An
outdoor living space is the perfect way to spend time outside in
nature while still benefitting from the comfort and shelter typically
found indoors. As the weather gets warmer and the sun gets brighter,
spending time out in the backyard instead of cooped up inside the
house get more and more appealing!
Whether
you are hosting barbecues for family and friends, or simply curling
up on a summer evening with a book, a pleasant outdoor space is a
great place to do this. Here we will explore some of the top tips you
need to know when designing your own outdoor space.
Design
Your Patio
A
patio is a vital part of most outdoor living spaces. You may already
have a patio or might be planning to design and build one. Larger
backyards can incorporate a patio as an area separate from the lawn,
typically as a space between the house and the lawn where you can
look out over the rest of the yard, but occasionally as a centerpiece
in its own right.
Patios
can be raised via steps, or on the same level as the rest of the yard
but should be built on flat ground. In terms of design, there are a
considerable number of options – the material, shape, and size of
the slabs can vary wildly and be tailored to suit your personal
tastes.
An
alternative – or an addition – to building a patio is to build
wooden decking, which is usually then laying slabs, and gives a
different aesthetic effect that many people prefer.
Use
Outdoor Furniture
If
you want your outdoor living space to be functional as well as
visually appealing, you will most likely want to use outdoor
furniture such as chairs and tables. Outdoor tables come in various
designs and materials (typically wood or metal) and provide a place
where you can enjoy al fresco dining in the warmer months. Most
outdoor tables come with chairs as part of a set.
Outdoor
seating is not just limited to dining chairs – outdoor sofas are a
fashionable option for people who value comfort. For those with more
traditional tastes, benches or swing
seats
are also a popular choice!
Incorporate
an Outdoor Roof
It
is no use spending money on outdoor furniture to leave it at the
mercy of the elements! To provide your furniture and your guests
shelter from rain or sun, an outdoor roof is vital. Roofs can be made
from materials from wood to glass to plastic and come in many
different styles.
Louvered
roof systems can be adjusted at will to provide full or partial
cover. Customized designs such as Outdoor
Elements’
louvered roofs are becoming increasingly popular.
Plant
Shrubs and Flowers
Once
you have sorted out the structure of your outdoor living space and
furnished it, you will probably want to provide a dash of color and
decoration! Plants such as flowers and shrubs can be useful not just
ornamentally, but to define boundaries between different sections of
the yard.
You
do not have to plant shrubs or flowers directly into the ground –
options such as ornamental plant pots and hanging baskets allow you
to have plants on patio or decking areas as well as in flowerbeds!
Flowers require more watering than succulents or shrubs, but provide
color and scent as well as having various
environmental benefits!
Use
Outdoor Lighting
There
are many different options when it comes to outdoor lighting, from
lanterns to string lights to solar-powered lights planted into lawns.
Lanterns are possibly the most versatile choice, as they can be hung
from hooks or branches, or simply placed on the top of a table.
Whether
you prefer traditional and cozy or sleek and modern, experimenting
with different combinations and placings of outdoor lights allows you
to really define the ambiance of your outdoor living space!
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