Making Outdoor Spaces

One of the best things about moving from an apartment to a home of your own is having your own outdoor spaces to enjoy. Whether you've got a few acres or only a few square yards, there's plenty you can do to maximize your outdoor spaces and really appreciate what you've got. Here are just a few outdoor improvements you can make to your home.

Play

From a very early age, you were probably programmed to think of outdoor time as playtime. As an adult, you may not think of it as play, but you definitely spend time outside. Simply by having sports or gaming equipment like softball gloves or a soccer ball, you can transform your whole outdoor space into a play area. Play isn't just for kids; pools, sports equipment, and other outdoor activities provide entertainment and exercise for all ages. It's easy to think that as you grow you need less playtime but that simply isn't true. Adults need exercise and fresh air just as much as kids do, they're just better able to pretend they don't.

Work

With so many people working remotely, when you think about working at home it's easy to think "home office" first and "workshop" second, but office work is not the main type of work done in the home. Homes need repair work and that means having somewhere to do that kind of work. Do you even have the tools to make repairs and a space outside to do work like cutting wood or painting shelves? Having a place outside where you can do messy or smelly jobs is often the first step towards being able to do those kinds of jobs yourself. That might mean a dedicated workshop, but any outdoor space can become a workshop with a few sawhorses and the right tools.

Eat

Eating and drinking with friends or family is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and enhance your whole meal. If you have space for a fire pit, barbecue, or grill, you can even do some of your cooking outside. If you have a cooler and somewhere to put it, you can bring drinks outside as well. Cooking outside is a great way to break up the monotony of indoor dining and bring fresh ideas and experiences to your tired menu. You might even start a fruit or vegetable garden to add fresh produce to your menu.

Socialize

Bringing food and drink outside allows you to socialize outside more, but you can't do that without somewhere comfortable to sit. One of the main features of an inviting outdoor space is seating and tables. That can be as simple as plastic lawn furniture or as complex as built-in seating. It's also a good idea to create some boundaries and protection for your guests. For example, a fence or other division can shield you from prying eyes, an umbrella can provide shade and refuge from the sun, and citronella candles can drive away mosquitoes and other pests.

Enjoy

You should do whatever you need to do to make sure that you enjoy your outdoor spaces. That might mean clearing out space to make room for the equipment you use most often, but it might also mean cultivating a beautiful garden; something you can really feast your eyes on while you're relaxing outside. Yard design is as personalized as home design. You may have the same broad ideas about what you want to do with your yard, but in the end, what makes it home is what makes it unique to you.

Your outdoor spaces are yours to enjoy, so make the most of them. Make sure you have spaces to play and work as well as spaces for eating and drinking. Whether your yard is big or small, shady or sunny, sheltered or open, you can always make the most of it. Well-designed and well-maintained outdoor spaces can provide fun for the whole family.