5 Ways To Transform Your Backyard From Ordinary To AMAZING
As Florida residents, we’re fortunate to live in an area that allows for year-round outdoor activities – whether it’s spending time at the beach during the heat of the summer, or enjoying a clear, cool day on the golf course in the winter.
But what about closer to home…what about your ACTUAL HOME? You might be surprised at the options you have to transform your home’s outdoor space into your personal, year-round oasis. Here are five great ideas to get you started!
- Pool and Screen Enclosures
High on many Florida homeowner’s list is adding a screen enclosure, and for good reason. A screen enclosure is an attractive and affordable way to add livable space to your home. In fact, in some cases, this new “room” proves to be one of the most popular spaces in the entire home.
Beyond adding space, screen enclosures offer a host of other benefits including providing much-needed shade and UV protection, keeping leaves and yard debris out of a pool, and… of course, keep all those Florida bugs and critters outside!
You can see some great pool and screen enclosure pictures here
- Outdoor Kitchen
If you love grilling and bringing your friends together for a great meal, an outdoor kitchen is an ideal upgrade! And with our beautiful Florida weather, it’s something you and your family can enjoy year-round.
Don’t be fooled though. Today’s outdoor kitchens can include a lot more than a built-in grill. Cooking options are limitless with designs that include grills, cooktops, stoves, and even pizza ovens. And, of course, you’ve got to include a fridge to keep your favorite drinks ice-cold in the summer!
Finally, there are some other very practical benefits to having an outdoor kitchen. First, you’ll be giving your AC system (and electric bill) a break in the summer by keeping the cooking heat outside. Also, if entertaining is your thing, it opens your space and prevents crowding that can often occur when guests are confined to the indoors.
Take a look at these amazing outdoor kitchens!
- Pergola
The term “pergola” is unfamiliar to many, but if you’ve ever visited a nice resort or public park/garden, you’ve likely seen one. A pergola is an open, outdoor structure consisting of vertical posts that usually support a series of cross-beams and lattice work. In some cases, woody vined plants are trained to cover portions of the pergola, making it a perfect way to combine style with nature.
Pergolas provide a very stylish way to create a defined area for outdoor entertainment, shady walkways, or sitting areas and require little upkeep.
If you’d like some inspiration, you can see some beautiful pergolas here.
- Motorized Retractable Screens
We live in a climate of extremes, from pleasant and cool mornings to intense afternoon sun and heat. That’s where motorized retractable screens come in! A relatively new offering in the area of outdoor design, a motorized retractable screen puts you in control.
Just as the name implies, these screens can be raised or lowered (or opened/closed in the case of louvered shades) at the touch of a button, allowing you to control the amount of sun or shade you’d like.
The installation of these screens is very tasteful. Whether completely enclosed with your home’s soffit, or surface mounted, they are a great combination of form and function!
Check out a video of a motorized retractable screen here.
- Artificial Turf
Let’s face it. Maintaining a beautiful lawn in Florida is a real chore. The heat and insects can really take a toll on that once-beautiful grass and mowing is a weekly task. If you’re looking for that perfect emerald green, tightly edged, natural-looking grass WITHOUT the headaches and maintenance expenses, it’s time to consider artificial turf.
Artificial grass is the perfect care-free solution to enhance many elements of your backyard retreat, including poolside, walkways, and between pavers. It’s also an investment that stands the test of time with superior durability and weather resistance.
Wrapping it up…
So there you have it – 5 ways to transform an everyday backyard into your very own relaxing oasis. If you’d like to explore the options for your space, feel free to browse our screen enclosures and screen rooms or visit our sister-site www.usoutdoorliving.com for outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and more!