Outdoor decorating can be so much fun. You have a vision in your head of how you want your yard to look on those long, summer nights. The lights twinkling in the night sky, the fire pit raging, and your loved ones cocooned around it, relaxing in your seats, living their best lives.
That’s the dream for many people. But making that a reality isn’t always as easy as you might think it is. This article is going to look at how you can build an outdoor living space you’ll actually use every day you can get out there.
Design Around How You Actually Live
First up, you need to be honest about how you live your life and how you use your outdoor space. Do you eat out there regularly? If you don’t, why do you want a dining table for eight for eating outdoors? How many people usually use the garden, and how often do you entertain? The more you understand about how the space is and will be used, the easier it will be for you to design an area you can enjoy and work for your life, not something that looks like you brought a Pinterest board to life.
Invest In Furniture That Holds Up
Outdoor furniture has come a long way in recent years. These days, the best patio sets are constructed from weather-resistant materials like all-weather wicker, powder-coated aluminum, teak, etc., and these options all hold up against the sun, wind, rain, and humidity without you needing to sand, stain, or cover them each season.
When you’re outside, comfort matters more than when you’re indoors because you don’t have your sofa to retreat to. This means you need deep seating with thick cushions in weather-resistant fabric that dries quickly, as this impacts how long you’ll sit outside before you’ll be tempted to slink off indoors to get comfy.
Create Zones Rather Than Just Placing Furniture
The outdoor spaces you notice that feel done and completed are ones that are well-zoned for various activities. There are defined spaces for play, design, eating, cooking, etc. When you can move from space to space like this, as per each different activity or mood, you’re more likely to use the space than avoid it.
Let’s say you have a small deck and you want to create a conversation area. You need chairs that you can arrange to face each other in a cozy seating area. A small rug under a seating set works well here, as it creates that definition. Even adding pots to create edges around the dining table can be all you need to indicate where you eat outdoors.
Evolve With It
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to wait till it’s done to begin using the yard or to enjoy what you’re trying to build. Simply get a few bits in place and start using it. The more you use it, the more you’ll see what the space actually needs, and you’ll be able to create something you can enjoy over time, not just something that looks good but doesn’t make your life easier or more enjoyable. The aim isn’t a magazine spread-ready yard, it’s one that works for you and your life.
