Just because you have outdoor living space doesn’t necessarily mean it’s usable. Or maybe your outdoor living space just isn’t exactly reaching its full potential. Either way, there are plenty of tips for improving your outdoor living space, so you can take full advantage of it whenever you want!
These are ways that you can improve your outdoor living space:
- Add heating elements or weather-proof fabrics, so your space is usable during all seasons.
- Add plants and lights to add visual appeal.
If your outdoor living space is ready for an upgrade, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for 5 ways to improve your outdoor living space.
Make Your Outdoor Living Space More Comfortable with New Cushions
Outdoor furniture is, of course, a must for any outdoor space, but it sure does take a beating, especially for those that live in climates that encounter extreme weather conditions. Going from hot to cold is rough on fabrics.
Replacing your old cushions is one quick and easy way to bring some color to your outdoor space. You can also find cushions that are made from more durable, weather-proof fabrics. It’s an aesthetic improvement and functional improvement!
If buying a whole set isn’t in the budget, recovering your cushions might be an option. Most of the time, outdoor cushions are rectangular or square-shaped, making them pretty easy to just recover. And most big box craft stores that carry fabrics have weather-resistant fabrics available by the yard so that you can customize your new design.
Warm-up Your Outdoor Living Space by Adding Heating Elements
Once upon a time, patio heaters and fire pits were reserved for restaurants and bars. But now they’re readily available at any home improvement or furniture store, and of course, online. There are both high-end and affordable options on the market so that you can find one within your budget.
Adding one of these heating elements will allow you to use your outdoor living space when it’s chilly outside without having to do a ton of prep. You just turn them on and cozy up. You can actually enjoy your outdoor space while using it, instead of looking at it from inside.
Get in on the Biophilic Design Trend in Your Outdoor Living Space
Plants have always been a way to beautify any outdoor space, but the world of blending human life with nature has taken this style of design to a whole new level.
You can incorporate plants on a smaller scale if you’re not one of the chosen ones with a green thumb. Potted plants like peperomia and spider plants don’t require much attention to thrive. But if you do love plants and you want to go all-in with the greenscape, you can add living walls or plant an herb garden… or both!
It all depends on your budget and how much time you have to dedicate to watering your plants. Just be sure to choose plants according to the amount of sun that shines on your outdoor living space.
Lighten Up Your Outdoor Living Space
Adding lights is a way to add brightness (of course) and function. Another win-win for aesthetic and usefulness, a major improvement.
If you have a smaller space, a few strategically placed table-top lanterns throughout your space makes a big impact. Or, if you have an overhang or trees, beautiful solar-powered hanging lanterns add visual interest and light.
String lights are also an incredibly popular lighting option. You can go traditional, with a Christmas-style set of string lights, or something a little more chic like Edison-style bulbs or globe lights.
While there are endless options to choose from, it’s imperative to be sure that the ones you purchase are made for outdoor use. There are many that appear to be safe for an outdoor space, but if they don’t specify, they shouldn’t be used outside.
Make Your Outdoor Living Space More Useful with Zones
One of the best ways to infuse function into any space is to create zones. This is a surefire way to make your outdoor living space useful for everyone in your home. First, consider who uses the space, then create zones so everyone can take advantage of the space.
Here are a few zones you might want to add to improve your outdoor living space:
- Cooking or grilling space
- Dining area
- Lounging or conversation zone
- Activities and toys storage area
- Gardening tools and materials storage space
Now you know some ways to improve your outdoor living space.
Final Thoughts
Improving your outdoor living space doesn’t have to be a huge, budget-blowing renovation. It can be as simple as you want it to be. The above tips for improving your outdoor space are easy to implement and can be adapted to any budget. You’re already paying for the outdoor space, so it’s time to put it to use!