When you own a beach house where the sun shines beautifully and the stunning sand is pristine—such as when you have one of the oceanfront homes on Amelia Island—it makes perfect sense to design an idyllic space for luxury outdoor living.
To help you create your outdoor area for seaside lounging, here are five steps to consider.
#1 Plan Your Special Space
Just as indoor room design takes planning, it’s crucial to put careful thought into how you’ll make your outdoor space serve as an extension of your home. This includes, notes The New York Times, how you’ll use your outdoor haven and how, over time, you will maintain the space.
As part of that, consider which of the three most typical uses of an outdoor area you have in mind because they each come with a “different set of rules”: for outdoor dining, as an outdoor living room, and as a pool area. You may have one, two, or all three in mind; whatever is the right answer for you, incorporate that into your planning. If the area is large enough, you could create a nook with a table and chairs for dining along with sofas, chairs, and other elegant beach house furnishings; if there’s also a pool, chaise lounges and associated outdoor furniture can go around that for sunbathing. If, instead, your dream is a cozy space, choose which of these functions is most important and design for that activity of choice.
#2 Choose Your Favorite Flooring
Homes & Gardens suggests that, when selecting your flooring, you reflect your style: contemporary or classic, for example. Do you want to use eco-friendly materials? What textures appeal to you? What colors? Although it may be simple to switch out your outdoor furniture to create a fresh look or to dovetail with evolving tastes and desires, flooring would take more time and effort to change, so this is an especially important decision in the design of your luxury outdoor living area.
Options that can be especially appropriate in a beach house setting include bits of sand, pebbles, and crushed shells in the patio flooring’s unique design. Other materials to consider include marble for an opulent, long-lasting look (and, around the pool, this can be part of a heated patio floor). Bluestone is a natural stone that’s extremely strong, allowing you to move your outdoor furniture around without worry; you can apply a sealant for extra protection. You can stain concrete or wood for tough solutions in high traffic areas, and so forth. Although options aren’t literally limitless, they’re quite broad.
#3 Select Your Outdoor Furniture
Next up: it’s time to choose your outdoor furniture, which can range from elegant beach house furnishings to shabby chic to something in between. Perhaps you already know exactly what style you want to incorporate or you may be inspired by the outdoor furniture trends shared by Better Homes & Gardens.
These include using responsibly sourced woods, "recycled materials, and eco-conscious fabrics" as well as organic textures and aesthetics. For a look that can be ideal for the waterfront, pieces inspired by antiques are in vogue, including “garden benches, vine-covered trellises and arbors, rustic stone planters, and weathered teak that looks like it has already been exposed to salty sea air.”
Choosing multi-purpose beachfront patio decor is a practical route with today’s modular pieces available in stylish looks that can be flexibly rearranged to meet a variety of purposes. For a charming little niche space, smaller pieces of charming outdoor furniture are now available.
Livingetc.com notes the popularity of teak wood in modern luxury outdoor living and seaside lounging. It’s low maintenance and can withstand much of what Mother Nature can send. Thick cushions add true comfort and allow you to include pops of color. So can woven rugs made out of acrylic, and you can swap out the cushions and rugs for a whole new look.
#4 Don’t Forget the Storage
You can use attractive storage options that double as furniture, Forbes.com notes, such as couches, ottomans, and more beachfront patio decor that are designed for double duty. Modular pieces, such as the outdoor furniture referred to in strategy number three, can be especially creative in this regard. If you want to have an outdoor kitchen in your luxury outdoor living space, you can find ones that incorporate storage in clever, space-saving ways. End tables and coffee tables can also come with storage opportunities.
Use these spots to store blankets, towels, extra cushions, toys, beach items, and more. Plus, there are pieces of outdoor furniture that are specially designed to provide storage; seek ones that blend with your decorating scheme. Some planters also come with hidden niches to include gardening tools.
#5 Add Beautiful Landscaping
Now it’s time for the final touches, the coup de grâce. This can be a continuation of the landscape design that you’ve already lovingly put around your property. Or, as The Spruce suggests, you could also mix styles for an eclectic appeal. In-demand designs today include cottage-style gardens, which could look appealing near the beach, as well as rustic looks—which could be ideal if your outdoor furniture is antique-inspired. Your terrain, your taste, and the amount of space set aside for your luxury outdoor living and seaside lounging can serve as a guide for your unique landscaping design.
Oceanfront Homes on Amelia Island
If you’re looking for a home where you can luxuriate in seaside lounging, just let our experienced Amelia Island real estate agents know. Our team is truly passionate about beachside living on Amelia Island and knowledgeable about the opportunities that exist for you to enjoy this exceptional lifestyle. Here are oceanfront Homes on Amelia Island that are currently available. If you see one that looks like the consummate choice for you, just let us know! Or, you can contact us to share your wants and needs, and we can show you magnificent choices for your luxury outdoor living.
