Creating an Outdoor Living area can be both a fun and daunting task for any person. There are many factors to take into account with every aspect, and this process needs to be sustainable and eco-friendly in order to create an area that is good both for the environment and for people.

Here are some important hacks to help you to create an Outdoor living area you and the planet will love.

Planting Native Trees for Shade 

When it comes to planting a tree, consider what kind of shade you want in your outdoor living space. You can choose trees that provide some dappled sunlight or trees that provide more intense shade.

Some shady trees include oak, maple, elm, sycamore and pine. There are also many options for colorful flowering trees that attract pollinating bees and butterflies, such as crabapple or dogwood.

Using Grass Sparingly

Grass is a monoculture that doesn’t enrich your yard like native plants do, but used strategically, it can be a fun accent feature.

There are various patterns you can plant grass in, such as an island pattern (i.e. the grass only sprouts around the edges) or a box pattern (grass grows inside four evenly cut rectangles). Using different grass measurements and heights can provide more privacy for your outdoor living area if needed.

If privacy isn’t something you want, but instead want to feel connected with nature, then consider using wildflowers to surround a main grassy area, so it feels like two separate areas instead of one solid area. 

Choosing Outdoor Furniture 

Make use of furniture that’s been created from reclaimed wood, which can resist rot if treated. You should always choose furniture that’s durable and non-toxic.

Outdoor tables in particular should be chosen with care. They can end up with a lot of water pooling on them regularly, so you’ll need to find something water-resistant so your furniture will last.

Most people end up choosing cheap plastic resin to resist rotting. Properly taken care of, though, wood can still be an excellent choice for outdoor surfaces.

If you like the look of resin, shop for recycled plastic furniture options or find a used table to cut down on the emissions and waste associated with your yard.

If you’re looking for furniture that can handle all four seasons outside, then choose furniture designed for each season. You could even use furniture that has built-in lighting, so it doubles up as furniture and lighting in one.

Designing Outdoor Décor

Your outdoor living area doesn’t have to be minimalist to be sustainable. You can get weather resistant outdoor cushions for your furniture or opt for natural fabrics, depending on how often you think you’ll accidentally leave them outside.

Choose furniture with removable cushions and fabrics that are easily washable in case of spills or dirt storms, and opt for accent pieces like umbrellas and ottomans made from natural materials such as bamboo wood or cane.

Landscaping for Biodiversity

A landscaped garden filled with trees, bushes, flowers, and other perennials will attract birds, bees and butterflies. This means that you’ll have the chance to see your garden at its most beautiful throughout all four seasons.

There are many different kinds of perennial plants that bloom at different times of the year, so find the ones that best suit your region’s climate to keep things interesting throughout the whole season.

Landscaping for biodiversity doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Just choose native plants and flowers for your garden, and you’ll begin attracting wildlife naturally.  Native vines in your yard serve several purposes, including beautifying a space by adding color and texture while supporting a food supply for birds with their seeds. 

Explore Energy Efficient Cooking Options

It’s important not to turn your outdoor living area into a miniature version of indoors by cooking with gas barbecues. Instead, consider using a clay oven with a chimney, which is naturally energy-efficient and doesn’t require gas.

If you do choose to use a barbecue, then opt for one that runs on wood pellets rather than gas because they’re cleaner and more sustainable.

Alternatively, you can choose to eat meals outdoors by using an outdoor fireplace, pit or chimney. If you’re planning to light a fire anyway, they won’t require any additional energy at all, which makes them a sustainable form of cooking equipment for your outdoor space.

Outdoor Living Space Lighting

It’s always best to save electricity where you can, so opt for lighting that’s not going to add to your energy consumption.

Consider using solar-powered lighting that illuminates automatically as night falls, or invest in outdoor fixtures that use LED lights rather than fluorescent bulbs because they’re more efficient and last up to 25 times longer.

Whatever route you go, make sure you use sufficient lights to ensure furniture is still visible at nighttime.

For something really far out, you could even consider using furniture that has kinetic energy inbuilt, such as a rocking chair, which will light up your outdoor living area without having to rely on electricity. 

Using solar-powered LED lights is a great option because they don’t require wiring, and they come in a variety of colors, perfect for any type of aesthetic. Mason jar lanterns provide a comforting glow when added to the outdoor furniture arrangement and are a simple DIY outdoor project.

Photovoltaic solar panels might be a good investment for your outdoor living space because they provide the option to power your lighting. You can even design garden areas that heat up water or charge batteries during the day, then light them at night, all without connecting to the grid.

To Sum Up

An outdoor living area can be a great addition to your home. They are typically used as entertaining spaces for guests, but they’re also a comfortable way to unwind after a long day without being too close to the bugs and dust of the outside world.

Being able to enjoy your backyard and garden is a great thing. However, in order to make this happen in an environmentally friendly and natural way, you will need to take the time to create a sustainable outdoor living area.

Creating an outdoor area is a lot of fun, but with so many different things to consider, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, with a little planning and research, you’ll be able to create the outdoor living space that perfectly suits your needs and those of your guests.

Feature image: Tanny Do; Image 1: Hannah Busing; Image 2: Vladimir Vinogradov

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