Taking the Indoors OUT | 9 Steps to Beautiful Outdoor Living
/Is it patio season YET ? We are all so anxious to get outside and start living again ( socially distanced of course ;) ) We miss the sun on our face, and the little pleasures of being in nature. Everyone is looking to amp up their Outdoor space to be able to get the most out of these pandemic times.
Here are 9 Ways to Dress up your backyard Living Space.
Invest in a Comfy Sofa
A cushioned sofa, preferably in a cozy L-shape or a pair of settees, can establish a dedicated conversation area. This brings a real “family room feel” to the backyard. The yard becomes a place where you want to spend time, snack, relax & chat with friends.
2. Have a Pergola Built
Likely the most expensive of all the backyard investments, but truly the game-changer. Building out a dedicated space to either relax or dine, creates a feeling of togetherness, and a bit of privacy. It will also provide some sun relief on those sweltering hot days. We love decorating these with twinkly lights, edison bulbs or vines. Cedar wood is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects. Alternately you can use a composite material that looks just like real wood. Consider hiring a professional to build the Pergola design of your dreams.
3. Add an Entertainment element
A TV + bartop could be just the ticket for a great sports-watching afternoon with the buddies. A simple wireless speaker system would be great for relaxing ambient afternoon music ( or party-evenings ! )
4. Consider an Outdoor Kitchen
Depending on how much you like to cook and entertain, an outdoor kitchen can be the central hub for hosting summer do’s. We like to encompass the bbq into the design ( much as you would build around a feature stove in your regular kitchen ).
You will need to use weatherproof building materials ( concrete countertops are great ! ) , and will need to create a way to cover the kitchen in the winter months. Caesarstone launched an entire Outdoor line of countertops meant to withstand the elements.
A fun addition might be a pizza oven !
5. Don’t forget Lighting !
Summer evenings can be so sweet….make sure you can stay outside after the sun goes down with adequate lighting. Adding a ceiling light to the pergola will create great general lighting. A light/ fan combo is great if you want air ciculation. You can also add some outdoor sconces to the house to help light the deck/ yard. Lastly, garden lights help “light the way” to a given path and also create a magical paradise.
6. Create a “Tile” Floor/ Pool Deck
Using tile around a pool, this might be common. But now, we are seeing these outdoor tiles being used in all areas of the yard, in lieu of grass. Why? Easy to maintain, and resistant to frost & weather changes. Plus, they look fantastic. (think Baja resort ! ). This Outdoor tile from Centura, “Kingstone”, is 2cm thick and 32” x32” large. They get installed direct onto gravel with a special Schluter levelling system.
7. Design an Al Fresco Dining Area
Perhaps the most fun of all ! With all the great Outdoor tableware, decor and serving ware exploding at Homesense right now, you can quickly whip up a “fun” dining area. Look at CB2 , Dot, Article & Rove Concepts for great Outdoor Dining tables & Chairs.
8. Consider the Decorative Value of your Deck
The deck is essentially the “floor” of patio, and a design element in itself. Painting the risers a different colour can look sharp, just like your staircase indoors ! Maybe a charcoal stain is more your vibe. Or an interesting layout for the planks. Composite materials are increasingly weather resistant and require minimal maintenance.
9. Create the Perfect Planterscape
Use these to soften the edges of a patio, or to add privacy. There are many artful planters & to choose from. Check out these from CB2. Play around with height, width & colour to create an interesting visual plant series.
