Adding an outdoor living space improves your home’s appeal and functionality. Whether you want to expand your living space or enjoy the view around your home, this space is meant to be your safe haven from the chaos of your daily life.
Here are the many benefits of creating your own outdoor space in your Virginia home:
1. Enjoying Fresh Air and Nature
If you’re working with a local home addition contractor near Virginia, tell them you want an outdoor space to enjoy fresh air. Spending time outdoors lets you reconnect with nature and enjoy the scenery beyond your home.
Your outdoor living room is a place for slow yet important moments, especially for your usual morning coffee on the patio or evening dinners with family and friends al fresco.
2. Health Benefits
Exposure to sunlight in an outdoor living area can give you these benefits:
- Vitamin D Production: Sun exposure in the early mornings boosts your overall immune system function. When exposed to sunlight, your skin produces vitamin D.
- Improved Mood: Sunlight can boost your serotonin levels, which lifts your mood and reduces your stress levels.
- Better Sleep: Exposure to natural sunlight can regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to enhanced sleep patterns.
3. Additional Functional Space
Your outdoor living space can extend your indoor living space. Use this area for cooking, dining, and talking to people. Here’s how you can do it for your home:
- Divide your outdoor area by zone for dining, cooking, and lounging by landscaping the area.
- Get comfortable, durable, and weather-resistant outdoor furniture. Choose materials like aluminum or teak.
- Add throw pillows and cushions for your extra comfort.
- Provide umbrellas, retractable awnings, or pergolas to protect yourself and your visitors against the heat, especially during afternoons.
- Add string lights in the outdoor space for a more inviting atmosphere.
- If the space permits, add an outdoor kitchen or grill area to extend the dining room.
- Install outdoor screens to give your area a sense of privacy.
4. Enhanced Home Value
You may need to sell your home at some point. Your beautiful outdoor living space can give you a significant return on your investment. Potential home buyers can be attracted to an outdoor area, especially if it’s well-maintained and they often have guests. A fire pit or any water feature would look good on your property.
5. Ideal for Entertaining
Your space is ideal for hosting gatherings with your loved ones. You can celebrate any occasion here, whether it’s a birthday celebration or a festive holiday. It’s the perfect place to create an outdoor kitchen and add a dining table to entertain your guests and treat them to your new recipes and meals.
6. Increased Relaxation
Your serene outdoor space is your retreat after a long day. You can enjoy the sounds of nature, meditate, or read a book in the seating area you want. It’s the best place to unwind and not think of any work-related matters.
7. A Space for Personal Creativity
You can style your outdoor space to show its beauty to your family, friends, and guests. Choose a minimalist or a rustic feel for the design. Remember, every single decision you make will shape the final look of this space.
How to Add an Outdoor Space in Your Own Backyard
- Consider Your Needs and Vision: Ask yourself how you want to use the outdoor space. You can use it to entertain visitors, cook, or relax.
- Set a Budget: Decide the budget based on the project’s size and scope. Consider costs for labor, permits, materials, and any other extra expenses.
- Hire a Professional Contractor: Look for experienced contractors specializing in creating outdoor living spaces. Check their reviews, portfolios, and references before getting them for the job. Make sure they’re also licensed, insured, and knowledgeable about building codes.
- Design the Space: Work with the contractor to design your outdoor space. You can also get a designer to create the initial design based on your ideas.
- Add a Drainage: Ask your contractor to add a proper drainage system to prevent damage to the area.
- Save Energy: Install energy-efficient lights, such as solar-powered bulbs or LED lights, to reduce energy bills.
- Finish the Space: Install decorative stone or pathways to give your space a polished look.
Final Words
Having an outdoor living space goes beyond aesthetics. You’ll enjoy fresh air and improve your home’s design. You’ll have a spot to relax or spend time with people, and it’s a valuable addition that you’ll appreciate in the long run.