Gardens are often misused. Sure, they get plenty of use for the occasional cookout and birthday parties. But, you put a lot of work into landscaping and looking perfect, but that space is often wasted as it doesn’t get much use.

A garden or back yard can be used as additional living space, and really should be. Even if your house isn’t small, having that extra space to use is really beneficial.

There is an atmosphere that outdoor space has that allows you to feel much more relaxed and less cooped up like you do when you’re stuck inside the house.

And with more people working from home these days, having that outdoor area will come in very handy when you’re spending more time there.

In this article, I will go over how you can transform your backyard into an outdoor living room without breaking the bank.

Keep it Simple

One thing that will make having extra space to use outside a bit of drag will be that if you make it complex, it will be a lot to maintain.

Instead, look to keep things simple so you can enjoy spending time out there without it becoming a burden.

However, you should do more than just throw some lawn furniture out there and call it a day.

What you should do is start small and then think of ways you can improve the space later. For instance, start out with a deck so you have a designated area that is going to be your starting point.

Actually there are quite a few popular deck designs for you to choose from, but definitely consult with a professional before making any decisions. Definitely seek out someone with experience and good reviews, for example, Keystone Customdecks the deck builders in Avondale, PA, have been in the business since 1983.

Put out some outdoor motion sensing lighting along with some other lighting fixtures to give some ambiance. And then some furniture and see how you end up using the space in the beginning.

After you see how you want to use the space then it will evolve into your ideal outdoor living area.

With the right furniture, plus a carpet and some shelves for decoration, it will begin to look like an open air room rather than a simple deck.

Make sure that the area is level, so if you don’t end up using a deck, then make sure to create a patio with some pavers of stone or concrete.

An uneven surface is going to make your life difficult when setting up your outdoor area.

Make a Wall

Delineating the space you plan to use can be quite helpful in creating a room type of atmosphere without it being closed up as a room would be.

Having some half walls around it will set the space aside as an extension of your living area from the house. Full walls would be restrictive and cause you to feel a little boxed in.

Not only that, but half the walls are going to be much cheaper than a full wall. Particularly if you decide to use some repurposed material like pallets.

Within that framework, you can then treat it as if it were a room and mark out different sections for different ways of using it.

For instance, in one area you can set up an outdoor kitchen with a grill and even a stovetop if you run some electricity out there. Even a fridge can be added so you have a fully functional kitchen where you can entertain.

Bookshelves can be added if you cover the space with an awning which will make it very homey.

Try Upcycling

For any of the materials mentioned in the previous suggestion, you can often find cheap or free options by looking for upcycling opportunities.

Many people are giving away excess building material rather than recycling it as repurposing is much better for the environment.

This works in your favor as you will likely find pavers for the floor and pallets for the walls. You can often get end pieces of lumber for free and use that to make your own creations like end tables and shelves.

If you are handy in any way then you can create anything from a bar to an outdoor sofa with materials you can find for free.

Also, if you are looking to barter then you may even find the type of furniture already to go without having to spend a dime.

Make it Green

As your space is outside it likely has some nice greenery around with trees and shrubs. But, you should take it one step further and arrange some plants around the actual space you plan to use as an outdoor living area.

For instance, some potted trees will add a lot of atmospheres. If you live in a warm climate then some small citrus trees will add a nice fragrance to the air.

And what better way to incorporate some green but by adding some herbs to your kitchen area to use while you cook.