7 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Outdoor Living Space

7 Ways to Make the Most Out of Your Outdoor Living Space

Many of us are spending far more time in our homes and we are evolving our homes to be our space for entertainment or escape. Backyards provide the perfect opportunity to get a breath of fresh air during your workday and al-fresco dining at night. Not to mention, having a space to enjoy the outdoors can be beneficial for your overall mental health. If you’re wanting to spend more time outdoors at your home and are looking to improve your outdoor space, we have 7 simple ways to make the most out of your outdoor space.

Table of Contents
1.       Tips for designing your outdoor space
2.       Garden DIY projects
3.       Outdoor seating
4.       Outdoor cooking area
5.       Outdoor lighting
6.       Set up electronic entertainment options
7.       Maximize fun and comfort in your backyard

How to Improve Your Outdoor Living Space

1. Tips for Designing your Outdoor Space

Select your set up As you’re deciding on your outdoor layout, keep several factors in mind. Think about the size of your patio and possible arrangements that fit the space. To maximize room, choose wrap-around couch configurations and benches paired with ottomans and side tables. If you envision utilizing your patio mostly for family meals or weekend breakfasts, a table and chair set will match your needs and make the space comfortable. Regardless of your furniture choices, ensure you leave room for an umbrella to provide plenty of shade during the day.

Choose your color scheme While creating your furniture arrangement, consider color — including what hues complement your home and what kinds of decoration you plan on incorporating. For a home with neutral shades, enliven the patio with bright water-resistant cushions and pillows. Also, strategically place blooming plants around the area for splashes of seasonal vibrance. Prefer a more subdued color scheme? Try sprinkling in patterns using shades of black, white, and cream. Finally, lay an outside rug under your furniture set up to pull the whole patio together.

2. Garden DIY Projects

Adding planters to your back patio doesn’t need to cost a fortune. DIY your own stylish boxes and plant low-water greenery to bring a hint of nature right up to your door. Repurpose old furniture, hammer together a few stray boards, buy a couple small rain gutters and paint them bright colors, or just dig through the old stuff in your garage that you can reuse by filling with soil and charm.

Pick your plants Putting out potted flowers, grasses, and greenery can serve as statement pieces on your patio. Aim for a variety of plants that have different heights, shapes, and colors. Likewise, stagger the height of your pots to add a vertical element to the space. When positioning your choices, remember to account for the light and water needs of each — make sure flowers that love sun receive it while others should remain in a shaded portion of your patio.

To keep the kids involved, put them in charge of watering the plants when they need it., This can teach them responsibility and can give them the opportunity to learn what the process of tending to a garden is like and give them the satisfaction of helping their garden grow.
 

3. Outdoor Seating

Whether you have an expansive lanai or a small covered patio overlooking your backyard, you can make the most of your outdoor living area by defining distinctive social spaces. This gives guests room to spread out and have separate conversations, even within an intimate outdoor area. A table with chairs creates an outdoor dining space, a pair of chaise lounges defines the laid-back lounging zone, and outdoor ottomans by a firepit let guests know where to go when the sun goes down and the s’mores come out.

Other than strictly outdoor seating, you can also consider how to make your guests comfortable with indoor outdoor concepts. Indoor outdoor living spaces allow you to seamlessly blend your interior space with your outdoor patio. It also comes with some advantages, like giving your guests the option to sit indoors or outdoors without feeling isolated from the group. This blended lounge space is a great option for any holiday or special event you might consider hosting in your home.

It’s also important to purchase high quality furniture frames with weather-proof cushions so that the pieces can withstand the elements without you having to bring them inside every time there is a storm. Also, consider using an outdoor rug, decorative pillows, and having fuzzy blankets handy to make the area feel more comfortable and warm

4. Outdoor Cooking Area

Create a more connected outdoor space for you and your loved ones by having an outdoor cooking area.  With warmer weather comes more cooking outside on the grill, so having an array of grills and burners makes the experience all the better. Adding a smoker or a Kamado-style cooker allows for new flavors for your family and friends to enjoy. Another great option is to add a pizza oven attachment to your grill for a smokey flavor on your favorite pizzas. With additional burners and grills, you can cook all your side dishes at the same time, so there is no delay in digging into your delicious dish.

5. Outdoor Lighting

Lighting can certainly set any mood! Consider adding lights to plants or trees to give your backyard a bright flair. You could also incorporate some rustic style lanterns to your outdoor tables to make for great dinner mood lighting. With new energy-efficient LED lights, you won’t have to worry about any extra energy costs when lighting the yard.

If you’re looking for an even easier way to set the mood and bring in some light to your outdoors, candles — traditional or flameless — lend an ethereal feel to your patio at any time of day. Also, non-scented candles and citronella candles act as a gentle and natural bug repellent.

6. Set up Electronic Entertainment Options

A great game can be enhanced by an entertainment setup. With TVs that are specifically designed for outdoor use, you can watch your favorite game or show without the worry of outdoor weather and temperatures affecting your TV. In addition to great picture quality, it’s important to consider sound quality. Your outdoor area is often noisier than your indoor area, so it’s a great idea to add in some speakers for surround-sound. Whether they are installed or portable, speakers will make you feel like you’re out at the stadium.

Installing a mister system Adding in a mister or two in your backyard can make watching early fall football games outside much more bearable. When the weather is still warm midday, a mister helps cool you off so the only sweat you’ll break on gameday is from the stress of a close game. Misters have also become more versatile and more cost efficient, with some that can mount on your umbrellas for maximum cooling. If you don’t want to add them to an umbrella, consider installing them on one of Shea’s many covered patio areas.
 

7. Maximize Fun and Comfort in your Backyard

Outdoor fire pits Create a cozy patio space that allows you to enjoy your outdoor living space all year round. Consider it an extension of your home – you’ll need to have the right heating and cooling system for any occasion. For colder months, an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, or built-in heaters are essential to stay warm. Plus, your friends and family will love sitting around a fire on a crisp night.

Since there are many restrictions on burning wood in certain states, another good option is a gas firepit. With modern options that will fit right in with your backyard landscaping, they create a new hangout spot on cool nights.

Lawn enhancements Build your perfect lawn and playground space for you and your familyOur backyards have become our new playgrounds, so it’s important that our kids, pets, and family members have a fun outdoor space. One way to enhance your backyard is with a great lawn for running and playing. Artificial turf gives the green space that many people desire, without skyrocketing your water bill to maintain real grass.

If you’re an avid golfer, you can consider adding a putting green to practice your game at your leisure. For the kids and guests, consider lawn games such as cornhole, ringer, or bocce ball. Not to mention your backyard makes a great space for your pets since there may not be much grass around some neighborhoods.

Shea’s expansive outdoor spaces become even more useful for taking work outside, playing games with you family, or entertaining during the holidays. To learn more about all of our Shea Homes® communities, head over to our website at https://www.sheahomes.com/new-homes/.