6 Tips To Consider When Creating The Perfect Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living spaces are fantastic for hosting events and relaxing in the evenings. One thing that sets outdoor living spaces apart from their indoor counterparts is their ability to combine a crisp night sky with warmth and indoor-style comforts, such as cozy couches or hot meals.

Outdoor Living Spaces Are Essential

Aside from a great view and some wireless speakers, a house isn’t really complete without an outdoor area to host events and activities in. If you’ve got one, I want to help maximise its potential in your home.

I know you must be thinking that summer is almost over, but now may be the best time to buy what you’re missing to create your dream outdoor living space.

So I’ve put together 6 tips to consider when designing the perfect outdoor space.

Lighting

Lighting plays a major role in the feel of your outdoor living area.

Since daylight isn’t the only time you’ll spend time out there, it’s something that you must consider:

• What do you want it to look like at night?
• Will there be a hard, bright light to ensure maximum visuals at night, or a few softer, warmer lights to ease you into a relaxed evening in your backyard?

When considering lighting, don’t forget that flaming torches are an option. They also help to keep insects away from you and your guests.

Relaxation

Designing your yard area for relaxation is something many people love to do.

A couple of lawn chairs, some wireless speakers and a bar fridge is all you need for the summer.

Add a fire pit for the winter, and all of a sudden your normal backyard has become an outdoor refuge. You can bask in the elements without needing to travel hours away for a camping trip.

Play Area

If you have a young or active family, your outdoor areas might be better suited to life as a play area.

Areas that support many different activities usually need a little more prep than might be expected. After some upfront expenses, which may seem a little steep at the beginning, you’re pretty much set for life after.

A shade sail covering half of your outdoor area gives you a safe place out of the sun for your kids to play in, while still ensuring they get some outdoors time.

Replacing the grass with high-grade AstroTurf not only makes it easier to maintain (i.e never having to cut it), but also means you always have a flat surface to play games on.

Storage

Having some storage options in your outdoor entertainment area is crucial to avoiding the 10 or 15 trips back inside the house you’ll make throughout the day.

The first thing to consider is what your storage area should be. Also think about the kind of weather you experience throughout the year. Some thermal shielding may be needed if you regularly get snow in your outdoor area.

Regardless of where you live, your storage should definitely be water and air tight. This prevents any rain damage on what you might have stored, such as electronics, blankets, sunscreen, or even food. It also prevents animals from being attracted to any edibles in your outdoor container.

Entertainment

Setting up your outdoor living space with a zone for entertainment is a great idea.

Barbecues and other outdoor food events are hugely popular during the summer.

A hot roast in warm chairs on a deck is fun and different for a winter dinner party.

Try planning your entertainment area sparsely, as most of the space will be filled with people and decorations for the event. A bare outdoors can be well decorated for any occasion, unlike a densely designed one.

Shelter

Finally, you should consider the shelter you need in your outer area.

In bygone times, a simple stretch of shaped Perspex over a deck would pass as “shelter.” Indeed it would stop the rain from soaking anybody outdoors. Sunburn on the other hand, is an entirely different story when it comes to clear Perspex.

See if you can set up a shady spot under cover and out on the grass, so that no matter the event you have all of your guests’ needs covered.

The Gist of it

To create your dream outdoor living space, make sure you consider what you want for:

• lighting
• relaxation area
• activities setting
• storage compartment
• entertainment hub
• shelter from the sun’s extreme heat

This time of the year is great to stock up on some of your needs. It’s the end of the season and everything is on sale!

With these tips, you’re ready to wow your friends and family with your beautiful outdoor living area. What do you think your needs are for your outdoor living space to be complete?