The home improvement boom has shown many homeowners just how easy it can be to transform a home into a private sanctuary that caters to the personalities of the home’s residents.
Outdoor living areas have become an extension of the home’s interior, with many homeowners creating outdoor living rooms and dining areas, so they can relax and eat meals outside just as they do indoors.
Here are a few tricks to consider:
• Property often dictates where the outdoor living space will go, but it helps to keep in mind that the outdoor space is more likely to be used if it’s easily accessible from the inside of the home. It’s preferable to have the entry from the kitchen so it will be easier to carry meals outdoors when dining outside.
• Many homeowners look at their outdoor living areas as places to kick their feet up and relax, so comfort should take precedence when planning the space. Forgo the plastic patio chairs of yesteryear for furniture that’s more sturdy and roomy, so you won’t feel cramped or sweaty on warm summer evenings and afternoons.
Remember to shade the area. Some homeowners choose to build pergolas, but often an umbrella or two can do the trick at a fraction of the cost.
• Summer nights spent relaxing in the outdoor living area make for great memories, but such nights are nearly impossible if the area doesn’t have some lighting. Tiki torches might do the trick for some, while others who want to avoid giving their outdoor area a luau feel might prefer solar-powered accent lights, which won’t require any wiring.
If your backyard attracts its fair share of insects, look for insect-repelling lights or lamps.
• Homeowners who have one eye on rest and relaxation, and the other on resale value should keep the design of their outdoor living space consistent with their home. One of the goals when designing an outdoor living space should be to create a seamless transition from the home’s interior to its exterior.
