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When you build outdoor durable spaces at home or at a business, you give yourself the peace of mind of knowing you have made a wise investment. Durability goes hand in hand with safety, and also helps bring costs down over the long term. But what does this really entail when transforming an outdoor space at the back of the house or office? From buying the right kinds of furniture for the outdoors to installing layered planting ideas, here are some suggestions.
Consider the Surfaces
Transforming your backyard means making it more feature-rich, inviting, and practical. Patios, fire pits, and other sought-after enrichments help bring an outdoor space together and appeal to pretty much everyone. However, there are some, such as pathways and driveways, that add as much form and they do function. With materials like crusher run, a driveway installation or refurbishment will be able to withstand the weather while providing much-needed safety.
Buy Furniture for Durable Outdoor Spaces
In the UK alone, the outdoor garden furniture business is worth $1.8 billion, and they don’t even have great weather! Half of that probably comes from people buying cheap furniture each year and replacing it. However, investing in high-quality and durable garden furniture is better:
- Buy reliable brands from reputable stores, but buy before the summer to beat costs.
- Consider how often the furniture will be used, as this will impact general wear and tear.
- Consider materials designed for outdoor use, such as rattan, plastic, and aluminium.
Invest in Washable Fabrics
Being comfortable outside is kind of the whole point of making some investments in the yard and garden space. Cushions, blankets, shade covers, and even outdoor rugs are pretty common these days. However, because they are used outside, the weather can take its toll on them. But when you purchase items made with durable fabrics, they are much hardier and easier to maintain. Canvas can be wiped down, and materials like polyester are easier to clean.
Incorporate Different Shading
Whether it’s at work or at home, people love being outdoors. Taking a break, making the most of the sun, or even enjoying a cheeky vape are all common reasons why family, friends, and colleagues spend time outside throughout the day. However, the weather doesn’t always agree, and rain, wind, and even intense sun can make being outdoors intolerable. Simple shading, such as pergolas, awnings, and parasols, will stand up to the weather and provide shelter.
Create Durable Outdoor Spaces with Privacy
In the US, 75% to 81% of homes have a backyard, and most people enjoy their space. However, you can also feel exposed in your own sanctuary. From a contemporary French country home to a park-facing apartment, privacy is a major concern in your own home.
Use any available natural plants
Plants and shrubs provide shade and cover from prying eyes. Position your outdoor lounge area to take advantage of any natural elements that can help keep your private space just that.
Install necessary fencing
You won’t always have access to natural elements that can provide privacy. Fencing is a great way to add more privacy to your outdoor space while remaining relatively inexpensive, too.
Think about where you place furniture
If you have an ample enough space, you can craft your leisure area away from the view of others. You can position loungers and tables out of the view of neighboring windows.
You should never feel unsafe or exposed in your own home. However, being outside comes with some challenges. You might be positioned in full view of a neighbor. In this case, privacy will be needed, and fencing, natural trees and shrubs, and strategic placement of furniture will help.
Define Zones for Different Activities
There are many reasons why we need outdoor space. At home, you might want somewhere to enjoy the sun, read a good book, or dine al fresco. At a business, there might be a need for outdoor meeting space, lunch breaks, and smoking areas. Zones are the perfect way to divide up the available space and help everyone get what they need from it. For example, you could allocate a certain space for dining and outdoor cooking, and another area for cozy seating.
Carefully Consider the Lighting
Lighting is as functional as it is stylish. As with the home, lighting can make or break a space outside. Whether it’s at your business or in your home garden, lighting plays a key role in aesthetics as well as safety. For any garden space to truly be enjoyed to its fullest potential, you must master the lighting side of things. Solar lamps, LED string lights, and overhead lights all provide the layers needed for a lighting scheme to look great while ensuring everyone is safe.
Durable Outdoor Spaces with Layered Planting
Around 55% of adults enjoy gardening, but you don’t need a green thumb to appreciate what nature has to offer. A garden space is much more enjoyable when it is interesting, and layered planting provides something unique to experience in your very backyard sanctuary:
- Use tall structural plants such as evergreens and flowering shrubs at the back.
- Arrange plants by height so the largest are at the back and the shortest are closer.
- Shorter perennials will help you get a complete look and prevent obstructions.
Combine Different Textures
Good gardens come with plants and lights. Great ones engage all the senses! A combination of lighting, shading, and colors is stunning in any garden. However, a more sensory experience will elevate any outdoor space into something everyone wants to enjoy. You can combine different textures, such as hard stone, with the softness of grass and turf. Contrasting elements like these are excellent for adding a sense of depth and discovery to your outdoor environment.
The surfaces of pathways and driveways are critical for building durable outdoor spaces. Of course, no one wants to stay in a place that doesn’t feel safe, so privacy is essential. Combining different textures lifts the atmosphere and aesthetics of the outdoor space in the home or office.
