Every home needs a great outdoor living space, especially in the stunning presence of the desert and beautiful sunshine weather Arizona has to offer. Your outdoor area is the perfect place to enjoy nature, relish the best temperatures throughout the day, spend time with friends and family, and engage in entertainment.

Every detail counts to make your outdoor area match and complement your household’s lifestyle. There are plenty of things you can do to begin transforming your backyard into the ideal spot for entertaining and relaxing year-round, but first, consider a few factors to determine how you can best amplify your outdoor experience.

What’s the Purpose?

Having a functional and serene outdoor space encourages and provides the opportunity to spend more time outside. When you’re looking to achieve the ideal outdoor space for you, the key to breaking down how you would like it to function depends on your lifestyle and what activities are important to you. Ask yourself what the purpose of your project is, how you want to use your patio, and plan accordingly.

• - Do you plan on hosting dinner parties outside?
• - How many guests do you typically entertain?
• - Does your outdoor area need to be kid or pet-friendly with a separate area just for them?
• - What activities do you and your guests enjoy?
• - Would you prefer a quiet space to relax and unwind?
• - Would you prefer sun or shade?
• - Are there any arrangements you would like to make with your landscape?

Consider the Layout

Take a walk outside. An important point when it comes to designing your space is to consider the layout you’ll be working with.

• - How much space is available?
• - Are there existing elements?
• - What can you add or remove?
• - How can you position elements in optimal ways?

Determining the position of your patio space, orientation, and outlook will help plan out your course of action. Make note of components you’d like to see in specific placements, such as a pool to the right side, a fire pit to the left side, and a spacious outdoor kitchen underneath your covered patio. Once you visualize where you would like these elements to go, creating your ideal space will come easily. It’s also important to note where the sun rises and falls in your backyard because sunlight levels can affect the comfort of you and your guests.

Establish the Ambiance

The final step in creating the perfect outdoor environment lies in a pleasant ambiance. There are many ways to decorate your space and give it a touch of personality where people can enjoy themselves and make memories. Anyone can have a backyard, but not everyone can have a welcoming outdoor living space.

With Greenery

Brighten things up with greenery—plants unfurl fabulous foliage and beautiful blooms to delight in. Arizona does not typically have a green color palette due to the sandy desert landscape, but there are many options beyond the natural saguaros and cacti to adorn your backyard—Baja Fairy Duster, Desert Lavender, and Flame Honeysuckle being a few of the colorful flora you can add to your scenery.

With Water

Add a cooling element to your landscaping design. Ponds, fountains, water statues, and waterfalls are all attractive options that add sound, texture, and movement to your outdoor living space. A birdbath feature could also bring in visiting wildlife.

With Fire

Gather around a fire pit for a sense of closeness. When the temperature outside drops, a fire pit will warm you and your guests up during those cool nights. Arrange chairs around the edges, and enjoy the flickering, crackling show with family and friends.

With Lighting

Illuminate the beauty of your outdoor area during the nighttime. Adding or upgrading lighting makes it possible to stay outside longer and emphasizes the features that make up your yard.

Fairfield Homes is Southern Arizona’s most highly sought-after home builder, delivering the utmost luxury and quality in-home while showcasing the natural desert beauty all around. Our floor plan options feature gorgeous indoor-outdoor living designs, such as a private, covered patio option, with enough space to make your ideal outdoor living area a reality. Get started today!