When you purchase the home you’ve always dreamed of, you want everything to be perfect. This means that you will have to pay attention to the smallest things and look after every detail. The deck usually connects together your house with the garden, the pool area, and your front or back yard.
This is the thing that creates the perfect flow and that will bring the final touch to the whole home. If you want to have an amazing patio, then you need to design it, and sometimes professional designers can cost a lot of money you don’t have right now.
If you are worried about not being able to do things without professional help, you should not dwell! In this article, we are going to help you design the outer area of your home without spending too much money. We will talk about things that are budget-friendly and we will give you advice on what you can do to make sure everything looks perfect. Continue reading, and feel free to adjust our tips depending on your area and on your specific needs.
Do you have a specific budget for it?
This is the first question you should ask yourself because materials and furniture can vary between a few hundred dollars and more than a dozen thousand. Because of the difference in price, you need to know how much you are willing to spend on the whole project. You can always leave yourself some wiggle room and remember that things can go out of hand, but when you have a ballpoint in your mind it is going to help you achieve your goal.
If possible, try to have the whole budget in your mind, and later on, allocate money for different things. For example, think about the construction fees, and if you need to make changes to your yard to end up with the right deck. Think about the materials you are going to use for the whole thing, and if you plan on hiring people or doing most of the work alone. You will need to have a budget for the furniture, as well as the other small items including pillows, lights, and any decoration you may want to put there.
Know that there are always things you can do to cut costs, but remember that cutting costs on the construction may cost you a lot later on if things are not done correctly. Compare costs between doing everything on your own, and between hiring a professional to get things done correctly. Write down all the things you can do on your own and see how much you can save by doing that.
What do you want to use it for?
The next thing you need to think about is your space and what you want to get out of the deck. What is the purpose of building it and how do you want it to function? By thinking of these things, it is going to be easier for you to think of the design.
Do you want to host parties there, or do you just want it to be a transitioning space between the house and the garden? Do you want to connect it to the pool and do you want to spend nights there relaxing and laughing with your family? When you answer these things, it is going to help you envision the overall look of the patio.
Depending on the things you want, you can choose the materials for the whole thing, and know that wood is the preferred material when it comes to building patios. The reason for this is because wood is durable, it won’t change because of the weather conditions, and with the proper finish, it won’t be affected by snow or rain. If you need some inspiration on how to combine materials, colors, and elements, you can check this website.
Know that the most important thing about the whole process is the foundation and the materials you are going to walk on. Think about the stairs or the steps, and decide if you want it to be level with the ground, or if you want it to be a few steps higher. The furniture you are going to put is easier to change and adjust than the construction itself, so spend the most time thinking about that part.
Consider it as a separate room
The easiest way to decide how you want the whole patio to look is to consider it as a room that is on the outside of the house. What this means is that you need to treat it the same way as you would designing your living room or kitchen. Think about the color combination and the shade it needs to provide. Think about the decorations and the whole aesthetic feel you are going to get there.
When choosing the soft fabrics and items, choose something that won’t be affected by the sun, and that is going to be easy to cover or move when it is raining and snowing. Choose non-slippery materials, and decide on the plants depending on your location and how much time the plants are going to spend in the direct sun. Depending on the position of this area, you may want to invest in a canopy, eaves, or just an overhang roof that will provide shade. You can also consider using umbrellas that will keep you from the sun on those hot summer days. If you want to make a BBQ in that area, you should plan the space around it. Make sure you have a focal point, and that can be anything from the sofa, the table, or the BBQ.
Designing the deck of your dreams is not a hard task. You just need to know what you want to get out of it and how much money are you willing to invest. You don’t have to do the whole thing at once, and you can gradually add things and elements to it. Color coordinate with the whole house and make sure the lines of the house transition well in the porch space. Talk to your family about their desires, and if needed, consult the professionals. Feel free to look at luxury magazines to draw inspiration and remember that everything can be created on a budget. The most important thing is to have fun and to know that this is not a chore you have to finish. You are doing it for you and for your enjoyment.
