Outdoor Living Design Tips

Outdoor living is becoming more popular as the temperatures rise. The smell of backyard barbecues and blooming flowers lure us to the patio or porch with our friends and families. These 12 tips will help you create the perfect outdoor living space.

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

Scope

• Plan accordingly by thinking about how you will use the outdoor space.
• Are you a host of dinner parties or barbecues?
• How many guests are you most likely to entertain?
• Do you want a peaceful space to unwind and relax?
• Is your space suitable for pets or children?

Layout

David Pfeiffer, a landscaping architect, suggests that you design an outdoor space with the same care and consideration as when designing a house’s floor plan. Every outdoor space should be logically and functionally connected to the interior of the house. For example, the outdoor dining area should be located near the kitchen.

Surroundings

You can make the most of the beautiful views on your property by setting up a small area for coffee and watching the sunrise, or setting up a table with chairs to serve hors-d’oeuvres or cocktails at sunset. You can also use screens or hedges to hide unsightly eyesores. Matthew Cunningham, a landscape architect, recommends looking beyond the property’s boundaries to see how it fits in with its surroundings.

CONSIDER NATURE

Exposure

The orientation of your outdoor space can determine its functionality. Kelley Weston (landscape ecologist, designer) was forced to face the reality that east-facing spaces can be too cold in summer and winter in the mountains of Central Idaho.

Wind patterns

Pay attention to the wind direction and time of day. Some areas might be quiet in the morning, but may experience a steady evening breeze. You don’t want to create a firepit area with the seating facing downwind or create a lovely outdoor dining area under a wind tunnel.

Comfort

Shade is important if your outdoor space receives a lot of sun in the afternoon and early evening. Shade can be provided by pergolas, umbrellas, covered patios or trees that provide shade from the sun and heat.

THE FOUNDATION

Hardscape

Weston recommends a mixture of surfaces. A portion of the ground should be soft and inviting while leaving enough hard material for furniture and chairs. He favors natural elements, including wood decking, large boulders, decomposed Granite, and flagstone.

CHOOSING PLANTS

Although avid gardeners need a place to unwind. For a low-maintenance outdoor space, choose easy-care greenery. Shirley Watts is a designer and builder. She prefers nice, round shrubs that can grow to about 4 inches per year. See more easy-care shrubs. Her favorite way to create privacy is to use vertical surfaces for green walls. She likes to leave the overhead space open for views of the sky. Keep in mind that although plants that attract pollinators and bees are good for your garden, they might not be the best choice for your dining space. See Planting Ideas For Your Garden for more information on plant selection.

Furnishings

The intended use of your outdoor space, such as dining, relaxing, entertaining, or a combination of both, will determine the right furniture. Choose furniture that can be used outdoors, is weather-resistant and washable. Pfeiffer suggests small, portable tables for drinks and snacks. To bring your interior design outside, use colors and patterns.

CREATE AMBIENCE

Water

A water feature can be a relaxing and refreshing addition to any space and Charleston SC patio installation. You don’t have to create a waterfall or a fountain. According to Weston, the mere suggestion of water can make a difference. Studies have shown that the sound and sight of water flowing can increase relaxation and lower blood pressure. You might be able to design an outdoor living space that makes the most of nature’s natural resources, such as a lake, ocean or babbling stream.

Fire

Even though it is cool outside, keep the party going indoors when it is. You can extend your outdoor entertaining season with a fireplace or fire pit that has comfortable seating. In milder climates, enjoy warm evenings by the fire all year. You can also include storage spaces for marshmallow-roasting and blankets. Fire Features offers more ideas to heat your outdoor space.

Lighting

Lighting can make your outdoor space feel like an extension of your home. Outdoor cooking areas can be lit to make it easier to prepare meals outside. Up-lighting trees and fencing further out can add visual interest to the space. Decorative lighting can be used to enhance safety and brightness steps and paths.

Call Porter Hayes Landscaping LLC now if you want the help of landscaping experts for outdoor living space projects.

Porter Hayes Landscaping LLC
Charleston, SC 29419
(843) 532-3270
http://www.porterhayeslandscaping.com/

Tips To Create The Perfect Outdoor Living Space

A great outdoor living space is essential for every home. Your outdoor space is the ideal place to relax, enjoy the fresh air and spend time with family and friends.

There are many things you can do, no matter how small your backyard is. These are great tips and tricks to transform your outdoor space into a place that is inviting and relaxing.

Greenery and plants can brighten up your outdoor living space.

It’s already spring, so make the most of it by planting plants and greenery in your backyard. You don’t have to limit yourself to potted and garden plants. There are many ways you can incorporate greenery into your landscape. You can make a trellis using blooming vines or brighten up a wall by attaching small pot plants to brackets. An entire vertical garden can be mounted on a wall and used for herbs or other small plants.

Plants can be used to bring natural colour to your Charleston outdoor living space. Bright pops of colour are possible with both plants and their containers. You can have a lot of fun picking pots in different styles and colours.

Bonus tip: For easy outdoor decor, go to your garden and pick a mix of flowers or a bunch of fresh herbs. You can then simply place a vase in a vase, and voila!

Choose a colour palette

If you are looking for a cohesive and well-designed outdoor space, the colour palette is crucial. Every element contributes to the color palette. This includes the shade of your wood decking and the colour of your cushions on outdoor furniture. Take a moment to ensure everything blends together. Do not just throw pieces together.

The colour scheme you choose should reflect the mood you wish to create in your outdoor space and landscaping. You want to create an outdoor oasis that promotes calm and relaxation. If you are looking to create the perfect outdoor party or entertaining space, consider using a bolder color palette with lots of vibrant pops of colour.

Shade is essential for summer.

It’s not pleasant to be uncomfortable at an outdoor event in the middle of summer. It is important to ensure that your outdoor space can be used even in the heat. Consider what shade options you may have.

You can enjoy your covered patio in any season. Traditional roofing is more expensive than sailcloths, canopies and awnings. However, they offer protection from the sun and heat. If possible, incorporate your garden into shade solutions. To keep your summer living space cool, nothing beats the shade of large, leafy trees (and the breeze!)

Shade solutions can provide privacy to your outdoor living space. It’s worth spending some time, effort, and money on finding the right shade option.

…and warmth in winter

We want to keep the heat out in summer and warm it up in winter, just as we do in summer. You don’t have to stay indoors in cooler weather. Heating solutions are important for winter so you can enjoy your outdoor space year-round.

Outdoor heating options that are popular include ‘pyramid- or’mushroom-style’ patio heaters, fire pits, fire bowls, and fire pits. A mini fireplace can be used as the centerpiece of an outdoor table.

Open fires are a great option for heating your outdoor space. They can also be very striking and attractive. Who doesn’t enjoy warming their hands by a fire in winter, and toasting a few marshmallows? Make sure you check the rules and regulations in your area regarding open fires in your backyard.

You should offer plenty of seating options

First, you need to have plenty of seating in your outdoor living area. It should be a place where you can relax and unwind, for both yourself and your guests. You don’t want the space to be crowded, but it is a good idea to offer a variety of seating options.

There are many options for seating. There are many options for seating. It’s fine to mix and match furniture pieces. In fact, this trend is very popular right now. For a casual outdoor meal, set up long wooden benches and tables. Then, retire to wicker chairs and an outside sofa to enjoy drinks and conversation. Make sure to have plenty of comfy cushions for everyone!

Include dining and cooking

Your outdoor space should include al fresco dining. You should consider the use of your outdoor space for dining and cooking.

A gas or charcoal barbecue or grill is the obvious choice. You can either build your own BBQ or use a built-in one made of brick or sandstone. Wood-fired pizza ovens, fire pits, and other outdoor cooking options are also popular.

A recent trend is to create a fully-equipped kitchen for your outdoor space. This large space is dedicated to outdoor cooking and includes fridges, sinks storage, bench space, and cooking facilities.

Once you have decided on your cooking equipment, don’t forget the most important part of eating. Ideal is to have at minimum one long table to host outdoor meals or to accommodate guests. Some form of shelter over the eating area is a good idea, too – try a built-in umbrella or an extendable/retractable shadecloth.

Outdoor furniture that is weatherproof and multifunctional can be purchased

If you want your furniture to last, it must be weatherproof and durable. These are some of the most durable outdoor furniture materials for your patio installation:

• Stainless steel
• Iron wrought
• Synthetic resin (wicker).
• Aluminium
• Woods such as teak and pine, eucalyptus, cedar, and eucalyptus are all available.
• Plastic
• Fabrics such as cotton canvas, duck cloth, or acrylic material like Sunbrella

You can be sure that outdoor furniture made of any of these materials will last a long time. You can weatherproof your outdoor furniture if you are handy. Although this is a relatively simple DIY project, you need to make sure that you do it correctly to avoid any damage to the furniture.

It’s important to choose durable furniture. However, multi-functional furniture is also an option. Furniture that serves multiple purposes can be a great idea. You could have bench seats that double as storage, or even benches with space underneath. Your outdoor furniture will be more useful if you have more space.

Make sure you have adequate lighting for your outdoor living space.

It is important to have lighting in your outdoor space for evening enjoyment. It is important to ensure that things are sufficiently lit, but not too much. Too many lights or too bright lights can create an uninviting atmosphere. If you choose the right lighting, you can create a wonderful atmosphere and make your outdoor space look amazing.

Outdoor lighting is available in a variety of styles and colors. Here are some ideas:

• Install electric lights, such as downlights, on patio roofs or walls
• Lanterns
• Candles
• Strings of fairy lights
• Tiki torches
• Outdoor chandeliers
• Solar garden lights
• LED lighting installed on decks, paths and under furniture
• Fire sources

No matter what lighting source you choose, it is important to place them correctly, particularly stronger lights. Beams of light shouldn’t shine into windows of your neighbors or your own. You also don’t want light pollution to ruin the starlit nights outdoors. Safety is another important consideration. You should ensure that walkways, steps, and paths are well lit so people can see where they are going.

Establish a focal point

Focal points don’t have to be restricted to interior spaces. Focal points can be used in outdoor areas to great effect. Here are some ideas for focal points:

Water features such as a small fountain or a pond are examples of water features

Fire features such as an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, or a fire bowl, are available.

Large piece of wall art that works best in partially enclosed outdoor spaces

A striking piece furniture

After you have chosen a focal point, arrange the rest of your outdoor space around it. This will often be the focal point, and furniture and other objects like plants will be carefully placed around it.

Get creative with your decor

You might consider creating a theme for your outdoor living area if you are having trouble coming up with ideas. If you don’t use it too often, themed decor can be a great way to create ambiance and mood in your outdoor space.

These are some ideas for themed decor to help you get started.

Beach/coastal. You can easily achieve this classic theme with just a few key pieces: light-coloured loungers made of wicker, water features, and a neutral palette that includes pops of blue, aqua, and seafoam green.

Asian-inspired. Imagine lanterns, tranquil gardens and comfortable cushion seating.

A porch swing with boldly patterned cushions and mismatched vintage furniture creates a boho-inspired look.

Mountain/cabin theme. This theme is perfect for winter. It could include a fireplace in the outdoor, heavy wood furniture or a durable outdoor rug.

Country garden. No matter where you live, comfortable rustic furniture and lots of flowering plants can help you create a country-style space.

Remember the primary purpose of your outdoor living space when designing it. Your outdoor space should reflect your lifestyle, whether you use it for relaxation or hosting lots of people.

These tips and tricks will help you create an outdoor living space you and your family will love.

Call Porter Hayes Landscaping LLC now if you need help with your hardscaping and landscaping projects.

Porter Hayes Landscaping LLC
Charleston, SC 29419
(843) 532-3270
http://www.porterhayeslandscaping.com/

How to plan your outdoor living space

In the excitement and eagerness of first homeownership, many homeowners invest in their landscapes to make it more appealing. All homeowners will reach a point where they feel ready to upgrade their landscaping design, whether it is at the “201” or the “301” level. Some homeowners reach that point when they are ready to make their home a home they can live in for many years. Some people make that decision when their children are older and the family is more interested in “hanging out” than running around. Others find landscape investment later in life, when they want to create the perfect home and yard, a place for relaxation, and welcoming guests. If you’re ready to invest in your landscape and outdoor living space, you should think carefully about what you hope to get from it.

Step 1: Dream big

Your imagination is the first step in enhancing your outdoor living area. Believe in yourself and make it a reality. Although it may sound silly, imagine your backyard as a canvas with your imagination brush. What are you looking to create? Play the “What-if” game outside. Imagine a waterfall. Imagine a garden that brought back memories of trips to Italy and the south of France. Imagine being able to cook outside or sing songs in front of a fireplace. Next, go inside and gaze out of the windows to imagine what you see outside. At first, you should dream big without any constraints. While you will have plenty of time for setting realistic goals and prioritizing, your long-term vision will guide you in identifying the steps necessary to realize your Charleston SC landscaping dreams.

Step 2: Separate

It may seem overwhelming to think of your yard as one large space that needs to be developed. Instead, you might consider your yard as several smaller “rooms” just like your indoor space. As you take notes on your landscape, mark the areas where you may have an outdoor theater, an ornamental garden, or a waterfall. It can help you to prioritize your outdoor living spaces and make it easier to plan. Your landscape professional and you can create plans to bring each space to life together, if that is possible. However, it is more realistic to do this over time.

Step 3: Style

Many homeowners who install landscapes for the first-time learn a lot. They vow to not make the same mistakes again. In their first attempts at landscaping, the most common mistake is not having a clear idea of what the outdoor living area should look like. Novice weekenders often spend a lot of money on pretty flowers or shrubbery on sale only to end with a mess of design elements and pieces that don’t work together. Work with a professional when you’re looking to upgrade your landscaping. It should be harmonious with your home’s style. Consider how much time and effort you’ll need to care for your landscape. Ask about the most recent design trends in color, texture, materials, as well as how people use their outdoor spaces.

Step Four: Prioritize

To save money, you will need to know your ultimate goals in order to create the perfect outdoor living space. If you plan to install an outdoor kitchen, but first want to install a patio, it is important that you know the locations of gas, electric and plumbing lines. Prioritize projects that are within your budget and provide you with the greatest satisfaction. Consider addressing areas that are dangerous or unsightly in your current landscape. This could have the greatest impact on your immediate satisfaction.

Your trusted landscape advisor can help you prioritize if you have difficulty prioritizing. Before you start a project, many professionals offer questionnaires. These questionnaires will challenge your thinking and help to envision your landscape in the future.

You and your landscape professional will be able to create a plan that will give you the perfect outdoor living space such as a patio installation, no matter how much you spend.