Sprucing up the exterior of your home can more than double your usable living space. Whether you fix up your patio, put on a new deck or buy a great grill and create a full outdoor kitchen, you will make outdoor entertaining easier and your home more enjoyable.
Many homeowners put off their outdoor renovations because they think the project will be too expensive. They look at the prices of high-end grills and hot tubs and assume that an outdoor oasis is simply not in the cards.
The good news is that a relaxing outdoor oasis does not have to be prohibitively expensive. With a few simple tweaks and some smart shopping, you can create a beautiful outdoor living space for yourself and your family. Whether you live in the Pacific Northwest or Southern California, you can create an outdoor living space you will be proud of without breaking the bank or going into debt.
One of the smartest things you can do is choose outdoor furniture that can do double duty. If you live in Minneapolis, MN or live in the north east part of the United States and lounge chairs are on the shopping list, look for upholstery that can withstand both hot summer days and harsh winter nights. Look for lounge chairs and patio furniture that is easy to clean and rugged enough to stand up to even the harshest conditions. Whether you choose the beauty of wrought iron, the durability of wood or the affordability of wicker, always buy the best quality pieces you can afford.
You can save even more on your outdoor oasis by doing the work yourself. Whether you are putting in a deck, fixing up your patio or installing an outdoor kitchen, hiring a contractor will raise your costs substantially. You do not have to do all the work yourself, but doing as much as you can will save you a lot of money.
You can even get the kids involved when building your outdoor oasis. Whether they help you carry bricks for the patio or just bring you a cold drink, they will feel like they are part of the project.
You do not have to be an expert to create your own outdoor living space. There are plenty of online tutorials and detailed instructions out there that can help. If you can read a level and have some basic power tools, you can lay the patio block that will form the foundation of your outdoor oasis. Where you take it from there is up to you, but before you know it you will have a wonderful space for entertaining and family fun.
