How To Make Your Landscape More Functional
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What’s better than a stunning landscape?… A stunning landscape that you can use!
When you talk about functionality in landscaping, most people think of the outdoor kitchen, the patio, the artificial turf, and so on. But you can actually do a lot more than that.
A lot of times, once homeowners have a patio or an outdoor kitchen, they’re not sure what else they can do to enhance functionality, because they don’t want something else to take up too much space.
So the key is to enhance functionality without taking up too much additional space, and that’s exactly what we’re covering today.
Jump to:
1. Install Outdoor Lighting
How can you immediately double the functionality of your space? By making it usable both in the day and at night!
The simple act of installing outdoor lighting instantly makes your outdoor area useable at night, whether it’s a play area, your deck for relaxing, or even just to beautify your garden and make it viewable at night.
It goes beyond just aesthetics too. Brightly lit landscapes deter potential robbers and unwanted invaders as it sends a strong message that not only are there people at home, but if they try to enter the home, they can be clearly seen.
There are a variety of different lights you can use, from string lights to spotlights and floodlights. Some can be used to complement your garden and turn your landscape into an enchanting retreat, others are used for spotlighting certain features and lighting up paths.
Whatever your needs, there’s a light for it.
The caveat is that you’ll also need to install outdoor wires, which have to be done carefully and will take some thought to conceal in order to not ruin your aesthetic.
Notwithstanding that, outdoor lights are definitely worth the trouble to set up those wires, so don’t let that stop you.
2. Optimize Your Pathways
Pathways are an underrated and often overlooked way of enhancing functionality.
Of course, it’s true that you can walk over your lawn or turf to get to where you need to be. However, it’s much safer and more inviting when you have pathways for that, because pathways make it clear that a particular route was specifically made for walking and leads to something else.
Your lawn may also be uneven, so if you have elderly or wheelchair-bound family members or visitors, having pathways will make your landscape much safer and more inviting for them.
Pathways don’t ruin your aesthetic either. As a matter of fact, they enhance it. Pathways can be used to direct attention to a focal point, connect different zones so your landscape looks more cohesive, and you can even place various colored pebbles along them.
So start adding those pathways today and you’ll have yourself a nicer, safer, more navigable, and more welcoming outdoor space.
3. Flexible Furniture And Structures
An easy and ingenious way to increase your outdoor area’s functionality without taking up much extra space is to incorporate flexible furniture and structures.
Foldable Furniture
Using foldable tables and chairs allows you to free up space when they’re not needed and also makes storage easier.
There are many foldable table and chair sets, so don’t worry about their aesthetics not matching or not looking as nice as normal sets. Nowadays, even foldable tables and chairs can look really nice and no different from normal ones.
Multipurpose Furniture
Multipurpose furniture immediately adds functionality by increasing the functionality of your furniture. Some examples include planter benches, seats with storage underneath, fire pit tables, and so on.
Expandable Furniture/Structures
Another way to make your current furniture pieces more functional is to increase their size, but only when needed.
Some examples include tables that you can add more pieces to, extendable pergolas, and even outdoor kitchens.
4. Don’t Forget About Technology
Just as technology has made our homes more livable and enhanced comfort, the use of technology outdoors serves the same purpose.
Power Outlets
Adding power outlets or sockets immediately adds more function to your outdoor area, allowing you and your guests to charge or plug in their devices.
It also sets up the base for integrating other pieces of technology into your outdoor space
Projector And Screen
Projectors and screens don’t take up too much space but allow you to have a fun outdoor movie night under the stars. And the best part is they can be easily stored away.
Cooling And Heating Devices
Similar to how outdoor lights make your area usable at night, cooling devices make your outdoor area usable during hotter months, and heating devices make your outdoor area usable during the cooler months.
As such, cooling and heating devices pretty much extend the hours for which your landscape is functional.
Security Cameras
Security cameras help deter potential robbers and help you keep an eye on what’s happening, enhancing safety, and making your outdoor area a safer and thus more usable space.
5. Use Artificial Grass
Artificial grass, or synthetic turf, is a better option than a lawn for areas with high foot traffic and use.
The reason for this is that it requires less maintenance and can withstand much more activity without being damaged.
If you want to have a play area or just an area for activities, using artificial grass makes much more sense than a lawn, even though a lawn can be more comfortable.
As such, artificial grass doesn’t directly add more functionality than a lawn because you can do the same things on it, but it does allow you to have more traffic and activities in your area, thus indirectly adding functionality.
Conclusion
As you can see, increasing functionality isn’t just about adding more usable areas. There are many more ways to make your outdoor space more usable and functional, and this list certainly isn’t exhaustive.
Consider your goals and ask yourself what you most want to have in your landscape, and then make use of these tips to bring that goal to life with maximum functionality.
Just take care to do it tastefully and not just put the various elements in random places. Plan carefully to ensure whatever you’re adding fits in and looks natural in your landscape.
