Many people in the UK are starting to appreciate a wonderful and relaxing outdoor space. However, you and many others are wondering how to turn their backyards into the perfect outdoor living areas. It is not as hard or as expensive as you may think. To help you, here are eight ways you can make a good outdoor living space.
Create a Plan
Before you buy supplies, make changes, or dig around your outdoor space, you’ll want to have a concrete plan first. Without a plan, you’re more likely to bump into several problems and issues. So how do you plan an outdoor living area?
First, decide what you’re trying to achieve. What purpose will the outdoor area serve? For example, you can turn the outdoor living space into a dining and kitchen area. Or perhaps you only want to build a small relaxation spot. Regardless of your intentions, it’s best to plan it first.
Choose the Right Decking Materials
Most, if not all, outdoor spaces will have a deck. You can choose from several options for decking. However, some may be better than others. For example, many consider softwoods and pressure-treated lumber as cheap and reliable options. Unfortunately, they are not as long-lasting or durable as hardwoods.
Besides wood, there are other available options. In the UK, composite decking flooring material is becoming more popular. Composite decks are low-maintenance, weatherproof, and look natural and wood-like. However, they are slightly more expensive than low-to-mid quality softwoods.
Every decking option has its advantages and disadvantages. To choose the best, you’ll have to consider your priorities. If you want a cheap option, wood is the best. But if you want long-lasting, low-upkeep, and a more durable deck, PVC, hardwoods, and composite are the better choices.
Pick Hardy and Natural Plants
An outdoor living area is incomplete without any greeneries. After all, many add outdoor spaces to enjoy nature. To add some greens, many start gardens or add a grass lawn. However, not all outdoor gardens are easy to maintain. Some require a lot of attention and upkeep. The good news is, there are low-maintenance options available.
For a low-maintenance garden, choose hardy and long-living plants, such as perennials. Geraniums, Lavenders, and Asters are a few popular options. Besides these, you can also go for native plants that grow in your location. Not only are they hardy, but they don’t require as much care to thrive. Evergreens, such as box plants, ferns, and pines, are also excellent choices.
Try A Few DIY Projects
You don’t have to spend more money to buy things you can put in your outdoor space. Some are just sitting in your garage or your storage. With a few tools and supplies, you can repurpose old furniture and belongings into the perfect garden decorations. For example, you can take out wood from old wooden furniture to make your very own box planters. You can also use shelves to create a spot for your small plants.
Besides furniture, you can also try several DIY projects for your garden. For instance, you can use old tin cans, buckets, and flowering cans as flower pots. You can also use paint to colour clay pots and rocks and create your very own art.
Make Use of Effective Lighting
Lighting is a crucial element in designing a breath-taking outdoor living space. Besides making places brighter, there are so many more effective and well-planned lighting designs that can achieve.
One of the best uses of lights is to improve the mood of your outdoor space. If you want a relaxing area, consider using diffused and dimmer ambient lights. If you prefer a livelier outdoor area, brighter and focused task lights are better. Of course, you can also set up both ambient and task lighting and use either one according to the occasion.
Add Some Entertainment
Many use their outdoor space for entertainment, especially for larger families. Adding some fun activities to your outdoor area also works well if you regularly invite people over.
If you have kids, you can consider building sandboxes or treehouses. You can also find ready-made playsets and playgrounds. For more grown-up fun, you can consider adding garden-sized boards games, a croquet game, or a sports court.
Keep it Eco-Friendly
While designing an outdoor space, you can also do your part in keeping the environment clean and green. When choosing materials for your patio, deck, or furniture, go with eco-friendly materials such as recycled vinyl or composites.
For gardens, you’ll want to avoid using chemicals such as pesticides and weed killers. Not only are they harmful to the environment, but they are also toxic to humans and pets. Instead, choose homemade solutions and natural pesticides.
Make it Cohesive
You have the freedom to choose what design, material, or theme to use when planning your outdoor living space. However, you’ll want to make a cohesive and matching design. It will not look good if your outdoor space and your home’s exterior have mismatching and conflicting schemes.
Instead, try to create a smooth and seamless transition from indoors to the outdoors. You’ll want to make sure that the outdoor space looks like a part of your home. The best way to do this is to choose matching colour schemes and design choices.
