5 Tips to Help You Actually Use Your Outdoor Space This Summer

Whether you have a terrace or backyard the size of a postage stamp or grounds that rival a resort, it takes a creative design strategy to make the most of your space. 

“In most homes, there are forgotten’ outdoor spaces or neglected corners or overlooked walls that hold untapped potential,” says Christiane Lemieux, designer and founder of modern luxury brand Lemieux et Cie.

Here are some tips from design pros and veteran DIYers on how do just that.

Design Like You’re on a Yacht

Yes, you read that correctly. To transform those underutilized outdoor spots into functional spaces, Lemieux encourages “thinking yacht.” This means you are taking the design upward rather than outward. The vertical elements “draw the eye and maximize limited square footage,” she says.

Lemieux recommends installing “anything ‘Murphy’”, like flip-down tables and shelving. For greenery, look up to espaliers, climbing plants, or vertical gardens. These space-saving beauties “breathe life into the walls, turning them from blank canvases into lively components of your outdoor living area,” she says.

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Liven Up a Drab Entrance

“You may think a simple step entry or small porch is something you have to live with, but consider carving out an outdoor living space with a larger and more welcoming entry to your home,” says Sara McDaniel, designer and home renovation expert at Simply Southern Cottage.

Even a small front entry can be something special, she says.

A garage, shed, or other freestanding outbuilding on your property can be the site of a new porch. For McDaniel, a small porch can add enjoyment and even increase property value. 

“Adding a small porch to a forgotten space in your yard can add so much charm and interest to your home,” she says. Here’s an example of what she did for one of her renovations:

Get Creative with Decor and Lighting

It’s not necessary to festoon every square inch of space with backyard decor. But if you’ve been staring at an unused spot for several seasons now, consider how it will look with some decor and lighting. Then, if there’s room, add a spot to sit, rock, or swing to give it some new life.

“By thoughtfully incorporating seating, lighting, and decorative elements, these once-forgotten small spaces become nooks for relaxation and enjoyment,” says Lemieux. “With a bit of creativity, every corner and square foot has a function waiting to be discovered.”

Build a Platform Deck and Garden

Stringent codes in some areas can make building deck a monumental task for a DIYer. But instead of an elevated deck that connects to your home, consider a lower platform elsewhere on your property, like Al Ruggie, veteran DIYer and marketing director with ASAP Restoration in Phoenix, AZ.

“Before I started this project, there was literally nothing in this corner of my yard besides sand and a few struggling weeds,” he says. “I installed an irrigation system first and realized that I wanted more than just a garden there, but somewhere to sit and enjoy watching it grow, too. That’s when I embarked on a crazy journey to make this circular deck.”

Using 10,000 rocks, more than seventy-five 80-pound bags of concrete, and over $1,000 in supplies, Ruggie has no regrets about his 14-foot deck burned in a shou sugi ban style. And yes, it’s the perfect spot to watch his garden flourish.

Create a Place to Gather in Front of Your Home

So often, the outdoor space discussion defaults to backyards. But we’d be remiss to dismiss homes with workable space in the front yard.

McDaniels issues this challenge: “Imagine spaces beyond what you see with your eye by creating an outdoor gathering spot in the front of your home.”

She took up her own challenge with a short-term rental property. To define the space, she installed a layer of pretty brick pavers, hung “whimsical” string lights, and arranged colorful Adirondack chairs that simply beckon visitors and residents to stop and rest a while.