Freshen Up Your Outdoor Living Space

Now is the time of year when homeowners are enjoying the outdoors, with barbecues, parties, bonfires and more. While you’re relaxing or entertaining in your outdoor space this summer, the last thing you want is for the party to be ruined by unsightly appliances, bothersome bugs, or overgrown plant life. By freshening up your outdoor space now, you can avoid some embarrassing mishaps later. Here are the best tips from our team at IBD Outdoor Rooms:

1. Update Lighting

You can prevent many issues simply by adding more light to your outdoor space. A firepit or porch light is not always adequate, and more light will deter animals, prevent accidental falls and injuries, and bring more comfort to your gathering in general. You can add light to your space by installing an IBD lamp post with a gas torch fire. Another option is to opt for a pergola instead of a roof over decks and patios, allowing moon and starlight to light your space.

2. Improve Function of the Space

You can improve the function of your outdoor living space by giving it more purpose. Your patio will lack purpose if there are too many types of furniture (swings, benches, seats), if there are no tables for food or drinks, if there are too many or not enough heat/fire/light options (focal points), and if there are too many or not enough activities for entertainment (games, etc.). You can improve your functionality by studying what you and your guests most like, and follow-through with improvements. If you most like to roast marshmallows, a porch swing is not the best seating. If there are many children, a low fire is not the best fire appliance. If you barbecue outside but have to move indoors to eat, consider installing a table in your outdoor space.

3. Maintain the Landscape

Whether you live in urban or rural areas, an unruly yard can bring a host of problems into your outdoor living space. Your guests may come for a good time, but will leave with itchy bug bites, or even worse. An unkempt lawn is welcoming to plant and animal life that may be Unwelcome, like poison ivy/sumac, wild animals and their droppings, and even snakes. Keep the lawn trimmed nicely, and consider planting some bug deterrents around your outdoor living area (lavender, lemongrass, citronella plants).

4. Plan for Year-Round Fun

Many homeowners want an outdoor space for spring, summer, and fall fun, but by planning now, and making necessary upgrades, you CAN enjoy your outdoor space during cold weather. If you already have a fireplace with high-heat output, consider adding a hot tub to your outdoor space. Patio heaters are also a great option, especially if your patio or deck feature walls or a roof. Just because warm weather will pass by doesn’t mean you can’t get use out of your outdoor living area all year long.

Are you still unsure how to upgrade your outdoor living area or how to go about it? At IBD Outdoor Rooms, we turn fantasy into reality, and we have a team member who can walk you through your vision, and get you on course to implement it. For the most recent inspirational patio ideas, click here.