Your dream summer vacation is as close as your backyard. With the weather heating up, it’s time to start dressing up your outdoor living spaces and creating the ultimate retreat just steps from the door. Below are a few tips to get you started, on any budget!
How To Design Your Backyard Getaway
Think of your backyard as an extension of your indoor spaces
Design your patio space like any other indoor living space when you are coming up with your concept. Think furnishings, lighting, colour, decorative accents, and overall design flow.
Furnish for comfort & durability
Today, there are so many affordable, stylish choices for outdoor furniture, it can be hard to know where to even start. Before you get overwhelmed by the selection, think about the main purpose of the space. Do you want a formal dining area with a table and chairs? A laid-back lounge with plush furnishings and accent tables? Start with the biggest pieces as you shop, and layer in accents later when you have the budget for it.Â
Ensure Shade and Privacy
Your outdoor living space will feel more like an oasis if you create a sense of enclosure. Use lattice and landscaping to define the outdoor space and build privacy screens from the neighbours and inside spaces in the home. Add a large patio umbrella or a pergola to create shade to escape the summer sun. These can also be used to deliver focal points and separate your areas according to function, or provide transitions from one outdoor living space to another.
Add Colour Through Accents & Planters
Cushions are a great way to add comfort as well as infuse colour into your outdoor spaces. You can switch them up after a few years to create a totally new design feel, without having to spend a lot of money. When you are shopping, make sure you select cushions with an outdoor fabric that is UV and water resistance for added durability. Flowers and foliage are another way to add beautiful colours to your space as well as deliver privacy.Â
Invest In A Hot Tub or Spa
For long, relaxing soaks at the end of the day, a hot tub or spa out on the deck is a must-have luxury. To determine the best location for the hot tub, consider privacy, access to the house, and whether you want the hot tub in the sunshine or shade. You’ll also need additional room for sitting and walking around the hot tub. Remember, a hot tub full of water weighs 2 tons, so it will need a foundation independent of the deck’s foundation.
Outdoor Lighting
You will want to enjoy your backyard getaway after the sun goes down. Include an array of outdoor lighting by starting with porch lights that illuminate access to the house and provide ambient lighting. For dining and conversation zones, candlelight, wall mount downlights, or dimmable electric lamps create a relaxed mood. Steps and walkways should be illuminated for safety. You can also use solar-powered lights or low voltage lights to add drama and interest to the landscape and to highlight paths. Combine a mix of lighting sources to make your backyard getaway a magical place after dark.
