Discover the art of creating an elevated al fresco entertainment experience.
By Tanya A. Yacina
Southern California’s year-round temperate weather undoubtedly facilitates outdoor entertaining to be a way of life. Whether for a sunset soirée by the sea or a relaxed brunch under the palms, backyards, patios and poolside decks are canvases for sophisticated indoor-outdoor living designs and Newport Beach’s stylish hosts and interior designers know that creating an unforgettable gathering starts with a thoughtfully designed space.
Ashley Porter, principal designer at Newport Beach-based design firm 29 Eleven Interiors (29eleveninteriors.com), says creating a welcoming outdoor atmosphere is an essential element to promote gathering while adding value to a home. From thoughtfully placed seating and relaxing lounge areas to outdoor kitchens and cozy fire pit conversations, creating an outdoor entertainment area to fit your lifestyle also elevates the space.
“The wonderful So-Cal weather calls for creating an extension of interior living outdoors – various entertainment spaces allowing people to come together and enjoy some fresh air with beautifully landscaped and thoughtfully designed entertainment areas,” she says. “There are so many wonderful surfaces and fabrics available to infuse personality into each detail.”
“There’s so much inspiration to be found living and designing in southern California, from the beach and nature to Spanish and European influenced architecture to the relaxed sensibility of life by the coast,” says Aly Morford, co-founder and principal designer at Newport Beach’s Pure Salt Interiors. “We try to bottle up the feeling of a vacation or destination—an environment of complete serenity and beauty—so our clients can enjoy that escape year-round.”
Curate the Ultimate Outdoor Space
Porter says a well-designed outdoor space includes integrated features that are both functional and inviting, including outdoor dining, covered lounge areas and built-in BBQ/kitchens to allow for cooking with leisure. She says the most important element in designing an outdoor area is space planning, which determines the best layout to accommodate the desired amenities while maintaining an open feel with nice flow.
“Creating a mix of spaces can mimic a resort-like feel in your own backyard. Water features quickly become a nice focal while the addition of heat via a fireplace or fire table is sure to have guests wanting to stay awhile,” she explains. “It is important to consider lifestyle when selecting which features are incorporated – think of how you live and which items would get most used.”
Leigh Lincoln, co-founder and principal designer at Pure Salt Interiors (puresaltinteriors.com), says adding water and fire features add ambiance and curate a relaxing mood in an outdoor space. She says the sound of water always adds a relaxing element to add to a space, and fire pits and fireplaces serve as a gathering space for relaxed entertaining.
“We’ve seen a couple trends with our clients over the past year. First, there has been a big draw towards pass-through kitchen windows. They are incredibly functional, connecting the interior kitchen with the outdoor space, creating such a nice flow between the entertaining hubs of the home,” says Lincoln. “There’s also been an increased desire for outdoor showers—an essential for pool days and rinsing off after the beach; these showers are becoming more and more elevated as design opportunities and not just a utility.”
Morford recommends L-shaped or U-shaped seating arrangements for an outdoor lounge space because their simple, easy placement maximizes seating and facilitate conversation. She says to opt for a sectional or two sofas and orient them around a focal point like a fire pit or a pool to create a casually intimate gathering spot.
“A must-have for any outdoor entertaining space is comfortable and quality outdoor lounge furniture. You can host plenty of memorable gatherings, or just enjoy solo, if you have a well-appointed sofa or sectional that you and your guests actually want to sit in,” she says. “For dining areas, an extendable table is nice so you can flex with your guest count, eliminating crowded elbows and ensuring easy conversation.”
Bringing the Vision to Life
“Identify your needs versus wants. You probably want it all, but what can your space handle and what will you actually enjoy using? Remember, outdoor spaces require maintenance throughout the year,” advises Morford. “Keep designs classic and simple. Play with texture in a neutral palette for your finishes and opt for clean lines in your furnishings for a look that will remain timeless season to season.”
She also says there’s no regret in investing in your home’s outdoor spaces – it doubles the comfortable living space – and she encourages the use of anything that is the outdoor equivalent of indoor accessories for an elevated design, enhancing comfort and aesthetics. This includes the use of chunky outdoor pillows, weathered pots with layered plants and Turkish linen towels that are functional, as well as beautiful.
“Consider lifestyle and how you’ll get the most use of the space – focus most on what will bring the most joy,” Porter agrees. “Select surfaces that are low maintenance, select comfortable furnishings and don’t skip the landscaping.”
Porter also explains that when choosing outdoor materials, it’s important to select those that will withstand the elements. She often specifies porcelain or quartzite for countertops and recommends skipping marble or quartz. She says textured limestone or porcelain tiles are great for flooring because they are non-slip and can be ordered as pool coping for a seamless look around the pool.
“We are all about texture, so plaster accents, natural stones and handmade tiles are some of our favorite materials for outdoor spaces. Weather-treated woods are also a classic and can be used as a cabinet facing for a classic, coastal look,” says Lincoln. “The key is choosing natural materials that are able to withstand the harsh conditions of our coastal climate and also flow well from the indoors out.”
“Seating areas should be open to one another while feeling intimate. Anchoring each area with either an area rug or flooring surface change helps achieve this,” says Porter. “Swivel chairs are great to connect multiple spaces while having the kitchen/bar open to the dining area and or pool promotes interaction and togetherness.”
“Don’t skip on the accessories – they make entertaining fun and create an overall experience for guests. Stocked pool towels, outdoor dishware and coordinating glasses make things feel more complete,” Porter continues. “A bar cart and towel caddy can be used to set up for a gathering and tucked away when not in use.”
“A set of quality chaise lounges and an umbrella can go a long way in elevating a pool to feel more like an in-home resort,” says Lincoln. “Also, landscaping surrounding a pool can completely change the overall vibe of the space, whether to add more privacy or create a visual statement.”
Porter says, in addition to considering installation of a pool or spa in an outdoor entertainment area, adding various gathering areas and reserving space for gaming such as bocci ball, mini golf or a ping pong table can be an attractive element to entertain guests. If there is a pool, a swim up bar and/or sun deck in the pool is also inviting.
“Keep the overall design simple with furniture in classic silhouettes and remember not to overcrowd your design,” Lincoln says. “With a simple base, you can style accordingly for every type of gathering. And remember, sticking with the essentials doesn’t mean sparse, but rather curated and effortless.”
