5 Ways to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

outdoor space

5 Ways to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

During the cold winter months, you may find yourself daydreaming about soaking up the sun or hosting entertaining evenings in your backyard. As you envision the ideal outdoor space to entertain, why not make some plans to turn it into a reality?

You don’t need acres of land and the most high-end materials to create a perfectly comfortable, inviting outdoor space. Interested in sprucing up your outdoor space on a budget? Read on for some of our favorite tips!

Tip #1: Coordinate Colors & Styles

Modern, boho, industrial, minimalist, and more… with the variety of design themes to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down the style of your space. However, trying to incorporate too many colors and themes can end up looking sloppy and confusing.

Instead, pick a theme and stick to it, taking existing hardscape and softscape features into consideration. If your outdoor furniture feels random, use your resources before throwing it all out in exchange for matching sets. For example, some matching pillows or a coat of paint could just as easily bring all of your pieces together—especially when used in combination with the colors from your plants or pond.

Tip #2: Find a Favorite Focal Point

A focal point can be anything that stands out against the rest of your landscape: a water feature, sculpture, seating nook, or unique planter, for example.

When it comes to focal points, less is more. After all, some design elements work better as background materials. Too many focal points will look cluttered, so focus on a few items instead. You can choose something functional such as a fire pit or implement an arbor for aesthetic appeal.

Tip #3: Plan the Perfect Patio

A patio can make a world of difference, even for the smallest of outdoor spaces. Turning your yard from “standing room only” to a comfortable seating area is sure to give your landscape an instant upgrade, even if it’s just big enough for a small table and a few chairs.

There are plenty of affordable patio materials to choose from: concrete, gravel, and brick, for example. Simple pavers can also do the trick. (Pro tip: choose a material that aligns well with your existing landscape.)

Tip #4: Section Off Your Spaces

Even if you don’t have separate areas for a pool, outdoor kitchen, and minigolf course, there are definitely still ways to separate sections of your outdoor space to make their purpose clear. Plus, separate sections can often help to make your outdoor space feel larger.

Make it clear which areas are for grilling, dining, lounging, or playing (if you have kids), using furniture, plants, and stones to create separate “rooms.” If your space is too small to create multiple areas, focus instead on creating one cohesive space with easy traffic flow.

Tip #5: Focus on Maintenance

Yard maintenance may not sound like the most glamorous aspect of having a dreamy outdoor space, but it’s a simple way to keep your landscaping looking its best.

For example, mowing your lawn regularly is a free, fast way to keep your yard looking fresh and clean. (It also helps to keep it as clutter-free as possible.)

After the snow melts, we recommend inspecting your yard for any signs of damage. Repairing broken cement or stonework can give your patio or walkway a significant makeover. Sometimes, the solution can even be as simple as pressure washing or painting your deck to give it a fresh new look.

Additional Considerations

A great way to extend the usable time in your outdoor space is strategically placed lighting to illuminate walkways and seating areas. If you are concerned about wildlife or noisy neighbors, install speakers throughout your yard to stifle disturbances.

With all of the affordable landscaping materials to choose from, you shouldn’t need to break the bank in order to have a beautiful, functional landscape. If you’ve got all of the materials handy but are intimidated by the concept of design, check out our blog on useful landscape design principles for non-designers.

Of course, you can always hire a creative landscaping professional to streamline and oversee the project. Contact us at (215) 657-9160 or send us a message to schedule an on-site consultation to assess your needs.