If you're like a lot of New Castle County homeowners, now is a great time to start planning the use of your outdoor living spaces in the spring. The season brings all the beautiful flowers in bloom, but it still holds a strong chill. You may want to get outside with family and friends, but you'll need a plan to make it happen in comfort and style. Here are a few ideas to help you get the most from your property in the coming year.
1. Plan for Cozy Outdoor Spaces
When you walk into someone's garden, you can usually tell immediately how much planning they put into it. A gentle flow that puts you right where you need to be can be a work of art in planning and execution. A haphazard mashup of old, outdated furniture and overgrown landscaping isn't exciting at all. Since you'd rather have the former, it's a good idea to plan it out. Come up with a list of things you'd like to do in the spring, and prioritize the most important changes.
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2. Create Outdoor Entertaining Areas
With your list of ideas, it's time to make entertaining areas. Break up your yard into stations of activity, with enough square footage to the task. For example, you'll need more room to place a fire pit with surrounding seating. A pair of chairs in the corner for drinking coffee and chatting doesn't need as much. Remember to keep the flow of the space and provide plenty of room for the necessities. If you're planning for a big upgrade like an outdoor kitchen, start there first.
Not sure how to design your patio? Look at these 10 luxury patio designs.
3. Consider an Enclosed Patio
While you plan out activities you can do in your outdoor living space, it's a good idea to consider the benefits of weather protection. An enclosed patio can be fairly simple or complex, depending on your budget and what you're hoping to get. You could block out the wind and rain with an enclosure that has walls or outdoor curtains you can secure during a storm. An all season patio is a permanent structure that can give you all the comforts of home, including lighting and heating on a chilly day.
4. Upgrade Your Landscaping
Although you might spend most of your time thinking about how to lay out and organize your patio, you should also invest into your landscaping. Even if you love what you have right now, it's smart to evaluate your current arrangement. After all, if you decide to plant a new tree for more shade during warmer weather, you'll need to do that as soon as possible. Even temporary landscaping, like annuals or seasonal bulbs, can give your outdoor spaces a pop of color that serves as a wonderful, natural decor.
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5. Add Patio Must Haves
Just like you would when remodeling a room in your home, you'll need to finish your outdoor space with everything you want for comfort, including:
- Lighting
- Patio curtains
- Heat lamp
- Patio furniture
When you're browsing through New Castle patio furniture, remember to select pieces based on the amount of upkeep you're willing to provide. Solid wood furniture requires regular maintenance and protection in winter. Comfortable cushions may need periodic cleaning, especially after a storm.
How Can I Make My Outdoor Patio More Inviting?
Making your outdoor patio more inviting doesn't have to be difficult. You can invest as much time into it as you like. Start by identifying the things about your patio that you don't like, such as a cracked concrete slab or uncomfortable furniture. Repairs and upgrades to new furniture, perhaps with the addition of low-voltage lighting, can turn even an outdated space into something cool, fresh and enticing.
How Do You Maximize Outdoor Living Space?
Maximizing outdoor living space depends on the shape of your yard, as well as how you plan to use it. Start by establishing the perimeter, with a few feet around your landscaping for growth and maintenance. Divide the area up by activity, making sure that the space for outdoor games doesn't run headlong into the dining spaces. For round patio designs, consider creating something at the center as a focal point, like a fire pit or interesting water feature.
How Can I Get the Most Out of My Small Patio?
A small patio can still provide you with room for relaxing or entertaining family and friends. Consider using furniture that is easy to stack and stow when it is not in use, or limiting the amount of activities you'll do on the patio. That way, you can tailor your use of the space based on your plans for the day, without tripping over unused chairs and tables.
Before you know it, spring will be here and you will be waiting for the chance to get outside and enjoy the good weather. At First Class Lawn Care, we can help to make sure your outdoor living space is everything it could be. Contact us to start on your project.
