ideas Archives

We spend a lot of time designing and developing the interiors of our home. Usually, even after we have lived in a place for a while, interior design changes are an ongoing process.

However, a lot of us end up neglecting the outdoor of our homes which is not just an equally important space, but also a place where families can come together and spend genuine quality time with each other.

When we say outdoor spaces, we mean your backyards, front porch, terrace, balconies, any open space around your house that is within your overall property.

So if you are ready to have some fun and want projects that can be enjoyed by your entire family, here are some home outdoor design ideas that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.

Build an Aesthetically Designed Garden

Regular readers of Thrive will know how much I love gardening. However, in this instance I am not talking about building a standard garden with some plants here and there.

I am talking about designing a special garden that speaks to you and your family. Depending upon the space you have, you can create a wonderful garden full of different colours, variety of plants and other additions that brings life to the entire backyard.

You could have a small pond created in the middle. You can have one side of the garden dedicated to birdhouses. You can have herbs and healthy living plants on one side. You can allocate different plants as per the colour of their leaves and flowers they produce.

Your garden does not need to be square or circular. You can have plants arranged in various ways to create patterns. The garden can have paved tiles strategically placed all around so you can take a walk whenever you want with beautiful garden lamps along the path.

Your garden can be anything and can have anything. All you have to do is imagine, plan and execute. It does not matter the size. It could simply be a balcony garden. Creating your dream garden is one of the best outdoor design projects you can take up any time of the year.

Also if you are wondering whether the kids will get involved, well if you share your vision and allow them to be part of the creative process, they will definitely be excited about their new garden.

Create a Plunge Pool

Swimming pools are the absolute best for family times together. They are awesome not just for some fun in the water, but also for spending wonderful evenings around the pool, talking, maybe having a barbecue etc.

However, not everyone has the space or budget to build a proper swimming pool in their backyard. For those with limited space, creating a plunge pool is the next best thing.

You can spend quality time lazing around in a plunge pool. You can spend your evenings around your pool regardless of how small it is. If you have kids, then its simply the best. Kids love to play around in a nice, safe plunge pool.

Best part about these small plunge pools is that you can buy readymade ones that need minimal effort during installation. Of course if you have the skill and patience, by all means go ahead and build one on your own.

Waterfalls and Fish Ponds

You could create a nice, soothing waterfall on one side of your backyard. You get nice, readymade waterfalls of all sizes in the market.

Just pick one that speaks to your design tastes and also matches rest of the décor of your outdoor spaces.

Waterfalls can be a great addition to your garden as well. If you love fishes and know how to take care of them, adding a small fish pond at the base of the waterfall is also a good idea. Just ensure the fishes are safe from the water recycler and pump built inside the waterfall.

Add Lighting Decorations

One of the my preferred activities around the house is to create beautiful lighting decoration.

As mentioned above, you can have beautiful garden lamps around your backyard with paved tiling. You can have those amazing chain of LED lights strategically placed around plants and trees in your backyard or even front porch.

You can have lighting for different moods and different times of the year.

Good lighting adds an added dimension to your outdoor space making it much more inviting to spend quality time with the family.

Design or Renovate Your Patio

One of the more elaborate projects you can take up in your outdoor space is to design and build a patio as per your tastes and preferences. If you already have a patio, maybe it is time to renovate or add some new furniture to liven up the space.

Patios can be small with enough space for just a few chairs and a table or can be extravagant with special roof linings, lots of woodwork, barbecue facilities, ovens and sofas and tables enough to accommodate large number of guests.

All you need to do is plan properly and ensure you have the budget for the creation or renovation of your patio.

Final thoughts

Outdoor design projects can be a lot of fun for the entire family. It is not just fun during the building process but is absolutely amazing when utilizing those projects to spend quality time with your loved ones.

So do not waste any more time and get started with your latest family project. Remember, size does not matter, it is what you create with your space that matters.

Keep Things Neutral

By choosing neutral furniture, you will be able to swap smaller things like bedclothes and décor out as they age. Though a racing car bed is cute for a toddler, they might not appreciate sleeping in it when they become teenagers. One bed made from a neutral wood or metal will be more appropriate and can stay with them as they age.

This also allows you to potentially spend a little more when you initially buy it if you have the budget to do so. Try to make a good investment that you know will last for years. The furniture could even potentially leave home with them when they get their first adult home too.

Make Storage a Priority

No matter how old your child is, you need to make sure that their room has plenty of storage. A young child is going to have a lot of toys to put away, while an older one may have interests like an instrument or art that needs storage space.

If you don’t have enough room within your home, you might want to consider renting some storage spaces nearby. Not only will you be able to keep your children’s items there, but you should be able to store other items around the house. You may have questions like “how much does storage cost?” or ‘how long will I need a rental space?’. However, you may find that it can fit into your monthly budget much easier than other items like expensive gym memberships that you hardly use. This could give you the chance to expand on your home’s storage capabilities, and leave room for some other things that might be needed a lot more.

Take Their Thoughts on Board

Whether your child is a toddler or a teenager, they will probably have some ideas on how they want their room to look. They will require a little more guidance as a toddler, and some of their ideas might need a few creative interpretations, but they can definitely still provide you with some ideas about what they would like to see in their room.

The older your child is, the more likely it is they might be able to help out with some of the choices around the room. For example, a smaller child could pick out their paint and help with the decorating. Meanwhile, a teenager could be given a complete budget and asked to handle the full renovation themselves if they are responsible enough to do so. There are many ways to get your children to help you out with a renovation, so think carefully about their capabilities before you get stuck in.

Ideally, you want to create a functional and relaxing space that is an extension of your child’s personality. You also need to make sure that you are creating a space that will last them for several years. Changing rooms for them every few years can be incredibly expensive, and just simply isn’t worth it. Take the time to speak to them and work with your children to create a room that they are going to love spending time in. From the colour of the walls to the choice of bedspread, there are tons of little things that could make a difference.