Transform your outdoor space into a magical oasis with the right lighting and decorations! With some simple additions, you can create an inviting porch, patio, or deck that will make any gathering of family and friends special.

Whether it’s just for yourself or to entertain guests, adding outdoor living elements like string lights, lanterns, candles, cushions and rugs can help set the perfect mood.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly your porch or patio is transformed from dull to dazzling! Let’s explore some ideas on how to bring life to your outdoor space with lighting and decorations.

 

Add an Outdoor Dining Area

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a barbecued meal around a table in the cool outdoor breeze. By adding an outdoor dining table and some sturdy chairs (make sure the cushions are waterproof) you can enjoy the outdoors while also enjoying a fine meal.

Bring Your Kitchen Outside

Since you’re already eating outside under the glow of sunset, you might as well add another kitchen to your outdoor space. That means less back and forth between your indoor kitchen, and your outdoor eating space.

All you need is a basic grill, and preferably some surfaces for preparing food that are easy to clean. If you’re keen, you can add plumbing for outdoor sinks. Entertaining guests often? An outdoor fridge will save them the trouble of going inside for another beverage.

Throw Some Shade

The summer temperatures can be intense across the country. While you’ll want some open areas to soak up some rays, you’ll also want to create some shady spots on your deck or patio.

This gives you and your guests the option of escaping the bright sun, and the possible associated sunburn. It also creates unique dark and light spaces in your backyard.

You can achieve shade in your backyard by using large umbrellas, draping fabric across the top, either opaque or translucent, or by building an awning. Shade is also ideal to reduce glare if you plan to spend time on your deck reading novels.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Lighting is essential if you’re entertaining guests after dark. However, you can get creative with your outdoor landscape lighting to create effects using light and shadow.

For example, you can create an effect called moonlighting, which involves putting lights high in a tree and shining down to mimic a moonlit scene. You can also use spotlights for dark shadows and to highlight certain features of your yard.

Every light has a color temperature, so consider using warmer lights for your gathering spaces. Warm light has been shown to create an inviting tone and a feeling of intimacy. It also promotes relaxation. LED lighting is a good option to save power and prolong the life of the bulbs.

Install a Hot Tub

If you’re really looking to step up your backyard spaces, consider adding a hot tub for a relaxing outdoor experience. You can incorporate the hot tub into your existing deck, but keep in mind hot tubs full of water and people are very heavy and require their own footing. Consider that a roughly 8-foot square hot tub with six people in it can weigh more than 5,000 pounds.

Create Privacy Screening

If you have a nosy neighbor that seems jealous of all the parties you’re hosting in your backyard oasis, then consider building barriers between you.

You can achieve greater privacy by enclosing patios or decks with fencing or lattice, that still lets light in, while shielding the view of neighboring properties. This is also helpful if your neighbor’s property isn’t as well-kept as yours and you don’t want to see it while you’re entertaining.

Use Concrete Ideas

If you’re looking to enhance the look of your patio’s surface, you should consider stamped concrete that comes in an almost unlimited range of colors and patterns. You can also request custom stamped concrete to add certain features, such as a compass that points to the North Star.

Stamped concrete is one piece, which also means less weeding between bricks or tripping on stones that are out of place.

Consider Bug Zappers

One of the problems with warmer weather is that more insects come out to play. That means you may have a lot of unwanted pests buzzing around, or even worse, biting your guests.

If your outdoor parties are being crashed by bugs, then you can hang bug lights around the perimeter of a gathering space. Essentially, the bugs are attracted to the light and then get a nasty surprise when they attempt to land.

Try to keep them at least 10 to 15 feet from where people sit, for safety and to dull zapping noises, and hang them about eye level from the ground for efficiency. If you don’t want to use bug zappers, you can use insect-repelling mesh screens to enclose an eating space without being bothered.

Add Outdoor Heating

Depending on where you are in the country, it can get quite cool in the evening, especially during fall and winter. However, you can extend the amount of time your guests can enjoy your outdoor space with some heating elements.

Backyard heating can be in the form of electric heaters that hang from patio ceilings or standing gas heaters. You can even get a bit fancy and build a backyard brick fireplace, which can add more charm to your property.

Just because the temperature is dropping outside doesn’t mean you have to drop your backyard getaways!

Create a Backyard Getaway Today

The relaxing and peaceful hideaway you’ve been dreaming of might literally be in your own backyard. With a bit of creative thinking, and some professional direction, you can turn your deck or patio into a visually stunning place that also offers more practical uses.

Being outside more often, even in your own backyard, has also been shown to have health benefits ranging from increased vitamin D intake to a better mood. It makes sense to invest a bit in backyard setups to enjoy these benefits and more.

No matter what your backyard retreat ideas include, you’re going to need good lighting to enjoy your outdoor spaces into the later hours. To find out more about outdoor lighting and how it can help create the perfect backyard getaway, contact us today.