Design Outdoor Living Spaces

Would you like to design outdoor living spaces in your yard? If so, you are not alone because it is a rapidly growing trend these days. It is also an understandable one. Who wouldn't love to spend more time enjoying the outdoors in a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere? Read on, and learn how you can do just that with your own outdoor living space.

Relax in an outdoor sitting area.

It seems that since the tragic events of 9-11, people are spending more time at home instead of traveling abroad on exotic vacations. Because of this, consumers want to create a private, relaxing escape in their own backyards or patios.

Even if you only have a small balcony, you can create a special get-away where you can hide from the pressures of everyday life. Manufacturers are offering consumers endless options in outdoor furniture that mimic indoor styles but are made to endure the elements.

Indeed, your outdoor living space can be an extension of your own living room to give even more useable space for entertaining. Or, it can be a separate hide-away where you can relax alone or with that special someone.

You get a bonus when you design outdoor living spaces around your home: not only have you increased the usable space of your home, but you are likely to increase the value of your home as well. There are countless options, but there are a few things to consider before you begin.

When you decide to design your outdoor living space, you need to consider the rest of your home and yard. It is best to keep an overall landscape plan or your oasis may end up looking like a yard sale!

One way to create uniformity is to use landscaping software. This allows you to see different ideas and helps you to view how they will work with your current landscape. Another option is to hire a landscape designer.

If you decide to take this project on yourself, be sure to have everything on paper. Draw out the lay of your yard, including current landscaping and hardscaping, to scale. Include compass directions as well. Then you can add or remove different objects by placing tracing paper over the top of the original design and making your ideas on it.

What kind of mood do you want to create in your outdoor living space? If you don't know, you should think about this before you begin. This is the time to look at your yard and consider the elements that you intend to keep. Then you can build off of that.

For example, if you have a butterfly garden full of wildflowers, overly formal lawn furniture will look out of place. A tea garden or Japanese zen garden looks best with teak or bamboo furniture. If you have no theme, now is a great time to come up with one! For furniture ideas, check out Restoration Hardware and click on their outdoor collection.

Don't forget a water feature. This can be as simple as a small fountain to something as large as a garden pond.

Are you looking for a private retreat or do you do a lot of entertaining? This is another element that will influence your outdoor living design. A cozy chaise for two, a relaxing water feature and an outdoor fireplace may sound lovely. However, you will run into problems if you plan a large part and no one has a place to sit.

If your yard is large enough, you can build a hide-away in one area, perhaps off your bedroom patio, and a larger area for entertaining elsewhere, such as near your kitchen.

Speaking of kitchen, why not include an outdoor kitchen in your design? Even if you don't expect to do much entertaining, outdoor kitchens are a nice option that will keep your house from getting too warm when you do your summer cooking.

You don't have to be limited by a basic charcoal grill either. Today's manufacturers can provide you with all the conveniences of your inside kitchen. A great place to get ideas is Sam's Club. Click on outdoor and then on grills. You can also look at some awesome ideas at Outdoor Living Concepts.

Flooring doesn't just have to be the grass beneath your feet. You have many other options. Consider just a few:

• Stepping stones
• Brick
• Concrete
• Decks
• Pebbles

Don't forget outdoor rugs as a flooring option as well. Find many beautiful choices at Outdoor Rugs Only.com.

Here you have several options as well. Everything from solar lighting to outside chandeliers can create the perfect mood for your outdoor living space. Once again, Restoration Hardware has some beautiful ideas.

Well, ok. You can't really have windows outside. You can, however, create a similar effect with arbors and trellises to frame your favorite views.

For a ceiling you may prefer the branches of your favorite tree. You can also use awnings or pergolas to give a little shade. Consider hanging an outdoor ceiling fan for an added, gentle breeze.

As you can see, the options are endless. Keeping a few of these ideas in mind will help you as you design outdoor living spaces for your home.

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