Creating Your Perfect Outdoor Living Space: Innovative Ideas & Tips

Outdoor living spaces are more than just an extension of your home; they’re a place to relax, entertain, and spend time in nature. No matter the size or other limitations of your yard, there are ample opportunities for installing outdoor living spaces. In this blog post, we’ll explore innovative ideas and tips for designing the right outdoor living space for your property.

Planning Your Outdoor Living Space

Don’t be fooled–installing an outdoor living space on your property requires some planning. But the more you plan, the better your results will be. Let’s go over some things to consider when planning for your specific space.

Assessing Your Space

You want to start off by assessing your space’s size, shape, and existing outdoor features. For example, if your space is on the smaller side or is arranged in a non-traditional shape and you would like to install a patio, one of the best recommendations is to build a paver patio so that you can customize it to better suit your needs. If your yard has a slope, it’s usually a good idea to install a retaining wall into the hillside before building anything else. There are lots of things to consider, but being aware of the basics will help you determine what’s possible for your yard.

Setting Goals

Now that you’ve assessed your space and you know what you can and cannot do in your yard, it’s time to set some goals. Ultimately, you want to decide on the primary uses for the space–do you want to do more dining, lounging, gardening, or something else entirely? The primary use or uses for the space will help guide your design choices.

Creating a Budget

Setting a budget is non-negotiable. While everyone has different things to consider when setting a budget, here are some things to think about:

• Your goals for the space and things like building codes.
• Specific features you want to include, such as fire pits, outdoor kitchens, seating, lighting, landscaping, or otherwise.
• Cost research: cost of materials, furniture, decor, and any other features. When researching costs, it can be helpful to compare the costs of different materials and to consider things like required maintenance for each material.
• Getting quotes: especially when it comes to landscaping and installation, quotes will help you determine the order in which you include certain features and how much you can do at a time.
• Tips: write a list of everything you will need for the space, prioritize what you need most, and save money by repurposing old materials when you can and by buying items that can be used in every season.

Design Ideas For Outdoor Living Spaces

There are many ways to design an outdoor living space that aligns with your goals. Below are some of the most popular uses for outdoor living spaces.

Functional Zones

One of the biggest goals of outdoor living spaces, especially when you have a smaller space, is to make your property more functional. In one space, you can create areas for dining, cooking, lounging, and playing if you plan it right. One great way to do this is by incorporating features that serve multiple functions at once. For example, you could build an outdoor kitchen and include an herb or vegetable garden in it. You could also install a fire pit and purchase accessories like grill gates for outdoor cooking. You could even install a pergola with a patio set underneath for shade during the day and a place to dine outside at night.

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens are currently all the rage. Particularly, homeowners are enjoying the additions of outdoor bars, pizza ovens, and grill stations. Those who entertain outside often also include sinks with counter space or even full refrigerators. To keep your space more functional, you can also use part of your deck or patio as dining space.

Dining Spaces

Dining spaces are among the most common outdoor living space options because of their functionality. With a deck or patio and a table and chair set, you can host all sorts of entertaining. Some prefer to buy a separate patio set and move it in and out with the changing of the seasons, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular to build seating and table aspects into your deck or patio, especially if it’s made from a natural stone. Bench additions for seating are popular because they seat lots of people at one time, for example.

Cozy Seating Areas

Cozy seating areas are the epitome of outdoor living spaces. Whether you prefer sofas, hammocks, or swing chairs, cozy seating makes it easier for you to enjoy the outdoors. Similarly, installing a fire pit at the center of cozy seating areas provides year-round outdoor enjoyment.

Entertainment Features

When it comes to outdoor entertainment, the options are nearly endless. TVs, sound systems, and game areas are common additions to outdoor living spaces, but some people prefer to enjoy nature to the fullest. For those folks, simple additions like outdoor lighting, fire pits, or pergolas with cozy seating are ideal. You could also think outside the box and set up a projector and a sheet for outdoor movie nights.

Outdoor Living Space Seasonal Considerations & Maintenance

Outdoor living spaces around here require seasonal maintenance. Here are some tips:

All-Weather Furniture

Especially if you live in a place that endures seasonal weather changes, all-weather furniture is a must. Look for durable furniture that is labeled as “weather-resistant.” Some of the common materials are teak, aluminum, wrought iron, synthetic wicker, resin, solid wood, and stainless steel. Each has its own specific maintenance procedures, so be mindful of what it requires before you buy.

Shade and Shelter

There are many different options available for shade and shelter:

• Pergolas
• Awnings
• Umbrellas
• Canopies
• Gazebos

Consider how permanent you want the structure to be, the necessary maintenance, and the type of weather your location typically has. For example, if you have rainy seasons with lots of wind in your area, a canopy may not be strong enough to withstand those conditions.

Seasonal Decor

You want to keep your space inviting throughout the year with as minimal effort as possible. The best tip for this is to invest in large, weather-resistant pieces that allow you to change out little accessories depending on the season. For example, you can invest in sturdy Adirondack chairs and switch out the cushions. Or you can purchase solar string lights and switch out the bulbs to a warmer hue in the colder months. Seasonal decor doesn’t have to be pricey or difficult to store.

Maintenance Tips

Maintenance is key with outdoor living spaces–it’s how you extend the longevity of your property. Landscaping maintenance like spring and fall cleanups will ensure your space is properly stored away for the winter and performing optimally in the summer. As long as you keep up with cleaning your accessories and repairing broken pieces in a timely manner, maintaining your outdoor space will be a breeze. Start by cleaning the furniture, prioritizing irrigation repair, removing debris during spring, and scheduling fall cleanups.

Conclusion

Curating your very own outdoor living space can be both a rewarding experience and an experience that drastically increases your property’s value and functionality. By planning carefully, designing innovatively, and maintaining properly, you’ll have an outdoor space worth enjoying in no time. Don’t let a lack of knowledge hold you back from enjoying your home.