Being outside is one of the best things about the warmer months. You’ll experience the smell of flowers and backyard barbecues that lure you onto the patio or porch to enjoy time with family and friends. Learn how to create the perfect outdoor living space in this article!
Create the Perfect Outdoor Living Space with These 8 Tips
There are many ways to improve your home, such as a full-house renovation, but you also have to think of the outdoor areas. You want them to look just as good and be functional at the same time. Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect outdoor living space:
1. Purpose
You must consider how you’ll use the outdoor space before you get too excited about design and drawing plans. Consider these questions to help you envision what you’ll do:
- Will you host barbecues or dinner parties?
- How many guests might you entertain at one time?
- Should your space be pet- or kid-friendly, with separate areas for them?
- Do you want a quiet place to unwind and relax?
Understanding how you’ll use the outdoor space is the first step. For example, you might want to put in an extra room for adult children to live in while they save money. You must think about the accessories, housing units, lighting, and everything else.
2. Surroundings
What’s around your home? Does it have a beautiful view? You don’t want to ignore what’s already there and might choose to have a sitting area where you can watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee. Likewise, you may prefer some comfortable chairs for cocktails in the evening.
If you have unsightly eyesores, screens and hedges can help you hide them. Likewise, you should look beyond your property to see how the surrounding environment might affect your backyard’s appeal.
3. Layout
When you create the perfect outdoor living space, it’s wise to plan ahead for the layout. Think of doing a kitchen renovation; you might go with an open floor plan because it feels more spacious and roomy. Every outdoor area must be functional and logical, connecting to the inside of your home.
4. Comfort
Most outdoor spaces experience a lot of sun in the mornings or afternoons. Therefore, you should think of ways to provide shade. Covered patios, pergolas, umbrellas, and trees are all good ideas because they will offer shelter from the heat and can protect you during a pop-up rain shower.
5. Wind Patterns
Most people think that creating the perfect outdoor space is as easy as handling a bathroom renovation. However, there are more things to consider when dealing with nature. For example, you’ll need to know the direction of the winds and when they most likely occur.
Sometimes, areas will be calmer in the mornings, but there’s a stiffening evening breeze. If you’re planning to place a fire pit, you want to ensure the seating is downwind. Otherwise, you’ll create a wind tunnel, and the ashes will land on your guests!
6. Exposure
The direction the outdoor space faces can determine how functional it is. You might want a place for guests to relax and sip cocktails, but your north-facing area is much chillier than the east-facing one. Therefore, no one will feel comfortable unless they’re wearing warm-weather clothes.
7. Furnishings
To create the perfect outdoor living space, you need to select the right furniture. How will you plan to use the area? Most people will use a combination of entertainment, relaxation, and dining. Therefore, you need furnishings that are practical and comfortable for outdoor use. They should be easily washable and weather-resistant.
Consider small tables that can easily be moved around for snacks and cocktails. You may also want heavier pieces if you know that they won’t need to be moved. Likewise, various patterns and colors can help you bring the interior style outdoors!
8. Plants
Even if you decide to have a garden in one of the outside areas, you’ll want easy-care greenery around the outdoor living space. In fact, low-maintenance options are ideal. Consider rounded shrubs that grow a few inches a year. Likewise, you can use your vertical surfaces to create green walls, which offer privacy and still allow you to see the sky overhead.
It’s also important to know which plants attract bees and other pests. Though they might be good for the garden, you probably don’t want them right next to your outside dining area or by the home so they can get inside.
Click Here to Read About 5 Ways to Update your Outdoor Living Space Without Breaking the Bank >>>
Final Thoughts on Creating the Perfect Outdoor Living Space
Are you ready to create the perfect outdoor living space? Paragon Builders can help you achieve your goals! We offer many services, which include garage conversions, patios, and backyard transformations.
Whether you have an idea in mind or want to pick our brains, we will help you design and build a beautiful outdoor space. You can create the perfect balance between functionality and comfort, and we’ll be with you each step of the way. Contact us at (858) 336-8336 to get advice and request a consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
When creating an outdoor living space, you should think of its purpose, choose an appropriate layout, and consider how nature might play a role. For example, windy areas might require a solid base so that you can add curtains or shades. Likewise, you may want to consider the direction you’ll be facing when using the area most.
If you want the space to be inviting, it’s wise to create multiple living areas. For example, room additions through an accessory dwelling unit can allow you to earn extra rental income or let adult kids come home. Likewise, you’ll need to consider the lighting and seating arrangements so that everyone who visits is comfortable.
It can be challenging for some homeowners to design the best outdoor living area, especially if they learn by visualization. However, it’s easier when you work with a professional like Paragon Builders because we create custom homes for a living!
Overall, the goal is to have a functional space that feels like home. Therefore, it’s wise to pay attention to the small details, such as walkway placements and widths.
