Creating Outdoor Rooms

Tips and Ideas from Designer Stephen Saint-Onge

Designer Stephen Saint-Onge

Gardener's Supply has a friend in Stephen Saint-Onge, the designer known across America as "The Home and Style Designer for The Everyday Family." Seen on such programs and networks as Oprah, The View, CNN, ESPN and TLC's home makeover show, "While You Were Out," he was recently named "one of the top 15 designers under 40 in America" by House Beautiful magazine. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers nationwide where he further illustrates how design has the power to change people's lives.

We sat down with Stephen and talked to him about designing outdoor rooms. Though his attention is usually focused inside the home, some current projects—including a few at his own home—have him thinking about designing outdoor spaces as well. Stephen has a refreshingly practical approach to design, and we asked if he'd share some thoughts about how to create an appealing outdoor room:

Outdoor Rooms Are Important. "Start by thinking of your outdoor room as high-value space," says Stephen. "These places are really an extension of the living area inside your home. Give yourself permission to spend some time and money on this expanded living space. It may well become your very favorite place to be! For me, outdoor areas were very much a part of my growing up in New England—as an adult I find I gravitate towards porches, pathways and "moments" in gardens that draw you in and ask you to come closer."

If the space is meant for relaxing, be sure to have comfortable seating.

Spaces affect the way you feel. That's as true outdoors as it is indoors. Outdoor rooms allow you to be creative, yet still allow Mother Nature to take her course. I like to think about how people are drawn into a space. For example, a pergola might be a good start with a seating area beneath it. From these sorts of focal points, you can add on—now or over the years in stages."

Do You Want to Garden? "Be sure to spend some time thinking about how much gardening you want to be doing," cautions Stephen. "An outdoor room doesn't need to be intensively gardened. Do you find digging, planting and weeding to be a relaxing activity or a chore? There are lots of ways to make a space feel green and lush without a lot of work. Then again, what you might want most is a place where you can putter about, tending your plants. I have learned over the years that being in the garden can be one of the most relaxing things I can do. Spending a day outside in your outdoor rooms can truly be rewarding and uplifting. You can forget about your hectic schedule for awhile or create a haven for your family. This is true for a large garden room in the country, as well as a small porch or deck in a suburban setting."

Style is Important. "Consider developing a 'look book' for your outdoor room," he says. "This is simply a collection of images that you find appealing. We have all seen pages in magazines we are drawn to. Tear them out and save them. Your own unique design will emerge from this collage of images. Clippings might include plants, colors, styles and accessories. Take this book with you when you shop for paint or paving materials or plants. The creative direction they provide you will save you time and money in the end."

Don't Get Overwhelmed. Stephen suggests that you "Break the room down into its parts. For example, say you want to create a small water garden in your backyard. What's the focal point that will draw your eye as you approach this area? What kind of path will get you to that focal point? How will you define the new space as a room that's somewhat separate from the rest of the yard? You'll find that when you break a project down into its component pieces, it becomes much less intimidating. If you want to makeover your outdoor area in a weekend, be practical and create a To Do List that is attainable and stick to it. Nothing is more rewarding in indoor and outdoor projects than getting the job done and proudly looking at one's completed work!"

Start with a Clean Slate. "Strip the room down to basics so you can see what you have to work with," he says. "Take a close look at details that already exist in the space. How can you embellish and improve upon what you already have? Can you paint, recover, or adapt anything that's already around and repurpose it for the room? I give people the same advice in redesigning their indoor rooms. Sometimes you cannot see the potential that is right there with you and sometimes 'seeing' it in a different way makes all the difference. A fresh perspective is key."

It's All About You. This is a common theme in Stephen's design approach. "Bring a soul to the space you're creating," he says. "Introduce accessories that you have an emotional response to. I'm designing a new screen porch at my house because it is something I have fond memories of as a child and is a space I've always wanted. For me, the must-have was a set of rocking chairs because that is what would make it a perfect space for me when everything is completed. There is something simple, calming and familiar to me about a porch. Surround yourself with things that are good to you. Your outdoor room will come to life and will give back to you and your family in more ways than you can ever know!"