Backyard Blogging.

Spending time in the backyard during the fall is one of our favorite things to do. Fall is also a great time to refresh or even renovate your patio area. If you’re thinking about a new plan, check out these five tips to create your dream backyard space.

With a beautiful and thoughtful outdoor living space, you can expand the square footage of your home. We love to make the outdoor room area an extension of the inside of the house. Making sure the decor blends well together from inside to outside means you’ll have a seamless living space.

Let’s look at how to turn your backyard space into one you love and that works well for your needs.

#1: Make a List of Everything You Want

This is where your dreams come into play and maybe a Pinterest board, too!

Your backyard is a clean slate. Really, anything you can dream of can be done. Forget the budget for this brainstorming session and write down everything you’d like.

For example, here are some ideas to get you going:

• Do you want a patio or a deck?
• Concrete or pavers?
• What style? English, Italian, rustic, refined, or something else?
• Do you want a room enclosed with screens so you can enjoy it during the buggy season?
• How about heaters?
• Do you want a television and a sound system?
• Are you looking for an outdoor kitchen with a grill, stove, refrigerator, etc.?
• Do you want separate areas for cooking, eating, and relaxing?
• Looking for a swimming pool? Luxury or budget-friendly?
• Want to add a hot tub?
• Thinking about a fire pit?
• Do you have a large or small family?
• Do you want to host large gatherings?
• What are you thinking about furniture? Just a patio table set or comfy chairs and sofas?
• Do you want a flower garden or vegetable garden area?

Dream as big as you’d like for this step. Don’t worry about your budget, as you can always pare it down after you’ve prioritized your wish list.

#2: Prioritize Your Wish List

Now that you have your extensive wish list, it’s time to prioritize your items from most important to least important. Put on your very rational thinking cap and make sure you know the top end of your budget.

You can discuss this step with your family, so everyone is on the same page.

It can help to come to meet with us so you have an idea of what the items on your wish list will cost.

To make it easier on yourself, decide on the one item you absolutely can’t live without. Put it at number one as long as it fits into your budget. Then, continue to work down your list until it’s done.

You may even find that you can afford all of it. Or you may decide you can live without some of the items.

#3: Look At Your Goals Over the Years

You may find that your needs change. For example, you may need something different if you have a houseful of children than you would as a retired couple.

So, look long-term when deciding on how you want your outdoor space to function.

In addition, if you can’t afford everything you want in the beginning, make a long-range plan for adding in new features every few years as your budget allows.

#4: Decide Where Everything Will Go

It can help you with functionality if you divvy up your space. Get a large piece of paper and draft out where everything will go. It can help to compartmentalize everything so you make sure it all flows well together.

This can also help you if this is an ongoing project due to budget considerations.

You might have a pool area, a hot tub area, a play area for the kids, an outdoor room with a kitchen, a couple of dining tables, chairs, and sofas. You might also want a place to add a television in your outdoor area.

Consider landscaping needs, too.

#5: Plan for the Final Touches

If you want to take your backyard to the next level, consider adding some high-end touches.

For example, maybe you want a luxury pool that has a water feature and a fire feature. Are you looking for rock features, a diving board, and a slide? Thinking about a swim-up bar?

And maybe you’d like more than a grill – you want an actual outdoor kitchen!

If you want a hot tub, how big of one do you want? Do you want the Rolls Royce of hot tubs, or are you fine with an entry-level spa?

Make Your Dream Backyard Space a Reality

At Ultra Modern, we can help you turn your new or refreshed outdoor space into a reality. With pools, hot tubs, saunas, outdoor furniture, grills, swim spas, accessories, and much more, we are here for you!

Stop by or give us a call. We’d love to help you create your perfect backyard!