How You Can Create a Cozy Outdoor Retreat

With summertime in full swing, you’re probably already spending more time outdoors. For many areas of the United States, outdoor entertaining doesn’t end when summer makes its exit and fall rolls in, which means you have months to spend time with friends and family members in your yard or on your patio.

Sure, you can set up a plastic table and some flimsy chairs near the grill, but doing so deprives you of the chance to turn your outdoor sitting area into the cozy retreat it has the potential to be.

If you’re not sure how to take your outdoor entertainment area from drab to dreamy, these tips can help in creating an outdoor retreat.

Cleaning Up the Space

Most people choose their backyard when looking at patio ideas because no one wants to sit near the busy street that runs past the front of their home.

However, the backyard also often becomes a catch-all for lawnmowers, gardening tools, and various other items. With this in mind, one of the most important steps to take when creating an outdoor retreat is to tidy up the space.

The goal is to create a relaxing oasis where you’ll enjoy spending time with your loved ones, and that’s hard to do if you’re stepping over snowblowers, rakes, and other random items.

Before you start shopping for new furniture or investing in lighting, get the space where you’re going to entertain guests cleaned up.

For some homeowners, this is as simple as putting tools and other items in a storage shed, basement, or garage. For others, it may mean cutting back some brush, removing some bushes, or having a tree cut down.

Once you figure out the amount of space that you need for your cozy outdoor retreat, you can get the space cleaned up and start turning your space into what you want it to be.

Decide on a Theme

If you were to choose a luxury resort for a vacation, you would find that the outdoor areas match the overall design theme of the inside.

Everything is designed to work together to further the experience of the guest. While you don’t have to make your outdoor living space mirror the décor on the inside, it is a good idea to go with a theme.

For instance, if you already have a pool in your backyard, you might decide to do a nautical theme on your patio. If you like rustic décor, you may want to use a lot of exposed wood and other rustic pieces of decoration. Implementing a theme in your outdoor sitting area allows you to set the “vibe” of the space.

What’s even more enjoyable about this is that you don’t have to make the outdoor sitting area tie into your home. The freedom to go “outside the box” with your patio ideas is liberating and provides an awesome opportunity to further make your home a reflection of who you are.

Do you live in a suburban area where most of the homes look the same?

Turn your backyard patio into a brightly colored, well-lit oasis. If you’re part of a homeowner’s association (HOA), be sure to find out if there are any regulations about what you’re allowed to do.

Light Up the Area

Outdoor lighting has come a long way in recent years, so you’re sure to find something that works for your space. The lighting that you choose will contribute to the overall design that you’re going for and will also help set the mood.

Additionally, having your outdoor sitting area well-lit is important for the safety of everyone who’s going to enjoy the space.

Consider investing primarily in solar lights, so they can charge during the day and give illumination when the sun goes down.

If your backyard doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, you can certainly opt for LED lights, battery-powered lights, or some light fixtures that plug into an outdoor power source.

When shopping for lights, be sure that you’re specifically looking for outdoor lights, since you’ll want to invest in weather-proof lighting.

Invest in Comfortable Seating

If you want people to truly enjoy your outdoor haven, you’re going to need to provide them with comfortable seating options.

Sure, you can find flimsy, uncomfortable plastic chairs that don’t cost much, but there are multiple reasons that these options are so cheap.

First of all, they’re just not comfortable. You’ll spend more time adjusting than relaxing if you try to cut corners on your seating. Secondly, most cheap options really aren’t that durable.

As is the case with most things, you get what you pay for when it comes to outdoor furniture. If you don’t have a ton of money to spend on this project, consider waiting until the beginning of fall when a lot of stores mark down their outdoor furniture.

In addition to investing in some comfortable chairs, consider adding some other options to the mix. If you have the space, get a hammock where you or your guests can stretch out and unwind.

Look for hammock chairs, outdoor sofas, and other pieces of furniture that can make your outdoor oasis look like a comfortable living room.

Build a Wall

Putting a wall up outside may seem counterintuitive, but it actually adds a lot of options, while also helping you define the space. One of the most popular trends when it comes to patio ideas is to build a living wall. Fortunately, this is a relatively simple DIY project.

Determine the dimensions that you want for your outdoor wall and construct it out of the most affordable lumber that you can find. It’s a good idea to get treated lumber so it will be weather-resistant.

Once your wall is up, build some floating shelves, and put plants on them. All of a sudden, you have a focal point and some plants that make the space feel warm and inviting.

If you have no interest in building an outdoor wall, you can find some outdoor privacy screens at most hardware stores.

Adding one of these pieces not only provides some definition to your outdoor sitting area but also gives you some privacy, which is great if you have neighbors who live close by.

Add a Water Feature

If the goal is to turn your outdoor entertainment area into a relaxing haven, consider adding a water fixture.

Something as simple as a birdbath can provide you with some ambient noise when you’re enjoying your time outdoors while also helping you get in touch with nature as birds come by for a drink.

If you have the space, you can purchase a lovely fountain, complete with artificial rocks that look like a waterfall.

The sound of trickling water has been proven to help people relax, so if the goal is to make your patio a space to unwind, this is a must-have.

Embracing the Great Outdoors

Upgrading your outdoor sitting area is a great way to open up more space for you to spend time at home with friends, family, and neighbors.

These outdoor decoration ideas are relatively easy to implement and can quickly turn any outdoor space into a cozy retreat that will make everyone feel like they’re spending the weekend at an exclusive resort.