Take It Outside: Expand Your Square Footage With Backyard Living
Sometimes hanging out indoors with friends and family can get a bit too familiar. If you are looking to switch it up a little bit, consider turning your backyard into a fun and inviting space for dining, entertainment, relaxation, and conversation.
Many homeowners have beautifully landscaped yards that are never showed off or enjoyed by guests because they lack proper seating and amenities to do so. Knowing this, we've put together some tips for you to transform your drab patio into a beautiful backyard oasis.
Furnishings
Proper furnishings are a key element to any successful outdoor living arrangement. Whether you need a place to dine in the sunshine or you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air, selecting the right kind of furnishings is important.
Remember, regardless of where you live, weather will be an issue to some degree, so it is important to select furnishings that are sturdy enough to withstand heavy rains, harsh winds, or whatever elements your area is prone to. This also goes for selecting fabrics if you choose to incorporate fabric into your design. You’ll want to choose materials that are mold and mildew resistant, especially if you live in a wet climate.
Keeping weather in mind, don’t forget that ambiance is important too. Make sure any furniture you choose fits in well with the theme of the space. It won’t do you any good to have a sturdy, mold resistant piece of furniture that clashes with everything else in your outdoor design.
Lounge Area
Once you’ve found the right furnishings to withstand any weather concerns, you can confidently start to arrange your outdoor lounge area. A lounge area is a great way to add an extra living room or hang out area without building a new addition onto your home. Remember, that the main purpose of an outdoor lounge area is relaxation, so choose furniture that is inviting and comfortable.
Of course, no backyard lounge area is complete without the proper accessories and décor. The options for sprucing up your lounge space are limitless, including adding a fireplace, fire pit, candles, plants, or canvas shades, which will all go a long way in creating a relaxing vibe for the area.
Lighting
Lighting is one element that is often overlooked when it comes to creating an outdoor living space. A properly lit space can transform a bland outdoor patio into an inviting area. Although electricity and power may be an issue for some backyards, there are plenty of other ways to incorporate lighting into a backyard space. In addition to natural lighting, candles, fire pits, and torches are great ways to lighten up a space while sticking to a budget.
Cooking Space
Extending your cooking space into the backyard is a great option if your indoor kitchen is running out of storage space, if you need additional appliances, or if you are looking for extra dining options. With that in mind, not outdoor kitchen is complete without the perfect grill.
Selecting the right grill for your outdoor area will depend largely on your budget and what you want the space to accomplish. If you’re looking for a mobile cooking area, you could pick a grill with wheels. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more permanent fixture with storage space, you could go with a built-in grill option. Built-in grills often come with ample counter space for cooking or extra appliances such as a small refrigerator or microwave. The extra counter space also allows ample room for installing additional storage solutions.
Entertainment
Because many backyards are abundant in usable space, they are the perfect spots to incorporate full-fledged outdoor entertainment areas. While an all-in-one system can be pricey, there are other affordable ways to turn your backyard into a movie-goers dream.
If outdoor entertainment is something you’re interested in, you need to know the four key elements needed to create a great outdoor theater: a projector, a screen, a sound system, and a seating area. Picking out a projector, sound system, and seating options will largely depend on your budget, as prices for these items vary. When it comes to selecting a screen, inflatable models are the most popular. However, you can always construct your own screen, but be sure to use a good quality fabric for the screen, or the quality of the picture can suffer. Remember, you will need to supply power to any outdoor entertainment setup, so extension cords and power outlets are important to keep in mind.
