How to Build the Outdoor Space You’ve Always Wanted

Adding outdoor living space to your home is an easy way to add value to your property, with a patio adding 8-10% to your home's value. To get the most out of your investment, it is important that you carefully design your space to include the best features!

Do you want to learn more about building an outdoor space that you have always dreamed of? 

Keep reading this article for the top things to consider when you are working on an outdoor design. 

Decide the Purpose of the Space

One of the first things you need to do when designing an outdoor space is to decide the purpose of the space! What do you want to use your space for? 

For example, some people want to create an outdoor patio that is great for entertaining. They will include plenty of seating, a fire pit for fall and winter gatherings, and even an outdoor dining area. 

Other people may want the outdoor space to be able to spend time with their children or grandchildren. In these cases, they would include a patio swing, a swing set, or other things which make it easy to entertain children. 

Whatever you are looking for we at Yard Art can help.  We have been in business over 25 years and offer free consultations from our experienced sales team.   Considering your entertaining needs will make it easier to create a space to facilitate these activities!

What Type of Outdoor Space Do You Want? 

Once you know why you are creating your outdoor living space, you can determine what type of outdoor space you want to design. 

There are many different types of outdoor living spaces, each with benefits and drawbacks. 

One of the most popular outdoor spaces is a sundeck. This is an open deck that can be elevated or ground level. They are great for outdoor dining areas, socializing, or even just relaxing in the sun. 

Other people would prefer an outdoor patio. Using hardscaping, you can create a luxurious space with paving stones or concrete. 

Finally, others may want an outdoor kitchen. These areas are typically covered to protect from the elements, but still have an open concept with fewer walls. 

Choosing the type of space that you want will make it much easier to make your other design decisions for your dream outdoor space. 

Set a Budget

Once you have an idea of what your dream outdoor space will look like, you need to set a budget. Outdoor living spaces can range widely in price and will usually cost several thousand dollars to create. 

This doesn't even include the cost of decorating your new space. Because of this, you need to set a budget to ensure that you can afford your dream space. Luckily, there are ways to create luxurious outdoor designs on a budget. 

The total cost of your backyard remodel will depend on many factors, including how complicated your project design is, the cost of materials and labor, and more. Once you have a general plan for the type of space you want to design, you can contact a local contractor to get estimates for the project cost. 

When you get several price estimates, you can shop around for a contractor that can fulfill your design requirements but still fits your budget. You should also set a budget for your outdoor furniture and other types of decor that you will use for your outdoor space. 

Use Landscaping and Hardscaping

Before you can start designing your patio or other outdoor living space, you must plan out every element that you want to have included. This will typically fall into two categories: landscaping and hardscaping. 

Both of these elements can work together to make your space look natural and well-designed. 

When you use backyard landscaping, this includes things like plants, grass, flowers, and more. For example, you can build a retaining wall near your outdoor space to make it feel more private!

Hardscaping includes other materials, like brick, stone, and concrete. These will often be used in the construction of your actual outdoor space. You can also use hardscaping to connect your yard and outdoor space with pathways!

Choose Your Furniture

After everything is planned out and the structure of your outdoor living space has been constructed, you can begin to design your outdoor space! The first thing you should do is choose outdoor furniture for your living space. 

The type of furniture you choose will greatly depend on the purpose of your outdoor living space. 

For example, people who want the space to entertain guests may need to invest in patio furniture and other seating options. Many outdoor living companies provide different types of patio furniture, from sectionals to rocking chairs and more.

Other types of furniture for your patio include an outdoor dining set, pool furniture, and more!

Choose Additional Decor

After choosing your furniture, you can choose additional decor for your outdoor patio. To make the space cozier and more homey, you should add other soft furnishings to your outdoor space. 

One of the easiest ways you can make your space feel more luxurious is by adding an outdoor rug. These rugs are high-quality and can withstand the natural elements, making them great even in uncovered outdoor areas. 

You can also purchase umbrellas, throw pillows and blankets, a coffee table, or even a fire pit for your outdoor space. These will make your entertainment space feel more luxurious and cozy when you have guests. 

Consider Lighting and Ambiance

While patio furniture and decor are great ways to design your patio, they may not add much to the ambiance of your outdoor space. One of the biggest ways that you can improve the ambiance is by choosing the right outdoor lighting. 

One of the most popular styles of lighting for outdoor living spaces includes bistro lights or fairy lights. These don't provide too much light, but the twinkly lights make the space feel happy and warm. 

You can also use a fire pit or candles to improve the ambiance.

Provide Shade or Coverage

If you live in an area with harsh weather, it is important that you also invest in some type of shade or coverage for your outdoor living space. 

Something as simple as an awning or a pergola can provide shade on hot summer days and make it more enjoyable to spend time outside, even when the weather is too hot. 

If you build a covered patio or deck, this is an easy way to provide shade while still offering shelter from other elements, like rain or snow. Having this coverage will make it easier to enjoy your outdoor living space at any time of the year. It will also protect your patio furniture and decor from the elements. 

Incorporate Natural Elements

There are many ways that you can incorporate natural elements into your outdoor living space design. These natural elements will make your patio or deck feel more cohesive with the rest of your outdoor space, rather than standing out. 

Often, people who want shade or some type of cover over their patio will include a pergola with ivy or vines growing through it. 

You can also have the areas surrounding your outdoor living space professionally landscaped. Including natural stone, plants, and other natural materials will make your design feel more natural and calming. 

Get Professional Help

Finally, it is important that you hire professionals to help you bring your living space to life! While many people are confident enough to attempt a DIY project for their outdoor living space, hiring a professional for your outdoor living space project will ensure that it is of the highest quality possible. 

When hiring a landscape or hardscape contractor, you must learn more about their experience. Often, companies will provide online portfolios that include photos of projects they have completed in the past. 

This will give you a bit more insight into the quality of the services they offer. It can also help you get inspiration for your own project if you haven't decided on a design. 

You can also find professionals to help with the construction of your outdoor space, one that can help you design the space,  or a company that has a good reputation  that offers furniture and decor for outdoor living spaces. 

Designing an Outdoor Space? We Can Help!

When you are designing an outdoor space for your home, there are many different decisions that can easily overwhelm you. By following these steps, it will be much easier to make design decisions and create a beautiful outdoor living space!

If you need help designing an outdoor space, Yard Art can help! We provide outdoor living products from fire pits to patio furniture sets and more. Our professional-quality products can help you design a beautiful space for your patio or deck.  Contact us for a free home consultation to learn about our products!