Categories
Re-purposing your home’s outdoor space is a great way to expand the living areas within your home. You can use the space for dining, recreation and relaxation, but first you have to put some thought into the design and layout of your yard or patio. Depending on the climate in your area, you might be able to use your home’s outdoor space during as many as eight or 10 months a year, so it’s worth the time and energy it takes to make the space livable. Here are a few ideas for fun updates to your outdoor space that will make it more user-friendly.
Connect an Outdoor Grill to a Gas Line
If you love to grill out but get tired of lugging around heavy bags of charcoal or replacing bulky propane tanks, you might consider connecting your gas grill to a natural gas line. This is particularly simple if your home already runs on natural gas; simply connect the grill to the existing line using high-quality underground gas fittings. If you’re not handy, you can hire a professional to complete this for you.
If your home doesn’t run on natural gas, you’ll have to contact the local gas company to ask them to install a line to your home. Either way, this is a project that will pay for itself every time you prepare a meal on your outdoor grill; after all, barbecuing is far more enjoyable — and less time-consuming — when it requires the mere flip of a switch.
Outdoor Dining at its Finest
Why venture out to an expensive restaurant for an outdoor dining experience when you could have the same thing in your own backyard? Your options are practically limitless, so take some time to decide how to make the space your own. You could choose a dining table made of metal, glass or even mosaic tile to add some color and visual interest. Situate your dining space on a screened-in porch or right outside on your patio, near an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
For a more casual feel, choose chairs in a similar style but different colors, and use melamine dishware. If you’re going for something more upscale, choose outdoor-friendly formal dining chairs and pull out the fine china. Regardless of your aesthetic, you’ll surely enjoy your outdoor dining experience — and impress your guests.
Relax in Plain Air
On a beautiful day, there’s nothing more delightful than relaxing in the great outdoors — but what if the big game is on? Your solution is to use your outdoor living space as an actual living room so that you can enjoy it just as you would your indoor space.
Beneath an overhang, you can install a television and speakers, using water-resistant cables and an outdoor-friendly television mount. Bring in comfortable seating with weather-proof cushions and you suddenly have an outdoor living room! You might also consider installing a weatherproof awning to protect the space — and the electronics therein — when it rains.
There are plenty of ways to make your home’s outdoor space work for you and your family. These are just a few ideas, so do a bit of research and get creative before you tackle such a project. Chances are you’ll find a way to make the space into one you can enjoy throughout the warmer months of the year — for many years to come.