Those who have enough space in their homes are investing in creating outdoor spaces, and it’s easy to see why.

An outdoor living space represents our best chance of feeling connected with nature and breathing fresh air anytime we want. 

After a hard day at the office, we can always plop ourselves onto the comfortable outdoor furniture, turn on the patio misting systems when the weather is warmer than usual, and relax while sipping on a glass of wine.

If you love having friends over for parties or get-togethers, then your outdoor living area will be the perfect venue for them as well.

If you don’t have an outdoor living area yet, but you’re considering creating one, you will find the following tips useful.

Determine Its Function

How do you intend to use your outdoor living space?

Many homeowners think of their outdoor living space as a place to unwind. If that’s what you have in mind, then make sure you provide the area with the most comfortable furniture you can find.

If you visualize it as more of a place to enjoy meals and entertain guests, then add an outdoor dining table with the appropriate seating.

Don’t Forget The Shade

Your outdoor living area won’t be so comfortable without plenty of shade, especially with summers getting hotter by the year.

Consider installing patio drop shades, which are perfect for keeping the sun away at certain times of the day.

If your backyard has enough space, consider planting trees, your most environmentally-friendly shade option.

Patio umbrellas will also get the job done.

Add More Plant Life

Complement the trees on your property by adding flowers and plants. Besides contributing to your home’s oxygen supply, more plant life will also add beauty to your outdoor space, particularly when the colors of the blooms you pick work well with the overall color palette of your home.

Put Up Relaxing Water Features

Do you ever get that feeling of relaxation whenever you hear the sound of flowing water? If so, then it would be right for you to install water features in your outdoor living area.

As far as water features go, you have a wealth of choices, although everything would depend on your budget.

A small reflecting pool would be great.

You can also opt for water gardens that host aquatic plant life.

If you want a fountain, you’ll have a variety of shapes, designs, and sizes to choose from that will make this water feature even more stunning.

The beauty and the soothing sound of cascading water that waterfalls can provide is also something to seriously consider when choosing a water feature for your outdoor area.

Install Heating & Cooling Options

We all wish for the weather to be perfect all the time, but we know that’s not going to happen.

Some summer days will be too warm, and the cold of winter can prevent you from spending time in your outdoor living area.

Things don’t have to be that way, as you can easily address heating and cooling issues in your outdoor space.

Electric fans would be a good way to cool off, although a patio misting system is better.

Installing gas-fired or electric heaters, or a fire pit to keep you warm out there would also be an excellent idea.

Create Good Lighting Conditions

You would want your outdoor living area to be a well-lighted place. After all, you spend most of your nights there and entertain guests in the evenings every so often.

Overhead light bulbs ought to do the job, but there are plenty of lighting options out there that you might want to check out.

String lights wrapped around trees, for example, is a creative way of illuminating the space.

Walking around your backyard will also be easier with garden path lights.

You can also try Tiki torches for a fun and tropical touch.

On top of the comfort and party opportunities it provides, an outdoor living area can also help raise your home’s value, with many homebuyers looking to buy homes with one.

Indeed, there are plenty of good things and virtually no downsides about having an outdoor living space at home. Build one now and enjoy its benefits for years to come.

Guest Contributor: Anna Fox