As the weather gets warmer, it’s a great time to update your outdoor space to make it more enjoyable for gathering with family and friends. There are several unique ways to enhance your outdoor space for fun and to add value to your home.

How to Enhance Your Outdoor Space

Think primarily about why you are choosing to update and what you will be doing within that space. Ask the following questions:
• Do you want a cozy setting or an open space?
• Is the arrangement specifically designed for one activity?
• Is the size of the space going to accommodate a few people or a group?

Outdoor Movie Theater

A unique addition to your outdoor space is a place to watch movies. To handle weather conditions, the area should include a durable and waterproof cover and enclosed movie screen or smart TV. If a flexible space makes more sense, look for portable screens that can be set up with a projector. Keep lawn chairs and blankets nearby that people can sit on to watch a movie.

Enhance Your Outdoor Space with a Bar

For entertaining an adult crowd, a bar is always a good choice. They can be built on a small scale at the corner of a patio away from other family activities and be themed like a Tiki bar or even connected to a hot tub area. Some homeowners also opt to make “garage bars” to ease the cost of buying an outdoor cover. They simply connect this type of bar to the rest of the outdoor space through a side door or walkway for guests.

Fire Pits and Fireplaces

Your outdoor space is not complete until there is a fireplace or fire pit to keep people warm on cool nights. There are many styles, materials, and sizes to choose from. Fireplaces can be built directly into a patio area with an outdoor living room arrangement or free-standing in an open space.

Fire pits are more informal and can be easily constructed with stones or bricks. The seating arrangement for a fire pit depends upon the size of the area and how large the pit itself will be for seating safely. The furniture for fire pits and fireplace areas needs to be weather-resistant.

Lighting

Add some lighting to enhance your outdoor space. Lights bring warmth to your deck, patio, and yard. It is also an easy and inexpensive way to add some light and ambiance to an outdoor area. The most popular are energy-efficient LED lights that come in a wide array of designs, colors, and sizes. Depending upon the area and your property, consider using lights in the following ways:

• String lights on fencing, gazebos, pergolas, lattices, and umbrellas.
• Hang lanterns on fences, along walkways, or posted at entranceways.
• Use solar stake lights to line pathways and make your property safer.

You’ll get great satisfaction from designing and creating an enjoyable outdoor living area for family and friends while also adding value to your home.

TUFF Home Inspections provides home inspection services to New Jersey. Contact us to schedule your appointment.