The Art of Indoor Outdoor Living, No Matter the Climate
All images by RAY MAIN
Because real life includes snow boots, wind gusts, and three seasons in one day
Let’s just say it plainly.
Most indoor outdoor living advice assumes you casually exist in 22-degree sunshine with a lemon tree nearby.
Meanwhile, here you are—possibly looking out at snow, or rain, or that aggressive in-between season where your patio furniture is emotionally confused.
And yet… you still want that feeling.
That easy, airy, door-open, life-flowing energy.
Good news: indoor outdoor living isn’t about climate.
It’s about continuity.
Let’s build it in a way that actually works where you live.
Redefine “Outdoor” (It’s Not Just Summer)
If you only use your outdoor space in July, you don’t have indoor outdoor living. You have a seasonal guest star.
The shift is this:
Your outdoor space needs to function in imperfect weather.
How to do it:
Add coverage (umbrella, pergola, or even a simple awning)
Layer in warmth (outdoor-safe throws, cushions, subtle heating if possible)
Embrace in-between seasons (spring mornings, crisp fall evenings)
It’s less about chasing perfect weather and more about extending the edges of your comfort zone.
Create a “Threshold Moment” Instead of a Hard Stop
In colder climates, your door isn’t just a door.
It’s a checkpoint.
Boots. Coats. Wind. Reality.
So instead of fighting that, design for it.
What this looks like:
A small bench or landing zone near the door
Hooks, baskets, or a beautiful catch-all moment
A layered rug that visually “pulls” the outside in
This creates a transition that feels intentional instead of abrupt.
Less “we’ve entered survival mode,” more “this is part of the experience.”
Blur the Line Visually (Even When the Door Is Closed)
Here’s the truth no one talks about:
For a good chunk of the year, that door will be closed.
So the goal becomes:
Make it feel open anyway.
Do this by:
Keeping sightlines clean to your outdoor space
Arranging furniture to face the light and view
Using similar tones and materials inside and out
Skipping heavy window treatments in favor of light, airy ones
If your eye can travel, the space still feels connected.
Make Your Outdoor Space Worth Looking At Year-Round
If your patio disappears visually the second it gets cold, the connection disappears with it.
Instead, think of your outdoor space as a permanent backdrop.
Simple upgrades:
Evergreen planters or structured greenery
Neutral, minimal furniture that doesn’t feel seasonal
A few lanterns or sculptural elements that look good even untouched
You’re designing a view, not just a space.
Bring the Outside In (But Make It Subtle)|
When you can’t live outside, let outside live with you.
But keep it refined. This isn’t a greenhouse moment.
Think:
A single oversized plant instead of ten small ones
Seasonal branches instead of overly styled florals
Natural textures like linen, wood, and stone
It should feel like a quiet echo of the outdoors, not a theme.
The Lifestyle Shift (This Is the Part That Actually Matters)
Indoor outdoor living in colder climates isn’t about throwing open the doors year-round.
It’s about:
Opening them when you can, even briefly
Stepping outside for small, everyday moments
Letting fresh air become part of your routine, not an event
It’s lighting a candle outside in October.
It’s coffee on the step in April.
It’s not waiting for perfect conditions to enjoy your space.
The Takeaway
You don’t need California.
You need:
A softened transition
A consistent visual story
An outdoor space that still exists when it’s not “in season”
Indoor outdoor living isn’t a location.
It’s a mindset with really good styling.
And once you start designing for it, even winter feels a little less closed off.
-Juliette