If you are looking for a way to spend more time with your family and friends this summer, an outdoor living space might just be the right investment for your home. Although outdoor living spaces have always been quite a desired feature among homeowners, their popularity has increased incredibly over recent years. Whether your current property has a large or small outdoor area, you can create an outdoor living space that fits your needs and style with the help of a professional team of home renovation experts.

Benefits of an Outdoor Living Space

There are many benefits to an outdoor living space. Like mentioned above, an outdoor living space is a great way to spend time with loved ones. From barbecues to family reunions to graduation parties and more, outdoor living spaces can accommodate all your social events. The memories you will make are priceless.

Another benefit to adding an outdoor living space to your home is the ability to enjoy the great outdoors. Packing everything up and heading to a park or a campsite for a picnic can be quite an ordeal. By investing in an outdoor living area with a fireplace or a fire pit, you can get the same experience without leaving the comfort of your home.

A third benefit of outdoor living spaces is the value you will add to the overall worth of your property. As stated earlier, outdoor living areas are becoming more and more popular each year. As a result, homes with this feature are now more in demand.

Customizing Your Outdoor Living Area

Designing and constructing your outdoor living space to meet your family’s lifestyle and personal preferences is an essential step in the building process. In addition to this, it is also important to consider the makeup of your property. Where you want your outdoor living space located, the purpose you want it to serve, and how you want it to look are all incredibly important things to consider. If you are not sure exactly how to proceed, finding a reliable, experienced contractor and designer to assist you can be a great first step.

Functionality

What will the main function of your outdoor living space be? Depending on whether you plan to host large barbeques, have pool parties or simply relax and stargaze as a family will determine the kind of layout, style and design you will want to choose. For example, if you like to throw dinner parties, then you will want to have a full outdoor kitchen with all the basic appliances built right in. On the other hand, if you want a simpler place to hang out and enjoy evenings outside, an outdoor fireplace would be ideal.

If you have a smaller outdoor space that you want to renovate, considering economical uses of your space is ideal. Having furniture that can serve multiple functions, for example, can allow you to customize your outdoor living space to match the needs of the group you are entertaining. Don’t let a small space be discouraging!

Surfaces

Decorative stamped concrete has become increasing popular lately for its elegant look. Not only is decorative stamped concrete extremely durable, but it gives the property owner an enormous selection of customizable options.

Brick is another fantastic choice due to its stylish yet modern look. Brick comes in a wide array of styles, colors and designs. Like decorative stamped concrete, brick is also highly durable and will last for years to come.

Both of these flooring options are weather-resistant and low-maintenance, which make them perfect for any outdoor living space. Consider customizing your concrete or brick pavers to match your home’s colors, or go bold and modern with a bright shade or unique pattern choice. The options are nearly limitless, and allow you to reflect your own personal style in your outdoor living area.

Lighting

Selecting the right lighting for your outdoor living area is very important. When choosing, consider what your lighting goals are. If you want a lighting style that is indirect and very subtle, you will want to choose fixtures that provide ambient lighting. However, if you are interested in having all your light focus on one particular area, you will want to select fixtures that provide a direct style of lighting. You may also choose to have a combination of lighting styles, or install lighting on dimmer switches to allow for customization of your lighting to the mood of the group you are with.

Materials

When choosing the best materials for your outdoor living space, it is essential to consider the functionality of your area. If you are building an outdoor kitchen, easy to clean appliances are always a good choice. Stainless steel provides a superior surface that is not only easy to clean but is also resistant to corrosion.

Countertops are another example of a product you want to choose wisely. If you live in areas where it gets below freezing, tile countertops are not the right choice, as they can crack and deform in below freezing temperatures. In those conditions, a good alternative countertop material would be granite or natural stone, which are more durable to freezing temperatures. However, they also require sealing on a regular basis.

These are just a few examples of choices you need to make before having your outdoor living space constructed. It is critical that you hire a remodeling company with the experience and expertise to help you choose the right products and materials for your specific needs.

Other Outdoor Kitchen Products, Accessories and Designs

Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Fireplaces and fire pits are an excellent way to stylize your outdoor living space! Not only do they add warmth and light to your outdoor living area, they are also fun for making s’mores and staying cozy during cool evenings.

There are many different styles of fireplaces, but the three most common types are portable, free standing and wall mounted.

Pergolas and Awnings

If you want to add some shade to your outdoor living space, pergolas and awnings are a great way to do this. Not only do they provide some relief on a hot day, they also come in a vast array of colors, styles and materials to add a nice design feature to the space.

Pergolas and awnings are also useful for keeping your outdoor living space dry during a rain storm. By placing a pergola or an awning over your outdoor kitchen, appliances, grills and fireplaces are protected from basic wear and tear related to weather elements.

Flowers and Shrubs

Flowers, gardens, shrubs, trees and other plant life can really add to the overall appearance of your outdoor living space. In addition to beautifying your property, placing trees in the right areas of your property can also provide shade, increase your privacy and even decrease your monthly energy bills by blocking the hot sun rays and the cold winter wind from your house. Customizing your flower and plant options to your overall outdoor decoration can really add a unique element of style to your outdoor living space – you could even choose different plants for different times of year.

DES Home Renovations would be happy to work with you to design the perfect outdoor living space for your home. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your ideas!