Six Tips for Designing the Perfect Outdoor Living Space

As spring gives way to summer, you’re no doubt looking forward to spending plenty of time outside with your family — enjoying your lawn, yard and patio to the fullest from sunrise to sunset and beyond.

The warm months are the perfect time of year, especially in beautiful Bucks County, for enjoying your exterior property to the fullest. As the seasons change this year, consider creating a luxury outdoor retreat for you and your family to enjoy for years to come with a few innovative design ideas from Hallmark Homes Group.

Extend your Home

Creating a sense of cohesion between your indoor and outdoor areas is a great way to open the house up to the outdoors. You can do this by using area rugs, furniture color, style choices and exterior paint color schemes that reflect those of the space just inside the back doors. This can help to create a harmonious transition from one space to the next.

Harmonize the Hardscape

Ideally, the main exterior gathering area should be an even, flat surface for furniture. Popular choices are flagstones, paving stones, concrete, tile, artificial grass, bricks and wooden decks. Similar to furniture and color schemes, the texture and tones you choose can be an extension of the interior themes of your home.

Pick a Purpose

Establishing a primary use for the majority of the space can help guide your outside design. If you love to entertain guests, a dining set could be your central focus. If evening visits are popular, perhaps couches, chairs and low-top tables arranged in a forum-type formation is a winning strategy.

Set the Scene with Landscaping

Your landscape design is your outdoor retreat’s decor, so having a plan for grass, bushes and perennials is a good idea. If your outdoor living space is sparse, container gardening could be the best option for you. Container gardens are inexpensive and maintenance is easy.

Heat it Up

Summer afternoons are perfect for cooking outside, so a propane-powered BBQ grill is a great idea. Plus, when a sunset cookout turns to an evening of stargazing, consider keeping the cool nighttime air at bay by installing a fireplace or a fire pit. These features are perfect year-round for staying cozy and roasting s’mores.

Let it Flow

An exterior water feature such as a pond, fountain or waterfall will help make your outdoor oasis a place of relaxation. The subtle sound of flowing water can help you and your guests unwind all the more for maximum enjoyment of the warm weather. In addition, you can enhance the appeal with outdoor lights which reflect on the water and set an enchanting evening mood.

Creating luxury outdoor spaces is a great way to maximize your enjoyment of the summer months and even into fall! Hallmark can help you make the perfect design choices for your outdoor living space. Contact us to learn more about new homes with plenty of exterior space for designing the perfect outdoor retreat.