The Indoors Out The trend in outdoor living spaces is to bring the inside outside. That means out with the wicker and in with furniture that would look at home inside the house.
Including an outdoor kitchen will make your space even more usable – and allow you to keep more of the heat from cooking outside during the warmer weather. Your outdoor kitchen can run the gamut from a simple installed grill to, essentially,
a full kitchen. Pretty much anything you can do inside you can do outside if you choose to.
Lawn & Landscaping Whatever you do with your outdoor space, it needs to begin with a nice yard. Depending on your species of grass and soil conditions, a lawn should be fertilized at least twice a year. (Some experts will recommend up to six times a year.)
Installing a sprinkler system will also help keep your lawn and landscaping lush and green, while saving water. A system with moisture sensors, gauges, and timers will more precisely deliver the necessary irrigation compared to manually watering the yard – not to mention the time you’ll save hauling around sprinklers and hoses!
Think Shade Shade is very important to enjoying your outdoor space, especially if you have southern exposure. Planting trees is
one obvious answer, and they offer the benefit of adding to the aesthetics of the yard. Other shade solutions, such as an awning or pergola, can also help achieve those goals. Well-developed shade will also block sunlight from your home, reducing your cooling costs during the summer.
Fire Pit Who’s ready for s’mores? Or maybe some scary stories around the campfire? A fire pit is an inexpensive option that adds atmosphere, plus a little heat and light for cool nights well into the fall. Fire pits can range from easy portable metal options to high-end natural
stone fire pits. Fuel options include wood, charcoal, and propane. A fire pit should always be placed to avoid coverings, trees, or other potentially flammable materials.
Lighting Smart lighting choices can also enhance your yard. From path lights to deck accents to post lights, stylish outdoor lighting can really add to the ambience of your outdoor space. And with energy-efficient LED lighting and solar-powered options, you can install extensive lighting without racking up huge power bills.
Make the most of your time together and improve your outdoor space!
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