The defining trend of 2020s landscaping is hands down the growing popularity of outdoor living spaces. The pandemic left us with a lot of time to think, most of which was spent cooped up inside. Then, some of us had the ingenious idea of reworking our yards and gardens to include space for entertainment and relaxation.
In this article, we break down the benefits of investing in an outdoor living space, and provide actionable tips for getting started!
Benefits of Outdoor Living Spaces
Yards are no longer just large stretches of grass with a few shrubs in the corner. Today, some folks’ yards are even grander and more impressive than their living rooms and dining rooms combined! Here are benefits you’ll enjoy when you invest in an outdoor living space.
1. Adding functional space to your yard
You already own the space, so why not make better use out of it? Outdoor living spaces help homeowners create functional spaces for entertainment and relaxation. An empty patch of grass is great for sports and recreation, but you can only do so much with it. By adding a couch, a table, some chairs, a fireplace, and an awning, you can quickly transform a grassy field into your own Shangri-la.
2. Vitamin D is good for you!
Vitamin D increases your absorption of important elements like calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. The biggest natural source of vitamin D for most people is through sun exposure. Creating an outdoor living space is a great way to enjoy the elements and elevate mood while getting copious amounts of vitamin D. Just make sure to wear sunscreen!
3. Reduce stress
A little bit of fresh air goes a long way when it comes to managing stress. 55% of Americans (hyperlink: https://lifeworkscc.com/americans-among-stressed-world/) report feeling stressed on a daily basis. Numerous studies indicate that spending time outdoors can help elevate mood and boost self esteem.
4. Be the talk of the town
Outdoor living spaces create an intimate natural setting, perfect for entertaining guests. Plus, you can have people over without having to worry about tidying up the inside of your home. Enjoy a cozy evening nestled by the fireplace or an intimate summer BBQ.
Check out these beautiful ideas for outside entertainment spaces!
How to Get Started
Before you do anything, you need to make sure your lawn is up to the task. Placing outdoor furniture on a living lawn will kill grass with time. It will also deteriorate your furniture faster, as grass puddles and becomes muddy during the wet season. To combat this, most people put in tile or concrete, but that can be expensive and detract from the natural look of your yard.
Increasingly, more and more homeowners are relying on artificial grass to carpet their outdoor living spaces. Quality turf maintains the look and feel of a traditional lawn, but it won’t easily deteriorate under the stress of outdoor furniture. There’s also no mud and it doesn’t create a habitat for insects and rodents.
For a great texture and a lush aesthetic, we recommend checking out the cloud nine series. Cloud nine is tall, thick, and soft to the touch. For an easily affordable lawn that still looks and feels like the real thing, check out the pro 48. The pro 48 features pine-green and bamboo-green coloring to give your yard a rich, natural complexion that will look fresh all year round.
