Indoor-Outdoor Layering: How to Make Patios Feel Like Extra Rooms

Follow these six tips to make a home feel even larger by better connecting the indoors to the outdoors.

By: Rose Morrison

Real estate professionals understand that perception is as important as square footage. While some focus on perfecting spaces within the four walls, they may be overlooking opportunities for expansion. Patios and decks are rooms that embody sightline staging.

Here are six outdoor room ideas to create a seamless extension of your living space.

1. Establish color and material cohesion.

Your patio should have an unbroken visual path from the inside to the outside. This outdoor staging idea is rooted in psychology, as it tricks the brain into seeing two zones as one space. If possible, focus on using the same flooring—or at least similar color—across the living area and adjoining patio to further the illusion.

Shannon Asher, director at Asher Lasting Exteriors, says your backyard’s aesthetic should align with the inside of your home to ensure sightline cohesiveness. While the match may not be exact, you should be aware of clashing materials. For example, stone and wood have better matches than vinyl or plastic. “You can accomplish this by incorporating interior trim and cabinet colors into the outdoor furniture or decking,” Asher says.

2. Layer in rich textures.

Varied texture is essential when staging outdoor spaces. Layering rich, tactile surfaces can transform a patio into a sophisticated outdoor room. With texture, you can engage the senses by adding visual weight and an inviting touch.

Heather Stanwick, communications manager at Organized Living, says texture is a top trend within indoor-outdoor living, and she believes it’s a lasting trend. “Adding texture to a space can help it feel more inviting, reflect style and convey different moods and tones,” she says.

3. Create an outdoor hearth as an anchor.

Hearths have long been used for cooking and providing warmth. Now, you can use them as a destination when considering patio staging ideas. They make an excellent focal point for the eyes as they gaze from an interior room.

Cristy Ortiz, project manager at CW Architects, says hearths are powerful anchors that direct the flow of a home and draw people inside. “Aligning the kitchen island with indoor and outdoor fireplaces—the hearths of yesterday—creates a harmonious axis that allows us to create poetic alignments with indoor and outdoor spaces,” she says.

4. Use high-performance fabrics.

Quick outdoor room ideas include incorporating fabrics that look and feel like living room fabrics. While older materials were stiff and plastic-like, modern fabrics offer performance similar to what you’d see indoors. You get rich colors and patterns that can still withstand the elements.

Anna Wheeler, a designer at Calico, says outdoor fabrics should be indistinguishable from the interior. Once you find your favorite materials, use them for outdoor pillows and cushion seating. Not much outdoor furniture? “Not a problem,” she says. “Create large cushions or pillows in a variety of fade and stain-resistant performance fabrics.”

5. Furnish to the correct scale.

While furniture is essential, make sure it’s balanced and harmonious. Your approach when staging outdoor spaces must focus on appropriately sized pieces for the outdoor space. If oversized, a couch or chair could carry too much visual weight and shrink the space.

If your patio space is small, you can still make the most of it—even for barbecuing and relaxations, says Mark Simmers, executive vice president at Wolf Home Products. “Small outdoor spaces can still deliver big style and huge fun,” he says. “All it takes are a few smart, tiny outdoor space ideas to transform any patio, yard or deck.”

Simmers recommends using pops of color through rugs or cushions. Additionally, you can move seating and dining to the wall or borders to create larger openings in the middle.

6. Keep buyers in mind.

Once you’ve mastered the techniques of indoor-outdoor living, you can apply them through a strategic filter. Keep buyers in mind when staging, especially since they’re showing a tendency to be more sophisticated and choosy in the modern market. Staging can highlight elements that most deeply resonate with the audience.

With a targeted approach, you can transform staged spaces into compelling sales arguments. Elaine Sutter Nevin, senior auction marketing specialist at J.P. King, recommends highlighting the features most compelling to specific buyer types.

“Emphasize investment potential for those driven by ROI, exclusive amenities and privacy for affluent homeowners and architectural pedigree or historical importance for passionate collectors,” she says.

Staging is a lesson in psychological design. This process goes beyond decoration by deliberately crafting a journey for the buyer’s eye. Once you unify materials and layer textures, you can dissolve the boundary separating the home and the outdoor spaces.