As the weather gets increasingly warmer, more and more people start to think about spending more time outdoors. The smell of fresh flowers and backyard BBQs take us from spending nights with our friends and family indoors to the patio. However, you cannot get into BBQ season without properly preparing for it. Here are some of the top tips for creating your ideal living space outdoors.
Top Tips For Creating The Perfect Outdoor Dining Space:
1.Consider The Purpose
The first thing you need to do is think about how you intend on using the space. You want to understand how you are going to go about using the space so you can properly plan for it.
– Are you going to be hosting dinner parties?
– Are you going to be spending a lot of time relaxing outdoors?
– Do you want a place suitable for kids?
2. Consider The Layout
The next thing you need to do is figure out what you want the layout to look like. You want to consider how you intend on using the space to optimize the layout to best suit your needs. You want to utilize the same thoughtfulness as you did when you were designing your home’s floor plan. You want each space outdoors to have a logical purpose attached to it. You also want it to have a functional purpose with its connection to the inside of the house. For instance, you would pair your dining area outdoors right next to the kitchen.
3. Consider The Surroundings
You also need to look at and consider the surroundings. You want to make the most out of the views that your property has to deliver. You might want to create a small area for seating where you can spend the mornings sipping on your coffee. You might even want a place where you can sit candlelit while enjoying drinks during the sunset. Try to leverage hedges, garden fencing or even use screens to minimize eyesores.
4. Consider The Exposure
You want to consider the exposure to the climate and the weather during different times throughout the year. You want to consider the direction your outdoor space faces because it can define what kind of functionality it can offer. For instance, a space that is facing northeast might not be something that can be used comfortably during the winter. It might even not provide comfort during the summer because it’s located in a shaded area of your home.
5. Consider The Wind Patterns
You always want to pay close attention to the wind when you are designing your outdoor area. Knowing which ways the wind is blowing can give you a good idea of how to design things effectively. You don’t want to end up building out a fire pit area only to have the seating area facing the down winds where things can get rather uncomfortable and even unsafe.
6. Consider The Comfort Level
You need to figure out how to design the area so it offers the most comfortable experience possible. If your outdoor space gets too much afternoon sun, you want to try to add more area for shade. You can utilize a lot of different outdoor furniture and equipment to minimize this. Whether adding umbrellas or covering the patio, you can take some of the heat out of the hot summer day by utilizing these things.
7. Hardscape
You will want to utilize a range of different combinations of surfaces when you are detailing the hardscaping of your outdoor environment. Try to leave sufficient hard surface area for all of your seating though. Incorporating natural-looking hardscape into your garden can enhance the look and aesthetic of the environment.
8. Choose Plants Wisely
You want to try to add some plants to the mix. Even an avid gardener will require a place for relaxation. You want to choose plants that are easy to care for and maintain around the outdoor dining space. You don’t want something that is going to require a lot of hands-on work. Some of the most optimal plants for this type of area would be rounded shrubs, boxwoods, and even aloes for those that live in California. It’s also a good idea to leverage the use of vertical surfaces to enhance privacy. You want to be fully aware of the fact that some plants do attract a lot of bees. As a result, you might want to avoid using specific plants in the dining area to avoid having bees become a major issue.
9. Look For Furnishings
You will need to consider what to furnish your garden and patio space with. You can find a range of different furniture choices that could be deemed suitable. You will want to try to find and pick the furniture that makes the most sense for you, however, you intend on using it. Consider the function of the space and how you intend on using it the most to figure out which furniture fits best. You want furniture that is not only aesthetic, but that’s functional and practical too. It’s always a good idea to pair some small and easy-to-move a dining table that you can use for serving snacks and drinks.
10. Add Water
Adding a water feature is always a good way to bring some relaxation to the space. A water feature can have a major impact on how relaxing the space feels. This is true even if it’s a small one. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or elaborate to have an impact on your outdoor living and dining space.
11. Add Fire
Adding fire can be a good way to ensure that you spend more time outdoors. A lot of people might move their party indoors when the temperatures get too cold. However, if you add some fire to the mix, you won’t have to do so. Create a firepit or a fireplace and you can warm everyone up without having to take them inside for warmth and comfort. You can even add some comfortable blankets and even some sticks to roast marshmallows to have even more fun.
12. Consider The Lighting
You need to look at the lighting options you have available. Your outdoor living space should be an extension of your home. Thus, you want to incorporate lighting that fits your property. Try to ensure that you are finding and using lighting that is practical and functional. You can consider adding your creativity to the mix when you are trying to choose the right lighting elements to add.
