Even if you don't call Hawaii home, it's summer time on the mainland and that means your outdoor living space might need some new ideas.  Here are some design trends we are seeing in a place where outdoor living is 365 days a year...

Outdoor Living Is Turning Things Inside, Out

Beautifying and improving outdoor living spaces has been a trend for the past few seasons. Recently however, Trans-Pacific Design has been taking the outdoor living concept to a new level.

Our clients have been requesting that we expand lanai and patios so that they function as main living, dining or play areas.  Consequently those formerly indoor rooms are now permanently, outside.

For example, working with architecture firm Hawaii Island Architects, we designed this luxury Hokuli'a residence so that the only dining area is outside.  Everyday enjoyment of alfresco meals and entertaining is enhanced by a  generously sized dining table, a full outdoor kitchen with grill, refrigerator, ice maker and sink.

This luxury outdoor living plan also includes a lap pool with Baja shelf, in-pool loungers, a covered cabana and bar seating.  We added easy care stone flooring and accessorized with outdoor area rugs, two fire pits, and ceiling fans for those "Kona weather" days.

No longer limited to grills and torches, outdoor fixture options include televisions, refrigerators, lamps, ice-makers and more.  Consequently,  creating a true outdoor living space is easier than ever.

New outdoor furniture and fabrics will make you want to use them indoors

Furthermore, helping this trend is the fact that furniture no longer needs to look like "outdoor" furniture.  Options include pieces like this stylish rope-look sofa and lounge chairs by Kingsley Bate.  They appear to be woven of sisal, but are actually made of durable maintenance-free polypropylene.  In addition, outdoor fabric options have improved so much in both look and feel that we often use them indoors. These cushions covered in solution-dyed acrylic fabric will keep their color and freshness in the  sun.  As a result, our clients love that these durable fabrics give them freedom from worry over wear and staining.  Noteworthy companies Perennials and Sunbrella are good places to start looking at the nearly endless color and pattern options now available.

Take Your Inside, Outside

In conclusion, outdoor living spaces are becoming main living areas.  However, if you don't live in a place where outdoor living is realistic year-round, consider transitioning one of your interior living areas to the outdoors just for the season.  First, look for some of the exciting new outdoor accessories to make your new space feel like a finished room. Then choose fabrics and furniture that blur the line between inside and out.  As a result, you may feel like you don’t need walls at all.