At Raymar Landscapes, we believe your outdoor space should inspire you to spend more time outside. Part of creating a landscape you love is making it functional for your family. When tailored to your lifestyle, your backyard becomes a secondary living area that’s just as comfortable as your indoor space. Let’s learn more about outdoor living rooms and how to create one in your own backyard.
What is an Outdoor Living Room?
An outdoor living room is an extension of your indoor space, designed to be just as comfortable. Outdoor living space allows time spent outdoors to feel like second nature. A great starting place for an outdoor living room includes covered patios, porches, pavilions and more.
Regardless of the style you choose, your outdoor living room will offer many benefits that you’re sure to enjoy.
Why Build an Outdoor Living Room?
More Space to Relax
Most people spend their time indoors or watching TV. Having an outdoor living room allows you to swap indoor time for outdoor relaxation. Research shows that spending time outside in a natural setting can also help reduce stress.
Increase Your Property Value
If you see the benefits of a dedicated outdoor living space, a potential future owner probably will, too. An outdoor living area addition can take your landscape from ordinary to extraordinarily beautiful.
Year-round Comfort
Sitting outside in extreme heat or cold temperatures isn’t always enjoyable. With an outdoor living room, you can add features such as a ceiling fan or patio heater to extend your usage throughout the year.
In Canada, it may not be possible to enjoy your outdoor living area 365 days a year, but incorporating intentional features catered to your climate can help you maximize your investment.
Make Entertaining Easy
If you’d like to entertain family and friends at your home but aren’t sure if you have the space, adding an outdoor living room can solve that dilemma. With a backyard designed for hosting, guests have more room to spread out and enjoy your beautiful landscape.
Connect with Nature More
An outdoor living room can help you achieve your goal of spending more time in nature. With a convenient space to sit and relax right in your backyard, the decision to spend time outdoors becomes easier.
After deciding to add an outdoor living room to your landscape, where should you start? Let’s look at how to design an outdoor living area.
Step 1 – Choosing the Location of Your Outdoor Living Room
The most important consideration in creating the ultimate outdoor living room is location. If your backyard is on the smaller side, you may have fewer options, but that doesn’t mean your experience has to be compromised.
Sun and Shade
Consider the levels of sun and shade in areas of your yard throughout the day. This also changes depending on the time of year.
You’ll want to choose a location that gets your preferred level of sun at the time of day when you’re most likely to use the space. If you’re adding a shade structure or roof covering, consider how that will affect your desired sun levels.
Privacy
Another step in choosing the location is considering the privacy of your landscape. If your backyard isn’t very private, you may want to consider installing a fence if you want to spend time outside without your neighbours peeking in.
Access
Consider the ease of access to your outdoor living room from your home. If you plan to entertain guests, select a spot close to your home’s back entrance for the best accessibility.
Step 2 – Defining the Space
Now that you’ve selected the location for your outdoor living room, think about how you want the space to look and feel.
Outdoor Living Room Coverings
Adding a roof or covering to your outdoor living room will help make it more comfortable, blocking out rain, debris and some wind.
Our top recommendations for your living area are:
Pergola
This is an open-frame structure that adds shade. It’s typically made of wood, timber or metal for longevity.
Retractable Cover
A retractable cover can be integrated into a pergola or attached to your home. This allows you to adjust the amount of sun you want on your space, and stow the shade cover away completely when you want open air above you instead.
Roof Structure or Porch
For a more permanent solution, consider adding a roof structure that extends from your home. This offers more weather protection than other solutions, creating a full-shade option.
Gazebo or Pavilion
Both gazebos and pavilions are free-standing, open-sided structures that offer great shade support.
A gazebo is typically built in an octagonal or round structure, which creates a decorative feature in your landscape.
A pavilion is typically square or rectangular and provides excellent protection, similar to other roof structures.
Alternatives
If you choose not to incorporate a structure into your outdoor living space, a divider or enclosure is a lower-cost solution that still offers privacy.
Paths and Base Material
Use pathways or paving stones to define the path to your outdoor living room and add a unique charm. As well, landscaping details such as plantings can be used to direct sightlines and create a defined space.
Use a durable base for your outdoor living area, such as a concrete pad or paving stones. You can add decorative outdoor flooring or rugs to create a more indoor, homey feel.
Step 3 – Selecting Features
After establishing your space, it’s time to fill it with functional features, such as furniture.
When choosing outdoor furniture, look for pieces that suit your style while offering comfortable and weather-resistant materials. Generally, aluminum, teak and weather-proof wicker are great options. The type of space you’re designing will affect the types of furniture you need, whether that be an outdoor dining set or lounge seating.
Also, look for multi-functional pieces that incorporate storage to maximize space.
Step 4 – Keeping it Comfortable
Since the outdoors can be a bit unpredictable, adding climate control options to your outdoor living area can keep everyone comfortable. In the warmer months, the most crucial consideration is shade. Additionally, you can consider installing a ceiling fan if your outdoor living room has a complete roof covering.
For the cooler months, a fire pit or patio heater is a great option to warm things up. Climate If your space is on the smaller side, try something cozy yet compact, like a fire table.
Step 5 – Setting the Scene
Lighting
Illuminate your landscape with ambient lighting options that create a calm atmosphere after dusk. Of course, there are also vibrant LED lighting options available if you prefer something more colourful and exciting!
One of the best ways to incorporate lighting into your outdoor space is by creating an innovative lighting design that includes multiple styles. String bulb lights, landscape lighting and architectural lighting are all great ways to light your backyard.
Decorating
It’s easy to decorate your outdoor space with plants and other pieces! With proper landscaping expertise, your backyard plants can complement each other and your outdoor living area effortlessly.
Another decorative but beautiful option for your outdoor space is a water feature. From small bubbling rocks to extravagant ponds, a water feature can be adapted to fit any space. The soothing sounds of flowing water can offer a unique kind of serenity for your outdoor space.
Entertainment
Add in features you’ll actually use! This could include an outdoor speaker system, a projector screen for movie nights, or even a putting green to practice your golf skills.
An outdoor living room that reflects your lifestyle is one you’ll be excited to use.
Conclusion
An outdoor living room is a versatile and valuable addition to any backyard. It can completely transform how you use your space, encouraging you to spend more time outdoors.
If you have questions about creating a more useful, enjoyable backyard space, we’re here to help. Bringing a professional landscaping team on board can greatly benefit your project, ensuring each detail is tailored to your needs and executed with precision.
Contact us to start the conversation about your outdoor living room today!