5 Outdoor Decorating Tricks You Can Score from Your Favorite Hotels

Most West Coasters are spoiled with warm, beautiful weather year-round, but our outdoor spaces tend to have a magnetic pull during those summer months. Sure, we could stay inside, but why would we when there’s an outdoor kitchen or shower ready to be used and enjoyed? Summer’s a good time to take full advantage of your backyard, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to take a close look at your patio or pool area and spruce accordingly. 

Some design lovers might turn to TikTok or a picture-picture home tour for inspiration, but your favorite hotel is rife with inspiration. Whether you prefer a small boutique property or an all-inclusive resort, most hotels always manage to make their outdoor spaces elevated, awe-inspiring, and inspiring to the surrounding landscape. But how?

We asked a few designers behind some of the most beautiful properties to share their best outdoor decorating tips that you can bring into your space. Yes, even if you’re working with a small yard or tighter budget, it’s possible to give your neck of the woods a five-star edge.

“Luxury isn’t necessarily about size or budget, it’s about intentionality,” explains Shannon Niehenke of Narrative Design Studio, which designed Kimpton Mirador Hotel in Pacific Grove, California, and AutoCamp Zion. “Some of the most memorable resort inspired spaces are relatively simple, but every element feels considered.”

Courtesy of Hoxton DTLA

Strategically Placed Plants

It’s really not up for debate: If you’re designing an outdoor space, plants should always be part of the conversation. “Even in a small balcony or on a terrace, being surrounded by living things gives a sense of calm,” Charlie North, global vice president of design at Ennismore, which crafted interiors for The Hoxton in Downtown Los Angeles. 

He adds small space dwellers can get “the feeling of escape” with climbing foliage or oversized planters. Have a larger footprint to work with? Let your plants act as architecture. “We like to use landscaping to create pockets, secluded private spaces can be created with planting, not with walls,” North says.

Matt Kisiday

Day-to-Night Lighting Design

You might beeline it to the wilderness for some well-deserved fun in the sun, but the best outdoor oases are designed to be used around the clock. “It’s important to recognize how different an outdoor space feels once the sun goes down,” North says. If you want to bougie-fy your backyard, trade in those overwhelming flood fixtures and overdone fairy strings for hurricane lanterns and uplighting on your plants or trail. Look for light sources that highlight your existing landscaping and features—and don’t discount the glow itself. “Make sure the lighting is warm and soft,” he adds. “Evenings shouldn’t be brightly lit!”

Courtesy of Hoxton DTLA

Double Down on Details

As one half of Meyer Davis, a design firm responsible for the quiet luxury of Four Seasons Cabo del Sol, Gray Davis knows what makes a property stand out. Turns out, some of the biggest vibe-changers are hiding in plain sight. 

“Larger components, including infinity edge pools and fountains, are significant in their own right as both elements enhance the view and provide a calming white noise throughout the space,” he says. “I also examine the subtle details that elevate an area, which are not always noticeable at first glance.”

For Gray, it’s the heated floors of a pool house or intricate stonework that really sings. Speaking of pools, he’s also noticing clients are asking for smaller details like a Baja shelf or zero entry points to make swimming a more seamless experience. Or, if you want to stick to a budget, consider stocking a side table with SPF and aloe vera or adding a mini fridge filled with chilled washcloths.

Anastasiia Krivenok/Getty Images

A Touch of Wellness

Though a pool was historically the focal point of most beautiful backyards, it’s not always the case nowadays. There are many creative ways to have a lovely, pool-free space, but Davis is noticing an uptick in wellness-centric amenities. “Clients are increasingly inquiring about cold plunges and outdoor saunas to be incorporated into their homes for an experience that is both luxurious and convenient,” he says.

Hydrotherapy circuits are infiltrating hotels, so if your budget can swing it, a mix of hot and cold elements can be the gift that keeps on giving. Psst…here’s exactly how you can get the spa-like treatment at home.

Courtesy of Hoxton DTLA

Cohesive Elements

Perhaps the most important element to a hotel-esque backyard? A clear design direction. “A beautiful pool surrounded by sparse landscaping or mismatched furniture rarely achieves the sophisticated feel people are hoping for,” Niehenke says. “A cohesive palette of furnishings, umbrellas, and accessories, whether through color, material, or style, creates a sense of order and sophistication that instantly elevates the space.” 

There’s a whole rainbow of colors to consider, but you can’t go wrong with neutrals: Creams, tans, and rich chocolate browns look elegant and will play up Mother Nature’s beauty. Color aside, Gray likes to incorporate laidback materials like rich woods, canvas, and natural stone. 

“You also want your furniture to be inviting, encouraging a natural flow for both relaxation and social gathering,” he explains. “Incorporating something as simple as drapery or a canopy over lounge chairs in the backyard to create separation for intimate spaces, or utilizing a wooden dining set or picnic tables for an easy place to dine, host and entertain makes a big difference.”

Once you have a beautiful foundation in place, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors in style.