The Art of Turning Your Backyard into an Outdoor Living Space

By Guest Blogger, Kevin J.

The Art of Turning Your Backyard into an Outdoor Living Space

How many times do you look out at the sunny day and wish you had an outdoor space that was more usable? Whether you have a large backyard or one that is simple, small and enclosed, we’re willing to bet that it is under-used, so what can be done to make it more usable?

We have taken a look at three excellent ideas that will encourage you to make more use of the outdoors, and what could be better than enjoying the sun in your own personal outdoor living space? So, here are our ideas – start with these, and you’ll soon have a great outdoor living space that you can enjoy to the fullest.

Lay a Deck

All the rage at the moment – and with good reason – decking should be the first thing you consider if you want to transform your outdoor space into a viable living area. You might think it expensive, but in fact it is one of the most cost-effective methods of bringing alive an outdoor area. Whether you have a simple courtyard-type space or a larger garden area, a decking space either attached to the house or in a separate part of the yard has many advantages: it is easy to keep clean, rainwater drains from it, and will be a great place with heaters installed for use in even the winter evenings.

You can install decking yourself – there are many videos online that tell you how – but we strongly recommend that you check out local providers as a professional job will give you better results, and you may be surprised how affordable it will be.

Add a Gazebo

The sun is beautiful, warm – and dangerous! Even with ultra-levels of sun screen on your skin, it’s still possible to get too much sun, and if you’re one of those people who suffer from the heat, some shade is always welcome. So, in addition to your beautiful new deck, why not add a gazebo?

These affordable and very practical items take the form of an open-sided tent – although there are many you can buy with optional side screens for protection against the wind – and are easy to set up and take down. So, you can choose whether you want to have a permanent gazebo or one that can be used only when necessary, and there are some surprisingly attractive models on the market, too. It’s worth having a look around at the different sizes, and perhaps picking one that covers a portion of your deck and leaves the rest open to the sun.

Build a Fire Pit

Great for those evenings in the fall when the nights become a little cooler, a fire pit is an excellent addition to your back yard. It’s one for the adults, of course, but keep the kids at a safe distance and they can enjoy it too. It’s easy to do: clear a nice flat area – preferably close to your decking so you get the full effect – and build a circular wall with bricks. It’s best to cement them in place if you want it to be a decent one.

Leave a few holes in the wall for the air to get through and build it to a sensible height so that you can drop wood in – and you have a great fire pit for added warmth on cooler nights, meaning your outdoor space is more usable than ever!

These are just a few of the ideas we came up with for making your outdoor space more usable, and we reckon there are many more, so make up a list and you’ll soon enjoy the backyard more than you ever thought you could.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

 

Author

Kevin has gone through an extensive home renovation with his son, which he has both thoroughly enjoyed, and dreaded every morning. He is now the proud owner of half his dream house (the other half has been waiting for spring). You can read more of Kevin’s work at PlainHelp.