Ten Tips for a Backyard that Keeps You Outside

Ten Tips for a Backyard that Keeps You Outside

Sadly summer is a fading memory. But don’t pack up the BBQ grills just yet. There is still time to enjoy some relaxing days and nights in your own backyard. The problem for most Northeast Ohio homeowners is that we never quite get enough summer. The season is so short and we are usually left to the mercy of an unpredictable, and often crabby, Mother Nature. So how do we squeeze every last drop of sunshine and fun out of this fall and stay outside as long as possible?

The only way to really make the most of our backyard days and nights is to plan ahead. Way ahead.  A great backyard doesn’t happen over a weekend. Having the outdoor living room of your dreams may mean starting now to be ready for next spring.

The marketplace understands our desperation to extend the outdoor season and has responded with great products.  Fire pits started showing up in backyards across Northeast Ohio and then came propane heaters. But the very best backyards in town feature elaborate stone fireplaces, covered rooms, and patios.  A well planned covered or screened porch can be the very best way to make the most of your backyard. The creativity, design and functionality of these backyard living spaces gets better every year. A great spaces means we are entertaining friends, or just enjoying the solitude of the backyard well beyond the summer months.

While the majority of Hurst’s work is done on the inside of clients’ homes, more and more clients are looking to Hurst to extend their living and entertaining space to the backyard.  As Cleveland's top remodeler we have become experts at helping clients plan great backyard living spaces.  Whether it is a screened porch, an outdoor kitchen, or a functional front porch, here are a few things we have learned to make the most of your outdoor living space…

Whether it is a screened porch, an outdoor kitchen, or a functional front porch, here are a few things we have learned to make the most of your outdoor living space…

1. Make the space large enough to entertain family and friends, but create separate spaces that are intimate and cozy.
2. A fireplace is a must for early spring and fall nights. It can be the focal point of the space, adding style and function.
3. Make sure one part of the space is covered and safe from the elements so you can still enjoy the yard despite the Northeast Ohio weather.
4. Making the space feel private with walls, curtains, or landscape will help you relax whether you are reading a book, cooking for friends, or enjoying a glass of wine by the fire.
5. Keep the space fresh with colorful accessories or painted touches.
6. Create separate seating areas for dining or lounging by the fireplace. You can create kids’ areas with low cushioned stools or smaller furniture pieces.
7. Incorporate nature into your plans, after all that’s why we want to be outside. Surround the space with landscape or a water element and use containers to soften the space with flowers and planted herbs and vegetables.
8. Don’t forget lighting. Candles, wall sconces, and hanging lights from trees and umbrellas all add to the ambiance of a great outdoor space.
9. Add an outdoor television or speaker system to get even more enjoyment from your new living space.
10. Plan ahead. The planning and construction of a great space can take time when done well. So if you are planning a spring dinner party or a fall clambake, you can still pray for sunshine and no sideways rain, but the best thing you can do is design a space that will let you enjoy the outdoors no matter what the forecast.