An outdoor living area becomes an extension of your home, providing extra space for you to congregate and enjoy life. It’s also one of the best home improvements you can make - patios and decks add great value to a property, boosting its resale price.Â
That being said, you must include all the right elements to properly spruce up your home’s exterior with an outdoor living area. It doesn’t matter if you lay down patio stones or wooden decking; your exterior living space must include all of the following:Â
Comfortable & Suitable Seating
You can’t have a place to sit and enjoy yourself without the right furniture! Don’t be tempted into putting indoor furniture outside - it won’t work, and you’ll ruin the furniture. Instead, go for quality outdoor furniture that stands up to different weather conditions yet provides the same level of comfort.Â
As well as this, think about how much furniture you need. Don’t overdo it, but also don’t underdo it. When you think about it, a big outdoor L-shaped sofa is the best of both worlds. It doesn’t clutter your space with lots of chairs, yet still provides enough space and comfort for everyone. Add a nice armchair or two while you’re at it.Â
Protection From The Sun
As much as you’d love to sit in the sun for hours, it’s not good for you - or your furniture! Too much exposure can alter the furniture’s colors, so you need ample protection from the sun’s rays. You could install a big sun umbrella, but the better options are to either build a pergola or attach an awning to the side of your house.Â
Texas Patio and Fence Co. builds custom pergolas to suit any outdoor living space, so that’s a great choice if you want something to add style as well as sun protection. They’re also far more suitable if your outdoor living area isn’t attached to your home.Â
Those of you with a patio/decking extending from your house could install an awning that pulls out from the wall. This way, you get shade when you need it and can bask in the sun for a bit as well.Â
Heating Elements
There’s no point having an outdoor living space if you only use it during the day - or when the weather’s nice and warm. Get more usage from this investment by adding heating elements to it. You’ll find great outdoor heaters in all shapes and sizes to warm everyone up. Your outdoor living space stops being a summer-only hotspot and turns into a place to enjoy throughout the year.Â
Mood Lighting
Likewise, you can’t sit outside in the dark! Get some different exterior lighting options to brighten this space and make it more night-friendly. You could install fairy lights in nearby bushes or on your pergola alongside some large outdoor lamps. Create warm lighting to avoid annoying the neighbors and to make the whole space feel cozier.Â
Nail all four of these features and your outdoor garden space will be much better. It becomes somewhere you can genuinely sit for hours, regardless of the time or season.Â
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