Most people underuse their backyards, and there’s a simple reason why — while the backyard may look presentable, it’s not overly inviting. When you have the immense comfort of the interior part of the home to contend with, a backyard has to offer something pretty special in order to convince people to spend time out there.
So, why not look at putting together something special? Many homeowners view their backyards as green spaces, but we think it’s better to view them as living spaces in a green environment. With a few adjustments, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor living area that you, your family, and your friends will enjoy for many years to come. Here’s how.
Plan the Areas
Step one: get to planning. The vast bulk of backyards are just one large, open space with a lawn in the middle and plants around the edge. Turning your backyard into an outdoor living area involves taking another approach.
Parcel up your backyard into areas where different activities will take place — for instance, lounging areas, dining spaces, and even areas reserved for good-for-you activities such as yoga and meditation.
Comfortable Living Spaces
You won’t spend as much time in your backyard as you’d like to if the space isn’t comfortable. So let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. Many homeowners take the ‘putting plastic chairs in the backyard’ approach when creating lounge areas. A better approach is to imagine that you’re creating an outdoor living room. Varied comfortable seating, outdoor rugs, candles, and a speaker system will make your backyard truly a space for living, not just spending an hour or so out there on hot days.
Outdoor Cooking Areas
Is there anything better than having a BBQ with friends and family on warm spring and summer days? Not in our book. All too often, homeowners limit themselves to cooking on rusted, weather-beaten outdoor BBQs or preparing the food in their kitchen. Both of those options are better than nothing, but they’re not the best — and they probably won’t inspire you to host too many outdoor dinners.
So look at stepping up your outdoor cooking game. Custom outdoor kitchens can come fully equipped with everything you need to bring the fun outdoors, including built-in grills, weatherproof cabinets, and kitchen islands. Once installed, you’ll find that you’re spending significantly more time eating outside.
Protection From the Elements
Perhaps the primary reason why homeowners shy away from investing too heavily in their backyard is that they question how much time they’ll spend out there outside of the summer season. The solution? Add a couple of additions that will ensure you can stay protected from the elements all year round. Verandas and pergolas offer an affordable way to keep the rain at bay, while a firepit can ensure that you and your family can stay warm even when the temperatures begin to dip. We associate backyards with summer, but with a little work, it can be a truly year-round place in which you can spend quality time.
