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When it comes to making the most of your property, whether it’s a high-end estate or a multi-family apartment community, nothing else brings value and enjoyment quite like modern outdoor living spaces.

Everyone enjoys spending time on the deck or patio when the weather is just right. However, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we all know that “perfect” weather doesn’t last very long. We are either enduring extreme summer heat or bitter cold…with a handful of pleasant spring or fall days mixed in.

But not living in a year-round weather paradise doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy outdoor living! In this post, we’ll give you several design ideas that make it possible for you to maximize every square inch of your living space no matter what mother nature decides to do.

Outdoor Living and Design Ideas

Making the most of the outside areas around your property extends the useful square footage of your living space. In the past, a porch or patio was simply a place to sit and rest when the weather was nice or a place to get out of the elements as you unlock the door so you can get inside.

Over the last several years, property owners have realized that well-designed outdoor spaces create many more opportunities for entertainment and enjoyment, which also increases property value. In fact, today’s renters and guests are not only looking for these amenities—they’re expecting them!

Over the time that we’ve been in business, we’ve seen a lot of design trends come and go. Working in landscape design for over 20 years has allowed us to take a lot of notes on what has worked and what hasn’t in North Texas.

So here are several outdoor living elements that we think your property deserves:

Seating Area

Gone are the days when your only seating options outside were a rocking chair or a hard metal piece of furniture. In many modern outdoor living spaces, the quality is such that it’s often hard to tell the difference between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The important thing to remember is that a good seating area allows for several people to be in the space at the same time yet still be able to move around freely. Don’t make it too crowded, and be sure to include pieces that go with good seating. Supplemental pieces are crucial to overall enjoyment, such as end tables to set drinks on and outdoor rugs to keep your feet happy when you decide to kick off your shoes and stay awhile.

Patio Furniture

Your nice outdoor space is nothing if you can’t sit and enjoy it! The options are styles are limitless. Sofas, chairs, and sectionals with cushions covered in weather-resistant fabrics allow for extremely relaxing seating. A daybed suspended from the ceiling invites you to take a nap. Conversation sets come in various shapes and sizes to facilitate social connections in inviting environments.

String Lights

Once the sun goes down, spending time outside can be difficult unless your outdoor living area is well lit. Exterior lighting on the house and ceiling fan lights are good at illuminating your porch or patio, but they come with some unintended consequences, especially during Dallas summers, namely bugs.

You can avoid attracting moths and other flying insects to where you’re sitting by hanging string lights above and around your space. They’re a stylish and inexpensive way to create a nice warm glow throughout the entire area.

Patio Covers and Screens

If your outdoor space isn’t protected from the beating Texas sun and spin-up storms, you probably won’t be using it much. Take your outdoor living to another level by putting a cover of some sort over it.

If you can make it work architecturally, extending the roofline of your main structure out over the area with matching roof material is ideal. Add retractable french doors that can completely open the connecting wall, and it will allow you to almost erase the line between indoors and out.

If you’re looking for something quicker, a pergola, awning, tent, canopy, or any number of other creative coverings will provide the shade and protection you and your guests need.

If you’re adding a roof, you may as well consider a way to incorporate wall screens as well! There are some permanent and incredibly nice retractable options that allow you to keep uninvited pests from crashing your parties (the insect kind, that is…screens do nothing to keep people out.)

Outdoor Kitchens

If you’re going to go big with your outdoor space, outdoor kitchens are a must-have.
Since food is always a part of outdoor living, why not enhance your space with a permanent outdoor kitchen.

With the help of a landscape architect, you can build practically anything outdoors that you enjoy indoors. Refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, griddles, grills, smokers, pizza ovens—the possibilities are endless!

Water Feature

When considering a landscape architecture and design project, don’t forget about water features. Adding touches of nature to your outdoor living area will produce a relaxing and enjoyable end result that you and your guests will love.

There’s just something soothing about the sound of water. Think about where you could add a fountain, koi pond, waterfall, or even a meandering stream to enhance the rest of your landscaping.

Outdoor Contractors Can Make It Happen

All of these ideas and more are what landscape architects and outdoor contractors make possible every day. Homebuilders and traditional contractors can easily handle adding to your existing structures. But to really make the most of creating a top-notch outdoor space, look for contractors that specialize in outdoor living space design.

We Build Modern Outdoor Living Spaces in Dallas and Fort Worth

At LH Services, we have been designing and creating first-class outdoor living spaces for our clients for over 20 years! Our landscape architects and design teams can work with you to bring your outdoor living dreams to life.

Click here to learn more about how we work, then let’s see what we can do for you!

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