In Johnston County, outdoor living is a given. Warm evenings, backyard gatherings and quiet mornings with coffee on the porch are woven into the rhythm of life.
Whatever you want it to be, your outdoor space should fit your needs and how you actually live.
Thinking about an outdoor living space and don’t know where to start?
Before binge watching HGTV or downloading a thousand images from Pinterest, consider asking yourself a simple question:
What do you really want to do out there?
Not a morning coffee person? Maybe it’s chasing the kids and the dog around the backyard. Maybe it’s roasting s’mores over a fire. Or maybe it’s a backyard cook-out for close friends, or a party for the whole neighborhood. Maybe it’s all that and more.
After you’ve answered that question, the rest is much easier to fill in.
What works for a starting point? A deck, a patio, a porch, something else?
For many homes, it starts with a deck. Decks create an easy transition from indoors to outdoors, especially when the yard slopes away from the house. Single level or multi-tiered deck? Single level decks are great for grilling and dining or just relaxing together. Multi-tiered decks create separate zones for relaxing, entertaining and gathering.
Ground-level patios are another popular option, particularly if you want a more open gathering area. Patios pair well with fire pits, outdoor kitchens or seat walls that encourage people to linger. Covered porches offer yet another approach, creating an outdoor “room” that protects from sun and rain while still feeling connected to the yard.
Or maybe consider a screened-in porch or a three-season room to strike the perfect balance — fresh air and outdoor views with fewer bugs and protection during pollen season.
What about the extras? Comfort features can make the biggest difference between a space that looks nice and one that gets used every week. What type of furniture do you want in the space? What about shade?
A patio that bakes in the afternoon sun might look beautiful on paper, but it’s not much fun to drip sweat on your favorite novel. Shade structures like pergolas soften bright sunlight while adding architectural character. And covered pavilions make it easier to enjoy the space even when summer showers roll through.
If entertaining is part of your plan, outdoor kitchens and fire features naturally draw people together, turning the backyard into a true gathering place.
And then how do you choose materials? The material choices can seem endless, even to someone who does this kind of work for a living. Material choice is typically a blend of your preferred style, the attributes of the materials and of course, price.
For example, pressure treated decking, which is typically the most economical upfront, will eventually need sanding, staining or other long term up-keep. But composite or PVC decking generally only require an occasional scrub-down.
And what about patio pavers vs. decorative concrete for a patio? Decorative concrete can be a great, stylish option, but concrete does tend to crack over time. Pavers on the other hand offer a vast array of design options and are often more durable over the long haul, but you might have to pull some weeds when those pesky dandelions find a way through the seams.
And then there’s the railings. Vinyl, composite, PVC, aluminum, other? We don’t have enough space to even get started on all the railing choices.
As you start thinking about your space, remember that most of the best outdoor spaces blend several elements together — a deck that transitions to a patio, a shaded porch connected to an open seating area or a fire feature placed where friends and family naturally gather. Thoughtful planning will ensure those features work together instead of competing for space.
At the end of the day, it really does start with that first question: What do you really want to do out there?
Answer that question and you’ll give yourself a great start at creating an amazing outdoor living space, whether you design it yourself or work with a professional to build the project that fits your needs.
This content is sponsored by Archadeck of Eastern North Carolina. For more information, visit archadeck.com or call 984-217-3981.
