Whether you like to sit outside on your patio and relax year-round or just during the warmer months, you understand how wonderful it is to have an outdoor space that you can use to get away. It doesn’t matter if you use your outdoor space to entertain, be alone, or a combination of the two; it should feel like an extension of your home. Too often, folks focus on their home’s interior and let the outdoor space go to waste. With a little thought and attention to detail, you can create an outdoor living space that you, your family, and your friends can’t wait to enjoy.
If you already have an outdoor patio that you’re looking to improve or you’re designing that dream outdoor living space you’ve always wanted, these design ideas are sure to inspire you.
Design Considerations
Home design trends are so vast and varied that the sky’s the limit when it comes to design choices. Is your style rustic and woodsy? Or is it boho and beachy? Whatever you prefer, if you want to transform your outdoor space into a comfortable place that you go to for relaxation and joy, you’ve got to consider a few key factors first.
- Setting: Where is your space located? Do you have a patio connected to the house, or is it tucked back in the corner of the yard? How accessible are your bathrooms, kitchen, etc.?
- Area: How large or small is your outdoor living area? Does it take up the whole yard? Or can you leave space for your garden and for the kids to run and play?
- Shape: What shape is your yard? What shape is your house? Does it make sense to go with a traditional rectangle-shaped living area? Or would something more unique fit your space better?
- Style: Do you want your outdoor living space to match your home? Consider whether you want your style to be continuous or not.
- Goals: What is it that you want to get out of your outdoor space? Would you like to enjoy your space year-round? Always make choices with this end-goal in mind.
Outdoor Living Design Elements
While style choices like color scheme and furniture composition are virtually endless, there are a few unique design elements that will take your outdoor living area to the next level. This list of outdoor living ideas will elevate your backyard and help you make the most of your space.
Watch the Game
If you mount a TV to the wall, your patio will quickly become the place to be on game day. Technology has come such a long way that TVs are no longer as heavy or as expensive as they once were, so buying one and mounting it where everyone can see it is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Cocktails, Anyone?
Building a bar in your outdoor living space creates a fun and intimate environment. Whether you want to equip your bar with the fixings for craft cocktails or keep it simple with wine and beer, everyone loves to have a drink in their hand. An outdoor bar is a great addition, especially if you don’t have square footage or funds for an outdoor kitchen.
Get Cookin’
If you love to cook and love to entertain outdoors, but you don’t have an outdoor kitchen, it’s time to change that. Instead of being stuck inside, away from the party doing meal prep, you can be outside spending time with your family and friends while you cook.
Stay Warm
A fire pit is a warm and mesmerizing natural gathering place. Whether it’s a beautiful summer night or a chilly winter evening, everyone loves a good fire. In recent years, a fire pit has become an artistic statement piece, as well as a heat source.
Popular fireplace choices include:
- Modern gas fireplace
- Rustic wood stove
- Traditional pit with stonework
- Refurbished in-home fireplace (great to put in a wall underneath the TV)
Soak in the Tub
If you want your outdoor space to be appreciated year-round, a hot tub is a perfect addition. It’s warm and relaxing no matter what the temperature is. A hot tub is inviting for a soak by yourself or with a group of friends.
Furniture for All Seasons
Whether you plan to use your outdoor space year-round or exclusively in the summer, you’ve got to choose weather-resistant patio furniture. Even a summer season that fluctuates between extreme heat and cool, rainy days can wear on your furniture. Weather-resistant furniture materials that can withstand many seasons of wear and tear, including snow and ice, are:
- Powder-coated steel
- Teak
- Polyresin wicker
Besides bringing the cushions and pillows when it rains and snows, it’s important to protect and winterize your outdoor furniture.
Greenery Makes Lush Scenery
Even if you live in a bustling city, adding vibrant plants and trees will give your outdoor living area a natural, countryside feel. If you have the opportunity to landscape and incorporate some perennials as well as potted flower arrangements, your patio can feel like a secret garden getaway.
Optional Enclosure
If you have the option to install a roof over a portion of your outdoor living space, it will become a lot more versatile. You can even add some curtains so that you can be outdoors in the wind, rain, and sun.
Upgrade Your Home Today
The ability to experience your property to the absolute fullest is a game-changer. Some people go their entire lives without realizing the potential of outdoor space. You can transform your backyard into an extension of your home that you can enjoy some or even all of the year. Remember to identify what you want to get out of your outdoor space and how you want it to look before you start building or remodeling. From building a partial roof with optional side coverings to adding a hot tub or an outdoor kitchen, your dreams can become a reality.
At MN Contractor Pros, our team of building experts can help you build or remodel any part of your outdoor living area project. We know how to refresh a drab patio and make a luxurious outdoor space that your family and friends love. Visit our website to explore our exterior remodeling services and learn how we can work together today.