The growing popularity of outdoor living spaces is evident, with so many homeowners looking for great places to host, dine, and enjoy the outdoors. Your backyard is the perfect place to escape, but you need a well-designed outdoor area to enhance your lifestyle. However, where should you start?
Today, the team here at Coastal Hardscapes will identify what your outdoor living area should include, from paver patios to your furniture and plants! Read this guide to get the full scoop on outdoor living features!
First, Assessing Your Space and Needs
Before you start to craft your list of outdoor living ideas, evaluating the size and layout of your outdoor area is the first step. Identifying how you’ll use the space (entertaining, relaxing, gardening, etc.) will help you narrow down the best options for your outdoor living features.
Analyzing your outdoor space also helps with setting a realistic budget for your project. A paver patio is priced per square foot; however, when you add fire pits, pergolas, decks, garden furniture, and other options, the cost can start to rise.
Professional Tip:
As a professional in the landscaping industry, I cannot stress enough the importance of thoroughly analyzing your outdoor space before embarking on a project. Not only does this help you envision the end result, but it also plays a crucial role in setting a realistic budget. This is best done with the help of a Coastal Hardscapes team member who specializes in design. By taking the time to assess your outdoor space, you can make informed decisions about which elements are essential and which are nice-to-have additions. This allows you to prioritize your budget effectively and ensure that you are investing in areas that will truly enhance your outdoor living experience.
9 Outdoor Living Design Features to Consider
Now that you know how to start, it is time to take a dive into what features are best for your outdoor living area. Customization and pricing will vary, but most outdoor living areas feature a place to relax, a place to host, and a place to stay dry! Keep reading below to see what we mean!
1. Hardscaping Patios & Walkways
We are often asked about the best ways to enhance the outdoor spaces of a property. Undoubtedly, hardscaping is a top recommendation when it comes to adding value and appeal to a backyard. By incorporating features such as walkways, patios, and paver hardscaping, a homeowner can transform their outdoor space into an elegant and functional area. These hardscape elements not only create a visually stunning look but also offer durability that can withstand high traffic and gatherings and provide a relaxing spot to unwind.
In the Savannah area, where outdoor living is a way of life for many residents, investing in quality hardscaping can truly elevate the enjoyment of one’s backyard. The foundation of any outdoor space lies in the surface beneath our feet, and by choosing well-designed hardscaping, homeowners can set the stage for memorable moments spent outdoors. Whether it’s hosting a barbecue with friends, enjoying a quiet evening under the stars, or simply taking a leisurely walk through the garden, hardscaping provides the essential framework that enhances the overall experience. With careful planning and expert installation, hardscaping not only adds aesthetic value but also ensures long-lasting beauty and functionality for years to come.
2. Dining and Cooking Areas
Once you have your patio and walkway sorted out, the next step is to figure out what drinks and food you will serve – but how you will serve them! Will you cook the food inside or will you have an amazing outdoor kitchen area?
Remember we talked about add-ons earlier? A cooking area like a built-in grill could be seen as an add-on. Whether you use a grill or outdoor dining set, the choice is yours, and budget will usually determine the best toure. Outdoor kitchens that can be utilized year-round in Coastal Georgia are always a great feature to consider. While they can be expensive, a large part of outdoor dining is cooking with easy access. From custom kitchen areas to those built-in flat-top grills, the options are endless.
Whether you are grilling or just need a cool spot to store drinks, don’t forget to consider dining areas and cooking accommodations.
3. Shade and Shelter Options
Once your paver patio and outdoor kitchen options are covered, shade is the next feature to consider. The southeast is very hot, and the sun is strong, making shade a necessary feature in the summer months. Standard outdoor living features to create shade/covered outdoor areas in the hot summers of Coastal Georgia include:
- Pergolas,
- Umbrellas or Canopy
- Awnings,
- All-weather options for year-round use such as a screened-in porch
Similar to all outdoor features, your shelter options will boil down to cost and space. There are numerous options from a simple umbrella to an entire porch area added to the back of your home. A custom design can help you factor in the cost and look if you end up going that route!
4. Comfortable Seating and Furniture
After you consider the patio surface and porch options (see #4), the next step is comfortable seating that is durable. Investing in well-crafted furniture made with premium materials will provide comfort and longevity. Look for pieces with ample cushioning, proper support, and ergonomic design to ensure that you can relax and unwind with ease. Additionally, consider the furniture’s style and aesthetics to complement the room’s overall look and enhance the ambiance.
Beyond comfort, furniture plays a significant role in shaping the visual appeal of a space. Choose pieces that not only feel good but also look great and reflect your personal style. Whether you prefer classic elegance, modern minimalism, or eclectic bohemian vibes, countless options are available to suit your taste. By prioritizing both comfort and aesthetics, you can create a harmonious and inviting environment that you and your guests will truly enjoy.
5. Lighting
Up lights, aka landscape lighting, string lights, lanterns, and path lighting, are all the rage in outdoor living areas. With both solar-powered and wired options, you can quickly add some amazing lighting to your outdoor patios and regions/pools in a variety of ways.
6. Fire Pits & Features
Whether you live in Savannah or elsewhere, you will get cold weather, and having a cozy fire pit to sit next to is always a fantastic feature. From fire pits to custom fireplaces or even patio heaters for warmth and ambiance, you have a few options to consider when you want to add the element of heat! Just make sure you got a nice place to stock your wood pile!
7. Water Features
Seen more as a premium feature by some, adding things like fountains, ponds, or small waterfalls can really set off your entire backyard. Similar to how elements of interior design really make things stand out, water features can take a boring backyard and make it special. Our favorite water feature is a waterfall area within your landscaping next to your patio or porch.
8. Integrating Greenery and Landscaping
Incorporating raised garden beds, planters, or vertical gardens is a fantastic way to add visual interest to your outdoor space and maximize your gardening potential. These structures can help to elevate your plants off the ground, providing better drainage and aeration for the roots. Additionally, raised beds and planters can make gardening more accessible and manageable, particularly for those with physical limitations. Vertical gardens are a clever solution for small spaces, allowing you to grow various plants in a compact area.
Don’t forget about the benefits of incorporating trees into your garden design. Trees provide natural shade and privacy and contribute to a healthier environment by producing oxygen and capturing carbon dioxide. Choose tree species well-suited to your climate and planting location, considering factors such as sun exposure, soil conditions, and mature tree size. With thoughtful planning and consideration of your climate and gardening space, you can create a lush and thriving garden that brings beauty and vitality to your outdoor oasis.
Palm trees always look amazing in the Hilton Head and Savannah, Georgia areas and can complement your outdoor fireplace, walkway, or outdoor living area well. Whether you are landscaping your front yard or the back, new mulch and plants can go a long way!
9. Smart Outdoor Technology
Last but not least, all the technology add-ons are premium features that make your outdoor living top-of-the-line. Smart lighting, speakers, and security systems are just a few to consider, but don’t make it a super high focus if you’re tight on a budget. Most of your investment should go into hardscaping and the covered outdoor spaces in your yard. However, speakers and evolving technologies are always great to add! Lastly, automated irrigation systems are a good idea to have installed whenever you do major construction in your yard!
Practical Considerations
Should you pick a fire feature or an outdoor kitchen? Our top recommendation is to start with practical and boring considerations, like what durable materials you need. A Coastal Hardscapes design expert can help you design and pick out the best materials and consider all the small things like storage solutions, safety, accessibility, and spacing.
Whether you decide to add a fire pit or pergola to your space, you need to consider how much roof you have and the practicality of all your features for things like furniture on your patio.
The Verdict – Final Touches for Personalization
Now you know the exact features to consider to fully optimize your outdoor space. The small final touches, like adding rugs, throw pillows, and decor accents, can come down the road after you design and select your landscape and hardscape layouts.
For a complete design of your outdoor dining or living space, let Coastal Hardscaping help you every step of the way. We are the premier company for design and installation in the Coastal Georgia and South Carolina area!
Oh, and don’t forget to add the hammock for your midday naps!
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