50 Shocking Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Outdoor Living Space!

Outdoor living spaces are the newest trend in home improvement. They let you enjoy nature and comfort right in your own backyard. But it’s not as easy as putting some chairs on your patio and calling it a day to make your outdoor space perfect. Your dream space can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t watch out for these problems.

There are many things that could go wrong on the way to perfect outdoor living, from picking the wrong materials to missing important design details. But don’t worry, brave homeowners! We’ve put together a full list of 50 mistakes you should not make when designing your outdoor living space. It’s like having your own personal GPS to help you avoid the mistakes that can happen when designing your backyard, but without the annoying “recalculating” voice.

We’ll start with a list of outdoor living faux pas. First, let’s look at some new research on outdoor living trends:

78% of experts surveyed by Fixr.com in 2024 agree that the biggest trend in outdoor living this year is indoor-outdoor design that flows from indoors to outdoors. According to the same survey, 70% of professionals think that a home’s value goes up a lot if it has a modern, usable outdoor living space. It’s interesting that 72% of experts say homeowners are willing to spend about a quarter of their annual budget on home improvements to make their outdoor living space better.

Now, let’s look at the most common mistakes you should never make when planning your outdoor living space:

1. Ignoring the weather
Don’t try to make a tropical paradise in Alaska if you don’t want your plants to give you a lot of shade.

2. Not paying attention to drainage
Drainage is very important unless you want a swamp theme. Your yard shouldn’t turn into a kiddie pool every time it rains.

3. Not putting enough lights in
An outdoor space that is dark is about as inviting as a cave full of bats. Getting the right lighting will let you enjoy your outdoor space later at night.

4. Forgetting about privacy
You might want to add some privacy features unless you want to be seen by everyone. Your neighbors might not like your interpretive dance moves while you do yoga in the backyard.

5. Not caring about comfort
Seating that isn’t comfortable is a surefire way to keep your outdoor space as empty as a politician’s promises. Buy comfortable furniture that can stand up to the weather.

6. Making the design too hard to understand
Your outdoor space shouldn’t need a guide on how to use it. Keep things simple and useful.

7. Not putting enough thought into maintenance
Low maintenance does not mean no maintenance. Be honest with yourself about how much maintenance your outdoor space will need.

8. Don’t forget about scale
If your furniture is too big or too small for your room, it will look like you live in a dollhouse or a giant’s lair.

9. Forgetting about storage
Add some weather-resistant storage options if you don’t want to carry cushions and other items in and out every time you use the space.

10. Not taking care of pests
Nothing ruins an outdoor party faster than a bunch of mosquitoes acting like they’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

11. Ignoring shade
You should add some shade to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays unless you’re trying to make the Sahara Desert.

12. Picking the wrong materials
That lovely teak furniture may look great now, but if you don’t take care of it, it will be a mess in a year.

13. Forgetting about winter
Don’t build a room that you can only use for three months of the year. Think about how you can use it in the fall and winter as well.

14. Ignoring traffic flow
The way people move through your outdoor space should make sense. Make sure your guests don’t feel like they have to go through an obstacle course.

15. Not paying attention to the view
If you have a great view, show it off. If you don’t have one, make one with building or landscaping features.

16. Ignoring sound
To make a relaxing atmosphere and block out noise, think about adding water features or wind chimes.

17. Forgetting about power sources
Plan for electrical outlets in easy-to-reach places unless you want to run extension cords everywhere.

18. Not paying attention to safety
If you have kids or pets, make sure your outdoor space is safe. Fix any loose railings, protect any sharp edges, and think about surfaces that won’t slip.

19. Ignoring local rules
Before you start your project, make sure you know the local building codes and HOA rules. You could get a big fine if you don’t follow them, which would ruin your plans to be outside.

20. Not paying attention to how your house is built
Your outdoor space should match the style of your house, not clash with it.

21. Forgetting about transitions
For a unified look and feel, make sure there are smooth changes between indoor and outdoor areas.

22. Ignoring interest throughout the year
Plan for interest to look at all year, not just when everything is blooming.

23. Ignoring how important focal points are
Every outdoor space needs one, whether it’s a fire pit, a water feature, or a beautiful piece of outdoor art.

24. Ignoring the need for adaptability
Make a space that can be used for different things and at different times.

25. Ignoring wind patterns
When putting down seating and fire pits, think about the direction of the prevailing winds.

26. Not putting down a proper foundation
To avoid problems in the future, make sure your patio or deck has a proper, level foundation.

27. It’s easy to think that cheap materials and furniture will save you money in the short term, but they’ll cost you in the long run

28. Not caring about how things fit together
Your outdoor space shouldn’t look like a yard sale gone wrong; it should have a design theme that goes with everything.

29. Ignoring how the space will look and work at night
Think about how it will look and work at night.

30. Not choosing the right plants
Pick plants that will do well in your climate and yard.

31. Not realizing how important texture is
Use a range of textures to make your design more interesting to look at.

32. Ignoring the need for balance
For a smooth look, balance hardscaping and softscaping.

33. Ignoring wildlife
Think about how your outdoor space might attract (or scare away) wildlife in your area.

34. Not using the right irrigation
Get an irrigation system that works well unless you like spending hours with a watering can.

35. Ignoring how important color is
Use color strategically to set the mood and atmosphere you want.

36. Ignoring the need to define
Make it clear that different activities can happen in different parts of your outdoor space.

37. Forgetting about sustainability
Choose materials and plants that are good for the environment.

38. Not allowing enough air flow
Make sure that your outdoor kitchen or covered areas have enough air flow.

39. Ignoring how important proportion is
Make sure that everything in your outdoor space is the right size for your home and each other.

40. Ignoring the need for seats that can be moved around
Give people a choice of where to sit for different events and group sizes.

41. Forgetting to store outdoor gear
Make plans for where to store gardening tools, outdoor games, and other gear.

42. Not using the right lighting design
For the best effect, use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting.

43. Not realizing how important pathways are
Make pathways that are clear and well-lit to help people move around your outdoor space.

44. Not taking into account the need for winter interest
Plan for winter interest with evergreens, interesting bark textures, or architectural elements.

45. Forgetting about outdoor technology
For extra functionality, think about adding weather-resistant speakers, TVs, or Wi-Fi extenders.

46. Not doing the right grading
Make sure your yard is graded correctly so water doesn’t pool or flow toward your house.

47. Not realizing how important edging is
The right edging can make your landscaping look polished and professional.

48. Ignoring the need for plants that do well in shade
Don’t forget to add plants that do well in shaded parts of your yard.

49. Forgetting about outdoor storage
Add stylish, weatherproof storage for toys, picnic blankets, and other outdoor items.

50. Not doing regular maintenance
Even the best-designed outdoor areas need care and maintenance on a regular basis to keep looking great.

Making the perfect place to relax outside is an art that needs careful thought, creativity, and an eye for detail. If you don’t make these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful outdoor space that you can use and enjoy all year.

The space you use for outdoor living is an extension of your home and shows off your style. Do not be afraid to show who you are through the designs you choose. Even when you’re outside, the best places to be are the ones that make you feel like you’re at home.