Summer’s coming! Even if you live in a place that might get a freak snowstorm or two this time of year, warmer temps are on their way! If you’re anything like us, you’ll likely want to spend every possible second soaking up the sun in your backyard. In thinking about your outdoor space and how to best use it in the summer months, find some planning advice and stylistic inspiration curated from years of experience in the MCM world by taking a peek into Atomic Ranch’s latest book, Remodeled Marvels.
A version of this story appears in Remodeled Marvels by Jickie Torres. You can buy the book through our store or on Amazon.
Getting Started in Your MCM Outdoor Living Planning
So how do you tackle this outdoor expanse and tap into its untapped potential? It starts the same way any floor plan or room arrangement would: You consider your needs and how you’d like to use the space. Are you an entertainer who’ll host backyard BBQs and pool parties and outdoor movie viewings? Or do you long for quiet solitude and relaxing in the fresh air? Are plants the way to your heart, or are you in the market for a low-maintenance space?
For Di Zock, landscape artist at Di Zock Design, creating connection and flow between home and garden is essential. “You have to look at how you come out of the house and how you relate to the outside space,” she explains. “You create a few different layouts based on what you need, and the ones that work well are the ones that relate to the house in a logical way.” (See some of Di Zock’s handiwork here!)
Determine your priorities, and then pair that with your property layout. Plot out what features are your must-haves and where they would fit. This will help you workshop what’s doable and will start to shape your budget.
Prioritize Usability
Once you’ve identified the features on your wish list, make sure your execution plan factors in practicality. Keep cooking zones near the house to make transporting and prepping food easier. Don’t put the veggie and herb garden in an area of the backyard that you never frequent or that’s hard to access or you’ll never maintain it.
Don’t overlook your regional climate dynamics either. Plan for shade, either with trees or structures, to ensure your seating areas and gathering spaces stay comfortable. Plan where you’ll store things like cushions and outdoor accessories if leaving them out yearlong isn’t an option—and make frequently accessing them simple and easy. A well-designed modern backyard not only looks sharp, but it should also function well and be easy to be in.
The Outdoor Living Room
Homecrest, Meadowcraft, Brown Jordan. The modernists innovated and created for their outdoor spaces as exuberantly as they did for the indoors. Take this as endorsement then that you should treat the art of designing outdoor living room with the same gusto. Whether you go for these vintage collections or choose from the abundance of new mid century-inspired patio furniture available today, design a space that is optimized for comfort and style. Don’t spare the luxe touches like outdoor rugs, sofas, dining tables and loungers. When your backyard is comfy and feels like a treat to be in, you’ll love spending time there.
For more outdoor living ideas and inspiration, don’t forget to order your copy of Remodeled Marvels through our store or on Amazon. The book takes you from the MCM house hunting phase to tackling plans for each area of the house, drawing on Atomic Ranch’s years of experience talking to MCM homeowners!
And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more MCM inspiration for outdoor living and beyond!
