Like us, you may be an outdoor dining enthusiast who also happens to enjoy reading a book in the garden. Really, nothing compares to sipping on some tea while flipping through the pages of your favorite book or having a romantic candle-lit dinner in an open-air setting. Regardless of the activity, a properly designed outdoor space can make it possible for you to enjoy your garden to the fullest. But if you only have so much backyard space, you certainly can’t afford to squander it on any design or structure.
Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list that will help you in choosing the perfect design for your backyard:
1. Pergolas
Having a large, outdoor structure, pergolas have traditionally been used to support vines. They are now often attached to houses to serve as a bridge between the interior and the exterior of the house, creating an extension from the rooms inside the home to the outdoors. Depending on your design or taste, you can still choose to have them be freestanding.
Consisting of columns that support either an open or covered roofing grid of beams and rafters, pergolas come in a variety of dimensions. If the roof is open, vines are often planted to form a canopy over the pergola, so as to afford shade on sunny days. While economical, vines also give your garden a sort of whimsical look. On the other hand, you may choose to completely cover your pergola with fiberglass or retractable shade canopies.
2. Gazebos
Getting a gazebo is an excellent choice if you need a functional space. Made of wood or metal, gazebos are freestanding open garden structures that can help you maximize the use of your landscape. They can be rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal in shape and always come with a roof. Latticework, curtains or drapes are often used to add a sense of privacy.
Since gazebos can often serve as a focal point in garden settings, you want to make sure that you create one that complements the look of your house and garden. However, a great gazebo is not only a beautiful yard ornament, but it can also provide coverage over dining zones, outdoor hot tubs and entertainment seating. Whether you just want to enjoy your relaxing evenings, host a wedding, host birthday parties, or increase the value of your home, gazebos offer the ultimate way to expand your outdoor space.
3. Patios
Commonly situated at the rear of a property, patios are structures that can act as extensions to a living room, dining room or kitchen. Patios can be either attached to your home or detached, have their own roofs or pergolas overhead and can come in different shapes and designs. The design and material used will depend mostly on your tastes, the location of your house and the space available. They can be created in a U-shape, L-shape, wraparound or multilevel structure, and can come in a wide range of materials, such as flagstones, brick, gravel, stone, or concrete.
Regardless of its shape, if well-laid, the patio will not only enhance the look of your garden but also extend the living space of a home into the outdoors. It is very versatile and can offer additional living area for family dinner and gatherings.
4. Deck
Generally roofless, a deck is a platform that can either adjoin a house or be freestanding. Although traditionally made from lumber, it does not mean you have to stick to the conventional types that exist on the market. Instead, you can choose to have your deck be made with vinyl, weather-resistant woods (like cedar, cypress or redwood), hardwoods (such as ipe and teak), or composite wood material (recycled plastic, wood fiber, and aluminum). Additionally, since decks are usually elevated from the ground and can be different levels, they are often enclosed by railings.
When adequately taken care of, decks offer beauty unlike any other structure and create a great first impression on your guests. Decks play such a key role for any exterior not only because they are a statement piece of the backyard, but also because they serve as dining and/or barbequing area.
5. Lattice
A lattice, often confused with trellises, is an ornamental plant support structure that can be used in gardens. Although decorative and used for the same purpose, lattices and trellises are very distinct structures. A lattice can be used for several purposes, such as a support for climbing plants and vines, as a fence or as a decorative piece to edge flower beds. With its versatility. it can also provide some degree of privacy to a yard or garden.
We hope this list helps you in finding the perfect structure for your project! And these are only a few of the many ways of improving your backyard. Happy hunting!
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