Designing Functional Space
Bart Flegg on December 7, 2009, 9:50 am

Backyards are meant to be used, if they weren't people wouldn't pay for the extra space! If you aren't using your backyard you are wasting your investment but worst of all you are missing out on warm days and evenings outdoors. So what is a functional space? Well it's simply a space that gets used, one that works together so that when you use it you feel at home like it was another room in your house. Now this can be achieved many ways. Lets dive right in...

 

Tip #1 Level Ground
So what are the boundaries of usable, functional space? Well lets think logically. The first thing that comes to mind is level ground. Hills and slopes are just plain uncomfortable. Stress on ankles and those awkward chair angles are enough of a deal breaker for me. Furthermore people simply like to stand on flat ground, if given a choice where would you stand? If you aren't using your backyard because of the lay of the land think again! Retaining walls are multipurpose, not only do they retain earth they also function as an attractive design element, and most importantly increase your functional space.

 

Tip #2 Brainstorming - What Will You Use?
When designing a backyard space you want to think about what you will actually be doing in that space. Do you entertain? Maybe you don't have as many people over a but enjoy your gardens more. You might be one to use a lawn for fun and games if you have kids or it might be a hassle to cut and maintain a lawn. A good way to start off with your landscape design is to divide into usable sections. Brainstorming the kinds of spaces you will use the most is a smart way to use your money. Why build an outdoor kitchen if you aren't going to be using one or have massive gardens if you don't enjoy the upkeep? Designing a backyard around your lifestyle helps to ensure that you will use the space you are paying for and limit maintenance if it isn't your cup of tea.

 

Tip #3 Location, Location, Location
|I'm sure you've heard this before, but what place does it have when explaining functional space? Well lets use an example here. Our customer Frank told us he loved to barbeque but when we looked at his backyard his BBQ was miles away from his patio and his patio was positioned away from any doorway . So on a typical night on the patio Frank had to be away from everyone else while he attended to the BBQ and trips to the kitchen meant walking across the grass which was scarce due a large untrimmed pine. Now a low cost solution to this problem was to integrate the BBQ into the patio design and secondly make the patio more accessible from the house. These small changes were able to help Frank and his family use and enjoy their backyard space more.

 

In conclusion, design and build what fits into your life. You will use your backyard more, get outside more often and enjoy the end result more if you do. Promise.

Design, Backyard, Functional Space, Tips and Tricks
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