Making the Most of Your Outdoor Spaces

As homeowners, we often set the intentions of our indoor space. Inside, there are places for gathering friends and family, relaxing, and enjoying home-cooked meals. But, don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of your outdoor space, too! Learn how to create dedicated spaces in your backyard for different types of activities, whether you want to be alone, have coffee with a friend, or host a large group. 

Sectioning Your Outdoor Space

Think of your yard like another room in your home. If you were placing furniture around it, how would you lay it out? Break your outdoor space into three sections: 

• One place to be alone 
• Another to have coffee with a friend
• One to gather large groups

You don’t have to have preexisting lines or sections to make this work; simply use what you have to create spaces from scratch by adding freestanding privacy screens, canopies, or garden beds. Choose whichever option makes you feel the most comfortable and tranquil.

A Place to Be Alone

When you’re looking for some peace and quiet, the outdoors is the perfect place to be. Feeling the warm breeze on your face, hearing the birds chirping in the sky, and smelling fresh cut grass bring tranquility, whether you’re meditating, reading, or simply enjoying the sunshine. 

In one section of your yard, consider a few different ways you can create a space for alone time:

• A hammock strung between two trees or on a hammock stand, perfect for relaxing after a stressful day
• An outside daybed with cozy cushions, a great lounge spot for reading or journaling
• A single-person sauna and/or cold plunge, a form of self-care for your alone time

A Place to Have Coffee with a Friend

When one, two, or a handful of friends join you for coffee, it’s important to create a gathering space that fosters conversation and comfort. Build an area with good seating and options for coffee mug placement to develop the ultimate spot for a chat amongst friends.

Here are a few of our favorite options:

• A concrete patio, separate from your home, with outdoor seating gathered in a rectangle shape. A coffee table in the center offers options for placing coffee mugs, charcuterie boards, or even your favorite board game. (We recommend local contractors like Stonescapes Vermont, Landshapes, and Di Stefano Landscaping.)
• Hanging chairs on stands, with side tables close by. They’re fun, chic, and add a unique vibe to your outdoor space.
• A porch swing facing the best view of your yard, letting you take in your surroundings while bonding with a friend.

A Place for Large Group Gatherings

Having a large group of friends over for a backyard barbecue, birthday party, or lawn game tournament? The most important thing is having several seating options. Incorporate a variety of “stations” to help people mingle without being stuck in the same place all day:

• A fire pit surrounded by stone and Adirondack chairs, allows people to relax around a fire and have open conversation
• A dedicated activity area, whether that’s a volleyball net, rubber mats for a kickball field, or lawn darts and corn hole boards in the corner of the yard. Use the activities themselves to give intention to the space and direct your guests to partake in some fun leisure activities. 
• A covered pavilion or screened-in tent to provide shade and protection from bugs

Getting Started

Start with one section, whichever one speaks most to you, and build out from there. The goal isn’t a perfectly designed outdoor space, but a yard that gets used, whether it’s for solo downtime, a shared coffee among friends, or a full house of guests. Think about how you already spend time outdoors, and shape the space around it.

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