You don’t need a huge patio or deck to enjoy a lovely outdoor space. A spot to sit and relax in the shade, a table that you can dine from, and flowers with solar lights and aluminum pergola are all simple additions to brighten your outdoor space. You can build your outdoor living space in stages as budget and time allow.
A Space to Relax
Get out and test drive patio furniture. It can be easy to see something in a neighbor’s yard or a magazine and love it, but if you can’t easily relax on it or get out of it when you need to stand up, you won’t use it. Depending on your location, you may want cushions that can take a lot of rain and sun. Another option is to put up a canopy or a pergola kit that will protect your cushions under most weather conditions. If you need to store your cushions, consider using a storage bench that can also be used for seating at a dining table or along the edge of your patio or deck.
A Spot to Dine
If space is very tight, you can dine and relax in the same space. Consider adding extra cushions that you can use to sit up a bit straighter when it’s time to eat. You may also have a more enjoyable dining experience with small, portable tables for diners to share.
Designate a spot for serving platters to sit under table tents. Consider also adding plants, candles and, as necessary, electronic devices to send bugs on their way. If you have a grill, try to leave space to move the grill away from the house and deck rails to avoid the risk of scorching or fire.
Consider a Water Feature
Consider creating a small water garden in a 1/2 whiskey barrel planter. These portable ponds can allow you to try out new flowers and solar light options as you enjoy the sound of moving water in your outdoor living space. You will need a way to keep the surface of the water slightly agitated if you live in mosquito country. A small solar powered fountain can take care of this during the day, but a back-up pump to keep the water moving overnight may also be necessary. While a water feature can provide a relaxing atmosphere in your garden, it can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes; click here for mosquito repellent products.
Add Pops of Color That Will Last
It is very possible to make your yard look amazing without adding a ton of extra work. For example, if your yard is bare or needs to be revamped you can find a source for excellent synthetic grass in Oklahoma City which will elevate the look of your yard all year long. You won’t have to worry about your kids or pets getting muddy when it rains and you won’t have to worry about lawn work. You can also fill in the biggest open space, and set potted plants around the edges. Other options you should consider the placement carefully is a:
- climbing vine
- herb bed
- veggie garden
- fruiting bushes and trees
If you’ve never gardened before, take care to plant only the edibles that you will harvest. For example, cherry, pear and apricot trees are all beautiful in the landscape. However, if you’re not prepared to pick and harvest the fruit, it will drop and rot. This dropped fruit can draw flies and wasps.
Visit local garden centers and talk to the tree experts to find out what to plant and when. If you’re sticking with artificial grass, you can focus your watering and mulching needs on your new plants. If you eventually plan to put in grass seed or sod, you may have to wait to add trees. The water that will help your sod lawn get established may drown those new trees.
Increase Visual Interest
Bird feeders in your yard can increase visual interest during all seasons of the year. Birds love water, but they can be destructive to your carefully arranged water feature. Make sure your bird feeding spot has a water basin that you can easily dump and refill. Make sure you also place them far enough from your outdoor seating area to avoid the droppings. If you have a botanical garden in your area, contact them to see if they have recommendations for feeding local birds.
Add Outdoor Rug Pads
Consider adding super grip rug pads to your dream outdoor living space. You’ll feel the tightness leaving your feet and legs, replaced with a sense of security and comfort as you walk across your wood deck, or concrete or tile patio, without having to worry about dangerous and frustrating bunching or sliding anymore.
Conclusion
Should you find that your outdoor space gets unpleasantly hot, consider adding a shade awning or canopy. This canopy can also protect you from bird droppings from the populations at your feeder. Check the corners of your awning or canopy where the hardware attaches to your home to make sure birds aren’t nesting against your home. Stubborn birds can ruin your enjoyment of your patio!
