During the warm summer months, you likely want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. You may want to host large summer barbecues or you just want a space where you can relax after a long day at work. Fortunately, there are several ways you can transform your yard into an outdoor oasis that you and all of your guests will never want to leave. Plus, the right exterior upgrades can increase your home’s value as well. Here are a few ways you can create the ultimate outdoor living space.

Focus on a Central Gathering Area

As you create your outdoor oasis, you want a central gathering space. This could be something as simple as a picnic table or some patio furniture. As you consider your main gathering place, consider the type of events you want to hold in your yard. Will there be large gatherings or just a few guests at your home? Will you be enjoying large meals or just discussing the events of the day with a drink in hand? For larger, more significant events, you may want to create large gathering areas such as wooden decks with patio furniture and tables. For those more quiet gatherings, you may consider placing comfortable chairs around a fire pit.

Plant Fresh Flowers

You want to create an outdoor living space that is bright and cheery. You want a space that appears well maintained and that is eye-catching. One way to create this colourful, gorgeous area is to plant fresh flowers. You can plant flowers in large planters and place them on your patios, along walkways, etc. If you have flower beds around your yard, plant a variety of flowers that feature many colours and textures.

If you don’t have a green thumb or you are a beginning gardener, you can still have gorgeous, full flowerbeds. A few flowers that are easy to grow and do not require too much maintenance and care include:

• Marigolds
• Morning Glories
• Pansies
• Petunias
• Sunflowers
• Coneflowers
• Lavender

Enhance your Home’s Privacy

As you spend time in your outdoor living space, you must feel safe and secure. You need strong privacy measures around your yard to keep unwanted individuals and animals away. Luckily, there are several ways you can enhance the privacy around your outdoor living space and some options cost very little. A few ideas include:

Fences: You may want to install a fence around your property. There are several types of fences that not only enhance your privacy but will improve your home’s security as well. A few popular fence options include wood, cement, and vinyl.

Plants and Trees: Trees and plants are popular privacy options as they help to block noise and add greenery and texture to your outdoor living area. A few popular options include the arborvitae, Boxwood, and Holly.

Privacy Wall: A privacy wall provides immediate privacy in your yard. You can place this wall on your patio or in certain areas in your landscaping. You can also find privacy walls made from a variety of materials, making it easy to find a product that complements the design of your home.

Create Shade

As you spend time outdoors, you need to be comfortable. Even on the hottest summer days, you want a place outside that is comfortable and away from the harsh UV rays. As you create the ultimate outdoor area, enhance the shade in your outdoor space. You can build a covered patio or a pergola to create some shaded areas in the backyard. If you want a more cost-friendly option that is fast and easy to install, consider a large shade umbrella or a shade sail. These items are also excellent if you are looking to add pops of colour to your landscaping.

When you take your time to create the ultimate outdoor area, you will have a space that you will never want to leave. You will improve your home’s value and curb appeal, and you will have a space for all of your large summer parties.