by Dakota Storage Buildings, on November 13, 2023
Imagine stepping out into your backyard and feeling as if you have just entered your personal paradise. The right kind of outdoor furniture not only provides the comfort you seek but also elevates the entire ambiance, bringing together various elements into a cohesive and inviting space. When perfectly chosen and strategically placed, outdoor furniture can change your perspective on what a backyard can offer. We want to help you transform a mere backyard into a luscious outdoor oasis — a sanctuary that offers not just beauty but also immense comfort and serenity. From understanding the intricacies of landscape design to choosing the right kind of outdoor furniture to utilize storage sheds for enhanced functionality, we will cover it all.
Craft Your Ultimate Backyard Oasis
Design Your Landscape
Before you even think about what kind of outdoor furniture to purchase or what color of string lights would work best, you need to take a comprehensive look at your backyard. Start by evaluating the fixed features like driveways, pathways, large trees, and structures like a garage or gazebo. These elements may be hard or costly to move, so they will serve as the pillars around which your outdoor oasis will be built. Set a realistic budget once you have a clear idea of the space you are working with. Do not be discouraged if you can not afford everything at once; many beautiful backyards are created in stages.
Creating a scaled bird's-eye view map of your property using graph paper can be invaluable at this stage. Plot out existing elements and use this as a base to add potential new features, ensuring that your plan is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Since landscape projects can be costly and time-consuming, developing your backyard in phases might be wise. Prioritize projects that will provide the highest impact or those necessary for the overall structure of your landscape.
Create Ambiance
While the sun takes care of lighting during the day, your choice of artificial lighting will set the stage for evening relaxation or social gatherings. Outdoor string lights come in various types, such as commercial-grade and standard lights. While commercial-grade string lights are generally more expensive, their durability and weatherproof nature often make them a wise investment for long-term use.
Update Your Outdoor Furniture
Sometimes, a simple coat of fresh paint is all that is needed to give your old patio furniture new life. If you are into DIY projects, consider upcycling cinder blocks, old wooden pallets, or even leftover tiles to create unique and functional pieces. Adding colorful cushions or upholstery can turn these makeshift items into stylish, comfortable seating options. If your budget is tight, look for deals on websites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or local garage sales. Adding storage sheds can be a practical yet stylish solution if you are looking for ways to keep your space neat. With custom or pre-built sheds, you can find a storage solution that matches the style of your home and meets your specific needs.
Enjoy Your Outdoor Oasis
Now that you have put in the work take time to soak it all in. Whether you are sipping your morning coffee, having an afternoon nap, or hosting a weekend get-together, your backyard is now equipped to serve as an oasis of comfort and style. The lush landscape, the curated lighting, and your carefully chosen outdoor furniture all contribute to creating a space where you will love to spend time.
Transform Your Backyard with Outdoor Furniture
Plan First
We have all been there: moving furniture around a room multiple times, only to end up with a layout that barely works. That is why pre-planning your outdoor furniture layout is critical. Use your bird's-eye view map to sketch out potential placements and ensure they align with other elements like trees, pathways, and architectural features. When planning, think beyond just beauty; think about how you'll use the space. Make a list of essential furniture pieces that cater to your specific needs and lifestyle.
Size and Weathering
Be keenly aware of the size of your space, and ensure that the furniture you pick fits well within it. Oversized pieces can overwhelm a small patio, while tiny furniture can look lost in a sprawling garden. Another aspect that often gets overlooked is the durability of the furniture, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. Whether it is searing heat, freezing cold, or seasonal storms, outdoor furniture has to endure a lot. Opt for materials like teak, wrought iron, polywood, or high-quality resin that offer long-lasting durability.
Choose New Pieces of Patio Furniture to Enhance What You Have
If you already have existing outdoor furniture, the aim is not necessarily to replace it but to enhance it. Identify what you love and plan to keep, then consider what is missing or what could elevate your setting. While filling up your outdoor space with furniture might be tempting, remember that empty space is not your enemy but a design feature. Leaving some areas unoccupied adds a feeling of spaciousness and allows for easier movement. Opt for smart, multi-functional furniture like ottomans that can serve as extra seating or a coffee table, depending on the need.
Unleash Your Oasis
Recent advancements in outdoor materials have given homeowners an exciting range of choices. Whether you fancy a modern minimalist design using metals and glass or prefer the rustic charm of natural stone and wood, there's something for everyone. Specialty stores and online platforms offer everything from traditional to contemporary styles, so you are bound to find pieces that resonate with your vision. Do not hesitate to go the extra mile and invest in a few wow-factor pieces. Whether it is a swinging chair hanging from a sturdy branch, a luxury lounger by the pool, or an artfully crafted stone bench, these are the pieces that will make your outdoor oasis truly stand out.
Redefining the Backyard Shed: More Than Just Storage
When people think of storage sheds, they often envision a simple, box-like structure hidden away in a corner, primarily used for storing garden tools or seasonal items. While a shed's functionality is essential, it can serve as more than just a practical space. Depending on its design, material, and placement, a shed can become a focal point, enhancing the overall aesthetics of your backyard. Sheds come in a variety of styles to suit different tastes and settings. A rustic, wooden shed with a pitched roof and barn-style doors might perfectly complement a traditional garden. On the other hand, a sleek, minimalist shed with clean lines and modern materials like metal and glass could be more fitting for a contemporary outdoor space. Many companies offer customizable shed designs, allowing you to match the shed’s color, hardware, and even architectural details to your home or surroundings.
Some people take their sheds to the next level by turning them into multipurpose spaces. A shed can transform into a cozy home office, art studio, or guest house. Incorporating electricity, insulation, and proper ventilation can make your shed a year-round space. In addition to storing seasonal items, a well-organized shed can house your outdoor furniture during the off-season, especially pieces that might not withstand harsh weather conditions. Built-in shelves, hooks, and storage compartments can help you keep things orderly, maximizing the utility of the space.
A shed should not just be plopped down in any open space you find. Consider how it integrates with your landscape and other structures. Is there a particular area where it would be both convenient and visually appealing? Think about the view from your home. A well-placed shed can balance out your landscape, while a poorly placed one can be an eyesore. Gardening around your shed or adding features like flower boxes or shutters can turn a simple structure into an appealing visual element. Plants, decorative stones, or even a small footpath leading up to the shed can connect it to your overall landscape design, making it an integral part of your outdoor oasis.
Your Journey to a Personal Oasis Starts Here
Creating your own backyard oasis is more than just a home improvement project; it is a journey into personalizing your space to serve your needs and desires. From mapping out your property and identifying key landscape elements to setting the mood with ambiance and updated outdoor furniture, each step is crucial to achieving the ultimate goal — a place to relax, unwind, and even entertain. If you are interested in investing in backyard storage sheds to complete your backyard, we encourage you to download our free resource. The “Shed Buying Workbook” can guide you through each step of the process. Let's create something beautiful together!
