How to Create an Outdoor Living Space You’ll Love

Increasingly, homeowners are discovering the joy of turning an ordinary patio or back yard into a beautiful outdoor living space. Bringing indoor comforts into your outdoor area offers bonus space to enjoy, creating a perfect place for entertaining friends and family. All it takes is some imagination and planning, and you can have the outdoor living space of your dreams.

Creating a Patio Design for Outdoor Living

Whether you have a patio, terrace, balcony, or pergola, the same principles apply when you are turning it into a beautiful outdoor living space.

• First, consider how you want to use the space. Do you throw a lot of parties? Do you want a place to relax and watch your children play? Do you love having family meals outdoors? Everyone has their own reasons for wanting an outdoor space, and your reason will inform your design.
• Next, decide on a theme. What inspires you? Your outdoor living area should reflect your sense of style. You could create a Bohemian space, draw inspiration from a Japanese garden, or design a cottage garden, overflowing with wildflowers. Your outdoor space should feel like entering a world of your imagination.
• Plan your layout carefully. Think of it as you would a floor of your home, designating different areas to serve different functions. Make sure the outdoor space has logical, functional connections to the inside of your home, like easy access from the outdoor dining room to the kitchen.
• Make the most of your surroundings. Your outdoor living space should be a place where you want to spend time, with the best view possible to make it beautiful and privacy to make it comfortable. Think about the functionality of the space, including wind patterns and sun exposure, so that you can plan accordingly.
• Add some features to enhance the space. A water feature or fire feature can add another layer of interest and function to an outdoor space. If you are near a natural water source, plan your space to take advantage of it. If not, consider a fountain. A fireplace can create new options for outdoor entertaining, and even a small fire pit can be a welcoming place to gather.
• Accessorize to make it yours. Create visual interest with outdoor furniture and accessories like a rug, throw pillows, and floor cushions. Use decorative lighting to illuminate the space and add to your design.

Garden Ideas in Outdoor Living Spaces

No outdoor living space is complete without some gorgeous plants. Plants can make any area feel more relaxing and peaceful, and you don’t have to be a proficient gardener to make this happen. Consider planting a hedge wall for privacy, or decorating a wall with a vertical garden. Container gardens also work well for outdoor living spaces, and they are a good way to express yourself. Just make sure that the plants you choose don’t attract bees, or your time outdoors may be interrupted.

Embracing the Outdoors as an Extension of Your Indoor Space

Carry design elements from your indoor décor into your outdoor living space, like colors and textures. If you can leave an open line of sight between areas, you can foster an indoor/outdoor connection and make both spaces feel more expansive. Plan as you would indoors, creating conversational areas and separate areas for dining and cooking, and plan your lighting to create the ambiance you want, just as you would inside your home.

Let Landmark Fine Homes Help You Create Your Ideal Outdoor Living Space

If you are looking for a home with an outdoor space that is just as beautiful as the indoor space, contact Landmark Fine Homes. We have beautiful new and custom-built homes in a variety of sizes and floorplans, just waiting to become yours, with outdoor spaces ready for you to make your own. Our homes are energy efficient and built with the utmost attention to detail, located in active adult communities where you’ll find plenty to do. For more information and inspiration, check out our gallery or visit one of our model homes. Make your next house the home of your dreams by contacting Landmark Fine Homes today!