Here in Visalia our available outdoor time can be maximized, because our Southern California “winters” are generally milder than elsewhere. As we continue to keep our families safe, we may find ourselves spending a lot more time at home. As much as we love our families sometimes our homes can seem to ‘shrink’. How can we maximize our space? Upgrade your backyard to an outdoor living space!
Outdoor living spaces are an extension of your indoor space and provide more area for you to connect with nature, family, and safely with friends in the fresh air. Landscape design can at times seem overwhelming, and Rainscape is definitely here to help you with any questions you may have. Sometimes talking with a professional will help you to start brainstorming ideas to get you started on your vision as well as help you implement them.
Here are a few tips to help you create your personal outdoor sanctuary
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Define your space –
If you have a larger yard, you’ll want to pick the area that you’d like to define as your outdoor ‘living room.’ It’s important that you choose the optimal spot and plan out the design before you start. This way you’ll avoid a disjointed look. If you have a smaller space it’s important to plan it out, in order that it not look crowded.
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Light it up –
Outdoor lighting will help you to enjoy our beautiful Southern California nights. You can use solar-powered lighting or low energy lighting to enhance the space with a pleasant ambience and reduced cost. You can also use staged or specific lighting to highlight features in your yard.
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Add in your outdoor furniture and features-
Personalizing your space is the fun part! Only you know how you’d like to use your outdoor space, and which features you’d like it to have. Do you plan to read? Relax? Entertain? Planning how you’d like to use the space will help you to choose the right furniture to maximize the space and provide adequate seating for your family and guests. Do you have a pool? Hardscaping? A gorgeous garden? Depending on your favorite part of your landscape you can arrange your furniture to highlight these features.
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Pick your additions –
Would you like to add an outdoor kitchen? A warm and inviting fire pit? How about a gorgeous water feature? Carefully define the key aspects of your space and plan your space around them. Are you going to sit with your family toasting marshmallows over the firepit in cozy sweaters? Or cuddle your pup while reading a book on your cozy lounge chair while listening to your fountain babble?
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Don’t forget about Mother Nature –
As beautiful as it is in Southern California all year round, we still have to consider that our outdoor space is susceptible to the varying weather. Wind, rain, sun and the slightly cooler winter temperatures will affect our living space. When planning your design keep in mind the potential weather conditions when choosing which furniture, pillows and décor you’ll use outside, remembering that they will not hold us as well as they would indoors. Choose products that are designed for outdoor use and provide some protection and cover in your design when possible.
Our homes are our safe place to relax, enjoy and connect with ourselves and others. Creating an outdoor living space is a fun way to extend our living spaces and bring nature closer to home. If you have any questions regarding how to make your landscaping vision a reality, please reach out to us and we are happy to help!