How Outdoor Living Has Changed: Your Essential Guide to Backyard Renovations
In decades gone, Australians craved a home among the gum trees. Today, the average backyard is smaller but no less essential. This guide will run you through everything you need to know before investing your hard-earned money into creating the perfect outdoor living space.
Backyards and outdoor living are important parts of Australian culture. They provide space for children to play and adults to relax. It can also be used as an extension of your home by adding value by adding landscaping features like decking or paving.
The average Australian backyard is getting smaller, though. For almost 200 years the average home had a backyard of 150m2, with many boasting green spaces many times this size.
As Australia’s population soars and more people gravitate toward capital and major regional cities, the iconic backyard has been slashed in size to accommodate more houses. Today, backyards are typically only around 50m2, a third of the size they once were.
As a population, we invest more in external green spaces like parks and recreational reserves. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be investing in our own backyards.
Creating an idyllic outdoor living space will not only create value for your home but also provide an essential mental health retreat for adults and children alike.
Why it is Important to Have a Green Space in Your Perth Home
Green spaces are great for the mind and body. They reduce stress, boost mental and physical health, and give people a chance to get outside. Multiple studies have shown that these spaces can help improve well-being in adults of all ages.
Urban green spaces are essential and are becoming more of a priority in town planning, but it is also vital to have your own green space at home for your health and well-being.
Numerous studies show that green spaces can help ward off or alleviate the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood disorder. Spending more time in your own green space will also improve the quality of your sleep and increase your overall feelings of happiness.
Some facts to consider include:
- Those who grew up in areas with the lowest levels of green space had a 55 per cent higher risk for developing psychiatric disorders than those exposed to more vegetation.
- People who spend more than two hours in nature per week are more likely to report higher health and well-being than people with less time spent in nature.
- Children who spend more time in green spaces have 11 per cent lower odds of developing high depressive symptoms.
Beautiful Backyard Landscaping Ideas
Many people want to create a space in their yard for relaxing and entertaining but don’t know where to start.
The backyard is the place we spend the most time with our family and friends outside of work. It’s also one of the most significant investments you’ll make as a homeowner, so making sure that it’s right for your needs is essential.
Here are some simple backyard makeover ideas that can create a green space you will want to spend time in and add value to your Perth home:
- Privacy screens: These are the perfect way to make sure no one can see into your yard. You’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space without any distractions from neighbours or passersby.
- Outdoor furniture: Do you want to make your backyard a place for relaxation and entertainment? Outdoor furniture is the perfect way to do just that. It’s durable, comfortable, and stylish so that it will look great in any outdoor space. You can spend more time with friends and family while enjoying the fresh air outside.
- A hammock: If you’re looking for a way to unwind after a long day, then an outdoor hammock is perfect for you. It’s the ideal place to curl up and read your favourite book or take in the view of nature around you. You can even share it with someone special. Plus, they come in all sorts of colours and styles so that everyone can find one that suits their personality.
- Outdoor lighting: Outdoor lighting is one of the best ways to add security, safety, and beauty to any property. It’s also a great way to reduce energy costs with solar options available. You can string up a range of different styles in your trees, shrubs, hedges and also on patios, gazebos and more.
Patio vs Pergola vs Alfresco for Your Backyard
Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular in homes worldwide as homeowners seek ways to relax and enjoy their property. These areas can be used for entertaining guests or just enjoying time with family and friends.
You don’t have to settle on one type of structure either – many different options will fit into any backyard design. Patios, pergolas, and alfrescos are all great options to consider.
Each has its benefits and drawbacks depending on your specific needs. So let’s take a look at each option in more detail so you can make the best choice possible.
Pros and Cons of Patios
Patios are the perfect addition to any home. They’re easy to maintain, inexpensive, and can be built in just a few days. Plus, they have many benefits that make them an attractive option for homeowners.
Patio living involves an open-air area that is typically paved with stone or concrete. It may have some covering like awnings or umbrellas, but it doesn’t provide much privacy from neighbours or other people passing by. Slabs can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures as well.
Pros and Cons of Pergolas
A pergola is an outdoor structure that can be attached to the house, garden wall or standing on its own. It could be rectangular, octagonal, square, hexagonal or even circular. It has specialised roofing, which is not covered in its entirety and provides transitional space that adds privacy and shade.
You will find it very useful for providing shade during summer days when sun rays are too harsh and hot. In the winter months, it helps provide warmth from cold winds blowing outside. This structure also offers privacy and shelter from rainfalls if required by placing curtains over the top of this structure.
Pergolas require some maintenance, but they are a good investment as you’ll get years of use out of them. The colour might fade and look different over time if the wood is not treated regularly, so make sure to treat your pergola every few months or so. Not being able to use pergolas when it rains can also be a negative.
Pros and Cons of Alfrescos
An alfresco can be built as part of the original design and build of your house. However, it’s better to incorporate it in the initial stages because it needs to fit into your home perfectly. Alfresco ideas are perfect for anyone who wants more space outside their home without having to install an entirely new room or wing – or move into another property altogether.
They can be used as a living room, dining room or something else altogether, will add value to your home and make it more desirable, and they are also great for hosting friends or family members.
You can decorate this space however you want and use it as the perfect entertainment area for game night with friends or barbecuing with family members. There are endless possibilities for how you decide to utilise this outdoor living space in your own home.
The primary con is that an alfresco becomes a significant renovation if you are trying to install one as an addition to your existing home. This is because the roofing material needs to be matched to the main building, and you would need to restructure your house and roof. This can also be expensive.