From Covered Patios to Fire Pits, Outdoor Living is the Way to Go
To make the most of your home’s exterior, consider creating an outdoor living space, where family, friends and guests can relax and unwind while enjoying the great outdoors.
Much like any room inside the home, an outdoor living space can vary in size, shape and layout, from a humble, screened-in patio to an elaborate, open-air gazebo. Regardless, it’s important to consider how you’ll use the space.
For example, someone who loves to cook and grill out might want to have an outdoor kitchen and bar area in their outdoor living space, while someone who prefers a cozy night of conversation might prefer their outdoor living space to have a fire pit and Adirondack chairs.
As you begin to lay out your outdoor space, take any potential outdoor elements into consideration. Design accordingly based on how the sun might hit your outdoor living space at different times of the day with awnings and umbrellas that keep your outdoor furniture shaded just right. For the colder months, you might want to consider purchasing some portable propane heaters. And to keep those pesky bugs away in the summer, it may be most ideal to have your outdoor space include a screened-in porch or covered patio.
When it comes to design and accessories, you might consider having your outdoor living space match patterns and schemes presented in your home’s interior. Use carpets, throw pillows and even outdoor curtains to make your outdoor living space feel snug.
It’s also not uncommon to have a TV outdoors for watching the big game or an open-air family movie night. Just make sure it’s in an enclosed space to guard from weather, or inquire with your local electronics store about the selection of outdoor TVs they have in stock.
To accompany these décor decisions, plants can also make an outdoor living space really pop. As GardenDesign.com points outs, however, it will make your life easier to have these plants be “easy-care” options to keep things low-maintenance. Additionally, you may also want to keep any plants that attract bees and other pollinators away from your outdoor space, especially if you plan to make it a regular dining spot.
Outdoor lighting is a must. In planning out the lighting in and around your outdoor living space, think strategically on ways to make your property more inviting. Be sure to illuminate any premiere hangout spots, while also strategically lighting walkways with landscape lighting that leads to other attractions throughout the year, such as a pool or fire pit.
Speaking of fire pits, there are plenty of options. You can go with a wood-burning fire pit or a gas, stone fire pit, for example. Whichever way you go, you will be happy you have a cozy fire pit for all seasons.
Like any revamped room in the house, planning out a new outdoor space can be loads of fun. It’s just up to you to make sure it fits your needs, so you and your loved ones can bask in Mother Nature while enjoying each other’s company.
West Design Build is a top outdoor living builder specializing in customer service to help take the agony and stress out of outdoor projects. Contact us today to get started on your outdoor project.