Since 1974, the average family size has gone down, while the average new home square footage has gone up. With families using more space, you may find that you are short on the space you’d like to have. Rather than undertaking an expensive addition or moving, you can create a beautiful outdoor area that extends your living space, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors whenever weather permits. Depending on your budget, you can even hire a top rated concrete contractor in your area to do all of the hard work for you.
Create a designated space in your yard, consider the type of space you would like to enjoy, and then design the perfect ambiance for your backyard oasis.
Designate Your Space
The first step in designing your backyard living space is to create a designated space. A concrete or paver patio will define the area, creating a border between garden space and living space. A cover of some kind can also help to delineate the space. A pergola or retractable awnings from your back windows can provide shade when the sun is high, or even from light summer rains. You can use planting beds in your garden, or low hedges, to separate your natural space from your living space while still allowing you garden to be enjoyed. Once you have the space you will use, you can furnish it.
When designating spaces outdoors, make sure to consider the kind of activities you usually engage in. Do you love to spend time gardening? Do you usually invite friends over to have some meals and drinks? Do you spend time reading books outdoors? Once you’re able to factor in the activities that you’ll be doing outside, you can then buy furniture that’s associated with it.
Choose the Right Furniture
If you want to extend your living room, you will need sofas and chairs to lounge on. Your personal style will dictate whether you choose sleek, wooden furniture, all-weather wicker-look pieces, or the more traditional wrought iron with colorful cushions. If an outdoor dining space is what you’re planning for, you’ll want to choose an outdoor dining table with enough seating for entertaining. You can choose a more traditional style with extension capabilities, or buy an unfinished picnic table you can paint or stain to match your taste and décor. An outdoor kitchen can be complemented by a small seating area surrounding a low table or even bar seating at a counter. Whatever type of “room” you choose, your next step will be the finishing touches that make the space feel like yours.
For you to end up choosing the right furniture for your outdoor living space, don’t forget to consider the durability of the materials. The pieces of furniture that you’ll place outdoors will be prone to extreme weather conditions, which is why it’s important to invest in pieces that can withstand all of these. You should also consider the maintenance and storage of your outdoor furniture.
Aside from these, it’s also best if you make measurements of your available outdoor space. Doing so allows you to end up buying pieces that actually fit. One of the last things you want to experience when adding square footage to your home is buying outdoor furniture that’ll only prevent you and your guests from moving around outdoors.
The market is saturated with countless outdoor furniture, and one can easily feel overwhelmed with the number of options available. For you not to regret your purchase, always consider these factors.
Create Ambiance
Once you have your space created and furnished, it’s time for the final touches that make it feel complete. String lights swagged across the space can add functional lighting as well as whimsy. Potted plants can help further delineate the space as well as adding color. This is especially true if you choose to use plants that come in different sizes and colors.
Depending on your preferences, you can also make your outdoor living space feel cozier by adding pillows, rugs, and carpets. Seats that can be used as storage are also great options, especially if you have limited space in the area.
If you need additional shade, colorful umbrellas can do the trick, either alone or placed within a table. These are very cheap and can be easily installed anytime. Candles, tiki torches, and lanterns can take your space from day to night, creating a magical wonderland come twilight. These can also set a very romantic mood, which is perfect if you want to spend time outdoors with your special someone. If you are at a loss for how to finish off your space, you can get ideas from Pinterest, or even consulting a professional designer.
In Conclusion
Not only will your additional outdoor space add value to your home, you will have additional square footage in which to enjoy your yard when the weather is nice. With the right planning, your outdoor space can accommodate multiple functions. If your house is smaller, an outdoor space may be the answer to an open space in which to entertain, or just a place to relax and take in nature.