The COVID-19 pandemic left numerous people rethinking priorities for future homes. Outdoor space is a top concern among individuals and must be carefully balanced with design and experience.
Having to stay at home for months on end during the health crisis highlighted the desirability, importance, and value of being around nature and fresh air.
We all need to get vitamin D from the sun and have a place for kids and pets to run around. Not everyone has a backyard, so if you’re one of the few lucky ones, make the most of it. Unwind, relax, and have fun.
If your backyard is a place you want to get away from rather than an elevated outdoor oasis, there’s a project calling out your name.
A patio is just the thing for you. You can draw on countless ideas, and the materials used add texture and character to the garden, where the eye is naturally drawn.
Before you jump into the project, there are several things you must take into account to realise your ideal outdoor space. Please continue reading to discover how to maximise the potential for how you can enjoy your space.
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Assess Your Backyard to Learn What Works and What Doesn’t
When planning an outdoor oasis, it’s crucial to clearly understand the space. Look at the backyard’s shape and size, not to mention the boundaries and surroundings, to understand how you might possibly use the garden. You can make a sketch to serve as a visual cue for what’s to come and prepare for the design decisions that should be made throughout the project.
Focus on what you like and don’t like about the backyard. You can make a list of your preferences and sort the options by priority with your family’s wants and needs in mind.
Establish what’s within your powers, given your time and lifestyle. Updating even the smallest space in your home is no easy feat, even if you’re a seasoned pro.
Building a patio is a sizable investment, so ensure it satisfies your needs and budget. You can make planning an enjoyable process by including your family’s ideas.
For instance, you can style your patio for outdoor dining. By the time the leaves change their colour, you’ll be enjoying all things comforting and cosy.
Include your loved ones in your decision-making and brainstorm possibilities to discover the best solutions for your home. Pay close attention to the soil type and areas where the sun shines, as this will determine where and what varieties of plants can be placed for the most successful outcome.
Patio Pavers Tend to Be More Expensive Than Concrete
Cost can be the deciding factor in your choice of material for the patio. Both pavers and concrete have comparable costs, yet pavers tend to be more expensive. Pavers are stones made of concrete, natural stone, clay brick, or porcelain; they’re available in various colours, textures, and patterns. Individual pavers aren’t expensive.
It’s just that laying pavers is more time-consuming and labour-intensive than pouring concrete. You could do it yourself, but the installation will go wrong if you’re not careful. Only professional landscapers know the ins and outs of paver installation.
The durability and strength of concrete means it can withstand large groups of people, outdoor furniture, and even cooking equipment.
Poured concrete makes a fantastic backyard patio, but your success depends on preparation. If you don’t mix the concrete well, it could cause problems. For example, a watery mix can reduce the strength of the dried concrete, making it more likely to crack.
Ready-mix concrete helps avoid such issues. Plus, it requires less time, effort, and money. The concrete stays fresh, so there’s no need to add water to the transported mix, earning maximum finishing time.
According to Titan Concrete, the key to placing an order is to provide detailed information and keep the requirements as simple as possible. Specify strength, slump, and aggregate size.
On Average, You’re Getting the Most Back for Your Money
You can expect a concrete patio to last up to 50 years if it’s properly installed and maintained. To make sure your outdoor oasis lasts as long as possible, clean it on a regular basis, apply sealers, avoid abrasive/destructive chemicals, and take into account the possibility of installing an overhead structure.
Having an attractive exterior and functional outdoor living space can add value to your home. Therefore, if you seek to improve your home’s sellability, it’s worth tackling such a project. Even if you’re not selling, you can remortgage your property to release the equity. You may be eligible for lower interest rates.
Avoid The Desire to Have a Bit of This and A Bit of That
It’s better to keep things simple if you want a stress-free home renovation project. Building a patio to upgrade your backyard will be more challenging, time-consuming, and expensive if you overcomplicate things.
Tempting as it might be to do this and that, you shouldn’t include all the elements you see and like because you’ll be disappointed with the result. Having just the essential things is better than having too many superfluous things.
Be certain there’s enough room for your guests and the amenities you want to include. Yet again, don’t overdo it. No matter how much inspiration you get, create a layout that suits you and your family’s dreams.
The patio can serve as a dining area, outdoor lounge, or game room that you and your loved ones can enjoy throughout the year. Have different kinds of seating, opt for one colour of upholstery fabric, and incorporate trees and tall plants.
To give the backyard a dreamy oasis feel, add an area rug. It will protect the feet from splinters and other rough surfaces. All the elements in your garden should be in harmony. Making additions to your home is a chance to get creative and bring your loved ones together. You can work smarter by observing and imitating the environment around you.
Final Thoughts
The best outdoor space is a seamless blend of what’s made by people and what occurs naturally. The patio is the social centre of your garden, so design it perfectly.
