Creating a comfortable retreat in your own backyard doesn’t need to cost a fortune, and with a few simple fixes, you can be hosting family and friends in the great outdoors with all the comforts an indoor living room provides. Use these easy tips during the creation of your outdoor living space. Expand your living space without adding square footage with an outdoor living space.
Bringing the Indoors Out
While your outdoor living space will be a separate entity, you still want to guarantee your indoor décor flows smoothly into the outside space. An easy way to do this? Add cozy comfort. Plush but sturdy outdoor rugs will protect little feet from cold temperatures and stubbed toes. Hanging paintings and wrought iron pieces on the walls will bring the luxury of a living room into your backyard. You can also provide comfortable pillows and warm light to make sure your outdoor space conveys just as much comfort as your home’s interior. Add an outdoor kitchen to make family gatherings in the backyard even more delicious.
Furniture Needs
When shopping for furniture for your outdoor living space, remember that anything you purchase is going to be subject to weather. With this in mind, it’s important to look for furniture designed to withstand the elements. Chairs and tables should feature mold-resistant fabrics; moisture will build up, and it’s important to look for upholstery that can prevent mold and mildew growth. It’s also important to look at the bare bones of your furniture selection; pieces created with aluminum frames are rust-resistant and designed to withstand the coldest of temperatures and the wettest of climates. Check out Patio Productions to find a bevy of stylish, sturdy outdoor furniture and outfit your space with the latest design trends.
Keeping Warm
If you plan on spending any solid amount of time outdoors, a fireplace or fire pit is a worthy option to consider. Installing a source of warmth means giving yourself the ability to entertain outdoors all year, no matter the season. Instead of dealing with the headache of installing a new fireplace complete with brick and tinder, invest in a gas fire pit. Why? Gas fire pits are capable of burning at full capacity within five seconds, and can be turned off immediately. Another plus? No matter where you live, you can use gas fire pits within city limits.
Cultivate Your Green Thumb
Make the most of being outside and cultivate your green thumb by planting greenery around the space. Consider installing a raised planter’s box that can hold all manners of shrubbery, produce, or succulents. Whether you’re looking to plant an herb garden that provides fresh ingredients for your kitchen, or you’re looking to plant a hands-off bunch of wildflowers and native plants, a raised garden bed will add to the charm of the space.
Go Green With Lighting
There’s never been a bigger focus on sustainability and green features. Adding the right energy efficient products to your home and yard can make a huge difference in the value of your home, not to mention cut down on your utility costs. It’s important to consider incorporating green features while making any renovation to your home, and lighting is an easy way to incorporate green living into your new outdoor room. Did you know that 22 percent of electricity use in the average California home is thanks to lighting? It’s important to consider ways to circumvent energy waste and decrease your utility costs from the start. Not looking to shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars on new outdoor lighting fixtures. You have financing options. The HERO Program from Renovate America is designed to help homeowners finance important energy efficient upgrades, one of those being lighting fixtures. From dimmers to automatic motion sensors, using programs like these can help you finance the right fixtures for your place that will pay dividends for years to come.
If you’re looking to create your own outdoor living space, consider the ways you can make your backyard patio comfortable and practical for your family’s needs.
