As we head into winter and spend less time outdoors, now is the perfect time to update or remodel your outdoor space. That way, when spring rolls around again, you will be ready to head outside and enjoy the fruits of your labor. To do this, we recommend following this action plan to design fun and functional outdoor spaces.
How to Design Fun and Functional Outdoor Spaces
Step #1: Determine & Implement Your Function
The first question to ask yourself is, “What do I want from my outdoor space?” Do you want a quiet zone to relax, an outdoor kitchen, a place to entertain friends, or maybe an open area for the kiddos to run wild? Once you determine what type of function, or functions, you want, you can move forward with the implementation stage. You will likely need to hire a professional hardscaper to complete construction if necessary.
Divide up Zones
Do you want multiple functions for your outdoor space? Maybe you want a quiet reading nook and a bigger area for entertaining? Perhaps you want a swimming pool for the kids and an outdoor kitchen to utilize for barbeques? If you want two or more divided zones in your outdoor space, you can easily accomplish that with hedges, fences, pergolas, and other materials.
Step #2: Decide on a Color Palette
Determining a color palette at the beginning of the design process will ensure that your design flows seamlessly from your home or existing materials. You certainly don’t want your outdoor space to be a mishmash of stuff that looked cute in the store but didn’t compliment your overall design.
We recommend choosing a simple, neutral color for the base of your design. This palette would include your hardscaping materials (stone, wood, brick, etc.) and the frames of your furniture or larger items. From there, you can add pops of color (that can change if you want to switch it up) like seat cushions, artwork, pillows, rugs, planters, etc.
Choose a Theme
Do you want a themed outdoor space? Many homeowners love to decorate around a centralized theme like nautical, fairyland, kid zone, or a natural paradise. Whatever your theme (or no theme), it will be a core component in the design of your outdoor space.
Step #3: Include Comfortable Seating
It can be tempting to select furniture that “looks cool.” However, we seriously recommend that you make sure it is comfortable. Comfy seating is key to getting you, your friends, and your family outdoors!
Step #4: Add Eye Catchers
Lastly, we recommend adding a couple of eye-catching items to your outdoor space to make it stand out for the crowd. It could be a string of brightly colored chairs, a large piece of artwork, or an intricately designed garden path.
Design Scapes Outdoor Landscaping – LA Area
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