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Did you know that you can still expand your home’s footprint without undergoing massive renovations? There’s actually one space in your home that has been through plenty of upgrades in terms of design and purpose over the years, and that’s your outdoor area. Your home’s outdoor space can either be your outdoor living area, an outdoor porch, or an outdoor grilling place.
Years ago, homeowners didn’t really pay much attention to decorating their outdoors unless they have green thumbs. Outdoors have always been related to plants, flowers, and gardens. But now, designing your outdoor space is not limited to gardening only. Some even transform it into their second living room, with the outdoor TV, sofa, and center table.
Regardless of how you use your outdoor space, it’s always been one of the most exciting areas to work with when it comes to designing. Unlike your indoor spaces, the outdoor space comes with natural assets such as the bright blue sky, greenery, flower garden, the warm temperature during the summer days, and the cool air during the cold season. The possibility of designing your outdoor area is limitless, considering that you also have to make sure it fits any season or weather.
You might be thinking that your outdoor is not as appealing as that of your neighbors who own extensive gardens or have massive swimming pools. Well, it’s no big deal. Whether if you are short in space, out of budget, or you don’t own any garden yet, there’s still plenty of ideas so that you can work on what you own. By incorporating suitable designs into your outdoor space, you can change how that area will look and make you feel. Plus, it can also brighten up your home’s overall look and appeal.
Read on below for the ten outdoor design ideas to brighten your home.
- Unique Outdoor Lighting
When talking about outdoor lighting, the first thing that comes into your mind is the sun, or it could be your thinking of your existing lamp post. The thing is, there are way more ideas than that standard lamp post you have on your front porch. The best thing about outdoor lights is that they have the power to add personality and clarity to your home’s overall exterior look. You can check this link https://oregonoutdoorlighting.com/unique-outside-lighting-ideas/ for more ideas about adding unique outdoor lightings.
Whether you have a tiny outdoor area or an extensive one, unique outdoor lightings can indeed transform your home into a gleaming wonderland, especially at night. To give you an idea of the finished look with impressive outdoor lightings, check out this video for a walkthrough guide about outdoor lighting placement.
- Create An Outdoor Gathering Space
Is your outdoor area empty? Maybe for now, you have a barren lawn and a fence. Then that means you get to work on a blank canvas. To brighten up that area, try to reimagine first a room with no walls. Then, you can start working from that concept by creating a new room – outdoors. Instead of an empty lawn, you can create an outdoor gathering space for you and your family.
Start this by adding a center table, just like in your living room. Then surround it with a wicker sofa which is perfect for an outdoor setting. Then, don’t forget to include a freestanding umbrella, in case the sun is too hot. You can also have a fire pit which is especially useful for family gatherings in the middle of a cold night.
- Add Popping Colors
Suppose you already have an existing outdoor gathering space on your lawn. However, you still feel like it’s dull or plain. Then maybe it has to do with the colors that you’re using. While neutral colors can be fitting, using them in the middle of your lawn may not be a good idea. Neutral colors have a tendency to easily blend with their surroundings, especially since neutral colors can be easily associated with nature. The longer you get used to seeing the same colors in your outdoor space, you may soon find it dull.
To keep your outdoor gathering space alive, it’s time to cue the colorful accents. This may be a great time to incorporate vibrant hues into your lawn by choosing popping colors for your lounge chairs, sofa, cushion, and even the freestanding umbrella you’re using. Besides that, you can also use modern prints like eye-popping florals, colorful stripes, or animal prints and see how your outdoor setting will surely brighten up your home’s exterior.
- Make Use Of Colorful Containers
Do you have potted plants displayed on your front porch? Perhaps you’re using the standard colors like black, brown, or white for the thought that your flowers must stand out more than the pot. However, black pots seem too overrated and dull, especially if you have non-flowering potted plants. To brighten up your outdoor space, make use of colorful containers instead.
Choose pots that come in different sizes, shapes, textures, and vibrant colors. The bigger the plant container, the brighter it would appear in your outdoor garden and your home’s exterior.
- Incorporate Colorful Rugs
Another way to glow up your home is by experimenting with your floor rugs. Most homeowners are already used to purchasing rugs that are darker in colors because of the thought, “They are for shoes anyway, and they’re not so noticeable.” Sometimes, you can brighten up your home by adding colors to the most unexpected areas or things in your home, and that includes your floor rugs.
If possible, you can reuse a scrap of vinyl flooring by turning it into a colorful rug for your outdoor porch or space. Flip it first and paint the backside with any colorful pattern that would fit into your outdoor space and your taste. Make sure you’re using paint that is specifically for exterior applications.
- Spice Up Your Front Door
If you already have the outdoor lighting ready to brighten up your home during the night, how can you brighten up your home exterior during the daytime? That can be done through your front door. After all, your front door is one of the first things that your guests can see before entering your house. Thus, make sure you set a vibrant color for your front door to give your home a lively vibe. Remember to choose a color that works well with your home’s current exterior paint. Otherwise, the colors may clash and look disorienting. For instance, a red door will not only brighten up your front porch but will also look perfectly fine with your home’s pale green palette.
- Brighten Your Outdoors With Flowers
One of the most natural ways to brighten up your home is by filling your outdoor space with flowers. Not only will this benefit your home’s curb appeal, but this is a fun activity to do with your family too. You can all decide which flowers you would love to see on your front porch as you sip your coffee in the morning. Plus, your front porch will soon look like a dreamy garden oasis once these flowers bloom in their time. Make sure to choose flowers that can grow in the weather and soil type you have in your state.
- Go For All White Surfaces
Another option you can try is by repainting your house’s exterior and its fences into all white. An all-white terrace will keep your outdoors look cool even as the sun is striking too hot during the summer months. White surfaces will also allow your gorgeous flowers to stand out easier and brighter.
- Experiment With Wall Planters
Suppose you went for an all-white surface for your patio. White surfaces will look even better and glowing if they are accented with something colorful like wall planters. Wall planters can look their best when they have a polished white backdrop. They will look like living wall art in your outdoor space.
There are various choices of wall planters you can choose from. Some differ in sizes, shapes, and set up. Some wall planters need to be hanged, while some need to be affixed to your outdoor wall. Some wall planter designs fit modern or contemporary houses, while some wall planters fit for a boho-inspired home. Choose which one best fits your house’s overall look. If you’re up for it, you can also add outdoor lights around your wall planters to highlight them during the evening.
- Install A Water Fountain With Lights
Adding a lighted water fountain into your outdoors is unquestionably one of the best ways to brighten up your home in the evening. Not only does it look appealing to the eye, but it definitely adds an elegant touch to your outdoor space. You can surround your fountain with outdoor lounge chairs, and this will be a perfect luxurious setting for you and your family to chill out under the stars.
Water fountains come in different shapes and styles. You can go for fountains that feature statues or sculpted artworks, or you can go for the original water fountain look to make it look like a zen garden.
Wrapping Up
Take your home from plain to dreamy with the list of outdoor design ideas mentioned above. You can now get started on brightening your home not only during the day but also at night. If you’re unsure where to begin, you can always call for your interior designer’s help to help you decide which part of your house must you start your designing project.