Make Your Outdoor Space Look Like An Expensive Resort [20+ Ideas]
If you’ve been to a resort or villa, you know how beautiful the backyards are! And the thought of lazing around a lush pool complete with a palm tree-filled backyard is so inviting. So, if you’re looking to make your outdoor space look more expensive and resort-style, read on!
With a couple of design moves, your backyard can become a posh resort-style oasis.
Gathering inspiration from 20+ of the best resort-style outdoor spaces, learn tips to spruce up your outdoors here. So that year-round, you’ll have a fantastic space for hosting and relaxing.
This site uses ads and affiliate content as an Amazon associate earning on qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
Make Your Outdoor Space Look Like An Expensive Resort [20+ Ideas]
Be keen on the furniture choices and arrangement in the yards, and select a combination of design elements that suits your style, preference, and budget. Here are 20 outdoor space ideas to get you started.
The key to an expensive outdoor space look is not in the excesses, no matter how many ideas fascinate you.
So, pick out your desired ideas, and while renovating your backyard, create flow, and continuity by incorporating similar colors, textures, patterns and even, lighting concepts.
This will help create a color scheme or outdoor style theme that looks cohesive and inviting.
Otherwise, your backyard will look too busy, and distractive so you won’t feel the peaceful ambiance.
If you have a small backyard, keep things minimal to ensure your outdoor decor features do not overwhlem your yard.
If you have a larger outdoor space, divide it into sections so your space doesn’t feel too empty and too much like one large square.
For instance, section off an area for perhaps an outdoor kitchen or grill, a dining area or outdoor bar, a comfy seating area and build your pathways while leaving off areas for plants.
You May Also Like: 15 Ideas for Decorating your Backyard
TIP: As you go through the images in this article, look at how different decor elements are combined to create a resort-style backyard.
1. Create a Patio Lounge
For a purposeful outdoor space, you must prioritize seating. A patio lounge is a great place to start.
Get a section of your yard paved into a patio (you can also have concrete slabs laid), create borders using a raised floor or a row, or plants and group your patio furniture to define the space.
Add an area rug, and a beautiful rattan lounge set that screams BALI!
Be sure to limit the number of items in the lounge area for a feeling of space as too many things can make the area feel cramped and overcrowded. Also, use neutral and earthy tones when decorating this living area.
Patios are great! But there are so many ways to incorporate hardscaping into your yard for a resort-style living area.
You can also build a deck and wood is our favorite choice for a deck because it’s a natural material that complements the surrounding landscape.
You can also upgrade your deck in an instant and section off an area for lounging and for dining by installing wood deck tiles or decking boards.
2. Add a Porch Swing Bed
Have a small porch only? Even that can be spruced up. Bring the comfort of your bedroom to the airy environment of your front porch with a swing porch bed.
Accessorize your new hanging swing by adding some back cushions and a thick mattress and you will be sleeping outdoors!
3. Or a Daybed
We all love those long, lazy days relaxing in lush, oversize outdoor beds during our vacations to warm destinations.
So, with an outdoor bed, you can bring the same sense of tranquility into your home while still providing plenty of seating.
Closely assess the space you have in your yard as well as consider how you plan to use it, for seating, relaxing, or multiple guests to ensure you pick the right size and have it arranged well in your backyard. Be sure to give it a view!
You May Also Like: 7 Outdoor Essentials to Create a Summer Patio
4. Raise a Gazebo
A gazebo is a lot like having an outdoor room. You get a comfortable, shady place to lounge in that also protects you from the sun’s UV rays.
It’s also a great place for parties, and it’s a great place for you, your family, and friends to hang out and enjoy the summer.
If a gazebo will require too much, build a classic pergola.
5. Or Fix an Outdoor Umbrella
Enjoying good times outside in your patio, garden, or outdoor space shouldn’t be dependent on the weather. Protect yourself from the elements with an outdoor umbrella or a canopy.
Patio umbrellas come in a variety of shapes and sizes—square, round, rectangular, and more—so before you buy, think about what type of umbrella will best suit your needs. You’ll also need an umbrella base if you don’t already have one.
Canopies are a good alternative, also.
6. Hang a Hammock
If you’re looking to create a beach-style relaxation area on your patio, hang a hammock in your yard. This little spot will help you lay back and take in the natural breeze.
7. Create a Kids Play Area
Creating a kid-friendly backyard is perhaps the best way of keeping the other features of your yard in good shape.
If you have more yard space to spare and can afford to splurge a bit on the backyard makeover, add swings, a sandbox, a trampoline or even, teepees that can easily be installed and demounted.
8. Incorporate An Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor dining is a much-anticipated ritual during the warmer months of the year. After all, who doesn’t enjoy al fresco dining while on a vacay?
An outdoor dining area is a quick and easy way to get a coordinated entertainment spot for your outdoor space. Bring in an outdoor dining set and add some outdoor cushions for maximum comfort!
9. Add an Outdoor Bar
Be crowned king or queen of the grill this summer by creating your outdoor kitchen, whether you install a compact kitchen or simply use a grill.
Be sure to consider storage areas in your kitchen. Good thing, many models come with built in cabinets and carts for all your grilling, serving and storage needs in one convenient package.
Since the right BBQ requires the right accessories, be sure to get a full range of grill utensils and tools to make outdoor cooking a snap-on even the hottest summer days.
Add an outdoor bar to create a spot for conversations and sipping your chill summer drinks.
You May Also Like: How to Create an Outdoor Kitchen in your Yard
10. Set the Mood with Lighting
Lighting adds ambiance and atmosphere, whether you’re enjoying a romantic evening with your partner or entertaining a crowd of friends.
And resorts have a knack for spotlighting tall trees and layers of plants that lure guests into spending time in outdoor spaces.
Add some fairy lights to brighten up your garden, or choose soft,warm lights to make your outdoor space warm and inviting.
You May Also Like: Top Resort-Living Outdoor Lighting Ideas
11. Create a Relaxing Water Fountain/ Waterfall
Outdoor fountains and waterfalls offer your backyard an elegant look while still providing the quiet tranquility of a resort-style oasis.
Build a fountain that complements your outdoor décor and complements your patio furniture.
A bubbling urn or mini patio fountain, are low-maintenance water features that are simple to set up in yoru yard,
12. Add Tall Plants in Beautiful Planters
Huge plants make such a statement! Yes, you can plant a garden to liven your yard, or install a lawn.
But the easiest way to add the abundance of nature into your outdoor living spaces is by adding tall plants in beautiul planters.
A covered patio or garden room can be turned into a fresh and tropical nook through plants. Go for species that don’t occupy a lot of floor space.
This way you’ll have plenty of room for comfortable furniture and the plants will provide you with shade.
Create a tropical getaway in your backyard planting palm trees for a complete resort-style backyard. Choose the right palm for your climate, and grow them to add a sense of style, elegance, and wealth to your home.
Here is a complete guide on growing and caring for palm trees.
13. Spruce up with Flowers
What’s a yard without attractive flowers? If your idea of the perfect backyard involves energetic hues and alluring aromas, then plant flowering trees and shrubs that deliver vibrant color to the yard.
Choose long-lasting flower varieties that will extend your curb appeal and withstand the summer heat. The versatile yet quite hardy globe amaranth with pom-pom-shaped flowers will look glorious in any yard.
Orchids are a perfect choice too as they add color and prefer the full sun.
14. Fence Off
Sunshine and summer warmth is wonderful, especially if you’re relaxing in the cool shade under a canopy. Now, add privacy to your yard by fencing off or using screens.
For centuries, hedges have been a popular privacy landscaping feature, particularly along property lines. You can also make a vertical garden or add a screen that can be moved as desired.
15. Add a Movie Area
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie outside in your own backyard. Find a good location, get the right speakers, and prop your projector.
To give your outdoor theater a retro camp look and feel, use blankets and piles of outdoor cushions.
For a romantic ambiance, bring out the wine chillers, treats, and hurricane candles. It’s also a smart idea to hang string lights from a pagoda or trees. If it rains, simply carry any non-waterproof decor inside at the end of the movie.
16. Install a Firepit
Any backyard will profit from the installation of a fire pit.
Nothing beats curling up next to a fire pit late at night. Even on cold nights, you can sit, talk, and enjoy the food with your family and friends.
17. Add a Hot Tub
The perfect spa, right in your backyard, can create an oasis that meets your dreams, needs, and budget. You will want to install your hot tub for maximum accessibility, the best views, and optimal usability.
You May Also Like: 63 Hot Tub Deck Ideas: Secrets of Pro Installers & Designers
18. Invest in an Outdoor Shower
Showering outdoors surrounded by palm leaves and foliage for days will make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation—while you’re in your yard. Build an outdoor shower and enjoy your Bali-inspired sanctuary!
You May Also Like: How to Build an Outdoor Shower
19. Build a Pool
A swimming pool is an iconic symbol for relaxation, quality time, and status. It’s the ultimate place to bring loved ones and when it comes to throwing a party, there’s no setting that can compete.
Be ready for a serious financial investment, though in order to install and maintain your pool.
20. Add a Poolside Lounging Area
Lounge chairs by the pool will enhance your resort-style patio, providing a place for relaxation in the shade.
21. Define your Pathways
When landscaping a yard, walkways often get overlooked. Hence, a garden can become disjointed because of the lack of thought put into the transitions and connections.
Considering your budget, the desired traffic flow, and the amount of foot traffic your walkway will receive, design a walkway with the best placement in mind to create destination zones and a natural traffic flow from one area to another.
Pea gravel, natural stepping stones, and concrete slabs will add beauty to any outdoor space while paving your pathways is an alternative.
Also, use outdoor path lighting for both safety and wayfinding, and create a manicured look by pathway edging to keep gravel or other loose paving materials in place, and to keep plants and mulch off walkways.
Vacations are great, but creating resort-style life in your own backyard gives you that “I’m on vacation!” vibe any time. Try these outdoor space ideas to make your yard look expensive!
Related – 8 Things you need to do, to get your outdoor space Summer ready
