With summer in full swing, the focus for homeowners often shifts from indoor living to outdoor living. With outdoor living being on top of mind, we will provide some useful design tips for homeowners who are looking to freshen up their patio for the summer.
Outdoor Kitchen and Dining
- Consider an outdoor kitchen if the layout of your backyard and budget allow for it. An outdoor kitchen and dining area are particularly useful if you love to entertain. It allows the hosts to remain outside with their guests and avoids messy indoor cleanup.
- Outdoor kitchens require a lot of space and you will have to ensure to install the proper electrical and plumbing required to accommodate this.
- An outdoor dining area can be created near the kitchen to allow for easy serving.
- Your outdoor kitchen and dining should have a good flow with the indoor areas of your home. The outdoor area should almost feel like an extension of your home.
- Consider adding shade in the seating areas for comfort. This can be done in several ways either through patio furniture or permanent architectural features.
Outdoor Furniture
- Invest in good quality, durable furniture that will last for many years.
- Consider the interior style of your home and try to reflect that design style through your outdoor furniture selections.
- Have a combination of materials incorporated into the furniture to add points of interest and create a cohesive scheme.
- Consider adding an outdoor rug to complete the overall look! This will look stunning and add colour and comfort to the space.
- Make sure to test out all patio furniture before investing.
- Maintenance is important so be mindful when selecting outdoor fabrics for sofa cushions and toss cushions. Regular cleaning will help maintain the look. You can also consider darker fabric finishes or patterns to assist with maintaining the new look.
Greenery and Landscaping
- Landscaping is super important when it comes to outdoor living. It sets the tone for the entire outdoor living area.
- Hire professionals to assist with landscaping if it is too much of an undertaking to do on your own. Regular maintenance of greenery is critical in keeping the space looking polished and fresh
- Consider small outdoor plants for seating areas that are easy to maintain.
Outdoor Lighting
- This is often an element that gets overlooked or left till the end when homeowners are thinking about redesigning their outdoor space.
- Lighting plays an important role in setting the ambiance for outdoor living. It is also important to make sure that your functional requirements are met with adequate lighting.
- Select lighting styles that will complement your design scheme.
