Outdoor Living - How to Turn Your Backyard into an Inviting Living Area

Warm weather, sunlight, a gentle breeze and all the beauty that goes along with spring and summer, it's no wonder people enjoy spending every spare moment relaxing outside. Creating an inviting living area outside doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor. Actually, it can be quite enjoyable watching a simple patio turn into a lovely sitting room with the sky as your ceiling and nature as the walls.

In order to separate the patio from the lawn it helps to add a trim around the patio and fill the space between the patio and the trim with flowers. I prefer to plant tulips and Easter Lilies for early spring, after those die back I like to plant an assortment of annuals for a splash of color all summer long.

Furniture:

It is a good idea to place furniture in a way that invites conversation. Creating a half circle with the furniture is usually best. A coffee table placed between two chairs will be beneficial while also adding to the look of the room. Potted plants arranged around the furniture will give added beauty while also creating a welcoming atmosphere.

A nice chest placed in the center of your sitting area can not only hold a nice floral arrangement and work as a coffee table but it can also be used as storage for cozy throws that can be used when the evenings have a bit of chill in the air.

Lighting:

Lighting added to the area can cause it to be more inviting for those relaxing moments before bedtime. This can easily be done by adding solar lighting to walkways and around the patio. The lights around the patio will also highlight the beauty of your flowers so you can enjoy them in the soft glow of the evening light. Citronella candles are another pleasant way to light your area while also keeping mosquitoes at bay. Tables and steps are good places to put candles.

Fire and Water:

You can add an even deeper level of relaxation to your area by adding the element of water just outside the sitting area this can easily be done with the addition of a fountain.

Warm up those chilly evenings with a nice fire pit or patio fireplace. This can be very relaxing on those chilly evenings in the fall when the air has a bit of a bite.

Intimacy and Privacy: