How to Maximize Outdoor Space This Summer

Instead of staying cooped up indoors this summer, try utilizing your backyard or patio to add living space to your home. When the weather is warm and beautiful, who wouldn’t want to be outside? That being said, there is quite a variety of outdoor furniture and accessories to choose from this season, creating multiple options when thinking of utilizing your large, or small, outdoor space this summer.

The first thing to consider is, “Is my outdoor space livable, as is?” In other words, would you feel comfortable sitting out there all day, or would you feel exposed like a turtle with no shell? What I’m talking about is shade. Is there a covering to keep you cool as the summer months roll along? Depending on what kind of space you have (and your budget) you could consider either building a porch area that adds to the structure of the house, or buy one of several different types of awnings, from massive retractables (which would be a bit more pricey) to canopy umbrellas (which you could even find at Wal-Mart). Once you are covered from the heat, you can begin getting creative!

You can get started on the patio space with the furniture you already have. For example, move your existing tool shed, garden, or patio furniture to accentuate the size of your outdoor space. There are ways to turn your small space into what seems like a much larger space simply by re-positioning your outdoor décor that’s already there. Moving sofas and chairs near the edge of the porch opens up the middle which can be decorated with a small fire pit or even an outdoor rug. All rooms and spaces are ideally oriented around a certain focal point. Decide what your outdoor focal point is. Whether it’s the grill, a pool, an outdoor kitchen, the fire pit, or even a flat-screen TV, let that point be the center of everything else you do.

One of the most interesting ways to create an outdoor space is to make it really blend with the rest of your home, giving a sort of continuity with the interior design. What sorts of designs and colors do you use in your living room and kitchen? Whatever your style, I can guarantee that there is outdoor furniture to match. If modern furnishings are your thing, some metal and wicker outdoor pieces (even the totally wild Bubble Club furniture from Kartell) can really add some depth to and unity with your indoors. If you have a wood deck, which can be absolutely beautiful, check out a teak dining table and chairs to set by the grill. And if you only have a balcony to work with, try a small weatherproof sofa, or even a cast iron breakfast table set with glass surface (for some reason the glass really minimizes the cramped feel).

If you have a much larger space to work with, consider buying or building a garden/sun room to enjoy the outdoors in an open, relaxing niche with plenty of windows and a breezeway for taking in a great view or flower garden.

Lighting is another important feature. Natural light from fires and candles is great, but can be dangerous depending on whether you have a few acres of your own land, or you live in an old apartment complex. String lights are always festive and exciting. Mounting a line of multicolored chili pepper or shotgun shell shaped lights make it feel like camping, Christmas, and Fourth of July all at once! Plus, if you are wanting to save electricity, there are a few different options for outdoor space lights that are entirely solar powered! They charge by day, and dazzle by night.

I hope I have left you with a few options for this summer that will keep you and your family cool and outside the stuffy house. Just be yourself and have fun creating your space!

Author Bio: Ethan S. writes on behalf of Design55, a UK-based designer furniture shop. Design 55 Outdoors offers a great selection of patio and outdoor furniture for the summer.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 25th, 2011 at 10:45 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.