Getting Ready for Outdoor Living

With sunny skies, warm temperatures and Easter just around the corner, it’s time to get your yard ready to be lived in.

The American Society of Landscape Architects recently released a survey about the hottest trends for 2014. Spaces for entertaining and relaxing continue to be in high demand, according to the nearly 200 landscape professionals who were surveyed.  Sustainable and low-maintenance designs were also important.

The survey notes that lighting, seating/dining areas, fire pits/fireplaces, grills, and installed seating (benches, seat-walls, ledges, steps, and boulders), were all priority projects desired by homeowners.

The options available for updating and renovating are endless.

Sometimes just a few small tweaks can change the whole atmosphere of your outdoor oasis. To create unique patios or walkways, mix up elements, sizes and designs. Circular or spiral patterns of pavers, small bricks, and various shapes and colors of stone will give your yard an entire new focal point. Surround the area with greenery (using potted plants gives you even more opportunity to mix it up) and you’ll forget where you are.

To spruce up a porch, add an outdoor rug, potted plants and a candle chandelier. Add a mirror to any outdoor area to create the illusion of more space. Change doesn’t have to be big or expensive, just a few funky lamps, a fire pit, pots and vases, and even some artwork can do the trick. Just remember to make it look well kept and intentional, not overgrown and forgotten.

Whether you’re installing an outdoor pizza oven, recessed deck lighting, or simply changing out the patio cushions, sprucing up the exterior not only improves the appearance of your home and neighborhood, it improves your outlook.