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.

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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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: How to Make a Deck Rail Planter
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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: 51 Refreshing Plunge and Cocktail Pools
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.
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.