When building your dream home, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the process and forget about your outdoor space. But, designing the outdoor part of your build, and ensuring you have adequate budget allocated for landscaping, is a key step and equally as important as the interiors in your home. After all, your backyard has the potential to increase your home’s liveable square meterage, providing valuable space for your family to enjoy all year round.

So, just how do you create a liveable outdoor area? Keep these tips in mind and you’ll have a backyard that perfectly complements your new home.

Think about how you’ll use the space

When mapping out your outdoor living area, envision how you’re likely to use the space.

Will your outdoor area be treated like an extra lounge with a couch or two to relax in? Will it be an outdoor dining room with a big table and chairs? Will you use it to entertain, with a bar or maybe a pool for those late summer nights with friends? You might even have enough space to fit them all, creating separate areas for cooking, eating and relaxing in one harmonious design!

Consider what the priorities are for your home and lifestyle and then factor these features into your design. If you’re limited on space, then work out your non-negotiable items and go from there.

Design it like any other room in your home

When designing an outdoor space, use the same thoughtfulness and consideration you take to design the floor plan of your new home. Each outdoor area should have a logical and functional connection to the inside of the house, like locating the outdoor dining area near the kitchen.

The same principle applies when it comes time to put in the finishing touches. Approach your outdoor area as you would the living room of your home, with consideration for lighting, rugs, comfortable seating, and places to put drinks. Keep it simple but make sure that the furniture is in proportion and matched to the space.

After all, suitability is everything.

Consider your surroundings

Your property may have some key areas you want to highlight (or disguise). For instance, if you have a beautiful view, you may want to include a sitting area where you enjoy a cup of coffee with the sunrise or a cocktail with the sunset! Likewise, opt for hedges or screens to block out unsightly eyesores, like hot water heaters and the like.

Look beyond the boundaries of your property and observe how the site fits into its surrounding environment. If your outdoor space gets a lot of afternoon or early-evening sun, you’ll want to provide shade for comfort. Umbrellas, pergolas, covered patios, or trees can take the edge off on a hot summer day by providing shelter from the heat, as well as providing shelter from a passing summer shower.

And if you’re lucky enough to have beautiful established trees or shrubs, consider keeping these if you can. This will not only help save your budget, but it will also enhance your design and reduce unnecessary waste.

Engage a professional

Designing and landscaping an outdoor area is a big job, so enlisting some professional help is a great way to go. With Glenvill’s range of pre-designed homes, you can choose from a variety of floorplans, all with adjoining alfresco areas. Pair any of these expertly designed spaces with landscaping completed by one of our expert partners, and you’ll have the perfect outdoor living space to entertain family and friends.

Learn more

If you’re looking to design your dream home to match your dream garden, speak with one of our expert Design Managers here.