With the weather getting warmer, you’re probably starting to feel the spring itch. No, not from allergies… it’s the urge to spend more time outside! There’s a warm breeze in the air, inviting us to leave our winter hibernation and experience the great outdoors—even if it’s just in our own backyards.
Speaking of backyards, how are you going to make your habitable for the upcoming warm season? If you’re looking for a new way to spruce up your green space, look no further than an outdoor living room! As you might have guessed, it’s like a living room, but in your backyard.
This setup takes a little more forethought than just plunking a couple of fold-out chairs around an end table, but we promise that the results will blow you away. You’ll want to spend all your time – weather permitting – in your new outdoor living room.
For Your Consideration
Before you start buying patio furniture and accessories, here are a few questions to consider:
- Is the location you’ve chosen for your outdoor living room convenient and accessible from the house?
- What size will it be? Will there be enough room in your backyard for other activities (e.g., grilling, gardening, space for the children to play)?
- What shape will it be, and how does the shape fit with the flow of your backyard?
- What is your style? You’ll likely want to keep it visually consistent with the rest of your home, as clashing styles can make the structure look out of place.
- What is the purpose of the space, and how do you want this area to be used?
- What is your budget? This will help to determine project scope and how much money you can spend furnishing it.
What kind of structure will your outdoor living room be? Depending on your design savvy and DIY skills, you might very well be able to pull off this home improvement project yourself. But if you’re looking to take a more hands-off approach and your budget allows for it, you might want to consider hiring a design and contracting team to handle it.
The DIY
If you’re after a sturdy covered pergola or the like, this is an inexpensive project you can probably pull off on your own. These lovely little structures are usually built out of wood or similar material and are quite simple to construct if you have the tools and a bit of know-how.
Pergolas are an ideal spot to entertain guests for a meal or just curl up with a book and a glass of wine. Because of their open latticework, they’re a perfect place to hang plants and train vines for a little extra shade and privacy. But the downside to that is that they’re not exactly impervious to weather. You can cover the latticework with a shade sail during the hottest days, but when it’s cold, rainy, or snowy, the humble pergola doesn’t provide much protection.
Professional Results
For that added coverage and seasonal longevity, you may be better off investing in a professional design. A team of professionals can help you create a permanent outdoor living space that will serve you for three seasons. With a well-constructed roof over your head, you can adapt the area to suit your needs.
Turn your structure into a lounge area: dress it up with comfortable seating, tables, rugs, decor, storage, and weather-friendly artwork. Make it into a dining area, an art studio, a botanical garden, an outdoor office—almost anything is possible.
The wonderful thing about a permanent backyard living room is that you can bring your favorite creature comforts outdoors. This includes electricity, meaning you can have television, sound systems, electric heaters and fans, a fireplace, Wi-Fi, a bar fridge, lighting—you name it! It’s not just a pergola; this is backyard paradise!
In the summer heat, bug curtains are a handy tool to help keep the pests away. Even as the weather gets cooler, you can still get good use from your outdoor living room. With electric space heaters, a fireplace, and a few cozy blankets, it’s simple to keep the cool temperatures at bay. As winter approaches, just pack away your pillows, blankets, and put your furniture into storage, or cover it with a heavy tarp.
At J.T. McDermott, our passion is creating something that you will love and cherish for many years to come. If the idea of outdoor living is as exciting to you as it is to us, let’s work together and build your outdoor paradise. Pick up the phone and call us today!
