BY CARLA SORRELL
In Victoria, we can enjoy our outdoor spaces (almost) all year round. Here’s how to do it comfortably.
A successful outdoor space is one that feels like an extension of your home. Incorporating design elements that can transition seamlessly from inside out — like portable lamps, throws, pillows and even chairs — creates continuity between spaces.
When it finally starts to snow, a relatively nominal experience on the West Coast, interior designer Pamela Billinghurst dries off her Hot Mesh chairs by Blu Dot, brings them inside and sets them up in her children’s rooms as reading chairs. “I love the practicality of pieces that co-ordinate well with both interior and exterior spaces,” says Billinghurst.
Plus, it’s a win-win for both style and storage.
We all crave that natural dopamine fix from being outside. Living on the West Coast, it’s not hard to capture a nice view, even if it’s just a glimpse of Juan de Fuca Strait from the corner of an upstairs room window or peering over a backyard fence. But the real quest is to make outdoor living last, if not year-round, then for the better part of the year.
Whether it’s a fully equipped patio, a balcony retreat or a garden corner, a little planning and creativity can turn even the smallest space into a welcoming, cozy, cold-weather retreat.
A little planning and creativity can turn even the smallest space into a welcoming, cozy, cold-weather retreat.
Where to Start
Builder Andrew Chapman advises that you start with the question: “Where are the nicest places to sit outdoors on this property?”
“Designing around that will always lead to better results,” he says. “It might be a little patio on the east side with morning light that is a wonderful place to have outdoor breakfast in the spring and the summer, or a little nook on the south, which is often too hot in the summer, but a fabulous spot for a sunny day in the winter.”
One common mistake in outdoor design is treating it as an afterthought rather than a priority from the outset. “Being outdoors is something people really value and prize in their homes,” says Chapman, “but it’s often overlooked in the design phase and added on later.”
Size Doesn’t Matter
It’s possible to make a cozy outdoor space regardless of your budget. From condo balconies to the sprawling backyard of a custom home, there’s always a way to bring that outside-in connection to life.
For those working with limited space, prioritizing multipurpose areas is key. “If you can swing a dining table and two small lounge chairs in a small area, that would probably provide the maximum benefit,” says Billinghurst.
For those working with limited space, prioritizing multipurpose areas is key.
Chapman notes that balconies, on homes or in apartments, have huge potential for cozy, year-round outdoor living, but often fall too short on square footage to give lasting value to homeowners. He references the book A Pattern Language, in which British architect Christopher Alexander provides evidence that “balconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used.” Less than six feet, explains Alexander, and there’s not adequate room to group chairs — they have to be in a row. He also adds, interestingly, that balconies offer a better experience if they are recessed, because a cantilevered balcony can feel unsafe, if only psychologically.
Location is crucial when designing outdoor areas. Placing seating or lounging spaces near the kitchen or living room allows for easy access, and existing overhangs can be leveraged for shade and protection.
Great Expectations
To keep it cozy and convenient — a worthwhile mantra for the West Coast lifestyle — balancing comfort with durability is essential. The design challenge is combining easy-to-maintain materials that withstand the elements with the softness and coziness that makes you want to relax.
“The majority of people view outside as a place to entertain and relax with either their own family or others,” says garden designer Jennifer Sleigh. “And so they’re looking for it to be a space that doesn’t stress them out, a space without any kind of pressure to maintain.”
When it comes to planting, Sleigh recommends simplicity. If you’re using pots, go big. Larger pots allow for more layered plantings and hold more water, reducing maintenance. They can accommodate a tree, which, Sleigh notes, “creates that feeling of being sheltered and adds to the ambience of coziness” while leaving enough space to experiment with seasonal plant combinations.
“Definitely opt for furniture that is easy to spray down and is wipeable, especially for water and pollen, but also for mould and mildew,” says Billinghurst. “I love specifying furniture that’s comfortable enough on its own without cushions, so that you never have to worry about whether you left them on or not.”
Opt for furniture that can handle outdoor conditions, but still offers interior-level comfort without cushioning, like the round rope woven Pluvia chair by Ethimo or any of Vondom’s highly sculptural outdoor chairs. If you want to warm up your space with cushions and textiles that can’t be taken inside, consider a waterproof storage bench that co-ordinates with the rest of the furniture or a coffee table with integrated storage.
Elemental Considerations
Victoria’s unpredictable weather can be challenging, even in summer. “Capturing heat is important because even on the warmest days, the temperature can drop quickly,” says Chapman. “It is important to add physical warmth to the outdoor space. Even in the summer our nights can be cool, but especially for the fall, winter and spring months.”
His preference for using stone and concrete is inspired both by ancient building techniques, where heat is absorbed throughout the day and emitted as the temperature cools down, and its longevity. Wood, he says, degrades quickly in our damp climate and can end up in the landfill sooner than you might hope.
For smaller spaces and renovations where you are working with the existing structure of a home, overhangs can be leveraged for shade and protection.
“Whether it’s a custom home or renovation, the first consideration is shading and protection from the elements so that, whether you’re working outside or relaxing outside, you can stay out there for an extended period of time,” Billinghurst says.
She recommends retractable awnings to offer shade or rain protection when needed and tuck away when you want more light. Chapman suggests shade sails as a versatile solution.
For a more permanent setup, achieved through integrated design, a louvred pergola or deep awnings can extend outdoor living through the cooler months. For ultimate comfort consider integrating heating sources into the design — like recessed heaters or adding ambient heating in concrete benches to retain warmth.
Planting is vital to creating what Sleigh describes as “that sense of being nooked in” that defines the feeling she looks for in an outdoor space. “A cozy corner can be created by planting on at least two sides of the space,” says Sleigh, who adds that the shade and wind protection provided by that planting creates more options for being outside year-round. “Use plants for screening if you need privacy and think about layering plants — tall, medium and low — especially in smaller spaces where you can mimic the natural layering we see in forests.”
For those with limited space or time, decorative metal screening or glass panels can be effective windbreaks that add a more structured and deliberate design to the outdoor landscape.
Atmosphere
While it’s easy to capture the magic of a late June evening, early spring or late fall may need a little more finesse.
In those curb months, good lighting comes into play. The shorter days are a backdrop for lighting to enliven an outdoor space in the evening. Wall sconces are a practical choice if your area is near the house, while portable table lamps provide flexibility when hardwiring isn’t an option. “I love those little portable lamps — they’re super versatile and instantly create a relaxing atmosphere,” says Billinghurst.
In the garden, where spring and early summer fight for your attention, year-round interest is more nuanced and can be achieved by choosing evergreen trees like pines or shrubs with interesting textures or light colours.
“They’re the plants that carry your garden through the seasons,” says Sleigh of the evergreens. “You can get that with a conifer as well — I love pines for that. Mungo pine is especially popular. They’re interesting all year round and they’re really beautiful in the snow.”
And don’t forget to pile on the cozy pillows and throws, and perhaps install a firepit that is as welcoming as it is warming. As Sleigh says: “Establishing the feel that you want outdoors is key.”
Three Ways to Warm Up Your Cozy
1. A Welcoming Light
A portable table lamp like the Marset FollowMe can easily be brought outside for dinner, board games or a nightcap; even better, it has a rechargeable battery and comes in décor-friendly hues like pink, blue and terracotta.
2. A Snuggly Throw
The Rowyn fleece throw from Tofino Towel is at once stylish, functional and eco-friendly. It’s one of several designs made by artisans in Turkey, pretty enough to keep on the sofa and warm enough to toss over your shoulders on a chilly evening outdoors.
3. A Friendly Flame
Level up from your old firepit with a sophisticated fire table like the concrete, gas- or propane-powered ones handmade by Vancouver-based DreamCast Design.
Creating a cozy and functional outdoor space is just one way to embrace a more mindful, year-round lifestyle. For more inspiration on living with intention and joy, check out our other articles on creating year-round happiness and unplugging from the digital world.
In “Create Joy All Year Long,” we explore how small, simple changes can lead to lasting moments of joy throughout every season. Whether it’s embracing seasonal activities or curating spaces that spark happiness, this article will help you design a lifestyle that’s centered around what truly matters.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant digital noise, “Time for a Digital Detox?” offers practical advice on how to disconnect and recharge. A break from screens can help you reconnect with the physical world, enhancing your outdoor living experience and allowing you to fully enjoy your cozy spaces, indoors and out.