5 Tips for Creating Outdoor Spaces Suited to Young Families
Feb 10th, 2011 by Hazel
Families are always looking for ways to spend more time together, and parents are often searching for strategies to pull their kids away from the television and video games. Many homeowners are creating gathering spaces right in their own backyards, to provide a fun and at-home retreat. When considering turning your porch or yard into a dynamic living and gathering area, keep to these five tips!
Safety First: More than any other consideration, safety should always be at the top of the list, especially for families with young children. One trending outdoor furniture complement is the fire pit. Whether used for cooking, keeping warm or just aesthetics, it doesn’t have to be out of the questions for families. Fire pits should have a protective ring around them to keep the flame contained. But, also consider how you envision the fire pit being used. The options for fire pits are incredibly varied, so it’s important to consider your maintenance concerns and your intended use before diving into the selection
Furniture Materials: Always look for patio furniture in materials that will stand up to harsh outdoor environments: Red and White Cedars contain naturally embedded oils that resist insect damage and decay. Teak is a dense, heavy outdoor wood that is fantastic for patios and exudes absolute luxury. If you’re looking for something synthetic, Polywood is created from recycled milk jugs and plastic bottles originally destined for the landfill. Fashioned to look and feel like real wood, the plastic construction makes it absolutely indestructible.
Child Size and Kid Friendly: Consider incorporating kid’s outdoor furniture into your backyard space design. Having their own area, seats and tables will encourage them to spend more time outdoors. When hosting a neighborhood get-together, the kids will have a place to entertain each other without being constantly underfoot. A lot of retailers sell child-sized outdoor furniture that match their standard size designs, so your entire outdoor room can have a unified, but still functional, lay out.
Stay on Budget: Balancing a budget with a growing family is no easy task, and creating an outdoor room doesn’t have to break the bank. Look for outdoor furniture that can serve multiple purposes. For example, get an outdoor dining set that has patio chairs you can pull away for round-the-fire pit seating. Picnic tables with detached benches can be used in the traditional way, or you can set out a buffet style meal on the table and use the benches elsewhere for more casual seating. Adding splashes of color is also an simple way to make a big impact. Plan a color scheme that works with your home and incorporate it into patio umbrellas and outdoor furniture cushions. Adding indoor comfort and brightening color will make your outdoor space feel more finished and furnished. Then, if you ever get tired of your design, you can simply switch out the cushions for a brand new look!
Carve Out a Space for Just You: Especially for busy mothers, any porch, patio, or outdoor spaces should always leave a section nestled in the corner for solo-relaxation. Whether you string a hammock, hang a porch swing, or simply pull one of those dining chairs/patio chairs out of the way, having a quiet space to reflect and drink tea outdoors will do wonders for your stress levels. Creating an outdoor room will give you a great place to entertain, but also a quiet place to escape the every day noises of your home’s interior.
Have Fun!
Hazel.
































