Outdoor living spaces are more than shady places to unwind; they’re an extension of your home. When designing an outdoor living area, take note of what colors and styles already exist within its indoor counterparts for inspiration when creating one of your own.
Play the “what if” game: Imagine the dream outdoor living space you desire and see how that might look.
Create a Social Front Yard
Social spaces don’t need to be limited to your backyard. By adding a cozy nook or seating area in your front yard, you can connect with neighbors and invite passersby over for drinks.
Lenhart emphasizes the fact that functional front yards work best when they don’t feel like isolated fragments within an overall landscape. Try clustering potted plants and planters together to define separate spaces as rooms while keeping all areas connected without obstructions that would block views.
Note the times of day you plan on using this space and choose locations with adequate shade during those times to ensure guests remain cool and comfortable throughout any outdoor gatherings!
Add a Water Feature
A soothing sound of running water is soothing and can drown out unwanted noise, creating your own personal oasis. Plus, its natural purifying qualities help purify the air allowing you to unwind more effectively and relax further.
Installing a fountain, pond or waterfall into your yard can enhance its visual appeal and create a relaxing ambience. If you need assistance choosing which water feature will best fit into your home environment, consulting with an expert is also highly recommended.
Water features in your backyard can attract wildlife into your landscape. By planting appropriate plants around it, you can create an ecosystem for birds, frogs, turtles and other small creatures to call home. Plus, adding a water feature increases oxygen levels in your backyard while encouraging lush and healthy vegetation that’s great for the environment.
Add a Pergola
A pergola is an outdoor structure that adds shade and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Although often mistaken for arbors, gazebos, or trellises, pergolas differ by being built higher so vines or flowers can climb along their structure.
Pergolas not only beautify garden spaces, they serve a practical function as well. Their open rafters allow for creative outdoor lighting ideas.
Pergola ideas can range from the straightforward to complex. For an modern outdoor aesthetic, try incorporating bohemian or cultural-specific curtains into the pergola design. Natural materials like reed mats may add an informal, casual vibe that enhances relaxation in your backyard space. At nightfall, add lanterns or solar-powered lights for an ambient glow in the atmosphere.
Hang a Hammock
Hammocks offer an ideal way to relax and unwind outdoors. However, it is essential that they be installed correctly so you can use them safely; incorrect hanging may leave scars on trees while certain ones might not support hammocks properly (ie those with thin bark).
Installation of posts the appropriate distance apart is one option for creating a hammock stand, but you will also require hardware like two large S-hooks and two lengths of 18-inch chain to complete this process.
Tree straps offer another viable solution; these portable and easily adjustable devices allow for adjustable hammock hanging height without damaging trees. You could even take it camping!
