We all love the outdoors. It is this simple fact that inspires many of us to set up a nice outdoor living space to complement our homes. But when it comes to setting up such an area, what are the most important elements? In today's blog, we list five particular elements we believe play a large role in defining a great outdoor space.

Source: Darin Chamberlin / Flickr, via Creative Commons 2.0 (changes made from original image)

Deck / patio

As with any outdoor living space, you'll want an area where everyone can sit down and relax. Two key options include a deck or patio. While you can have ground-level decks, you'll often see these as an option for an elevated outdoor living area (e.g. it connects on from the second level of your home). For a ground level outdoor living space, patios are a great option. They can installed as an extension of your current home and designed to insulate so that temperatures are better controlled when standing under the patio roof.

How large your deck or patio is depends on both how much space you have to work with and how many people you envisioning having over for parties and get-togethers. Then there is also the matter of cost. The bigger and more elaborate your space, the more it will likely cost you. It's best to take some time out to research your options and which one you think will best meet your wants and needs.

Outdoor shading

Given the harsh conditions we can face in Australia, especially in terms of heat, it's worth investing in some outdoor shading. We covered some options in a previous blog, but if we're simply talking about your deck and patio, then the shading you'll likely want to consider will be that of outdoor blinds. These allow you to block out the sun when it's too intense, and then pull the blinds back up when the sunlight is welcome (e.g. during winter).

Another benefit is that if a severe storm comes with the likes of strong winds and hail, the blinds can be pulled down to add protection for your home and outdoor living space from serious damage. So if you do decide to go with some outdoor blinds, make sure you opt for those made out of tough materials that can handle the conditions. This should be easy as most outdoor blinds are built with the more intense elements in mind.

The right furniture

If you're going to have an outdoor living area, then choosing the right furniture is important. You won't be putting your usual indoor couches outside, but rather opting for furniture that is designed to endure exposure to the sun, rain, cold and other similar elements. You'll find wooden, metallic and plastic furniture tends to work well outside. Many outdoor pieces of furniture also include gaps and/or holes so you can more easily wipe away dust and grit. And don't forget the likes of wicker chairs and outdoor-specific pillows that are easier to clean than those built for the indoor environment.

Practicality should not come at the expense of comfort, however. Remember that outdoor furniture has evolved a lot of the years, and there are plenty of appealing options out there.

Additional touches

If you want to make your outdoor space stand out, there are always some little additional touches you can invest in. These are necessarily must haves, but they can add a nice look to your overall space. One example is the below use of artificial grass on a deck area.

Source

Whether or not you ever bother with a design choice such as this would depend on just how large your outdoor space is. Of course, if your outdoor living area is going to be more extensive than your average deck or patio, then these additional touches - comprised of aesthetically captivating designs - are likely something you can consider a little more seriously.

Outdoor tech

These days, there's a lot of outdoor-focused technology that can make your living space even better. From waterproof wireless speakers to portable ice makers and outdoor heaters, it doesn't matter what the weather's like - you can keep entertaining outside. While not to everyone's taste, you can even set up an area to install a TV and protect it with an enclosure. This is a great option if you want people to head outside but some would still like to watch TV for the cricket, football, tennis, etc.

Here at Roo Roofing, we offer two key patio installation services. First of all, we can build your patio from scratch to your ideal specifications. Or, if you already own a patio but you believe it needs a bit of TLC or a complete overhaul, we can redesign your current structure and amend it to your liking.

If you’d like to find out more about our patio installation/redesign options or want to know more about the products we use, give Roo Roofing a call on 1300 734 148.