Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space

Although summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the season of outdoor entertaining and fun. Before you continue the way your yard looked last year, think about how you can create the experience that will enhance your lifestyle. When Baker Residential builds a new home, we view the yard as an extension of the living area—because it is! Here are some ideas for making the most of your outdoor space.

First of all, don’t look at your yard as just an open area. View it as you would your home’s interior—with purpose. You’ll have a cooking and dining area, living room, an outdoor playroom or rec room, and the place where you just unwind and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

Don’t just randomly let these outdoor activities happen. Designate spaces for each function. Look at the flow between areas, and design them to work in synch with each other.

Start with deciding on the placement of your grilling station. If you have a patio, you’ll probably locate it there, but you can also add a pergola with a canopy to create a wall-less room for an outdoor kitchen and dining room. 

Consider whether you want your outdoor cooking to be primarily a grill, or you’re ready to install a complete outdoor kitchen. Today’s systems offer many options to take your culinary skills outside: the grill, side burners, pizza oven, warming drawer, refrigerator, wine fridge, ice maker, sink, and even a dishwasher! Add in countertops, weather-resistant cabinetry, and lighting and you have a fully functional outdoor kitchen that eliminates the need to run in and out of the house to get cooking tools, ingredients, and servingware. 

Your outdoor living room is where you can relax and socialize with family and friends. Design this area like your interior living room. Create conversation areas, large and small. Define the space with an outdoor area rug. When the sun sets, you and your guests can stay outdoors, with solar-powered lights.

Also, consider making your own private haven in your backyard. Set a comfortable chair—maybe a hammock or hammock chair—in a quiet location, where you can enjoy a little shade. Enhance it with a garden or container garden. Add a water feature, like a koi pond or waterfall.

Your outdoor living spaces can be elegant, fun, or both. It just takes a little planning. While you’re thinking ahead, consider one of Baker Residential’s communities. We build energy-efficient, luxury single-family homes and townhomes in some of the most desirable locations in the eastern United States. Explore the Baker difference and contact us to give yourself the lifestyle you deserve.