Introduction
If you’re looking to build a new deck, patio or storage space in your yard, the first step is always to plan it out. This may seem like an easy task; after all, most of us spend a lot of time outside during the warmer months of the year. But when it comes to making a functional design that meets your needs and fits into your overall property layout, things can get complicated quickly. That’s why we’ve put together this roadmap for outdoor building design so you can get started right away!
Start with the overall look of your house.
- Start with the overall look of your house.
- If you have a modern house, you may want to use modern materials for your outdoor space.
- If you have an older house, you may want to use traditional materials for your outdoor space.
Think about how you want to use your outdoor space.
The first step to creating the perfect outdoor space is thinking about how you want to use it. Are you looking for a place where the whole family can gather? Or do you want a quiet spot for reading and relaxation? If there are children in your household, what activities do they enjoy–and which ones are likely to end with tears and broken toys?
If you’re lucky enough to have a big yard or garden, think about where most of your time will be spent: is it under an umbrella by the poolside; lounging on lawn chairs while watching TV; sitting at a picnic table with friends over beers–or perhaps all three at once! Make a list of things that would make each scenario more enjoyable (e.g., having shade from large trees nearby).
Create a list of goals.
The first step to creating your outdoor space is to decide what you want it to look like. This can be done by creating a list of goals, which will help you visualize the end result before starting on any construction. The more specific your goals are, the easier it will be for you to achieve them!
Here are some examples:
- “I want my backyard deck to be able to seat 20 people comfortably.”
- “My front yard needs a place where guests can sit down while they wait for me.”
Consider the size and shape of your yard, as well as its location (climate zone).
The size and shape of your yard are important factors to consider when designing an outdoor space. You’ll want to think about how much sun you get in the afternoon (especially if you live in a hot climate) and whether there’s any shade that could be useful during those times. It’s also important to consider how much rain falls where you live–if it rains often, then chances are good that some sort of shelter for outdoor furniture will be necessary for some parts of the year.
You should also think about how many people will use this space at once (or at least regularly), since this will help determine what kind of materials are best suited for building your deck or patio: wood vs concrete vs stone vs metal?
Plan for at least 20 percent of your yard to be lawn or other grass-like groundcover.
It’s important to plan for at least 20 percent of your yard to be lawn or other grass-like groundcover. Lawn is a good way to cover up dirt and grass, but it can be expensive and time-consuming to maintain. If you don’t want to use lawn, consider a groundcover instead. Groundcovers are plants that grow close together in an area where they’re not expected to spread as far as normal “weedy” plants would (think dandelions). Some groundcovers need more water than others–some can even survive without much water at all!
Plan for at least 10 percent of area to be hardscape (concrete, pavers, decking or stone).
Hardscape is the area that is not grass. It can be concrete, pavers, decking or stone. Hardscapes can also include fire pits, fountains and other outdoor features that you might want to add to your outdoor space.
Hardscapes are great because they help define the space and give it some character – whether you’re looking for something modern or more traditional in style.
Keep in mind that many plants need sunlight and water, so plan according to this information as well.
Keep in mind that many plants need sunlight and water, so plan according to this information as well.
When choosing the location for your outdoor building design, make sure that you have adequate space for all of your plants. If you don’t have enough room for them to grow, then they will die off quickly or become unhealthy due to overcrowding with other plants.
The best way to begin designing your outdoor space is by planning out how it will fit into the rest of your property
The best way to begin designing your outdoor space is by planning out how it will fit into the rest of your property. A good starting point is to consider how you want to use the space, and what kind of activities will take place there. For example, if you have young children in the family who love playing on playgrounds but don’t have one nearby, an outdoor play area could be a good addition–or even just an area where they can run around safely without needing constant supervision.
You also need to think about how much space you have available for building or planting something new in your yard; this affects both the cost and feasibility of any project that requires lots of materials (like installing a deck or patio) versus smaller projects like adding pavers around some flower beds so people can walk on them instead of trampling plants when entering through doors near ground level. You should also consider climate zone when deciding which plants would thrive best under different conditions; some may require extra watering while others require more sunlight than others
Conclusion
The best way to begin designing your outdoor space is by planning out how it will fit into the rest of your property. Think about how you want to use it, what kind of plants or hardscaping would work best for your climate zone and what kind of look would complement your house. From there, you can begin drawing up some designs and making decisions about which features will be included in each area!