If you have a garden or a yard (or even just a terrace), you want to make the most of the space. You like the idea of having the option to go outside and enjoy the fresh air whenever you want. However, creating a suitable outdoor retreat takes a bit of planning. If you throw it together in a hurry, you’ll wind up with disappointing results. In this post, we run through some clever outdoor living ideas. These genius outdoor living concepts make your outdoor spaces more attractive and convenient. Check them out below.
Because we live in a world where money is needed to survive, Latte Lindsay runs a number of affiliate programmes and offers contributed or partnered content. If you choose to click the links and read the posts, the site may earn a commission or receives a payment. All of the opinions are my own. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any partner brands/company(s), beauty & lifestyle brands, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities unless specified.
Put Down An Outdoor Rug
If you have a bunch of furniture outside (such as seats and tables), you can bring the whole ensemble together with the help of a rug. Rugs make the space more welcoming and, if they are soft enough, allow you to go outside without having to put on your shoes first.
Make sure that when you choose a rug, you select one that is suitable for being left outside in all weathers. If you have a covered outdoor space, you may be able to use an interior rug. However, you should still opt for fabrics that do not permit mould growth. Any damp from the surrounding environment could harm the material otherwise.
Put Up A Wall Fountain
Wall fountains are great for two reasons. First, they allow you to create a natural running water sound in your outdoor spaces. And second, they are easy to install. You simply hook them up to your electricity supply and allow a pump to continually circulate water through them.
The sound of running water is also useful for masking the sound of noisy cars on the street outside or neighbours using their lawnmowers.
Install Sconce Lighting on Either Side Of Your Back Door
Sconce lighting involves hanging wall-mounted lamps beside the door to provide illumination for nighttime meals. Unlike traditional standing lamps, they do not take up any space, so you can use them even if your outdoor area is a little compact.
For the best look, opt for black sconce lighting on a white painted exterior. This will give your home a classical but upmarket appearance.
Add A Shade
When the sun is blazing overhead, you need shade to encourage you to use your outdoor spaces. That’s why adding some sort of shading material is a good idea.
Simply living homes come with a range of options. For instance, you could add an umbrella, a simple canopy or attach an aluminium awning to the side of your home. Which you choose depends on the space you have available and the style of your home.
Resurface Your Flooring
The quality of outdoor flooring has improved tremendously over recent years. Thanks to new techniques, you can now get tile-like quality via basic slurry resurfacing.
Redoing the flooring of your outdoor spaces makes them feel more like your interiors. Contractors use a polymer-like substance that sits on top of your original flooring, offering both beauty and waterproofing. These floors are affordable too since they primarily use inexpensive materials.
Build A Bar
If you don’t have a bar yet, consider building one. First, you’ll need to construct a short wall with space to walk behind. Then you’ll want to cover it with a large and treated countertop, fitted into place with study metal L-brackets. Then finish the project by adding a few stools so that you and your guests can sit at the bar and enjoy some happy conversation.
Add A Pass-Through
It’s a good idea to connect the kitchen with your outdoor space via a pass-through so that you don’t have to continually walk out of the kitchen, through the living room, and into the back garden to serve your guests.
In many situations, you can simply modify your existing kitchen window. Simply convert it into a top-swing casement window to add flexibility and make serving a breeze.
Paint Your Deck
The deck is a wonderful innovation and becoming more popular all the time. But it can look a little dull sometimes.
If you want to spice up your outdoor areas, consider painting your deck. This way, you can make them more visually interesting. You could paint the boards alternating colours to match the theme of your outdoor area.
Hang Rope Lights
Rope lighting is a great way to add a little charm to your outdoor spaces without breaking the bank. It’s easy to set up too if you have branches overhanging your outdoor area.
Find a candelabra (upcycling one if you need to), and then attach a rope to the hook at the top and tie it around a tree branch. Then add electric or real candles and use a short step ladder to light them in the evenings.
Build A Lattice Shroud
Even if you don’t have nosy neighbours, building a lattice shroud around your outdoor space can be a wonderful addition. It creates a walled garden effect, making the area feel more like a room.
Lattices work best when they are in the foreground and larger trees are in the background behind them. Pairing them with plant boxes and shrubs helps to make your outdoor space feel more natural.
Add A Deck Awning
Traditional awnings are great. But if you want something simple and affordable, nothing can beat a fabric awning. Get one in a classical style to complement the rest of the space.
Build A Fire Pit
Fire pits are convenient and beautiful. And, in today’s market, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Traditional fire pits are usually built using concentric circles of stone masonry with a metal grate. However, if you want to avoid burning wood for fuel, you can also get gas-fired fire pits. These look virtually the same as regular fire pits, but don’t produce any annoying smoke. They also avoid the need to split and store wood.
Create A Herb Garden
Adding a herb garden to your outdoor space makes it look beautiful and adds to your convenience. You can arrange herbs on a step ladder or hang them from a wall. Either way, this approach lets you create a wall of greenery,
Upcycle Indoor Furnishings
Sometimes, it is a good idea to repurpose indoor furnishings and make them suitable for your outdoor areas. The trick here is to make sure that the upholstery is both moisture and fade-resistant. It needs to be moisture-resistant to prevent the building of mould and mildew. And it needs to be able to resist fading because of UV from the sun.
Recovering sofas and armchairs aren’t cheap. But this genius outdoor living idea can help to elevate your exteriors to a whole new level.
Plant More Trees
If you want privacy but don’t want to use shrouds, then another option is to plant more trees.
Choose small non-fruiting trees if you can. This way you can avoid attracting insects and rodents to the area when the fruit falls. Also, pick trees that offer thick canopies at around head height. The remainder of the space you can fill with low-lying shrubs.
Add Potted Plants To Your Tables
If you have tables in your outdoor spaces, use them to store potted plants. This adds another genius outdoor living element of greenery and helps to make the space feel fresher.
Install Space Saving Sofas
Another genius outdoor living space idea is using a small sofa. You can now get space-saving outdoor sofas if you are working in a small area. These look a little bit like benches, with an L-shaped section at the end for lounging. Dress the sofa with outdoor cushions and arrange it beside a thin table if you only have a small area.
Add Window Screens
If you like the idea of turning your outdoor living space into a conservatory, you can easily and quickly convert it with window screens. These provide you with the same views of your garden space, but also give you more control over the environment. Furthermore, they prevent pests from infiltrating your home and chewing on all your outdoor accessories.
Lay Down Flagstones
Flagstones are super attractive and fit together like pieces of a puzzle. They’re ideal for anyone looking to create a high-end, luxe exterior that also looks natural at the same time. Generally, flagstone flooring is affordable. However, it depends on the type of stones that you choose.
Create A Rock Garden
If you have a retaining wall next to your outdoor space, it is a nice idea to use it to create a rock garden. Adding foliage softens the surroundings and makes the whole area look natural – as if it has been there for a long time. Rock gardens complement brand new renovations.
Consider Using Gravel
If your outdoor space is away from your home at the bottom of the garden, you might want to consider installing gravel flooring. Gravel can be attractive and makes a good alternative to stone pavers. Just make sure that you install concrete pavers for seat and table legs so that you’re not slipping around all the time.
So there you have it: some genius outdoor living ideas for people who want to make the most of their genius outdoor living space.