How to prepare your outdoor space for summer?
Summer is the best time of the year to get together with your family and friends and spend time outdoors. It allows you to enjoy outdoor barbecues, parties, and casual gatherings. Still, to make your outdoor space a place where you can relax and be ready for long hot days, and entertain your guests, it needs to be properly prepared. Here are six tips to help you out.
Prepare a deck and outdoor furniture
The first thing you need to tend to is the preparation of the seating area. If you don’t have an outdoor sitting area, it would be a good idea to consider constructing a deck and getting some outdoor furniture. Here, you can go with anything you please, ranging from sofas and armchairs, all the way to beach chairs. With a deck, you can even go for an outdoor rug, which is bound to make the entire area unique. This will keep everything cozy, simple to maintain, and open up several new possibilities. Whether you have a deck or a patio, outdoor furniture is something that catches anyone’s attention, and freshening it up or changing it entirely can make a big difference. To find the best solution for you, check the https://olanliving.com.au/collections/outdoor-dining page.
Invest in coziness
Another thing worth mentioning is the matter of coziness. We’ve already mentioned the seating and the rug, however, you can always go a step further. A lazy bag can be a valuable addition to the deck. The same goes for cushions and blankets. The cozier the place is, the more enjoyable spending time on the patio becomes. Keep in mind that some elements can visually enhance the coziness of the area. We’re talking about heat and light sources. Both of these things, however, we’ll discuss a bit later on.
Add a water feature
Water features can transform your outdoor space in a big way. Not only that the sound of flowing water is relaxing by itself, but adding a water feature is also likely to attract different kinds of birds in your backyard. This may sound like an expensive adventure, but it doesn’t have to be. You can create a relaxing atmosphere by just adding a small vessel or being creative with some old household items. If you want to go a step further, you can install a fountain or build a pond with a waterfall. Sure, the investment is a bit more expensive but its contribution to the whole setting is immeasurable.
Provide some shade
To make your backyard pleasant during the day, it’s pivotal that you think about the shade cover. There are several options you can consider here. For those trying to organize this on a budget, a parasol or a shade sail are an obvious choice. However, if you really want to invest in your home’s resale value and get the most out of this project, you should install a retractable roof. With this feature, you can choose whether you want to block sunlight out completely, partially draw the roof to allow sun exposure to your deck or patio or enjoy activities under the starlit sky. This is a subject that you should approach quite seriously. Keep in mind that this is not a decision that you’re making for just one summer.
Prepare the source of heat
Now, while summer days can be incredibly hot, the evenings can be surprisingly chilly. This is why you may want to heat things by adding a fire source to the mix. Your safest bets are, as always, a firepit and an outdoor fireplace. A firepit is far more cost-effective and it can be a great place for roasting marshmallows. On the other hand, an outdoor fireplace is an addition to your outdoor space that will have a massive impact on the resale value of the place. It will also add a whole new dimension of luxury to the area.
Add lighting for ambiance
If you want to spend time outdoors, you need to think about adding lighting to your outdoor space. Going for outdoor LED lights is really the only choice that makes sense, however, when it comes to fixtures themselves, there are a lot of ways to really set the scene. One of the most interesting options available is the idea of going for the LED candles. While they sound a bit high-tech, without focusing on the fixtures, the visual impression is fairly similar. Not to mention that they are cheaper in the long run (not having to buy new candles over and over again). Moreover, they’re much safer to keep around the fabric.
In conclusion
In the end, there are a lot of options and variables worth considering. The layout of your backyard, your budget and your own personal preference. Just remember that no alterations that you make are final and there’s always some room for improvement. The above-listed six tips are a great starting point, nonetheless.