Influencers And Entrepreneurs Share Their Instagramable Outdoor Spaces

Summer has officially arrived. If you are lucky enough to live in a home with outdoor space, that means it’s time for a refresh. Whether you have a spacious suburban backyard with a pool, a smaller stamp of land in a city, or a balcony with sweeping views—size doesn’t matter so much as how space is used. The right furniture and landscaping are the two basic requirements for creating a private oasis. And perhaps a little bit of inspiration from the homes of these influencers and entrepreneurs.

Kourtney Reppert

Multi-hyphenate Kourtney Reppert (she’s an influencer/model and mental health advocate) knows sometimes it’s best to start with a finished product. As a mom, she realized she wanted to focus her energy on parenting and enjoying the space, as opposed to renovating it. “I just knew I wanted something with a great outdoor view and something I could enjoy with my son and take some great shots at! The pool was a perfect size and it has a really great spot to sip tea/coffee and read.”

For others trying to find the perfect backyard space, she offers some sensible advice, “Make a space that you can relax, meditate and dream but also have it fully equipped for a fun get together house party!”

Anthony Pazos

When celebrity hairstylist and media personality (you’ve seen him on LA Hair on WE tv) Anthony Pazos and his partner Bill Parks moved into their current Los Angeles home, the entire property needed renovation. So when it came time to fix up the backyard, which Pazos says was “all dirt,” they had to create an escape on a budget. They ended up purchasing all the furniture, including the West Elm sofa second hand from Offer Up as well as a few estate sales. It was minimal cash for maximum style. But they were able to design the perfect spot to sit and have drinks at the end of a long day.

For others working within a budget, Pazos says, “Have patience and source products off estate sales. It allows you to be affordable but chic at the same time.”

Jaclyn Johnson

When Jaclyn Johnson, CEO, and founder of Create & Cultivate, was designing the outdoor space of her Los Angeles home, she didn’t have a large footprint to work with. But she was determined to make her 144 square foot backyard big in style. “We have a traditional Spanish style home and when we bought the house this area was all turf. We wanted to create something more Californian where I could relax with friends and family,” she says.

Using furniture and accessories entirely from CB2, Johnson created a cool, California look. One of her favorite pieces is the fire pit, which she says reminds her of Ojai. “It’s nice to kick back, open a bottle of wine and spend time with my husband after a long week.”

For others who are inspired by the look of Johnson’s backyard, she says it’s important to make your space a sanctuary and a reflection of who you are as well as to choose durable materials that will last.

Becca Tobin

Becca Tobin of Glee and LadyGang recently teamed up with environmentally sustainable furniture brand Yardbird to design the backyard of her Los Angeles home. It’s a very easy look to emulate because Yardbird’s furniture is relatively affordable. Tobin has the Langdon outdoor large sectional set with a rectangle fire pit. The Langdon line is made from wicker resin fabricated from recycled plastic bottles.

Particularly when it comes to smaller yards and patios, curved spaces like Tobin’s, really benefit from a sectional sofa. It is a great way to carve out an intimate area for sitting and relaxing. The design of the fire pit table is ideal because the large edge allows it to doubles as a coffee table, making the most of the space. For a final touch, add string lights instead of additional fixtures and outdoor lamps. 

Danielle Nagel

Desert chic doesn’t even begin to describe the Palm Springs retreat of Danielle Nagel, who is the founder of Dazey LA. Famed architect William Krisel designed her midcentury modern house. But that isn’t the only thing that makes it special—the backyard is home to over a hundred different species of cacti. “Aside from being more water-friendly, we have always loved cactus and it fits our home and landscape perfectly,” says Nagel.

She has created an entire garden of this plant. “What’s awesome about cacti is you can slowly start to collect the pieces in your yard and not have to go all-in at once. We also have some potted cacti and plants mixed in that look great so that’s an easy way to get the same effect without having to commit to planting in one place, or risk getting picked!”

Designing around the vegetation, Nagel purchased most of the furniture from Bend Goods. “We love [this furniture] because the sun and wind can be extremely harsh, but these pieces can withstand it all and still look amazing. They are heavy and well made, while also being so beautiful!”

Erika De La Cruz

De La Cruz calls the style of the balcony, “modern cabana,” and recognizes the challenges of maximizing a small space in a city. “I’ve learned it’s not necessarily about how many pieces you have, but how much you love the one or two that you do. Invest in a piece that makes you feel incredible. That, and color. The entire look of an area can shift by just adding a statement piece. My #passionista staple color is pink, so as no surprise, so is the focal balcony seat. It just inspires me!”

Shani Darden

Expert esthetician Shani Darden recently moved into a new home in Los Angeles and had her backyard designed by close friend and renowned interior designer, Jake Arnold. “We wanted to go with a Mediterranean livable outdoor space where I could have my family and friends over without worrying about making a mess.”

One of the most noteworthy features of the home is the landscaping, which uses a mixture of natural materials including railroad tiles. “They were used as retaining walls because I live on a hillside. So, I wanted it to look beautifully integrated.”

 A mix of olive trees, lavender, and natural succulents surround the yard, making it perfect for entertaining which is something Darden feels very passionate about. She even had a custom a fourteen-foot dining table made so she can seat up to thirty people at a time.

For others trying to create a similar, Mediterranean-inspired look, Darden believes less is more. “Choose only materials that are natural and have age and patina so it feels authentic and lived in. When it comes to the planting and landscaping choose a small grouping of plants so it feels more minimal and relaxed like most Mediterranean spaces.”

Reena B. Patel

Author, parenting expert, and licensed psychologist, Reena B. Patel lives in San Diego, California. Her goal was to have a minimal look in her backyard to enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather with her family.

“When we have friends and family over the first comment they make is how much our backyard feels and looks like a getaway and resort,” she says. “We often do staycations in our backyard and have outdoor concerts, set up tents for backyard camping, and have our friends with kids over just to barbeque and swim.”

Patel explains that she likes simple furniture to allow for more open space. She specifically used teak wood pieces from Frontgate and Teak Warehouse because teak is naturally durable enough to withstand both kids and weather. 

When designing a family backyard, she thinks it is best to focus on the purpose of the space and what you plan to do there. Do you want to host parties or be outside whenever possible? “Then ask yourself, when I am in my backyard, do I want to spend the time relaxing listening to the waterfall and feel like I’m on vacation. That is what we wanted to accomplish. Being busy as most full time working parents are, it’s not easy to get away and travel. So why not create a space that brings the feeling of vacation to you. We brought what we love about being on vacation to our backyard.”

Kimberly and Brad Friedmutter

Renowned hypnotherapist Kimberly Friedmutter and author of Subconscious Power: Use Your Inner Mind to Create the Life You’ve Always Wanted used her subconscious among other things to create a lush oasis in the desert, off the Las Vegas strip. This look can take some planning, she explains. “You have to use desert plants that are hardy, leafy and durable and that don’t need much water. Most people believe that dryness creates a problem with an island look in the desert but because Las Vegas is the high desert, it’s the cold winters dipping into the low 20’s, several times per winter season that has us wrapping the more delicate plants, at the first onset of winter.”

Friedmutter, along with her husband, renowned architect Brad Friedmutter chose to create a Zen feeling for the home overall. “With a multi-million dollar view, most wonder why I would layer in massive antique Buddhas and Balinese soft goods but I know that romance lies as much in what you can’t see, as what you can,” she explains. “An experience in serenity, curiosity, and allure beckons winding pathways, hidden coves, secret spaces allowing for ultimate privacy.”

For those trying to create a tranquil vibe, Friedmutter recommends bringing in nature as much as possible. “Plantings that bring a smile, even in pots on a balcony can produce a sense of calm and well-being. Not to mention visits from hummingbirds, butterflies, and honeybees!  Framing and layering elements create a sense of magic and depth both with plantings and lighting.”

Dr. Payman Danielpour

Renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Payman Danielpour might live in Beverly Hills, but when he comes home, he says it feels like the countryside. The landscaping really drew him to the property. “It is very secluded and private,” he says. “I was trying to create a very simple yet modern look with the feeling of the countryside. I added the glass because I needed a barrier from the pool to the sitting area and I didn’t want to block the view from the house to the pool, therefore I put glass which makes it look incredibly sleek and modern at the same time. At night the landscaping is all lit up as are all of the palm trees.”

Dr. Danielpour also loves the space because it allows him to show off his own green thumb. “I love to garden myself, so it is very important to me that whoever is doing my gardening and landscaping knows what they’re doing. Therefore I hire the best to help me, but I also do it myself and think I have an incredible green thumb as well because I have an apricot tree, a grapefruit tree, a sour cherry tree, a fig tree, multiple lemon trees, cucumbers, melons, and herbs,” he says.

This post first appeared on Forbes.com. To see the original, click here.