How To Create The Best Outdoor Space

Regardless of how big or small your home may be, everyone these days is looking to create the best outdoor spaces even more so. With more time being spent at home the value of extending your home’s outdoor space is fast increasing as it opens up more options for entertaining. Many home designers will recommend that you treat your outdoor space just like another room in your home and decorate it accordingly.  Here are some tips as you outfit yours. 

Identify the function

Decide on what you have room for as well as what you want. If you have limited space will you furnish it with a dining table with chairs? Or if it is more of a lounging area will a couch and rocking chair be best? If you are fortunate enough to have space for more then design it with zones for different types of furniture. Be mindful of cramming too much into a smaller space. 

Consider the flow

When you furnish your outdoor space consider what you already have on the inside. If your style is more modern, stay consistent with that design when you choose your outdoor furniture. Also, a great way to continue the flow throughout your home is to select the same materials, colors and fabrics that you have inside. This can help ease the transition inside to outside and make it feel more like you are just going into another room.

Flooring

Take a look at what you have for flooring in your outdoor space now and where you plan on placing your furniture. If you need to create flooring then choosing a warmer material like pavers can provide a nicer look. If you have a simple concrete now then you could consider covering it with a stone material. In your zones you can add an outdoor rug that will really warm things up and make it cozy while it defines the space. There are some great options these days for outdoor rugs that hold up well through the elements. 

Overhead/shade

Especially in the summer months it can get very warm in the direct sunlight here in South Florida. Bear in mind that you may want to have some partial shade so that you can create a comfortable temperature while you enjoy the outdoors. This could be achieved by planting some taller hedges for natural daytime shade with the sun’s positioning or you could consider retractable umbrellas or awnings depending on your personal preference.