When you bought or built the home of your dreams, you may not have had enough time to consider the outdoor design. Now you’re thinking about that outdoor space; and exploring outdoor living space ideas for the backyard is a task well worth your attention.
Spending more time outdoors can improve your mental health, reduce stress levels, help you sleep, and boost your immune system. Getting all this in your backyard is priceless.
By focusing on your backyard, you get an exciting opportunity to design an effective extension of your home and turn it into anything from a relaxation oasis to a remote but and inspiring office space.
Let’s take a closer look at outdoor living space ideas for your backyard retreat.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Living Space Idea for Your Backyard
With so many different designs available, it can be tough to wrap your mind around them. The easiest way to narrow down the options is to start with the purpose of your outdoor living space. Here are a few purposes to consider.
Guest Entertainment
If you’re planning to have guests over frequently, you need to design the space with many people in mind. This can affect the size of your retreat, the type of furniture, and the number of zones.
For example, you could have a dining area with a table in the middle coupled with a pool for lounging, swimming, and sunbathing. If you aren’t big on dinners, the entertainment area can have sofas, chairs, and a fire pit.
Family Space
If you have a big family that lives in the house or comes over on weekends, your backyard outdoor living space ideas can revolve around their needs and requirements.
For example, you could have a kiddie pool for the little ones, a separate adult lounging area, and a safely sectioned-off cooking area.
Keep in mind that as children grow, you’ll want to adjust the outdoor design. That’s why it makes sense to add flexibility. For example, with time, the shallow section of the pool that you designed for kids to play in could turn into a tanning ledge.
When choosing furniture and other elements of your backyard design with family space in mind, don’t forget to choose elements that are durable and easy to clean.
Work
According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research, spending a little over 20 minutes in the park can improve your life satisfaction. Imagine working and improving your quality of life at the same time! Bringing the “park” to your backyard is a move towards this goal.
If you’re planning to work outdoors, focus on designing a comfortable environment. This includes appropriate furniture and lighting. You can section off a part of your backyard and turn it into outdoor office space. Just make sure it has as many natural elements as possible, including plenty of greenery.
In addition to the purpose of your outdoor living space, you need to consider such factors as:
- Moving through the space – moving through the zones and back and forth from the house needs to be comfortable and smooth. You don’t want to create traffic or take detours. Make sure you have efficient pathways that allow your friends and family to move from the house to each zone comfortably.
- Great view – views are a big part of the relaxation process. You don’t want to sit near the pool and look into your neighbor’s window. Consider turning your furniture the right way to enjoy the best view possible. Ideally, you can section your relaxation zones off with greenery.
- Cooking convenience – if you’re planning to cook in the backyard, make sure the cooking zone is conveniently located next to the kitchen so you don’t have to run back and forth through the lounging zones or around the pool.
- Size – when it comes to outdoor living areas, size matters. Don’t try to stuff all your ideas into a small backyard. Choose one zone and design the best plan for your purposes. Otherwise, your yard may feel cluttered and you won’t be able to achieve a relaxation effect.
Now, let’s take a closer look at creative and useful outdoor living space ideas for your backyard.
1. Surround Your Relaxation Space with Plants
The main benefit of relaxing or working outdoors is the fresh air. One of the key elements of this freshness is greenery. Even if you already have some plants in your backyard, adding a few more can improve the overall design of your relaxation space.
Whether you’re opting for luxuriously soft sofas or adding an office desk to your patio, surround the furniture with plants. Choose plants with large leaves. They double up as privacy screens.
The fastest-growing plants that can add privacy to your backyard retreat are:
- Japanese privet (grows around two feet per year)
- Leylandii
- Golden bamboo
While you’re waiting for some greenery to grow naturally, put some potted plants near the sitting area.
2. Create a Focal Point
When you’re relaxing in the backyard, you’ll want a wonderful view. One of the best focal points for the outdoor living space is a well-designed outdoor pool.
If you have one, arrange your furniture in such a way that you can look at the pool even while cooking, relaxing, or working. You might even consider refreshing your existing pool with some new features. If you don’t, consider such focal points as:
- Firepit or fire table – arrange the seating space so your guests can seat around it.
- Flower garden – even if you aren’t an avid gardener, you can maintain a small flower oasis that’s nice to look at.
- Water features – decorative waterfalls or small fish ponds make great focal points.
- Rockeries – garden rockeries don’t need much maintenance but add a natural feel to your outdoor living space.
If you don’t have a large backyard but still want a pool, explore your options. Small pools can be wonderful for creating a special microclimate.
Related: Get Inspired: Small Swimming Pool Designs for Your Home
3. Work on the Shade
Shade is an integral part of any outdoor living space. You’ll want to figure out exactly how to protect yourself from the sun while eating, working, or relaxing. Creative shade options can also improve the overall appearance of your backyard space and serve as zoning helpers.
- Mobile patio umbrellas – these umbrellas are amazing and highly flexible. They can be great both for the kids’ playground and for the adult lounging area.
- Pergola – pergolas come in all shapes and sizes. They don’t just shade you from the sun but also give you an opportunity to stay outdoors in the rain.
- Awning or canopy – awnings and canopies are a colorful sun and rain protection option for your backyard.
- Permanent roof –consider installing a permanent roof over your living space. This long-lasting option doesn’t just provide high-quality sun and rain protection. It also increases the value of your property.
You can mix these shade structures with open areas to zone your backyard and give it extra functionality.
4. Add Lounging Spots
Lounging is an integral part of outdoor relaxation. Even if you plan to work and study outdoors, you need to take breaks. Pay special attention to outdoor lounging and make sure it suits the overall design of the living space or its zones.
Hammocks, sofas, and even rocking chairs can complement your backyard outdoor living space ideas easily. Just make sure you add plenty of cushiony pillows that are easy to wash or spot-clean.
If you have a pool, arrange a comfortable sitting space around it. You can either buy special pool deck furniture or use whatever you have for other outdoor zones.
5. Consider the Lights
To make your outdoor living space special, add beautiful and functional lights that also fit your purpose. If you have a cooking area, it requires brighter lights than the lounging zone does. If you’re thinking about working outdoors, you need sufficient light to avoid strain on your eyes.
Common lighting options for your patio include:
- String lights – great for a festive mood.
- Pendants or chandeliers – create a special environment.
- Path lighting – adds some magic to the dark backyard space.
- In-pool lights – improve your mood and turn your pool into an amazing focal point.
Pro tip: Before adding lights to the outdoor space, check the local building code. You can also read up on the International Dark-Sky Association‘s standards designed to reduce light pollution.
6. Delegate the Work to Materials
Did you know that materials can dictate the design of your outdoor relaxation oasis? By choosing the materials of your floors, walls, and furniture, you’re giving the area a specific feel that fits your vision.
Take the time to consider the material you prefer and use it to create a special environment.
- Barnwood – creates a rustic feel
- Rattan furniture – combines organic with charm
- Concrete and iron – offer a feeling of protection
You can mix and match different materials until you create the perfect feel for your outdoor space. If you want the place to look modern, throw in some tech. For example, you can add wireless speakers, a portable TV, or a smart speaker.
7. Focus on the Pool
A pool is one of the most important elements of any backyard living space. You can build your zones around the pool, making it the focal point of the multifaceted design. The variety of available pool features, shapes, and materials makes it easy to choose the best available option for your needs.
Lounge chairs near the pool can double up as furniture in the relaxation area. Meanwhile, incorporating chairs into the pool can give it some extra zest. To enjoy the water without excessive sun exposure, you can consider building a pergola or installing a portable awning.
Pay special attention to pool illumination. Pool lights can create a unique environment for your entire property and make it look magical after sunset.
Related: Modern Pool Ideas for Every Space
8. Add an Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re planning to cook outdoors, consider creating an outdoor kitchen space. While it doesn’t have to be big, the outdoor kitchen must be highly functional. Here are a few important design options to consider:
- If you have a small space, prioritize outdoor kitchen appliances (the majority can stay inside the house).
- Choose some portable equipment options instead of making everything permanent (permanent elements require weather protection and extra maintenance).
- Plant some herbs or edible greens around your outdoor kitchen.
Take the time to consider an outdoor sink. While it requires extra plumbing and expenses, access to fresh water outdoors is priceless.
9. Think About a Firepit
Outdoor firepits surrounded by rattan chairs and comfy sofas create a unique outdoor living space environment on cool evenings. Consider adding a built-in firepit. While it requires more expenses and maintenance, such a firepit looks much better than its portable counterparts.
If you want an authentic feel, choose a firepit that you can burn wood in. Just make sure the placement is strategic so it doesn’t interfere with the rest of your outdoor design or threaten your safety.
That said, a beautiful firepit is useless without proper seating. Circular stone or wooden benches around the firepit are a win-win choice. Swivel chairs work great too! In addition, you can take advantage of integrated pool firepits. They can turn your outdoor living space into something truly unique.
Related: Which Water and Fire Feature for Swimming Pools Are Trending?
How to Transform Your Outdoor Living Space
Whether you already have an outdoor living zone or are just thinking about designing one, keep the elements we’ve discussed in mind. Starting from the purpose of the space and ending with aesthetic appeal, backyard outdoor living space ideas can vary tremendously and be customized to your plans and visions.
By taking advantage of expert advice, you can transform your backyard into a beautiful relaxation oasis. California Pools can help you design a highly functional outdoor living space and turn it into your favorite room in the house. Find a location and get started today.
