5 Tips For A Functional And Fashionable Outdoor Living Space
Gary Cripps 
As the weather continues to warm up in Australia, you are no doubt looking forward to spending plenty of time outside with your friends and family — enjoying your lawn, yard and patio to the fullest from sunrise to sunset and beyond.
Your outdoor space is where barbecues hold court; green lawns become makeshift cricket pitches, and where loved ones gather to enjoy each other’s company. As such, designing an outdoor space that is both functional and fashionable is key to enjoying the next few months of sunshine and warm weather.
Whether you have a large backyard, a small courtyard, or even a tiny apartment balcony, we share five tips to bring style and function to your outdoor area. Enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures and make the most of outdoor living this Summer with these fantastic ideas! Read on to find out more.
Invest In Low-Maintenance Outdoor Furniture
The first step in creating an outdoor space that is both functional and fashionable is to pay attention to your outdoor furniture. There is no shortage of outdoor furniture on the market, but when it comes to choosing the right option for your outdoor space, we always recommend seeking out low-maintenance options that don’t require a large amount of effort to upkeep.
The last thing you want is to have to spend hours of your time oiling and protecting your outdoor furniture when you could be spending that time relaxing, so opting for easy-care materials such as stainless steel or aluminum is always a good idea.
These materials are highly weather-proof, don’t require covering when it rains, and, most importantly, will not rust or deteriorate over time. They are also extremely lightweight, allowing you to move the pieces around to suit each gathering or rearrange your furniture whenever you are looking to refresh the look of your outdoor setting.
At the end of the day, nothing beats spending a quiet afternoon napping on your very own sun lounger or enjoying a cup of tea with friends on your sofa from Vidaxl, so be sure to pick furniture options that don’t just look good but will also stand the test of time with minimal effort on your part!
Word Of Advice: If aluminum and steel aren’t quite your style, we recommend options such as wicker, rattan, and other lightweight woods. However, one thing to note is that outdoor furniture made from natural materials is notoriously high-maintenance and vulnerable to the elements. As such, you will need to cover or move your furniture when it rains, on top of regular applications of timber oil and UV-resistant coating every 3-6 months.
Provide Plenty Of Shade
As glorious as the warm weather can be, it is no secret that Australia is prone to some seriously intense heat during the Summer months. With this in mind, one should always prioritize providing plenty of shade in your outdoor space to keep everyone comfortable and protected from the elements.
The last thing you want is to deal with nasty sunburn after an afternoon spent sprawled out on your sun lounger, so investing in inexpensive shade options such as a cantilever umbrella is always a mighty fine idea. Depending on the type of outdoor furniture you have, a simple table-mounted umbrella may also be an option. If budget isn’t a concern, some other highly effective shade options include building a gazebo or pergola or installing outdoor blinds for your patio.
The first step in creating an outdoor space that is both functional and fashionable is to pay attention to your outdoor furniture. There is no shortage of outdoor furniture on the market, but when it comes to choosing the right option for your outdoor space, we always recommend seeking out low-maintenance options that don’t require a large amount of effort to upkeep.
Apartment Living Tip: If you live in an apartment with a small balcony that is exposed to direct sun, a simple addition such as a collapsible parasol may be the solution you’ve been looking for. It can be placed flat against a wall or attached to a balcony rail to offer much-needed shade.
Illuminate Your Space
One of the most important elements in any functional outdoor space is none other than illumination. First and foremost, outdoor lighting is just as much about safety as it is about aesthetics. It doesn’t matter how well you’ve memorized the layout of your backyard or patio or how smooth your walkways are.
If you’re navigating your landscape at night, you will need to be able to see every step you’re about to take. This is especially important if you plan on hosting barbecues and gatherings for friends and family who may not be familiar with your space — the last thing you want is for someone to trip, fall or injure themselves.
Our top picks when it comes to functional outdoor lighting include a mixture of path lights, floodlights, and recessed deck lighting. These options ensure that your space is properly illuminated to reduce the chances of an accident or mishap.
Once you’ve ensured that your space is adequately lit, you can move on to choosing accent lighting for aesthetic purposes. Some of the most popular decorative light options include fairy lights, lanterns, and LED lights that create a truly magical atmosphere.
When choosing between the solar, battery, or wired lights, it is important to take into consideration the layout and structure of your space. If you don’t have access to an outdoor power outlet or an outdoor safety box, we highly recommend opting for solar lights, which are generally safer options.
Create Some Privacy
Unless you’re lucky enough to live a far distance from your closest neighbor, creating a privacy barrier for your outdoor living space is essential. If you live in an apartment, this can be as simple as installing some balcony blinds that also double up as protection against the elements, mosquitoes, and other uninvited guests.
Alternatively, if you’re dealing with a larger space, there are a number of solutions available for adding privacy to your outdoor setup. Options include layered privacy plantings, hedges, timber fences, lattices, ornamental ironwork, and more. A container garden can also go a long way in amping up your privacy, but you will need to invest in oversized pots or planter boxes and plant up some tall-growing plant species.
Top Tip: No matter which privacy option you choose, be sure to do your research on any recommended upkeep before investing your money. Do note that shrubbery will need to be regularly pruned and trimmed, while fencing may require regular sanding and staining. Explore ten ways to add privacy to your backyard here.
Don’t Forget The Greenery
Last but not least, no functional (and fashionable) outdoor space is complete without a big dose of greenery! Depending on your level of gardening expertise, your greenery can be as simple as low-maintenance potted flowers and shrubs or as complex as a homegrown veggie garden, living green wall, or exotic tropical flower collection.
Creating a functional outdoor space is a great way to maximize your enjoyment of the Spring and Summer months all the way into Autumn. We hope that this article has provided you with some valuable information on how you can go about creating the outdoor living space of your dreams, regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house.
Either way, it is vital to do some research when choosing the best type of plants and shrubbery for your outdoor space. Look into factors such as your local climate, individual plant lighting and water needs, and the style of garden you would like to create. If you live in an apartment and are lacking in outdoor space, container or vertical gardening is your best bet.
Top Tip: Cursed with a black thumb? No stress – there is a great range of faux plants now available, from stunning succulents in pots to ornamental trees that are guaranteed to wow. Sure, they may not look as good as the real deal, but it sure beats having to water, fertilize, prune and upkeep throughout the year!
Creating a functional outdoor space is a great way to maximize your enjoyment of the Spring and Summer months all the way into Autumn. We hope that this article has provided you with some valuable information on how you can go about creating the outdoor living space of your dreams, regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house.
What are some of your own tried-and-tested tips for creating a functional and fashionable outdoor living space? Be sure to leave your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions in the comments section below!
