Top 5 Ways to Spruce Up Your Outdoor Area
Spending some time in an attractive and functional outdoor living space is an excellent way to relax, especially when the weather is nice. That’s why many homeowners are choosing to revamp and maximize their outdoor structures.
With some planning, budget, and effort, you can turn your sad outdoors into a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. If you need some inspiration, here are the top ways to spruce up your outdoor living area.
Put up a pergola.
Putting up a bespoke pergola can be a great idea if you have an empty spot or space in your garden. This specialized archway commonly has an open lattice ceiling and framework of vertical posts that support roof-like crossbeams.
Most of the time, people opt for freestanding pergolas, but they can also be attached to a fence or a wall, so even if you have a small garden, you can still have one installed.
In addition to that, it can be an extension to your living space because you can pretty much install anything on it. Check with your designer and contractor and see how you can maximize the use of your pergolas.
To give you an idea, here are some of the things you can try adding to your pergola:
- Curtains
- Blinds
- Awnings
- Home decorations
- Bladeless ceiling fans
- Portable speakers
- Lighting
- Plants
- Seating Area
Install exterior lighting.
Installing proper lighting in your outdoor area is as important as having the right interior home lighting. With a properly illuminated garden or landscape, you can spend more time in your outdoor areas.
Exterior lighting also helps make the walkways in your home easier to see, so if you have guests, they will not have much problem navigating your property. Besides that, it’s also a great way to show off the aspects of your landscape design or other features in your outdoor living space.
Hire a licensed electrician to install the outdoor lighting to ensure that the fixtures can be installed quickly and safely.
Add a water feature in your yard.
If you wish to bring a unique design element to your outdoor space, you can consider adding a water feature. Whether it’s a small pond, freestanding water fountain, or a tiered garden waterfall, this addition can be the main focal point in your front yard.
Besides that, it’s also a good way to reduce the bustling street noise around your house, especially if you live in a busy suburban neighborhood.
Create segments in your garden using a retaining wall.
If your home is perched on a slope or hill and you’re suffering from soil erosion problems, we recommend installing retaining walls. These foundational structures can help manage and hold back the soil in your yard or landscape by carving down the slope’s angle.
Moreover, installing retaining walls can also help define and maximize your landscape.
If you have a garden, you can ask your renovation contractor to build terraces or leveled space using retaining walls. On the other hand, you can also use retaining walls to create segments and designate each space for various outdoor recreational activities if you have an extensive landscape area.
Build an outdoor kitchen.
Are you tired of having pizza or take outs from Japanese restaurants or Chinese restaurants when hosting an outdoor party? Is it a hassle to go in and out of your house to prepare hearty meals for garden picnics?
If this is your problem, building an outdoor kitchen can be a good investment for you.
Just remember that since an outdoor kitchen may be equipped with a sink, lighting fixtures, oven, and outlets for other kitchen appliances, it’s best to hire a plumber, handyman, and electrician to make it completely functional.