If the COVID-19 pandemic showed us anything, it is that having access to outdoor space can be a true luxury. Thus, it would be a shame to let your outdoor space go to waste when you’re lucky even to have some. You should take full advantage of it and think of ways to create a functional outdoor living space. If you’re unsure how to do this, continue reading. By the end of this article, all that will be left is to get in touch with experienced Jacksonville professionals and start working on transforming your outdoor space.
Simple ways to create a functional outdoor living space
Spending a lot of time at home can be a much more pleasant experience if you have a terrace, a porch, or a garden area. However, how you create that area is critical.
If you want an outdoor location where you can spend hours relaxing, you’ll need to answer a few fundamental questions. For instance, if there’s shelter from the sun or if it’s possible for you to set a drink down and put your feet up.
In short, treat your outdoor living space as if it were a separate room in your house – an outdoor room — and furnish it accordingly. Here are our simple tips to help you transform your outdoor space into an area you’ll love.
You can’t create a functional outdoor living space without choosing function.
Start with an honest assessment of how you want to use the space. An outdoor room will not serve any function particularly well if it tries to do everything. So the first thing to consider is what you plan on doing there.
For example, if you want to create an area for outdoor eating, you’ll need chairs that allow people to sit upright and a table high enough to dine at. It will be a completely different furniture arrangement than if you want to create a room for informal lounging, where sofas and low tables could be more acceptable.
On the other side, it could just be a place for you to hide from everyone. As a result, you’ll need to concentrate your efforts on obtaining sufficient privacy. Therefore, before starting any projects, choose the function for your outdoor space.
Connect your outdoor living space with the interior
Look at your home’s interior design scheme when trying to figure out what kind of outdoor room you want to put together. This can really help you connect the two places. This way, you’ll achieve an effortless flow from inside to outside, making it seem like your home extends on the outside.
Try to blend the materials and colors with your interior design. Include them in your outdoor furniture, accessories, and even plants.
Make a floor
If you want to make the outdoor room feel like a separate area of your terrace or yard, you can change the flooring where you will place the furniture.
Make sure you choose a material that fits well with the use of your outdoor living space, such as concrete or stone. But always have in mind what the area is intended for. There are some situations where a concrete patio is the best choice and others where an indoor-outdoor rug does a better job.
Choose the right furniture
Many successful outdoor rooms have almost as much furniture as interior rooms and nearly as many accessories. That can make the outdoors just as comfortable, pleasant, and chic as the indoors, making people want to spend time there.
This usually entails plenty of comfy seats, with cushions made of outdoor fabric. It also entails having sufficient tables to accommodate drinks, snacks, phones, and literature. You can even use outdoor throw pillows in the same way that interior throw pillows are used in the living room.
On the other hand, if you want to use your outdoor living space as a dining area, figure out how many people you’ll be entertaining and include a large enough table and enough chairs. It’s all about investing in furnishings that make the outdoors as inviting and functional as the inside.
Remember that, in case there isn’t any covered area on your porch, terrace, or patio, you’ll need to ensure your furniture is protected when the weather gets wet and cold. Even if you lack space in your home, you can easily rent storage suitable for your needs. However, keep in mind that preparing items for storage in order to keep your belongings intact is necessary. You can’t just bring them to the unit and hope for the best. You will need to clean the pieces and cover them in protective materials at least.
Be mindful when choosing lighting
Lighting is an essential functional aspect, but it can also add a lot to the nighttime atmosphere. You’ll have to agree that almost nothing can beat the ambiance that perfectly placed outdoor lighting creates on a warm evening. Lighting also draws attention to the unique features of your home and garden spaces.
When it comes to adding light to your outdoor living space, here’s what you should consider:
- Install solar panel lighting to save money on energy.
- Add lighting to the driveway and walkways. If there are any concrete cracks or similar issues on your driveway or walkways, they’ll be visible under good lighting. Thus, make sure to get in touch with professionals and have them repaired.
- Enhance the appearance of outdoor seating areas by adding string lights above them. Or you can add string lights around the perimeter of the back porch or outdoor shade structures.
- If you live in a high-traffic area, install motion-activated lights to improve security.
Final thoughts
We hope our tips help you design and create a functional outdoor living space that you and your loved ones will enjoy. As you want to make the most of it for the longest time possible, make sure to invest in quality materials and choose the right contractors. The team from drivewayrepairjacksonville.com is always more than happy to help you make the most of your Jacksonville home.
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