Will you need more than 1 piece for this space? Or will multiple pieces make the area feel cramped and small?

Even if you find a cute outdoor bench, chair, or sofa, if it’s too small for your space, it won’t look right. I always think buying bigger than you’d think is right, generally looks best.

So, be sure to measure the space you want to fill and try to fill the area with appropriately sized furniture.

2. What’s The Most Comfortable Style For Your Family?

What sort of comfort level do you need? Will this be a formal outdoor seating spot where looks matter more than comfort? Or, do you want a comfy outdoor seating area?

Do you need a solid back on seating? How high do you need the seat, arms, and back to be? Low backs on outdoor seating may look cool, but they seem to be extra uncomfortable for my tall husband.

Adirondack chairs are popular because they are so comfy. The backs are high enough for tall people. And the seat height is just right for just about everyone.

See the highest-rated Adirondack Chairs on Amazon.

Measure the furniture you already love inside your house to pick the right heights, lengths, and depths for your new seating.

3. How Many Seats Do You Need?

How much seating will you need? Do you usually host big family parties or lots of guests? Plan ahead for how many seats you need to avoid storing all of those fold out chairs for parties.

4. How Will You Use Your Outdoor Seating Area?

How you will use the seating? Would your family love to spend evenings outside having dinner and sitting around a fire? Is this just a play area for little kids?

Or, do you primarily need pool side seating and storage. Thinking about how you’ll use the space will help you narrow down the type of backyard furniture you should buy.

5. Who Will Use Your Backyard Seating?

Who will use the seating? Is this a spot for mostly grown ups who will keep your outdoor living space clean? Or, will your backyard seating be a space for teens and their friends?

Maybe you need to consider older family members needs for easy to get out of seating? How about easy to clean seating for messy toddlers and little kids?

There’s a big difference between how teens slump and curl up on seats and where your Grandma would like to sit while having her morning tea.

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6. What About Shade And Lighting Requirements?

What are the lighting requirements? Does the spot need some lighting for night or even daytime use? Where will you need to place that lighting?

Maybe you need an overhead fan for hotter months. Will your outdoor seating are need to work around access to electricity?

What about shade? Does your outdoor living space get a lot of sun? Does your backyard space plan need to include sun sails or umbrellas? Do you need to keep the seating in existing shady or sunny spots?

See the highest-rated Waterproof Sun Sails on Amazon.

7. How About Your Outdoor Storage Needs?

What are your storage needs? Do you need to incorporate storage into the seating? What about shoe storage, if you’re by a door? Will pool, gardening, or yard toys be kept here?

See the highest-rated Outdoor Storage Boxes on Amazon.

8. How Will You Use The Space As A Whole?

What are the overall plans for this backyard living space? Think about the space as a whole when you’re designing your outdoor seating space.

Don’t just buy separate things to fit separate needs and expect them to look nice together.

How will you incorporate all of your backyard seating, tables, and storage together? Do you need to set aside certain space for other things? Grills, toys, tables, shoes, fire pits, etc.

9. What Else In The Space Might Effect The Design?

What other elements of the space might effect the outdoor seating layout and design? Think about things like the location and height of windows, proximity to doors or things like grills and fire pits?

Does foot traffic need to flow through this outdoor living space. Make sure everyone has room to move around everything and you aren’t blocking easy access to any doors or windows.

10. What Will The View Be Like?

What kind of view do you want? Think about the view you’ll have or want while sitting in your backyard. I LOVE looking at our pool and landscaping when I’m relaxing in our backyard.

ALSO, think about the view of your seating area from inside your house. You don’t want to ruin the views from inside your home to get a good view for your outside seating area. Try to find a happy middle.

That’s it for my Top 10 things to consider when planning an outdoor seating area. If you think about all of these things together, you should be able to figure out the best backyard seating design for your space.

If you’re ready to look at some backyard seating options, check out 5 of my picks for stylish and durable outdoor seating buys for small, medium, and large spaces.

5 Stylish And Durable Outdoor Seating Options On Amazon

See More Home Design And Planning Tips

• 11 Helpful Interior Design Tips For Building A New Home
• 15 Helpful Tips To Pick The Best Floor Plan For A New Home Build!
• 10 Helpful Tips For Working With A Builder To Build A House
• 16 Great Ways to Repurpose an Unused Formal Living Room
• 14 Best Ways to Renovate A Living Room on a Budget!
• 21 Cheap And Easy Ways To Make A Home Office Look Better!
• 24 Great Ways To Repurpose an Unused Dining Room

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