Creating an Outdoor Haven


Who doesn’t love to spend time outdoors?

An outdoor haven can expand your living area into your backyard, enhancing not only the quality of your life, but also the value of your property.

The question for many homeowners, however, is where to start. Here are four key factors to consider when designing your outdoor living space.

1. Water features: Waterfall? Stream? Pond? You’ll need to consider the size of the space you have available, the cost, upkeep, and any covenants your neighborhood might have. Designs can range from a small, continuous-filter fountain to a luxurious fresh water pond for fish.

2. Outdoor lighting: Why limit your entertaining to daylight hours? Nothing dresses up a landscape like custom, professionally designed night lighting. Quality outdoor lighting can utilize shadow lighting, up lighting, down lighting, back lighting and mood lighting.

3. Landscaping: Forget the cookie-cutter designs that everyone else in the neighborhood has. Your landscape choices can make all the difference in creating a unique look. Possible design elements include: retainer walls; concrete or stone patios, walkways, or stairs; ornamental grasses; xeriscaping; ornamental gates and fences; trees, shrubs and perennials; and raised beds.

4. Entertainment areas: This is the area everyone wants to plan. Options are generally all about fun: decks, hot tubs, fire pits, cooking islands, outdoor fireplaces and patio covers. The sky’s the limit!

Of course, when it comes to designing your perfect outdoor space, it’s important to consider other factors besides aesthetics. Colorado is prime for drought and fierce winds, and high altitude and hail both play roles in things like plant growth and window choices. Be sure to discuss things like subsurface irrigation, drip lines, pop-ups and sprinkler timers with your design specialist. Remember, this is your family’s space. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.

If you create the outdoor haven you’ve always dreamed of – and do it right the first time! – you’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

Information provided by Garden Falls Design, 719-896-FALL.