Have outdoor living ideas but not sure how to implement them? Wondering how to increase your home value with outdoor upgrades like landscaping and a deck? Looking for ways to incorporate covered outdoor living spaces into your alfresco entertaining without losing sun-drenched ground?
The pros at Brothers Grimm are here for you! We’re not just experts at inground pool design – we’ve also got lots of outdoor living space ideas for maximizing your property’s potential.
We frequently encounter homeowners who’d like to use their outdoor space for something specific – like gardening, entertaining or hosting family volleyball competitions – but don’t know how to shape it to those activities.
To help you make the most of your property, we break down our seasoned advice for planning outdoor living space ideas that dovetail with your family’s lifestyle.
Planning Your Outdoor Living Space
Every great design starts with a plan. Here are the three things you need to consider when planning for outdoor spaces designed to your unique needs:
Purpose and Lifestyle Needs
First, how do you plan to use your outdoor space? Would you like it to be a peaceful retreat from your hectic work life? Do you have young kids or teens who would hang out at home more if you had outdoor living spaces with a pool in the backyard? Is your home the hub where extended family gathers for events throughout the year? Thinking through your lifestyle and the purpose your space serves to support it will help you define the types of outdoor spaces you need.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Does your property see big seasonal changes throughout the year? Or do you live in an area that’s hot and sunny all the time? How much natural shade do you get from trees or surrounding buildings? Evaluating the effects of your home’s typical weather patterns can help you balance covered outdoor living spaces with uncovered areas for maximum comfort. Climate is also an important consideration for selecting the best building materials that can stand up to coastal winds, heavy rain, frigid temps or unrelenting sun exposure.
Space and Limitations
It may sound elementary, but the size of your outdoor space may limit what you can do with it. Be sure to carefully measure the length and width of your property before planning any installations or custom landscaping design. And if an inground pool is on your wish list, you might want to get familiar with Ohio’s building codes and pool regulations. These vary by county, so getting help from an experienced inground pool designer like Brothers Grimm is always a safe bet.
Outdoor Living Space Ideas
Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on your lifestyle aspirations, climate conditions and space limitations, it’s time for the fun part – dreaming up the outdoor living space ideas that will make your alfresco plans a reality! Here are some of our faves for expanding your home’s usable square footage by taking it outside.
Outdoor Kitchen
If you love alfresco dining but hate being stuck indoors cooking while everyone else socializes outside, you need an outdoor kitchen. Start with a grill, of course, but then level up with built-in outdoor prep counters, a working sink and fridge, a brick pizza oven, storage and more. These amenities work best in covered outdoor living spaces that are connected to the house, making electrical and plumbing access easier.
Pool and Spa
Nothing says summer luxury like an inground pool – except a pool that’s enhanced by luxurious landscaping! Luckily, Brothers Grimm can combine pool installation and custom landscaping design for a seamless experience and breathtaking results. From tropical plants that create a vacation feel at home to built-in seating that integrates with the pool’s functionality to an adjacent hot tub that delivers the year-round comfort of an at-home spa, we do it all.
Deck
A deck is a natural extension of your home. Whether you choose the incredible durability of composite materials or the eco-friendliness of kiln-treated lumber, a deck supports nearly unlimited outdoor living space ideas. It can be the connection between your house and your inground pool or the anchor for luxurious landscaping that integrates your home into your yard. And if your backyard has a steep grade, a tiered deck with joining stairways allows easier and safer access with multiple outdoor living spaces along the way.
Outdoor Living Room
What’s better than relaxing on the patio in nice weather? Kicking back in an outdoor living room no matter what Mother Nature rains down! That’s the beauty of a three-season covered outdoor living space that features a ceiling fan for cooling breezes and built-in heaters for tempering chilly weather. Add comfy seating, a few snuggly throws and accent lighting from outdoor-rated tabletop or floor lamps – and you’ve got a true extension of your indoor living space in the midst of the great outdoors, rain or shine!
Other Outdoor Features
Want even more outdoor living ideas? Once you’ve designated and created your covered or uncovered outdoor living spaces, you can really amp up the overall design by adding extras like these:
Water Feature
Even if you don’t have the room or desire for an outdoor living space with a pool attached to it, you can add the relaxing presence of water to your alfresco areas in other ways. We love the serenity of koi ponds, fountains, natural-looking waterfalls and other backyard water features that aren’t swimming pools! They can help reduce noise pollution and relieve stress while enhancing natural wildlife habitats and elevating your everyday enjoyment of your property.
Fireplace
One of our favorite outdoor living ideas is an open-air fireplace. Whether it’s a soaring brick creation off the deck or a wall-mounted electrical unit under a covered outdoor living space, a fireplace creates a dramatic focal point while adding welcoming warmth to year-round outdoor living.
Landscaping
The best way to integrate any outdoor living space ideas into your overall property is with luxurious landscaping. Thoughtfully placed trees, shrubs and garden beds soften the edges of hardscapes like patios and decks while inviting restful relaxation. Brothers Grimm offers custom landscaping design services tailored to your space and aesthetic style.
Start Designing Your Dream Outdoor Living Space
Ready to dive into your wildest outdoor living ideas? Brothers Grimm can help you make them a reality with a wide range of services delivered with care by our experienced crews. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started creating outdoor living spaces that elevate your home!