Outdoor living is here to stay.

For the last 8 years, Nashville homeowners have been calling local landscape designers—like Greathouse—to create more beautiful, functional outdoor living spaces. They’re wonderful ways to extend your home and enhance your lifestyle without having to add square footage, increasing the value of your home in the process. Whether you’re envisioning a cozy patio for summer evenings, a vibrant garden for family gatherings, or a serene area for relaxation, thoughtful planning for your outdoor space is key.

With that in mind, here are our expert tips on how to start transforming your outdoor area into a functional, inviting oasis with the help of The Greathouse Company.

Dream Big

If you want to create your dream outdoor living space, you need to dream big! Let your imagination run wild with ideas for your outdoor space.

Start by spending some time outdoors in your current space. Sit or walk through and ask yourself what you would want in the area if you could have anything at all. Create a physical list of your ideas.

Then spend some time indoors, gazing through the windows. When viewing the outdoor living space from the inside, what do you want to see? Make a note of your ideas on that same list.

An expert Think about the trees, slopes, sunlight patterns, and any structures like fences or patios. Consider how much sunlight each section receives, as this will influence your plant choices and the best placement for seating areas.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Are you a social butterfly who loves hosting dinner parties and weekend barbecues? Do you have a large family who loves to gather at your house?

Now that you have a list of your ideal features and dreams, think about your lifestyle and how you envision spending your time in your new outdoor living space. If you envision hosting large get-togethers with family and friends, consider creating an outdoor kitchen so you can cook and socialize at the same time. Outdoor kitchens can be a significant investment initially, but they typically offer a return on your investment of 100-200 percent!

If your home is the gathering point for friends and family, creating child-safe spaces is also an important consideration. Design a fully enclosed play area for children to keep them safe while also keeping outdoor toys within the play area. That area can be enclosed with attractive low stone walls or decorative fencing to add style and function.

Don’t Forget the Details

When designing outdoor living spaces, the goal is to create a beautiful space to spend time outdoors while enjoying the comfort and function of the indoors. The key to creating these comfortable, inviting spaces is in the details.

Here are some popular elements we’ve seen:

  • Seating Areas: A must for everybody! Whether it’s a simple picnic table or an elaborate outdoor living room with comfortable furniture, seating is essential for you and your guests.
  • Fire Pits: These can serve as a focal point and provide warmth for cool evenings, making your outdoor space usable year-round.
  • Landscaping: Incorporate a variety of plants, flowers, and shrubs that not only beautify the space but also provide privacy or create defined areas.
  • Pathways: Well-placed pathways can guide guests through your yard, making it more accessible and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Fans: Circulating warm air and keep mosquitos at bay and consider adding a pergola, draperies, or awnings to filter the harsh midday sunlight.

Lighting, rugs, hammocks, accent tiles, outdoor television sets, surround sound. The possibilities for your outdoor spaces are endless. Our team can help you consider all these things to create a truly perfect outdoor space with no detail forgotten.

Set Your Budget

Like any home renovation project, budgeting is crucial when planning your outdoor living space. Determine how much you’re willing to invest and prioritize features that matter most to you. Consider the labor, time, and material costs.

Tip: if you’re planning a large project, it might be beneficial to tackle it in phases, allowing you to spread out the expenses while still making progress.

Consult the Experts

You’ve got wonderful ideas. You have a budget in place. Now you need direction and help to make those ideas come to life. That is where Greathouse comes in.

We are your partner in this process through and through. We take the time to listen to your ideas, and then we work together to make your dream outdoor living space a reality. We’ll help you understand the feasibility of your ideas based on the constraints of the space, the budget for your plans, and the maintenance and upkeep that the new outdoor living space will require.

Because we are a professional, full-service Nashville landscape company, we’re also experts at knowing which plants thrive in Nashville’s climate. Our team will help you choose plants to enhance the ambiance of your space.

Nashville outdoor living isn’t going anywhere soon. We hope these tips are helpful as you plan your dream outdoor living space. Getting started on your Nashville outdoor living design now will have you ready to go by next summer. Contact Greathouse today to create your outdoor living oasis.