When looking for ways to adding living space to a home, most people automatically jump to ideas like additions or finishing an attic. While these kinds of projects can create more livable square footage inside, they aren’t always very functional. As often as not, an outdoor living space will get more use, cost less, and cause less disruption while you build it.
Of course, once you decide on an outdoor living space, you must create a space you’ll love. If you’re not sure what should go into your outdoor space, keep reading for some practical tips on building your ideal outdoor living space.
Patio
As outdoor living space ideas go, you can’t really go wrong with a patio. As a bonus, patio pavers come in a wide variety of materials, colors, shapes, and sizes. That means you can build a patio that complements the colors on your home and offers an eye-catching design.
If you’re really hands-on with your home, patios can also serve as DIY outdoor living space projects.
Lighting
A truly stunning outdoor living space needs good lighting. That doesn’t mean it should light up like an indoor room, but it should offer enough light for everyone to see each other. You can opt for string lights or more permanent fixtures, such as outdoor fans with lights.
If you go with permanent fixtures, you’ll likely need an electrician to run wiring out for you on a new circuit.
Ambiance
Creating a sense of ambiance incorporates a few elements. You’ll want some plants around the edges, but steer clear of pollinating plants. Look for plants that are native to the region, since they take less maintenance.
You’ll also want some comfortable outdoor furniture. Base your selection on space and style.
For a small outdoor living space, an outdoor couch set won’t work well, but a few comfortable chairs will suit nicely. For a larger outdoor space that incorporates a firepit, arranging the couches around the fire can set just the right tone.
Outsource Your Lawn Care
Some homeowners love taking care of their lawns. For most homeowners, the endless cycle of mowing and trimming is a tedious chore. If you invested a lot of time and energy in your outdoor space, leaving outdoor living space maintenance to that teen across the street might not work out so well.
A professional lawn care service will cut and edge your lawn the right way once you choose them.
Creating Your Ideal Outdoor Living Space
When creating your ideal outdoor living space, always balance style with function. A stunning space that’s difficult to use provides minimal value to you. A highly functional space that’s an eyesore provides minimal benefit to your home value.
When in doubt, opt for simplicity. Minimalism offers a kind of an innate style of its own that’s often hard to define, but even harder to deny.
Looking for more tips to expand or improve your living space? Check out the posts in our Lifestyle and Home Improvement sections.