Everyone loves the idea of backyard barbecues with friends and family, right? Do you feel like your outdoor space is underutilized? You may want it to look like something out of Better Homes and Gardens but are having a hard time knowing where to start. Making your outdoor space more usable can actually make you healthier and increase the livable square footage of your home. Included here are a few ways to make your backyard patio space more usable.
Open the Door
Access is everything when it comes to using space in your home. If you make it difficult to get out to the backyard area you are not as likely to meander out there with your morning coffee or evening beverage. By installing a new sliding door, it will be easier to see the weather outside as well as head out into it. This will also allow company to flow easily from the indoors to outdoors during those mid-summer barbecues.
Install Sun Shades
Do you live in an area that is lacking trees? Or do you simply have no coverage on your patio? Installing sun shades to prevent the heavy beating down of the sun can greatly decrease the heat on your patio. Make sure you have sun shades positioned in a manner that can protect you from both afternoon and morning sun.
Get Comfy Furniture
Some people are able to create back patios that seem like additional living rooms. How do they do it? One of the biggest tricks is to find outdoor furniture that is nearly as comfortable as your indoor furniture. If you make it pleasant to be outside, enjoying the fresh air, your family is more likely to wander out to spend time in the sun instead of in front of a screen.
Install Lights
Getting your family outside during the day is one thing, but after dark it can be all too easy to settle in front of television. While you may not necessarily be getting more exercise outside, you will be getting more time away from the technology which can better prepare your brain for sleep. Proper lighting for your outdoor area is crucial to increasing its usability.
In recent years, outdoor lights have taken off and you will have a litany of choices for your backyard oasis. Choose hanging lights to give your home an ambiance and “party” feel. For something softer, choose indirect lighting that runs along pathways and steps; this will allow you to see where you are going without interfering with your stargazing!
Water!
Creating a green space to enjoy will make your patio area much more pleasant and usable. While landscaped and manicured yards are nice, they can take a lot of work. You know what the simplest trick to a beautiful lawn is? Water! By simply setting that sprinkler throughout the summer you can maintain a soft turf for feet all season long. Simply spread some “weed and feed” in the fall and your lawn will be up and at it again in the spring!