Your home is (and should be) cohesive, which means that it is important to connect indoor and outdoor spaces to feel more intentional and ‘together.’ Creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living will add great value, not only to your house, but also to your way of life! Whether you live in the middle of nowhere with plenty of open space or in the heart of a city, a little ingenuity and innovative thinking can transform your outside space into an extension of your home.
Here are a few ways to intentionally design and/or redesign your space:
Consider The Physical Connection Between The Two Spaces
If you are learning how to connect indoor and outdoor spaces, one of the most crucial considerations to make is how you physically connect them. It is important to note that it is entirely dependent on your house; for example, if you live in an old Victorian home, tearing out walls to install bi-fold doors may not be the best option. However, if you are able to do so, consider how you can nearly or completely eliminate the barrier that exists between the two living areas. Having large apertures will allow you to optimize the amount of space available.
You can look at having patio doors put in or French door replacement options.
Decorate The Exterior Walls
The addition of lights and garden walls will aid in the creation of an extremely stunning outdoor space. Choose items that are simple to carry in and out of the house to protect them from the weather, or if you intend to leave them outside all year, make sure they are either weatherproof or can withstand the weathered appearance.
Ceramics that are specifically made to be left outside are also a good idea to add! Water-resistant canvases and outdoor wall sculptures could also elevate your outdoor area and make it feel more like a ‘home.’ If you’re into a more contemporary look, vintage enamel signage also works nicely when hung on exterior brick walls to provide a more ‘hipster’ feel to the space.
In order to hang your pieces from a hedge rather than a wall or fence, the struts must be fitted inside the branches. There are a variety of floor and table options that are specifically suited for usage outside as well
Consider Installing An Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens, whether fully functional or just a simple cooking area, are becoming more and more fashionable these days. People prefer to entertain outside rather than in the kitchen, mostly because they do not want to be confined to the kitchen.
Consider installing a gas-fueled barbeque, whether it is powered by a gas bottle or by main gas, and make sure there is plenty of space for food preparation and storage. You can also install outdoor sinks to make the cleanup process a lot less difficult to manage.
Consider New Flooring
Even though grass turf will dominate your outdoor space, you can also think about patio slabbing or a different type of ground/flooring. Although it is not typically recommended, you can consider continuing the same type of flooring from the house to the first portion of your outdoor space, particularly if you have an overhead covering. This has the additional benefit of making both places appear even larger than they already are.
Natural materials, such as woods and stones, can be used both indoors and outside; however, care must be taken to ensure that they are non-slip. Tiling can also be used to create a patterned effect in a bathroom. These, on the other hand, might become highly slippery in damp weather.
Try To Facilitate A Single-Level Space
This one can be challenging, especially if your outside space was not originally constructed in this manner. However, if you’re open to some remodeling, you can consider removing/adding steps or even making a ramp to build a seamless connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces. This removes the presence of a boundary and a physical difference between the two rooms, allowing them to flow and connect more fluidly with one another.
Construct a Covered Area & Heating
Creating a covered area shields you from the elements and allows you to use your outdoor spaces without interruption. You have the option of selecting a fixed, permanent covering or something more flexible and temporary to cover your space. You could also consider installing gazebos over the seating area, or awnings on the side of the house to provide shade.
Along with covered areas, you may want to consider heating (or cooling) depending on where you live. You can opt for heat lamps or fire pits, of course, but it may be advantageous to consider installing a more permanent system, especially if you plan on being in your home for the long-term. Just be sure you have enough ventilation and that there are no potential fire hazards before installing anything.
For other home tips, head to our Home Improvement page!
Featured Image Credit: Arcwind
Home » Blog » Lifestyle » Home Improvement »