Your Florida backyard can be more than just a patch of grass you mow often. Green space is always welcome, but it is no fun if all you can do most of the seasons is stare at it from afar. Functionality is equally significant as aesthetics for outdoor spaces.
You can add certain features to make your backyard a practical, livable space for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Here are creative things you can add to your enclosure and lawn.
Build a Pergola
Pergolas are the perfect relaxation spot and alternative for indoor spaces. You can fill it with comfortable outdoor furniture and fairy lights for day and nighttime activities with loved ones. You can never go wrong with a pergola in your backyard.
Pergolas cast enough shade enabling you to enjoy warm afternoons outside. You can always install a retractable shade to control the amount of light getting into the space. Pergolas also create the perfect focal point for your yard, breaking the monotony of grass and planters.
Install An Awning
Installing a retractable awning over your deck or patio will provide valuable shade, and protect you and your family from up to 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Reducing direct sunlight with an awning can decrease the temperature on your deck or patio by up to 20°F, thereby protecting your family’s health and enhancing your enjoyment of the outdoors. Your pets will love the shade, too!
Install an Outdoor Fireplace
A fireplace extends your outdoor season, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors for months. They are also very flexible spaces with plenty of designs and aesthetics. You can have wooden or gas firepits or wooden or gas fireplaces. The best part about fireplaces is you do not need to worry about ventilation.
Fireplaces exude warmth and make your space inviting for friends and loved ones. You can have the hearth on your patio or build an exclusive area as your entertainment hub. Alternatively, you can maximize comfort by designing a shade around the fireplace and surrounding the space with comfy outdoor furniture and lighting.
Build an Open Air Room
The outdoor air room is a gazebo with a permeable roof that casts exhilarating shadows while providing ample shade. The structure rests on a raised deck. You can surround it with planters or a resting wall for an enclosure. Fill the space with outdoor furniture that can withstand the elements when the roof lets in a few raindrops.
Build a Tree House
A tree house is an excellent nature retreat. It is a perfect solution if you have kids, ample space in your backyard, and trees. The treehouse adds to your outdoor aesthetics. It is a feature that most people will not fail to spot. Furthermore, a tree house will encourage your children to play outside, enjoy the fresh air and engage in physical activity.
You can make it more captivating by making it themed, installing hanging lights, or having an exciting entrance. Let your kids be part of the design and building process for additional bonding time.
Set Up a Dining Al Fresco
Al fresco dining should not be a feature for hotels or eateries. You can have it in your backyard. Set up a dining al fresco in the shade if you have a leveled backyard with trees. Make those dining moments memorable while you enjoy your meals in nature with the cool breeze.
You can also enjoy nighttime activities with low-light garden lights and tree-hanging lights or add a fireplace for warmth. A dining al fresco setup is also perfect near a lit pool area. The pool provides a captivating and serene background as you enjoy your meal with friends and loved ones.
Install Motorized Patio Screens and Awnings
The unpredictable weather patterns can put a damper on enjoying the outdoor space. While you cannot control the weather, you can make adjustments to make your outdoors habitable again.
One way to enjoy your pergola, gazebos, outdoor fireplace, and patio is by having screens and awnings. Motorized screens adjust depending on the weather, enabling you to control the amount of sunshine in your outdoor space. Most importantly, the screens do not interfere with the outdoor aesthetics and ambiance. You can maximize your outdoor space because of this element of control.
They also act as shields from the elements, allowing you to enjoy outdoor spaces for months. The motorized screen is a barrier to bugs and other pests encroaching on your outdoor space. There is no need for chemical control or destabilizing your lawn’s ecosystem.
