Have you ever looked at your outdoor living space and thought, “What am I to do with all of this?” Perhaps, you’ve only just moved into your house or you’ve been in it for years. But, the concept’s still the same – you’ve got tons of unused outdoor space and you want to make use of it!
However, you can’t just jump in immediately and fill the area with random items. You’d end up with a jumbled mess that’s not only displeasing to the eye but also impractical to use.
First, you must determine what you want to use the space for and then plan out your patio furniture and decor accordingly. Unsure how to do that? Read on to see how you can plan your outdoor space effectively.
Conversational Area
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only around 5% of Americans spend time socializing in an average week. It’s an important activity that boosts your mental health, so if you’re part of the 95% that don’t mingle with friends, then it’s time to change that.
If you want to make your patio a place to gather with family and friends, then you need to make it so pleasing and comfortable that they never want to leave. To achieve this, start with seating arrangements that encourage face-to-face conversations. Utilize sectionals, sofas or clusters of chairs to create an outdoor living room.
You’ll also need a central focal point. Consider using fire pits, coffee tables or outdoor fireplaces to anchor the space.
To make this space feel welcoming, use lighting smartly. You can put up string lights, lanterns or built-in lighting to set a cozy mood for evening gatherings.
Of course, don’t forget about accessibility and convenience. Your main setup should be close to indoor living spaces for easy flow of people. In addition, ensure there’s enough room for movement without disrupting conversation zones.
If you intend to use your outdoor space in the daytime, incorporate shade to make sure everyone stays cool. Think about purchasing a pergola or an outdoor umbrella to create covered outdoor living spaces.
Dining & Cooking Space
Al fresco dining is all the rage and it always has been. Studies show that 40% of consumers are more likely to dine at restaurants that have it and 82% want to see outdoor dining flourish.
But why go out and spend frivolous amounts of money on al fresco dining when you can literally do it in your own backyard? To set up your al fresco dining area, you’ve got to have the essentials, which are tables and chairs to accommodate you and your guests.
Now, consider your cooking station; what you buy will depend on how much cooking you plan to do outside. You can have grills, full outdoor kitchens or pizza ovens to whip up the tastiest dishes. To cook effortlessly, plan for counter space, cabinetry or portable storage furniture for utensils and ingredients. Serving and car carts are also handy pieces to transport food and drinks to your guests.
Since you’re dining and cooking outside, you’ll want to be sheltered from the elements. Pergolas, awnings and shade sails are all excellent for doing so.
Lounging or Sunning Layout
Just imagine – you’re spread out lazily on an outdoor chaise, soaking up the hot summer sun while reading a good book. This might sound like a dream, but you can definitely make it a reality!
The key here is comfortable seating. In addition to sun loungers, you’ll want hammocks, daybeds and outdoor sofas to offer plenty of room to have a lazy afternoon. Choose soft and breathable fabrics, plush upholstery and throw pillows so you can spend hours outdoors without discomfort.
Place these pieces of outdoor furniture in open areas with good natural light if you want to tan or sunbathe. They can be fantastic pool decor too and the furniture will also give you an easy way to sit in the sun after you’re done with a few laps.
You’ll need occasional breaks from the rays to avoid sunstroke, so umbrellas or retractable awnings are great for this. You should also have tables for drinks, books or personal items.
Lastly, to ensure that this area retains a peaceful vibe, separate it from high-traffic areas. That way, you won’t be disturbed as your mind drifts to a tropical paradise!
Private Contemplation Settings
Unfortunately, according to Ipsos, 62% of people in the world have been so stressed that it’s had an impact on their daily life at least once. With how busy modern life is, we rarely take a moment to stop and breathe, and this can have a profound impact on our lives. The good news is that you can be proactive in managing and reducing stress by transforming your backyard into a tranquil oasis where you can relax and unwind.
Consider your outside living space and figure out where you can set up secluded spots. Whether they’re tucked-away corners, garden nooks or even covered patios, these are the perfect setups for peace and quiet.
How can you form these secluded spots without ruining the aesthetics? Well, natural barriers are exactly what you need! Hedges and trellises with climbing plants will section off your outdoor space in a pleasing manner. Otherwise, utilize privacy screens and fences.
Fill these spaces with comfortable seating, ranging from single lounge chairs to benches and swings. Minimalist decor can add to the vibe too. Just make sure that the nooks don’t get too crowded, or else you’ll feel claustrophobic.
For privacy and contemplation, sound (or the lack thereof) is crucial. The ideal situation is to be shielded from busy parts of the yard and environment, but if that isn’t possible, use sound-blocking features such as dense planting. Water features (like fountains) can also double as sound blockers and relaxing elements.
Decorative Aesthetic Area
Want to enhance the overall beauty of your outdoor space? Then, focus solely on decorative aspects.
First, draw people’s eyes to focal points. When you have large features like statues, fountains or garden art, it’s difficult not to notice these things. Accent walls are great too, since they immediately garner attention.
To help guide your visitors through decorative elements, take advantage of pretty pathways. You can line your walkways with stone, gravel or wood, which all complement backyards. To add visual appeal, take care of landscaping; flower beds, ornamental plants and sculptural trees all work.
If you plan to entertain guests in the evening, then accent lighting is a must. Use uplighting for trees and spotlights for your sculptures, as well as soft pathway lighting for safety.
Activity Space
Chilling out in the backyard is great but physical activity outdoors provides fresh air and physical fitness and well-being.
Playground
Forget about making a trip to the local park; instead, you and your family can play in your own yard! But before that can happen, you have to set things up so that it’s safe and secure. Open, grassy areas can be used for running around, croquet or badminton.
But, you may want fencing to prevent kicked balls or other thrown items from invading your neighbor’s yard. It’s also a good idea to avoid planting prickly shrubs small children may brush up against or lovely flower gardens that might be at risk from wandering toddlers.
Or you can add playful pieces like swings, trampolines, playhouses or jungle gyms. Change the equipment as your kids grow older.
Recreational
When you want to let your hair down and spoil yourself with recreational activities, your backyard’s the best place for all that. Consider adding a refreshing water area with a pool, hot tub and sauna. These provide both fun and relaxation for the whole family.
A swimming pool is a great refuge in the hot Summer, while hot tubs and standalone saunas are indulgent Winter escapes.
Exercising
For exercise, you can have designated activity zones. Open lawns are excellent for games such as soccer or throwing a baseball, football or frisbee.
Consider creating fitness spaces like home gyms and pilates or yoga studios. Cover the area beneath shade sails or a canopy to protect equipment, machines and mats.
Bringing It All Together
Are you in love with more than one idea from above? Then you don’t have to choose just one. It’s easy to combine the ideas, as long as you follow some general tips.
The most important one is to arrange the zones so high-energy areas are separated from relaxing areas. That way, there’s minimal noise interference. Make sure to arrange your patio furniture effectively to allow for smooth-flowing foot traffic, too.
To tie everything together, use similar colors, textures or design elements. This allows you to tie all areas together while maintaining their distinct purposes.
Also, work to your yard’s size and natural elements; take advantage of things like existing landscaping or natural paths of light. If you’re short on space, then get dual-purpose furniture or create adaptable spaces (such as lounging areas that double as conversation zones). You’ll be able to enjoy a little of everything without missing out.
Lastly, plan for growth and seasonal changes if you want to use your outdoor space all year long. For example, you can switch between seasonal plant choices to give your backyard a different look every quarter.
Plan Your Outdoor Living Space Like a Pro
You might have an outstanding outdoor living space but if you don’t know what to do, chances are, you’ll underutilize it. This makes outlining a plan for your yard essential.
The best thing is to sit down and prioritize your needs. For instance, you might treasure the time spent entertaining guests in your home. Whatever they are, you have to prioritize your outdoor space around those needs, as this will help shape your plans. And as a result, you’ll transform this area into the perfect outdoor retreat that has everything you desire.
Leave a Reply