Think About Furniture And Lighting For Your Outdoor Living Space

By Author: Jonathan Trott
Total Articles: 77
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If you backyard is barren and you're looking to create an outdoor living space, there are a few things you need to consider. Here's a few helpful tips to make your outdoor living area a special retreat.
First, check with local city codes if you need a permit to create an outdoor living space. Areas that may require a permit may include patios poured out of concrete, decks, porches, water features and anything that may include electrical installation. Be certain before excavating that there are no buried sprinkler systems, electricity, gas pipes, cable wires, etc.. In some areas you can call 1-800-MISS-DIG and they will come and mark underground utilities so you can plan your outdoor garden area around underground utilities.
Once you've cleared it with the city and know where any buried utilities may be, you can plan the size, shape and location of your outdoor living space and browse for outdoor garden furniture.
Browse at what type of garden furniture is available and what suits your style. Do you like sitting on a glider or garden bench? What about an Adirondack chair or a patio set complete with an ...
... umbrella? There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to your patio furniture, so we'll help you break it down.
Decide how many people you may realistically entertain in your outdoor living area. Would you most likely have 6 or 8 guests, 12 or 20 or maybe just 4? Once you have a number in mind, consider the size of each piece of outdoor furniture you will need to seat each guest. Do you want furniture that is easily and quickly transferred from the garage to the outdoor living area or do you want a more permanent design with all the patio furniture already set up? Whatever your answer is, this will help you decide what type of patio furniture to look for.
If you're stumped on what outdoor garden furniture to choose, an idea may consist of having a patio set large enough for 6 guests and one or two cozy, outdoor living spaces nearby with 2 comfortable patio chairs and a small table in each area for more intimate conversations. Incorporating a garden bench or glider may also fit nicely into these spaces.
Of course, you'll want to incorporate your favorite BBQ grill into your outdoor living area, too along with your garden furniture. When choosing your BBQ grill, decide if you want it to be a gas grill, electric grill, charcoal grill or even a small, table top grill. Be sure to incorporate enough space for your barbecue grill into your outdoor living area, not only for the grill itself but located a safe distance from the house and your patio seating to allow for sparks, heat and elbow room that your favorite chef needs!
One way to figure out the size, shape and design of your outdoor living area is to get out a garden hose and lay it out on the ground. Play with shapes. Do you want an oval shaped patio, a square one or something totally abstract? Decide what the outdoor living space floor will consist of. Will it be concrete, slate, patio blocks, a wood deck or paver bricks? To make sure your outdoor living space is large enough, jot down the dimensions of some of the patio furniture you like. Make a cardboard or paper template that fits those dimensions and lay them on the ground. Be sure you have plenty of elbow room between guests and a lot of space for walking around various pieces of patio furniture. Incorporate enough space in the aisle ways so guests can pass one another while still not bumping into someone who's sitting down.
Consider the edges of your outdoor living space. What will determine its edge? Will you have a railing around this area? Will it be raised from the rest of the garden? Make sure there's plenty of room at the edge of the outdoor living area and that you have safety measures in place so no one trips and falls off the edge. Your local city codes may have specific requirements about your edges and what they should consist of and at what height. The last thing you want to have happen is for someone to fall off and get hurt.
Before you construct your patio, consider having electricity installed in your outdoor living space. Often times, as you continue to enjoy this newly created oasis in your backyard, you will find reasons to need electricity. You may want to plug in outdoor lights, a stereo system, an electric grill, a spot light, plug in a fan, need electricity for a water feature and a variety of other things. So, consider having electricity installed outside and a couple circuits.
Once you've decided on what size, shape and location of your outdoor living area, have checked with local city codes, purchased your favorite outdoor patio furniture and BBQ grill, it's time to have fun accessorizing! There are a lot of things you can add to your outdoor living space to make it uniquely ‘you'.
You can create your own, personalized outdoor living space by accessorizing it with your favorite garden décor items which may include cool looking bird houses, garden statues, a garden fountain or new water feature. You may also consider and outdoor clock, outdoor thermometer, stepping stones, a variety of garden art, wind chimes, gazing balls or whimsical plant stakes. No patio area is complete without pretty potted plants or hanging flower baskets. There's a wide variety of patio planters, patio pots and hanging baskets that will suit your taste including molded bonsai pots if you're going for a more Asian flare, pots made out of tree bark for a more rustic, natural flavor and Victorian style pots for those who want a more formal look.
No matter what ‘flavor' your outdoor living space may consist of, every outdoor living area can benefit by creating a warm ambiance with from incorporating soft lights into the design. Some lighting options may include table top candles, fire pots, citronella candles or candles of any kind, large fire bowls or even an outdoor fire pit. (Check your local city ordinances to see if you can have an outdoor fire pit or fire bowl.) Floating candles in a transparent, glass bowl is also a nice feature and can be enjoyed as part of a centerpiece on your patio table. Of course, you would also want lighting around any stairs, entrance to your home and other important areas. Play around with some lighting options to see what fits your needs.
With a bit of forethought and planning you can create an outdoor living space that truly fits your style and provides the relaxation and entertainment options you desire.
Find more information relating to outdoor living, and outdoor living products here.