With a few creative touches, even an ordinary outdoor space can be transformed into something truly unique. Whether you are installing modern outdoor décor, creating an outdoor living space, or starting from scratch, you will want to carefully plan every detail involved along the way.
Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the bolder. What is most appealing to one person may not be what appeals to another. Naturally, this gives creative outdoor designers a wide variety of design ideas to choose from.
However, while beauty is indeed subjective, there are still some universal elements of creative design that will need to be considered. Basic creative design theory can be seen in a wide variety of different professions, including decorators, architects, engineers, and many others.
In this article, we will discuss some of the most important elements of creative design. By taking the time to understand the roles that each of these elements plays, you can find the perfect decorative piece (or pieces) and help complete your outdoor living area.
1. Color
Of course, as any creative designer would tell you, color plays a very important role in both indoor and outdoor design. In most outdoor spaces, green is the most notable color—incorporating special landscaping features can help diversify your current color scheme.
When choosing colors for an outdoor space, there are many things you will need to consider. For example, using a monochromatic color scheme will have a very different effect when compared to using a polychromatic (many colors) scheme. The way colors interact and balance one another creates an opportunity to make a personal statement.
2. Line
In the world of creative design, the term “line” is used to describe how spaces are separated and distinguished from one another. For example, if you are creating an outdoor kitchen, the transition between the patio space (made of brick) and the grass will create a chance to experiment with lines.
Lines can be straight, wavy, thick, thin, and pretty much any form you can think of. The line is especially important in outdoor areas, where there is often a need for creating distinct spaces (patio, yard, garden, pool, etc.). Be sure to ask your creative designer about how clever line choice can make your yard seem bigger.
3. Shape
The shape has a tremendous impact on how a person will see and experience a given space. When playing with shape, the most important thing you’ll need to decide is whether you want the shapes you use to be geometric (perfect) or organic (imperfect).
Juxtaposing organic and geometric shapes is a great way to play into the unique relationship between human beings and nature. Shapes that represent the flow of water, for example, can help create a much more balanced and less rigid aesthetic.
4. Space
Any given outdoor area will only have so much square footage (or acreage) to work with. One of the duties of an outdoor creative designer is to help maximize the amount of value, or utility, you can get from your outdoor area without causing it to feel too cluttered.
Before you begin the broader design process, you will need to be honest with yourself and determine what you hope to use the given space for. If you currently have small children (or plan to in the future), creating recreational areas like an open grassy area or a playground might be your best bet.
However, if the primary purpose of the yard is for hosting outdoor dinners, then you may want to focus more on aesthetics and less on play. In some cases, using “negative space” can be just as eye-catching as “positive space.”
5. Texture
The texture is a key component of many types of design, including visual art. However, while the texture is always generally important seo, it is especially important in outdoor areas where people are likely to touch a lot of surfaces.
In terms of exterior design, this might include choosing between concrete, brick, and stone surfaces. It might also include deciding the type of seating you hope to incorporate throughout your yard. Generally, the more textured surfaces you incorporate into your yard, the less “natural” the yard will feel. It will be up to you to find the perfect balance.
6. Scale (Size)
One of the first things people notice when they look at a design feature, such as an outdoor statue or an outdoor fountain, is its size. The size of any notable art feature will directly affect whether the piece seems to “fit” and it will influence whether the given outdoor area feels crowded.
One helpful design tip is to choose one large decoration that establishes a central theme for the entire outdoor area. Too often, people will usually choose only small decorations or only large decorations, which can cause the space to feel off-balance.
7. Pattern
Patterns establish order and repetition in design, and pair well with geometric shapes. Incorporating a universal pattern in your broader design scheme will help make it much easier to ensure various design features match one another.
In your creative outdoor kitchen, there will be countless opportunities to add an interesting pattern. For example, many kitchen designers prefer to use an intricately patterned backsplash to make a bolder statement. Essentially, any component of your yard that you want to include a manmade surface can be effectively patterned in some way.
8. Harmony
Lastly, one of the most important components of creative design is harmony. Harmony is usually considered the “overall goal of design.” Harmony is a term described to use how the many different elements of design, such as those mentioned above, are balanced with one another.
In outdoor areas, balancing manmade and natural features will be one of the most crucial steps in establishing harmony. Thinking about the relationships between color and size, line and texture, and any other pairing of elements can help you tie the entire space together.
Conclusion
Good design has both subjective and objective characteristics. With the right creative design team by your side, you will be able to create a harmonious oasis that balances your tastes with time-tested design theories.
