Outdoor spaces - get ready for spring!

Outdoor living spaces enable you to expand your home in many ways. You can create casual or formal spaces and connect them visually, if not physically, to your home.   Take an inventory of your outdoor spaces and try to work one of these features into your space for optimal  use.

1) Create a physical structure for your outdoor space.  While many of us don't have the space or desire for a screened-in porch, even a simple boundary for a patio, makes a nice transition. Can you put up a pergola, wind  sail, fence, or simply create a visual distinction in the yard? 

A series of lock-together boards make an
instant space for outdoor living.

2) Create a destination point for family and guests. Stone patios, pools, hot tubs, gazebos or screen houses can be placed at the further edge of the property. The destination point becomes another room to gather and relax. Don't limit yourself to a flat space, but consider tiers, a rolling hill, and even a spot at the top of a terrace.   Consider the  effect of having a  vegetable gardens as the focal point  If you cook frequently, it would be ideal to have some garden beds close to a patio. Then, as you dine and relax, having herbs and vegetables ready to use nearby, is fragrant, beautiful, and fabulous for entertaining. Dress up the beds with iron ornamentation for a traditional feel, and LED lights for gathering at night.

Ipe, teak and other sustainable woods
look gorgeous with and without being oiled.

3) Select the right furniture. When you live in a seasonal climate -if you don't have the luxury of storing everything indoors - you are likely going to leave your furniture outdoors year round.   Teak and Ipe are both tropical woods that can be exposed to the elements. They are both durable and sustainable (be sure the products are from harvested forests) and even if left untreated by oils, develop a traditional gray patina. Eucalyptus, metal and coated wicker are other durable options.  It's a good idea to get furniture covers so you won't have to scrub your furniture after a cold, wet winter.  Standard tables and chairs that meet your need are a good choice, as are wooden swings, Adirondack chairs, and benches, that add style.

A do-it-yourself pottery fountain for a small
space. 

4) Water features like ponds, pools and fountains do add a special touch to an outdoor room, Gathering around a pool to stay cool and watching children at play evokes summer memories even in winter. An attractive feature looks good year-round even when not in use. For smaller spaces, ponds and pools are challenging, but fountains can be made or purchased to suit every space. Wall mounted, table-top, and corner fountains are ideal for apartments and balconies. How about a hot tub as the centerpiece of your yard?  With welcoming steps up to a deck, and a series of comfy floor pillows, a small hot tub is ideal for tiny yards.

String lights and lanterns add light over
a pergola covered dining table.

5) Light it up for best use. With so many efficient options for outdoor lighting - from LED ropes, to strands of mini-lights, to flameless candles that 'burn' 5 hours then turn off and on at the same times - it's easy to find something that works for you.  Be sure to hang some lights as well as place others at ground level for good night visibility.  As with indoors, use lighting as accents on plants, trees, hanging baskets, architectural elements and table tops.