Outdoor Living Is A Great Way To Bring The Inside Out

“Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.”Alfred Austin

 Outdoor Living : Patio or decking?

You can tell a lot about a person by their garden, for example a person who enjoys gardening and outdoor living will have a well kept garden, whereas the less enthusiastic gardeners will have more untended gardens that have been left to overgrow.

But whether you are a gardening enthusiast or not, gardens offers a great way to create more living space by adding some  new outdoor living areas.

So what is the best way to add some outdoor living space?

Building a patio or installing decking can provide extra space whether it is for dining, relaxing or even to provide a playing area for the children but what is the best option to choose?

Patio, derived from the Spanish word for “courtyard”,offers flexibility as is can be installed anywhere…attached to the main house or even in the middle of the garden.  

They can be built from a number of different materials including concrete pavers, stone and rock and are built directly on the ground . Installing patios can offer a great way to add new outdoor living space or to revamp an existing unsightly slab of concrete.

Decking however is generally constructed from wood or synthetic wood which helps to give a feeling of warmth and beauty.

Decking is generally attached to the main house and can be built on different levels, therefore often needing safety rails installed. If you have great views around you, then decking can offer a great way to take advantage of those views.

Both building a patio or installing decking can offer a great way to provide extra outdoor living space and it will be a matter of personal choice as to which you prefer.

So what else do you need to take into consideration when considering adding a patio or decking as part of your garden makeover?

Outdoor Living : Choosing The Right Location

Location is an important factor when creating outdoor living space and this will largely be determined by what you intend to use the area for.

If you intend to use it for outdoor dining then you would need to choose an area that is near to the kitchen.

In addition to this if you intend to entertain family and friends in this area then you will also need to find a location that offers privacy away from neighbours and outside noise.

Whereas, if you plan on using the space as a play area for the children then you may want to locate it a little bit further from the house so as not to be constantly disturbed by the noise of children playing! 

Outdoor Living : Adding Extra Touches

When you have decided on whetherr to install decking or build a patio and have decided on a location, the next step is to add some extra touches such as plants and furniture to make the area more appealing.

Try to choose plants that are quite low maintenance, (especially if you do not like gardening and also to ensure that you have more time to relax in your new outdoor living space), and to buy furniture that compliments the colours and style of your new outdoor living area and you will have an outdoor living space that will make your neighbours jealous!

If you enjoyed reading this blog and would like advice or a FREE quote for a garden makeover in the South Wales area please visit www.derwoodhomes.co.uk. 

Yours Truly

ROY DERRICK