Inspiring Outdoor Living Ideas
Some of the best memories of home are those experienced outside
The best outdoor living ideas involve the homeowner thinking creatively about how they want to use their outdoor space. Outdoor living spaces are a great way to create more livable areas and ‘expand’ a small home. If you want to get everyone outside and enjoy the outdoors, make it interesting.
Recent studies have focused on the so-called ‘nature connection’ and how our physical and mental health is affected simply by getting outside. It seems that being in nature does a body, mind, and the spirit a whole lot of good.
In addition, parents realize that lots of of television-watching and video gaming aren’t doing much to improve the mental and physical health of their children. More and more parents are looking for creative ways to entice the children to put down their electronics aside and get outside.
So, as people are looking around for creative ways to enjoy nature, many are turning their gaze to outdoor areas available on their property.
Decide on the Purpose Behind your Outdoor Living Ideas
In some cases, a homeowner wants to create a space that is friendly and inviting for children to play outdoors. In other cases, a homeowner may want to create a relaxing, quiet outdoor living space ideal for rejuvenation. Some homeowners want to create an elegant space for outdoor entertaining. All of these outdoor living ideas are based around the purpose of the space – what you want to use it for and what message it sends about the space. Understanding the tone you are looking for and the purpose behind how you want to use your outdoor living space is critical to the design.
Establish Strong Building Blocks
Think about the structural elements that will be the building blocks of your outdoor living space. Inside your home, the building blocks are floors, walls, ceilings and the like. Out-of-doors, the building blocks get a little more flexible, but may include hardscape items such as retaining walls, posts, paving, stone, water features, and more. Any element that is put into place and expected to be there for a significant amount of time is a structural building block. Depending on your home, you may have some structural elements already and you may have to work around them. You may also have to add structural elements.
Focus Initially on the Hardscape Elements of your Outdoor Living Space
The hardscape elements of your outdoor living space are items like flagstone paving, built-in planters, arbors, built-in grills, walkways, etc. Your outdoor living ideas will likely include plants, flowers, shrubs and trees as well, but these can be added over time and after the hardscape elements are in place.
It is never too late to think about creating an outdoor living space to improve your quality of life and increase the value of your home. Hire a team that has experience implementing all types of outdoor living ideas. Consult your outdoor living experts at 78 Backyard Concepts in Dallas/Fort Worth neighborhoods such as Highland Park, University Park, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Coppell, Southlake and Colleyville.
