How to Create the Ultimate Outdoor Entertainment Area

Even though your home is your shelter, having an outdoor entertainment area where you can talk, party, sit, and catch up your family or friends on those hot, long Aussie summer days is hugely beneficial. At the very least, you can use your outdoor entertainment area to improve your home’s value and curb appeal, but how can you create one?

If you’re planning on changing up your home's exterior, you’re in the right place. We have some fantastic tips to help you turn your boring backyard into a premier outdoor entertaining area for the summer.

BENEFITS OF DESIGNING AN OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT AREA

Updating your exterior space for the warmer months comes with many benefits. One of the biggest benefits is that it gives your family many more chances to spend time outside, and this can help improve physical and mental health. It also gives you space to bond as a family, and people who spend time outside are generally less stressed with their day-to-day lives. Sunlight and fresh air are essential to your overall well-being, so spending time out of the house is important.

A beautiful outdoor BBQ area can also improve your home’s curb appeal and value. This space could draw potential buyers in if you ever plan to sell. Even if you don’t end up putting in more essential things like a pool or outdoor kitchen, you can improve how your property looks by having trimmed shrubs, well-cut grass and a clean patio or porch. It can also increase your pride in your home when you can go out and relax after a long stressful day.

While many people have nice yards, they shy away from creating an outdoor space for entertaining or gathering because they have limited space. However, you can turn small or large spaces into entertainment areas and make an indoor/outdoor space.

OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING AREA BUDGET TIERS

As with anything, your space will depend on your budget. However, even if you have a smaller working budget, you can spruce up this area and make it a place where you can’t wait to sit and chat.

UNDER $10,000

If you’re working with a tighter budget, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional contractor. You can easily enlist their help to plan your space and create a workable design that you can use to take a DIY approach if you’re handy. If you want to upgrade your yard without breaking the bank, consider adding:

• Bird feeders or other things to attract local wildlife.
• Containers and planters packed with colourful, lush plants and flowers.
• Outdoor LED lights overhead and along pathways.
• Throw pillows or a rug to help define and make your space more comfortable.
• Patio furniture pieces if you don’t have a dedicated seating area.
• An edible garden to have access to fresh vegetables and fruit.
• A water-friendly xeric garden while reducing your turf.
• A landscape refresh to get clean, neat edges on your flower beds.
• A small, free-standing gas fire pit.
• Paint to any existing patio furniture and new outdoor cushions to upgrade it.
• Stain to the surface of your deck or patio.

$10,000 TO $35,000

In the $10,000 to $35,000 budget range, it’s common to utilise existing infrastructure and add upgrades or elements. Hiring a landscaping professional is essential in this budget range because they can figure out where to spend and areas to save and help create a long-term plan to bring your outdoor BBQ area to life.

• Add a nice water feature.
• Add a structure like a pergola to create a shaded area where you can sit or eat. This will lend dimension to the site and can be a great focal point in your yard.
• Add new flower beds and fresh plants to create an oasis.
• Create a dedicated seating area by edging your patio furniture with containers of native plants.
• Overlay a new patio. If you have a solid concrete slab, you can add tile, paver or stone overlays to make it look new.
• Retrofit your existing irrigation system with new technology or upgrades.

$35,000 AND UP

The larger your budget is, the bigger you can dream and make it come to life. You have virtually endless options if you want to transform your backyard into the ultimate outdoor entertainment area. We want you to dream big, so here are a few ideas for this tier:

• Add a bigger water feature like a stream or fountain.
• Install outdoor electric heating to extend how long in the season you can use the space
• Consider adding an outdoor bar fridge to keep your drinks and food cool.
• Create additional outdoor spaces or expand your current patio to create a reflection or private areas.
• Create an outdoor kitchen complete with sinks, refrigerators, rangehoods and BBQ burners.
• Install a dedicated gaming area for tennis, volleyball or cricket.
• Install a spa or lap pool and an outdoor shower to help rinse off after use.
• Install the newest A/V technology like lighting, speakers, televisions and more.
• Install decorative screen fencing for increased privacy and to create an attractive focal point.
• Rework more significant properties to create full new green scapes, plants and flower beds to create a relaxing and lively landscape.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR DESIGNING AN OUTDOOR SPACE

Even though you can have plenty of fun as an adult, you must make space for all your family members, including the kids. You can create a fun play space in virtually any budget tier. If you have limited money and time, you can easily build or buy a small playhouse or consider setting up a treehouse.

If your kids love being outside and sleeping under the stars, consider including an outdoor camping area where you can sit and tell ghost stories around the fire, make food on the grill or lay down on the grass in their sleeping bags. Adults and kids can have fun in the space by setting up a projector and watching outdoor movies. You can buy a premade screen, play it against a flat wall or hang up a sheet.

THE OUTDOOR CHEF CAN HELP DESIGN THE PERFECT OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT AREA

If you’re ready to design a functional and fun outdoor entertaining area, we can help! The Outdoor Chef are Perth’s outdoor kitchen and living specialist. Contact us to get started on transforming your backyard into the ultimate entertainment space!