7 Awesome Outdoor Living Space Ideas

With Spring quickly approaching, we couldn’t help but help alleviate cabin fever by putting together an article about outdoor living space ideas. If you can’t wait to open up your windows, get some fresh air in the house or sit outside on your deck or patio, this article is for you.

Our experts have put together a list of some outdoor living space ideas that you should consider (or maybe dream about) for your home. Let’s get started below:

1. New Patio or Deck Furniture

If you already have a beautiful patio or deck, new outdoor furniture can make a world of difference in both appearance as well as quality of life for you and your family.

There’s a massive range of options available to you when shopping for patio furniture. This includes both simple and intricate designs for outdoor sofas and chair sets. You should keep the furniture’s durability in mind to insure it lasts for many seasons.

Wicker patio furniture is a stylish option that can stay looking great year after year. Wicker outdoor furniture is available in several attractive designs and is a mainstay on all of the home improvement TV shows you love to watch.

One thing to watch out for is the price. All in, you’ll most likely end up paying more for wicker vs. any other outdoor furniture material. If you’re willing to make an investment for your deck or patio that will last for years and still look good, wicker is a wise choice.

Metal patio furniture is an attractive option that usually comes at a reasonable price. Add a bench seat, individual seats, maybe even a full outdoor dining table complete with umbrella.

Wood patio furniture is another consideration. It’s available in many different styles and setups whether you need an outdoor picnic table or just a few chairs. Something to think about with wood patio furniture is that it will require re-painting or staining every few years.

Wood also introduces the possibility of warping over time, much like wood windows. It might be best to store your outdoor wood furniture away during the wintertime to keep it looking great.

Lastly, there’s also plastic outdoor furniture. While it doesn’t have the “quality feel” of wicker, metal or wood, it does maintain its looks for many seasons. Nowadays, you can buy some very attractive plastic furniture sets at very affordable prices.

2. An Outdoor Fireplace

We all know that having a fireplace inside the home adds a touch of class and character to any home, but how about having an outdoor fireplace? Whether it’s a full-on brick fireplace that’s integrated with your patio or even just a cast iron outdoor fireplace, the effect of both is very similar.

Who doesn’t love sitting around a roaring fire while chatting with family and friends?

Brick outdoor fireplaces are beautiful but can sometimes cost an arm and a leg. You seemingly get what you pay for.

A simple yet elegant cast iron fire pit can be had for much less money (often under $200) and you can enjoy the comfort of a fire in your outdoor living space.

3. Add an Outdoor Kitchen

A huge outdoor living space trend, especially within the last decade, has been to add a fully functional kitchen outside. Usually, these setups include concrete or granite countertops along with a natural gas or propane-powered grill. You can add a seating/bar area as well to really tie the space together.

4. Koi Pond

Are you into a zen-garden type of outdoor living space? Just add a koi pond. There are kits available where you can dig a hole and drop in a pond liner yourself or just hire the work out. Add a suitable filter and pump and some beautiful koi fish.

Oftentimes, these types of projects go along with a major landscaping renovation that will leave your outdoor living space peaceful and serene for quiet evenings of rest and relaxation.

Maintaining a koi pond, especially with feed the fish and cleaning out the pond at least a few times a year isn’t so relaxing but the results can be amazing if you’re willing to put in the work.

5. Patio and Deck Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference in the appearance and feel of your home, both inside and outside. When shopping for outdoor lighting for your patio or deck, you can let your imagination run wild. There are literally thousands of different light styles and options to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Outdoor string lights can add a playful and beautiful mood to any outdoor party or occasion. Available in many different styles including edison bulbs or large awning lights, you choose how you want your lighting to look. There are also LED rope lights available that you can line your pergola or deck railing with.

Also try landscape lighting with small post-style lights that can line walkways or the perimeter of your patio or deck. There are both hardwired and solar options available depending on your installation preferences.

Need a lamp to accompany your new patio furniture set? No problem. Try a solar-powered outdoor lamp to set the mood. Many outdoor table lamps are available for under $100.

A big trend in outdoor lighting these days is outdoor pendant lights. They’re singular lights/lamps that hang from the ceiling of your awning, pergola or deck. They make a great statement about you and your home that is bound to impress your guests.

If you have a deck, consider adding deck post lights. The solar-powered variety is easy to install yourself, usually in a few hours. They also look great and cost nothing in energy costs.

6. Pizza Anyone? Add an Outdoor Pizza Oven

Much like the aforementioned outdoor fireplace, an outdoor brick pizza oven can be costly to have built. Some outdoor pizza ovens can exceed 5 figures! However, there is another option. Pizza ovens are a great outdoor living space accessory.

In recent years, the popularity (and performance) of propane-powered outdoor pizza ovens has grown. You can buy some models like the Blackstone pizza oven for under $300.

The temperature inside can reach upwards of 800-900 degrees, which makes for an amazing pizza crust that’s crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. It will also cook most pizzas within 2 minutes.

If you love the taste of Neapolitan-style pizza, you need to get yourself one.

7. New Patio Door

Almost every outdoor living space has an entrance and that’s usually a patio door. We wrote an entire article about choosing a patio door but the bottom line is that it can make a huge improvement to your entire outdoor area. If you’re in the market for a new patio door, see what we have to offer. You can choose from several styles including French and sliding patio doors and customize the look of your new door.

Is It Time for an Upgrade to Your Outdoor Living Space?

Hopefully the above list has given you some inspiration for your outdoor living space and at the very least, made you excited for Spring. Whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor kitchen or maybe relaxing in a zen garden complete with a koi pond, this article has hopefully opened your eyes to some possibilities.

When you need to upgrade the exterior of your home with windows, siding or doors, get a free quote from Feldco.