Elevate the Style Quotient of Your Outdoor Lounge with Sunken Seating

Designing the perfect interior or even outdoors is all about creating appealing focal points along with visual and geometric contrast. Too much of the same can often seem boring, and that is precisely the case with backyards and patios that are completely flat. Ever seen how your deck space acquires a whole new charm when you simply add a new level to it with a few of steps? Even a refreshing Jacuzzi with a couple of steps can make a big difference to the whole visual. But sunken seating takes this idea to a whole new level by creating an inimitable, cozy, and often private backyard lounge.

Sunken and raised areas bring a sense of excitement to the outdoors and add a hint of playfulness. They also help define individual spaces in a large area, and sunken seating is the perfect way to make the outdoor lounge the central attraction of the landscape. Here are some stunning and wide-ranging inspirations that take it a step down to elevate the aesthetics up a notch or two!

Poolside Summer Delights!

Summer is just a couple of weeks away, and now is the time to plan for all those outdoor dinners, parties, lazy evenings and dreamy nights in the backyard. Sunken seating around the fire pit has a magical and almost woodsy charm. But you can turn up the heat even more by surrounding it with your pool! A fireplace next to the pool inherently makes for a brilliant visual, and sunken seating enhances this appeal immensely. These snug, secluded sunken lounge areas are a perfect way to catch up with friends and family as you sip away at your favorite beverage.

The sunken lounge at the heart of the pool obviously requires an entry point, and you can either use stepping stones that are concealed by the pool, or a beautiful bridge that makes the setting even more amazing. If you love to party, then a sunken lounge that doubles as a dining area or even a Tiki bar is a great addition to the backyard. These dramatic lounges look even more breathtaking when they are part of infinity pools with ocean views!

Subtle and Understated

Sunken seating ideas need not just involve the sitting area alone. You can extend this idea by creating a subtle yet beautiful sunken lounge that is far more practical and far less dramatic. While a small change in the level might not seem as visually striking, it still has a huge impact in the overall context of your patio or yard. Often, all you need is a small change in the height of the lounge along with a couple of steps that accentuate the effect. Complete this area with a few chairs and add a fireplace to turn it into a happening hub!

One of the advantages of using modern outdoor furniture instead of built-in seating is that it allows you to add or remove the seating options depending on your current needs. Wooden benches, a large couch or even a chaise lounge can be combined with a few chairs to create an elegant and trendy sunken lounge that serves you for years to come. Adding a pergola-style structure around it gives you the added benefit of shade, and you can even transform this into an outdoor dining space over time.

Play with the Contours

As always, the aesthetics of your home and comfort come ahead of conventions, and sunken lounge spaces are no different. Instead of adhering to the traditional designs, it is time to add a pinch of excitement to the outdoors with innovative new interpretations of the sunken lounge. While some homeowners prefer modern and minimal versions of the private conversation pit, others love the theatrical, over-the-top designs. Plan a sunken space that acts as a link between two other levels in the backyard or create a sunken level that connects with the basement of your house. The options here are aplenty.

Sunken seating promises to transform a landscape and also gives you a sense of privacy, even in a large and open yard. It also ensures that you need not install tall fences and ruin the view outside just for a few moments of solitude. A legacy of the 60s and the 70s, it is a trend that is once again gaining quick popularity as modern designers breathe new life into this retro trend. And this summer, it could well be the place where you spend countless hours as you take in the sights and sounds outside!

Photo Courtesy: Architecture & Design