Functional Outdoors: A Guide to Make Your New Home More Welcoming

Moving into your place is an experience everyone awaits. The experience of picking out everything from interior to exterior design is even more exciting. Amongst the long list of tasks that come with moving into your new home, it is easy to neglect a critical feature that acts as the threshold to the rest of your home: the outdoors. An unkempt lawn or a barren garden does not make a good impression, even if the rest of your house looks pristine. Here is your ultimate guide to everything you need in the outdoors to make your home more welcoming.

Well-Kept Lawn

Nothing adds to the beauty of a house like a well-maintained, lush lawn, and it doesn’t even take a lot of effort. Regularly mowing the lawn, setting up small, low-maintenance flowerbeds, and watering every few days are all you need to keep your lawn from looking shabby. Bright, annual, and perennial flowering plants add a pop of color to the space, while evergreens like firs and coniferous species add a lush, soothing feel all year round. Some low-maintenance flora you can add to your garden are:

• Hydrangea
• Cacti
• Aloe vera
• Money tree
• Herbs

Try mixing and matching these varieties, first in small pots, to practice primary plant care. Once you get the hang of it, you can gradually add more plant varieties to your garden. If your schedule is too busy to maintain your lawn, you can hire professional help every week.

Extra Storage

You might need extra storage around the property if you run out of space to store heaps of extra stuff around your house and garage. Garden sheds offer the ultimate outdoor storage solution. From gardening tools, lawnmowers, and fertilizers to seasonal decorations, outdoor furniture, and bicycles, nearly everything around the house can be neatly stored and easily accessible in a shed, helping reduce clutter around your home.

However, it is essential to ensure that you invest in a high-quality garden shed, one that can withstand harsh weather and prevent roof leakage so that your stored items don’t get damaged. It is best to look into customer reviews and ask around for suggestions before purchasing. A suggestion for those around Pueblo and Denver is to do a quick Google search and see which sheds for sale Colorado Springs residents deem popular these days and choose accordingly. 

Landscaping Is Key

Good hardscaping and other landscape features will elevate your space several notches. Simple investments like paved stone walkways or a water feature are sufficient to enhance the exterior aesthetic of your home. You can also DIY certain elements, such as a small pond, and decorate it with small aquatic plants and fish. For more posh results, call in landscaping professionals to help you better plan your outdoor space. Incorporate features like pergolas or arbors to create shaded areas or support climbing plants, adding both functionality and beauty. Raised garden beds and planters also enhance the aesthetics of the garden while aiding in plant growth.

Ambient Lighting

Your outdoors should look as attractive at night as during daytime, and the key to this lies in good lighting. Spotlights or floodlights that artistically point to the best landscaping elements can highlight landscaping features while providing extra security. Another aesthetic option is to install lights along walkways to illuminate garden paths. Hang up a few charming fairy lights or lanterns for a cozy atmosphere during evening gatherings and outdoor dining.

A Hospitable Space

If you’re a social butterfly, chances are you will host several garden parties at your new home. It is vital to prepare beforehand to avoid chaos due to the unavailability of supplies and arrangements when hosting guests. Investing in outdoor equipment like a barbeque grill or a fancier, fully equipped outdoor kitchen is a wise choice, perfect for cooking and entertaining guests. Add a firepit and build a seating space around it to accommodate your guests. Alternatively, have a porch built, equip it with heaters or fans depending on the weather, and throw in some garden furniture to make for a hospitable haven.

Conclusion

Your home’s outdoors should perfectly blend functionality and visual appeal. From practical storage solutions to clever maintenance hacks and enhancing aesthetics, a suitable investment of time and finances will help you end up with a cozy, practical, and hospitable outdoor space. The goal is to transform the space into one that adequately complements your home’s exterior, but most importantly, one that you can see yourself lazying in with your loved ones after a long week at work.