Written by 3:56 pm OUTDOOR

Revamp Your Outdoor Space: A Practical Guide to Outdoor Living

Outdoor

Solution

Are you looking for ways in which you can maximize the potential of your outdoor living space? Whether it is a small courtyard or a garden, this is a design headache faced by many homeowners – finding ways of changing an outdoor area that is unused into an inviting and usable space. More often than not the deficiency of design and decorative features associated with such spaces leads to treating them as extensions, those that are hardly used apart from being sources of clutter. It is very common to feel frustrated with your outdoor area especially when it is devoid of beautiful landscaping which people do not get to connect with the interior of the and thus leave you feeling empty.

It can be difficult to think free of the complexity of outdoor design which is inclusive of choosing the right materials, furniture, and landscaping. You may have even attempted redesigning the space or making other slight changes, but still the area remains blah, devoid of wow factors or anything that gets you really excited.

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Agitate

The problem is when your outdoor area isn’t serving you, that means you are losing useful square footage. A survey done by National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) established that outdoor living areas rank high among homebuyers’ wishes with 68% claiming that this is a need not a want. 

Unavailability of functionality is can be exasperating sometimes. Lacking having enough seating, too much open space, or not feeling so inclined to be outside are various reasons. Thus, they would rather stay indoors.

The issue is not only skin deep. Planning your outdoor space jerks to the acceptable level because failing to do so, limits your imagination and exposes you to creating a mediocre outdoor space, one that doesn’t last and is not energy efficient. Inappropriate materials, poorly designed moats, and incomplete planting of grass and shrubs will leave your outdoor structure exposed to winds and rain, causing increased costs as maintenance in the long-run.

Resolution

The strategic outdoor design is the key to focusing on function, comfort and sustainability in the outdoor space. An outdoor space that has been planned properly will not only enhance the look of a home but will also be appropriate for the lifestyle of the homeowner. Here is how you can bring about such a change:

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  1. Clarify Your Intention: Use the first section to make clear what the outdoor space will be used for. Within the American Society of Landscape Architect (ASLA), purposeful planning aids an outdoor area’s efficiency and satisfaction by over 40%. Knowing what you want means that there is no limit to what the design can do to prop up that purpose.
  2. Zoning and Layout: Do not look at the structure as a single or a whole unit. There are many contemporary designs that have the elements of zoning where people can eat, walk, or engage in games. The NAHB acknowledges that people prefer home designs with some outdoor ‘rooms’ that enhance movement within the house. For example, a portion of the patio can be the eating area while another portion may be screens in deck or pergola with lounge furniture.
  3. Recommendations for Additional Outdoor Furniture: Select furniture materials or accessories that provide durability for outdoor use. According to one of the case studies found in Consumer Reports, well-chosen and maintained outdoor furniture can last for as long as fifteen years. Think about purchasing additional modular seating for ease of movement or arrange a fire pit for use all seasons.
  4. Landscaping for Sustainability: Utilize the available space for more than just construction – incorporate landscaping into your architectural design. Cultivate local vegetation to minimize water and maintenance expenses. This is why landscaping is essential. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) reports that homeowners can save about fifty per cent (50%) of outdoor water use when planting drought resistant landscaping such as native plants. One might also build permeable pavers as a means to retain the water instead of letting it run-off and causing erosion and thus contributing to the environment enhancing your outdoor area further.
  5. Lighting and Shelter: It is difficult to underestimate the importance of outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting sourced from solar panels has also been environmentally friendly, thus helping to reduce electricity costs by 40% compared to using whatever outdoor lighting, as Energy.gov notes. 
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Conclusion

The most important thing is that you have to make consideration on how you want to occupy the space, put money on strong material, and apply the friendly environment landscaping techniques. So the outside space can be a part of the interior, but a little bit different – for communication, leisure or for pressure management.

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