If you have a free space in your backyard or front porch, now is the perfect time to make use of it. There are a lot of things you can do. In this article, we will give you our top 10 inspiring home improvement ideas to make your outdoor spaces more attractive.
#1 Improve your garden
Start getting your hands dirty. It doesn’t matter if you have a large or small area to work with. If you have a large backyard, you can grow a vegetable patch. Dig a garden bed and check the type of soil that you have.
You need to ensure that your garden bed has the right mix of organic material, loam, clay and sand. This will help your plants grow better. You may also need to add a layer of mulch to minimize water evaporation from the soil.
If you don’t have a spacious lawn, it’s okay. You can still enjoy gardening. Try doing vertical or container gardening.
#2 Dine outside with your loved ones
Enjoy eating your meals al fresco style with your dearest families and friends by creating an outdoor dining area.
Set up the area using a few sturdy furnishing. There are many types of outdoor furniture that you can use. Choose items that are made from durable materials so you don’t end up replacing them after a year.
Also, you should pick a cool and breezy spot for your dining area. Perhaps you can plant trees if you don’t have a shaded area in your backyard. Alternatively, if you have enough budget, you can try to install pergolas or build a roofed dining space.
#3 Invest in an outdoor kitchen
Having an outdoor kitchen is a major plus point to any homeowner. It can serve as the focal point of your backyard. Your guests have the option to watch you cook or lend you a hand in chopping the ingredients.
You don’t need to shell out all your savings just to build a fabulous outdoor kitchen. You can start with just a few furnishings. Feel free to update your outdoor kitchen every now and then. You can try replacing the countertop or installing new cooking appliances.
#4 Create a cozy outdoor lounge
Spend your afternoons and evenings in your outdoor lounge. It’s easy to create a lounge area even if you have a limited space to work with. Choose furnishings like coffee tables, chairs, lounge sofas, and storage cabinets that can fit the available space.
Consider creating DIY decors, chairs and tables that are customized to the size of your outdoor area. Don’t forget to add a dash of color and your personality to your outdoor living space.
#5 Install an outdoor fireplace
If you don’t have a fireplace inside your house, then you should consider building one outdoors. It’s easier to hire a contractor to handle the project. They will make sure that specifications of your chimney and fireplace adhere to the standards set by the local government.
If you prefer doing things on your own, make sure that you source the right materials. Moreover, you need to check if there are local regulations or community policies that you need to follow in building the outdoor fireplace.
#6 Build a backyard fire pit
Compared to fireplaces, backyard fire pits are way cheaper to make. And yet, they can instantly and effectively add a warm and unique charm to a house.
You can build it anywhere in your backyard. There are various styles you can choose from, namely in-ground, table portable and rustic fire pits. You can even build one near your pool.
#7 Add a sunroom
If you don’t like the idea of staying outside of the house because of the insects and the glaring heat of the sun, you can create a sunroom. Essentially, sunrooms have large glass or screened windows that allow you to enjoy viewing the outdoor space.
You can use it as a space to entertain guests or a place where you can stay in during your free hours. Place a couple of furnishings, rugs, cushions, pillows and curtains to create a nice and cozy atmosphere inside the room.
#8 Build a swimming pool
Building a swimming pool doesn’t come cheap. It does, however, come with a lot of perks. For example, you can invite your friends and neighbors to a fun and exciting pool party. You can also use it for your family bonding activities. Moreover, swimming can help reap a lot of health benefits such as improved heart and lungs.
Swimming pools come in various shapes and sizes. You can easily customize the design regardless if you build one DIY or you hire an expert to help you out.
#9 Upgrade how your outdoor space looks at night
It’s surprising how adding new light fixtures can easily change how a space looks like. Experiment on using a variety of light fixtures in your outdoor space. For example, you can try using path lights for your garden walkway. For your outdoor lounge, you can add wall-mounted or hanging lights. You will also love installing vintage-looking light posts in your backyard, most especially if you have a gazebo or a deck.
In choosing your light fixtures, you must consider the overall effect that you want to achieve in the area. What parts of your garden do you want to highlight? What colors will best highlight the features of your outdoor space?
#10 Create a man-made pond
Having a flowing water inside your property is incredibly therapeutic. Feel free to create a man-made pond in your backyard or somewhere near your patio so you can easily hear the sound while you rest in the afternoon.
You have the option to hire a seasoned landscape artist to create the pond for you. But, you can always try and build one by yourself. We have a great man-made pond design guide you can check out.
Your outdoor space has a lot of potentials. All it takes is a bit of creativity and a few technical skills to help you create a jaw-dropping outdoor space. Which home improvement ideas did you like? What other ideas do you think we missed to include in our roundup? Let us know!
Author Bio:
Paul Reiss is a home improvement/furniture content creator based in merry old England. By day he works as a content writer for a furniture company, by night he reads and contributes to home improvement blogs. He is fascinated by East Asian art, architecture, and design. If you want to read more of his work, search him up at safeclimate.net
