Your internal living space may be limited by the size of your house. But, with a few cool ideas you can expand the living space outdoors. You’ll have more room to relax and lounge around while feeling like your home has opened up.
There are many ideas you can use to expand your living space, so here are a few of the best strategies that may suit you the best:
Build a patio
Patios are the perfect outdoor living space for people on a budget. You lay down some lovely paving stones that are very cost-effective and will last for ages with minimal maintenance. When designing a patio, you should pick a stone that suits your home and blends in with the exterior walls. It helps you create that seamless look as though the house has opened up and spilled outside.
Patios are fantastic when you don’t have a lot of outdoor space to place with or you live in a sunny area. Remember to create shading with an awning or sun umbrella – and be sure to keep the patio lighting in your thoughts. This area should be perfect for outdoor chilling during the day and through the night.
Install a deck
A deck is similar to a patio, only a bit cheaper and slightly harder to maintain. It uses wood to create a lovely outdoor platform where you can place tables, chairs, and anything else you like. This style may suit some homes more than others, particularly if you’ve got a lot of wooden siding on your home – or it looks quite rustic.
Another benefit of decking is that it can be raised, giving your garden a new platform. This raised effect can help your garden look more visually appealing. This is another budget-friendly idea for smaller garden spaces; there’s no true winner between patios or decks, it all depends on your personal preferences.
Create a conservatory/orangery
Conservatories and orangeries are very similar structures but with a few tiny differences. The biggest way to separate the two is by saying conservatories are more glass-based buildings while orangeries typically involve more brickwork.
Either way, both offer ideas to extend your living space in an enclosed outdoor structure. This is a great choice if your budget is slightly larger and you’re looking to get more indoor living space that blends into the outdoor area. The beauty of a conservatory or orangery is that they have large domed ceilings covered in glass. Some conservatories will also have very large windows going around the outside. It almost gives the feeling that you’re outdoors – particularly when the windows and doors are open – while being covered from above.
These structures extend from the home, meaning you can literally expand your internal living space. A conservatory/orangery that’s built onto the back or your living room offers a seamless transition from inside to outdoors. If you want to enjoy more sunlight and relax while reading a book, head to the conservatory for a bit!
Also, another benefit of these structures is that you can combine them with either of the other two options mentioned before. Nothing’s stopping you from having a gorgeous orangery that opens up onto a patio or deck. At the same time, you’re more than welcome to open the doors straight onto your lawn. It depends on your budget and garden, but this can be a fantastic idea for some extra living space.
When it comes to picking between the two, you should keep three things in mind:
- Budget
- Design
- Temperature
Your budget will obviously be the biggest concern – orangeries are the more expensive option of the two. Take the design into account as well; if you want a structure with more glass, opt for a conservatory. Finally, in terms of temperature control, orangeries retain the heat better. If you live somewhere that gets very cold outside of the summer months, this may be a better choice as it’ll be more comfortable throughout the year.
Erect a screen room
Have you ever heard of screen rooms before? Their commonness depends on where you live – some of you may see loads of houses with them while others might have no clue what we’re talking about.
These “rooms” are popular in warm, humid, climates with lots of bugs. Essentially, you build a structure that either stands on its own outside or connects to your home. It’s like an awning or carport, only more desirable and with one special feature. The whole area is encased in a screen of sorts. This can be a type of netting or any other material. The idea is for this material to act as a screen that protects you from any bugs in the area. It means you can relax and enjoy the fresh air without being constantly bitten by mosquitos.
Screen rooms are seen in backyards when people want a place to sit outside in the evening. However, they’re also the best option out of the four for front yard living space. If you want to expand your living space to the front of your house, this is a brilliant option. You can have a small screen room that extends outside your porch and can be used to sit and watch the neighborhood go by.
Again, like orangeries and conservatories, this option can work with patios and decks. In fact, combining a deck with a screen room is a genius idea for front yard living space. The deck adds something extra to the front of your house, enhancing curb appeal with the screen.
After that thought, we’ve come to the end of the post. Expanding your living space is smart as you get more out of your home. You create some extra space to relax and enjoy yourself while making your home feel more open. It also lets you enjoy your backyard and garden area more. This can be super beneficial in the summer months when you don’t want to sit inside and love catching some rays. Consider any of the ideas above as they all help you take your living space outdoors.
