40 Gorgeous Outdoor Living Room Design Ideas

From stately outdoor fireplaces to sunken sectionals, these outdoor living rooms are filled with genius design features that make them the ultimate alfresco spots to entertain friends or just kick back with family.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these affiliate links.

March 07, 2022

By: Kamron Sanders

Related To:

Lounge, Dine + More in Your Great Outdoors

How would you describe your dream outdoor living room? Maybe you picture a cozy place to sit and enjoy a sunset over the water. Or maybe your perfect outdoor living room is centered around a stunning fireplace. How about a spot that you can convert to an indoor living room if the weather isn't just right? We think the design possibilities are endless, so we've put together a list of our 40 favorite outdoor living rooms for inspiration.

From: Village Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

Make a Statement

We’re suckers for symmetry and this flanked fireplace seating area doesn’t disappoint. The designer could have played it safe with an earthy neutral but instead opted for a stark white fireplace. Its appearance against the wall of Mediterranean cypresses makes for a striking visual when reflected on the dark surface of the swimming pool. Uncover more painted brick fireplaces, below.

See More Photos: 30 Painted Brick Fireplaces That Radiate Coziness

From: Lloyd Fleischer Landscape Design

Or, Opt for Streamlined + Simple

With a view like this, anything else plays second fiddle. For this reason, this modern beach house's seating area takes the minimalistic route. The choice of low furniture with a cantilevered roof above results in unobstructed views from nearly any angle. Maximize your views with these landscaping tips, below.

Watch the Video: Landscaping: Maximizing Views

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Put Up a Pergola

Located in Newport, Rhode Island, HGTV Dream Home 2021 backs up to the serene Sakonnet River, so designer Brian Patrick Flynn knew the backyard deserved a special seating area that would highlight the unique location. A pergola positioned on a platform constructed with low maintenance, all-weather decking creates the perfect spot away from the main house to entertain guests. Learn all there is to know about pergolas, below.

learn more: The Best Pergolas and Gazebos for Every Backyard

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Add Some Less Permanent Shade

Think you need giant trees or a fancy pergola to have it made in the shade? Think again. All you need to create a shaded outdoor living room is a giant umbrella. What you choose to put beneath it, well that's up to you. DIY your own shady spot with our ideas, below.

See More Photos: DIY Backyard Shade Ideas

From: Molly Wood

Boost Style With Architectural Accents

Simple-yet-stunning architecture and a neutral color palette make this outdoor living room feel lavish and laid back all at once. Every element, from the perfect positioning of the candelabra chandelier within the arch to the framing of the stacked logs by the textured columns, is a masterclass in outdoor design. Learn more about what makes an outdoor design stunning, below.

learn more: Ultimate Outdoor Design Guide

From: Bill Bocken

Or, Add Big Style to a Small Porch

This just in: Outdoor living rooms don't have to be big to be stunning. At HGTV Urban Oasis 2021, an attached outdoor living room sits beneath a small covered porch on the back of the house. Though it isn't massive in size, it still packs a stylish punch. Put a stylish spin on your small porch with our design ideas, below.

Watch the Video: Small Porch Design Tips

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Take In the View

A slatted half wall adds a surprising amount of privacy to this rooftop deck. Along the edge of the deck, a see-through railing was chosen to allow for unobstructed views. This clever design makes the green area beyond the patio feel like an extension of the landscaping. Green with envy? Plant your own greenspace on your railing with our how-to, below.

See More Photos: All Pots on Deck! How to Make a Deck Rail Planter

From: m monroe design

Share the Warmth

Half of this patio is open to the sky, while the other half sits beneath a clever roof with aluminum louvers. The stone fireplace is double-sided, so everyone can enjoy the warmth of the fire, whether dining or enjoying the personal putting green. Tee off with your very own DIY putting green, below.

From: Mom's Design Build

Cozy Up Large Open Spaces

Don’t get us wrong, expansive outdoor entertaining areas are dreamy, but they often lack the intimacy that makes a space feel comfortable. This inviting example combats the issue with cozy furniture, a charming pendant light that distinguishes the space and integrated heaters in the wood-clad ceiling. Cozy up your outdoor space with outdoor heating options, below.

learn more: Outdoor Heaters: Options and Solutions

From: Mom's Design Build

Give Your Boring Garage the Boot

The garage at HGTV Urban Oasis 2021 serves as an indoor-outdoor living space perfect for solo relaxation at the end of the day or entertaining friends and family. The garage door opens to reveal a luxurious lounge area cozied up with contemporary furniture and modern artwork — a design moment made possible by the area's shielded location in the garage. Get on your way to garage greatness with more inspiration, below.

See More Photos: 30 Must-See Garage Conversions and Makeovers

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Look Behind the Garage for Inspiration

Just behind the garage at HGTV Urban Oasis 2016 is a screened-in porch that, if it were up to us, we'd never leave. The beauty of the home's long backyard and urban garden can be enjoyed from this comfortable and stylish spot that's perfectly poised for anything from outdoor entertaining to afternoon naps. Screen in your porch like a pro with our tips, below.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Get the Best of Both Worlds

Stepping through the glass and aluminum garage door that leads from the screened-in porch to the garage at HGTV Urban Oasis 2016 reveals a second, more laidback indoor-outdoor living room with a dining table and a roomy tool chest that doubles as a buffet for entertaining. Due to the flexible bean bag seating, the space can easily be cleared to store a car. Up your garage's fun factor with our tips, below.

See More Photos: Before and After: A Garage Makeover the Whole Family Can Enjoy

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Transport Yourself to Tuscany

We can't think of a better place to enjoy a glass of red than high on a perch overlooking the vineyard that provided the grapes. At this 64-acre Mediterranean-inspired estate, the outdoor living room featuring rich, patinated wood furnishings, warm hand-hewn beams and a Yosemite slate patio makes you feel like you're lounging in Tuscany. Step into the world of slate patios, below.

learn more: Slate Patios

From: Village Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

Become One With Your Surroundings

A massive, standalone fireplace presides over this open-air patio, making it the perfect nighttime gathering spot. Rather than distracting from the surrounding beauty, the intricate and organic nature of the stacked stone paired with the hand-hewn wood mantel makes this space feel at one with nature. Learn how to set your outdoor style ablaze with a DIY fireplace, below.

From: Designscapes Colorado

Take Living Down a Level

This beachside beauty benefits from stunning views beyond its tropical landscaping. So, rather than spoil the view with clunky outdoor furniture, designer Craig Reynolds opted for sunken seating beneath the fireplace, keeping everything streamlined. Recreate this out-of-sight look with our DIY, below.

From: Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Carve Out a Cozy Nook

Tucked behind the pool at HGTV Dream Home 2022 is a covered hideaway where you can grab some shade on a hot day, cozy up to enjoy a rainy afternoon or unwind with a book and a nightcap after a long day. Like what you see? Experience everything HGTV Dream Home 2022, below.

See More Photos: Exterior Pictures From HGTV Dream Home 2022

Sit Beneath the Stars

Ready for some open-air bliss? Just above the hidden nook at HGTV Dream Home 2022 is a sun-soaked spot to gather that's built right into the home's roof. Sit back and catch some rays or count the constellations once the sun goes down. Get a birds-eye view of more stunning rooftop decks, below.

See More Photos: View From the Top: 21 Fabulous Rooftop Decks

Combine Living With Dining

No room for an outdoor living room and dining area? Take a hint from HGTV Dream Home 2018 and combine the two. By surrounding the dining table with cozy bench seating reminiscent of outdoor sofas, the unmatched views of Henderson Bay can comfortably be enjoyed long after the meal ends. Mesh beauty with function with our outdoor dining ideas, below.

See More Photos: 50 Stylish & Functional Outdoor Dining Rooms

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Achieve All-Season Poolside Perfection

It's becoming more and more popular to make pool areas yearlong entertaining spots. Setting aside space for a cozy firepit nestled within a soft sectional, like this, makes for the perfect spot to enjoy drinks and conversation under the stars — even on cooler nights. Peek more perfect poolside patios, below.

WATCH THE VIDEO: Poolside Patios

From: Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction

Wow Your Guests

This outdoor living room has it all. Stylish, modern furnishings, a gorgeous cement tile-clad bar with ample seating for entertaining guests and a custom, built-in pizza oven that rivals those found in our favorite pizzerias. Order up! Get cooking with our DIY outdoor pizza oven, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Build an Outdoor Pizza Oven

From: Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture

Cop a Cabana

There's no denying that the most luxurious outdoor living rooms are often found in an indoor-outdoor setting, but when that space is climate controlled, an entirely new level of luxury is achievable. This cabana offers an outdoor living room, dining area, kitchen and powder bath, and includes fans, heaters and screens to keep it hospitable year-round. The beautiful pool outside the garage doors? Well, that's just an added perk. Discover more lounge-worthy pool-side spots, below.

From: Key Residential

Peel Back the Privacy

The outdoor living room in this poolside pergola has a hidden secret: The curtains surrounding it can be fully closed to provide additional privacy. Up top, a louvered roof gives the owners the option of shading the seating beneath or opening it up to display the stars. Put up some privacy with our ideas, below.

From: Knaak Design Group

Don't Shy Away From Color

In a design world full of neutrals, don't be afraid to go bold with color in your outdoor space. At HGTV Dream Home 2021, a saturated array of blue, white and red make this picturesque porch feel like summer all year long. Unlock the outdoor color palettes we love, below.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Transform an Awkward Slope

Take advantage of an awkward slope by insetting an outdoor living room. This stylish space utilizes a necessary retaining wall covered in black hexagonal tiles as a beautiful backdrop, while built-in bench seating, complete with a corner fireplace, makes for a perfect spot to retreat. Tackle your yard's awkward slope with more stylish retaining wall options, below.

See More Photos: 26 Sturdy Retaining Wall Ideas for a Sloped Yard

From: Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture

Take Cover From the Sun

Need a retreat from the sun? Cover your poolside escape with a pergola. Not only will you gain a shady sitting area, but the design possibilities are endless. We love the way this pergola’s muted wood finishes sit against the bold greens of the landscaping, allowing the stark white sofas to really pop. Check out more beautiful pergolas, below.

WATCH THE VIDEO: Beautiful Pergolas

From: Robert Young Architects

Uncover Outdoor Entertaining Greatness

While there's no denying that a pergola or otherwise covered outdoor space is the ideal setting for an outdoor entertaining space, lack of coverage shouldn't scare you away from building the outdoor living room of your dreams. Opt for weatherproof furnishings like this gorgeous sofa and chair set and the gas fire table they surround to create an outdoor oasis wherever you desire. Learn more about planning the perfect open-air patio, below.

learn more: Patio Landscaping

From: Sonja Cellucci

Take Outdoor Living to New Heights

This breathtaking rooftop deck takes full advantage of HGTV Dream Home 2021’s picturesque location in Newport, Rhode Island. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn cleverly opted for a wire railing to allow unobstructed views of the Sakonnet River from the cozy sectional. Discover more unique deck railing options, below.

See More Photos: 31 Deck Railing Design Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Give It a Glow

Custom bench seating surrounds this modern fire pit, creating a great space for conversation any time of year. By lighting the sleek fire pit and benches from below, Dawson Design Group creates a wow factor that draws the eye to the space and increases its cozy ambiance. Illuminate your outdoor space with our tips, below.

learn more: Patio Lighting

From: Dawson Design Group, Inc.

Create Your Own Oasis in the City

Privacy plantings, bistro lights and Scandinavian-inspired styling make the outdoor living room tucked behind HGTV Urban Oasis 2019 feel like a retreat miles away from the city, but in reality, the home is in Minneapolis. Proof that, with the right design, an outdoor living room can transport you wherever you want it to take you. Grow your own privacy wall with our ideas, below.

See More Photos: Plants for Privacy

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Go Smokeless

A smokeless gas firepit is the perfect centerpiece for an outdoor living room. Surround it with outdoor sofas and loveseats, or simply slide up some chairs to create the ultimate conversation zone. Install your very own gas fire pit with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Build a Gas Fire Pit

From: Pool Environments, Inc.

Keep It Traditional

This traditional outdoor living room keeps things neat and orderly with a symmetrical design that's centered around a tall stone fireplace. Alongside the fireplace, warm wood furniture and a stylish-yet-functional stack of firewood add an organic, earthy feel that balances the space's formal aesthetic. Cozy up to more outdoor fireplaces, below.

See More Photos: 30 Cozy Outdoor Fireplace Ideas

From: Sean Jancski Landscape Architects

Think in Threes

Furniture placement can feel random in large, architecturally open areas, but this seating area is a masterclass on how to handle this challenge. By anchoring the space with the round fire pit, the sectional establishes a border, while the addition of the chair adds balance. Learn more about outdoor furnishings, below.

learn more: Outdoor Furniture Options and Ideas

From: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture

Take Luxury to New Limits

Escape the sun, but not the views, in this Florida home's enviable covered patio. From the stunning coffered ceiling to the sprawling tile floor, this waterside retreat is the lap of luxury. Design your dream indoor-outdoor living room with our tips, below.

See More Photos: Tips for Designing the Most Plush Indoor-Outdoor Room

From: William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance and Luxury Portfolio International®

Play Up the Views

A vista this breathtaking calls for an equally amazing outdoor living room to enjoy it from. At HGTV Dream Home 2022, you enjoy the view from the pool or cozy up with a blanket next to the fire pit. The choice is yours. Discover more decks with a view, below.

See More Photos: Decks With Outstanding Views

Be One With the Outdoors

The idyllic forest of slender trees surrounding this luxurious outdoor living room perfectly complements its rustic flair. The space, filled with warm wooden elements and an abundance of stone, feels like a natural extension of the landscape beyond. Get cooking with more outdoor kitchen inspiration, below.

See More Photos: 75 Outdoor Kitchen Designs for Ideas and Inspiration

From: Paradise Restored Landscaping

Strike a Balance

The only thing differentiating this outdoor space from a standard living room is its lack of walls. The tapered columns frame the fireplace and offer a juxtaposition to the otherwise organic flow of the landscaping and garden path. Love the look? Visually stroll through more gorgeous gardens, below.

See More Photos: 20 Gardens Through Which We’d Love to Take a Stroll

From: Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction

Double Up Your Design

This extravagant exterior space features a swimming pool leading to a covered patio that houses a dining area, outdoor kitchen and a living room with a grand fireplace. The architects cleverly stacked two seating areas atop one another to maximize functionality without expanding the home's indoor footprint, protecting the space beneath while offering an open-air experience up top. Dive into more posh pool surrounds, below.

See More Photos: 60 Posh Plunge Pools

From: Andrea Swan

Dress Up the Outdoors

A brick pavilion on the side of this home is the perfect spot for an open-air living room. A small sofa and matching chairs surround a coffee table topped with decorative accents, bringing an indoor feel outside. For added comfort, colorful throw pillows and floral arrangements are featured throughout the space, softening the look of the stone paver patio. Want to install your own paver patio? We've got everything you need to know, below.

See More Photos: 10 Things You Must Know About Paver Patios

Utilize Reclaimed Materials for Instant Charm

Antique barn timbers, a repurposed fireplace surround and many other reclaimed materials give this Mediterranean-inspired outdoor living room an Old World charm that's hard to come by in new construction. Learn how to build a fireplace using reclaimed timbers with our helpful how-to, below.

From: Hess Landscape Architects, Inc.

Take the Inside Out

This covered seating area looks like it's straight out of the Tuscan countryside with its enviable vine border and two ornate mirrors. The nestled nook is the perfect example of how to successfully dress up an outdoor space in an indoor fashion. Learn how to train your vines, below.

From: About Space, LLC

Shop This Look

Photo By: Village Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: John McCarthy

Photo By: Tamara Alvarez, Landscape Architects: Landwise Design & Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Photo By: Marie Buck

Photo By: Shelley Metcalf

Photo By: Robert Peterson,Rustic White

Photo By: Dylan Chandler

Photo By: Mom's Design Build

Photo By: Robert Peterson; Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Photo By: Village Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Designscapes Colorado

Photo By: Tamara Alvarez, Landscape Architects: Landwise Design & Craig Reynolds Landscape Architecture

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Photo By: Robert Peterson

Photo By: David A. Land

Photo By: Greg Hadley Photography, Morgan Howarth Photography

Photo By: Manolo Langis, langoworks.com

Photo By: Kaye Lair Photography

Photo By: Rick Bethem Photography

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Photo By: Manolo Langis, langoworks.com

Photo By: Michael Moran

Photo By: Ethan Cooper

Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White

Photo By: Brady Architectural Photography

Photo By: JImi Smith

Photo By: Sean Jancski

Photo By: Marion Brenner

Photo By: William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Photo By: Bill Burk Photography

Photo By: Morgan Howarth Photography

Photo By: Scott Amundson Photography

Photo By: Werner Straube Photography

Photo By: Stephen Govel Photography

Photo By: Nicole Leone Photography

40 Gorgeous Outdoor Living Room Design Ideas

Related To:

Lounge, Dine + More in Your Great Outdoors

Make a Statement

Or, Opt for Streamlined + Simple

Put Up a Pergola

Or, Add Some Less Permanent Shade

Boost Style With Architectural Accents

Or, Add Big Style to a Small Porch

Take In the View

Share the Warmth

Cozy Up Large Open Spaces

Give Your Boring Garage the Boot

Or, Look Behind the Garage for Inspiration

Or, Get the Best of Both Worlds

Transport Yourself to Tuscany

Become One With Your Surroundings

Take Living Down a Level

Carve Out a Cozy Nook

Sit Beneath the Stars

Combine Living With Dining

Achieve All-Season Poolside Perfection

Wow Your Guests

Cop a Cabana

Peel Back the Privacy

Don't Shy Away From Color

Transform an Awkward Slope

Take Cover From the Sun

Uncover Outdoor Entertaining Greatness

Take Outdoor Living to New Heights

Give It a Glow

Create Your Own Oasis in the City

Go Smokeless

Keep It Traditional

Think in Threes

Take Luxury to New Limits

Play Up the Views

Be One With the Outdoors

Strike a Balance

Double Up Your Design

Dress Up the Outdoors

Utilize Reclaimed Materials for Instant Charm

Take the Inside Out

Shop This Look

13 Ways to Transform an Outdoor Dining Room for Spring 14 Photos

20 Fresh Ways to Use Teal in Your Living Room 20 Photos

20 Living Room Wall Decor Ideas That Are Anything But Boring 20 Photos

Outdoor Living Spaces: Ideas for Outdoor Rooms

35 Deck Design Ideas 35 Photos

Outdoor Rooms Add Livable Space

Related Pages