As much as people might like to stay inside and cozy, there’s nothing quite like going outside to relax under the sun or shade. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people inside for extended periods of time, or at the very least at home for a while, the desire to get outside for a bit has become stronger than ever. Naturally, this means a greater focus on our outdoor areas. As a result, the pandemic has changed how we design our outdoor areas and knowing those trends can help future design ideas as well.
Better Integration
Since people are spending more time at home, either because of quarantine, lockdowns, or working from home, they’ve started to better integrate their indoor and outdoor spaces. For example, open patios might be enclosed to be better used all year. You might also install a Jacuzzi or the like so as to fully appreciate being outside while also inside.
Enhanced Gardening
Obviously, gardening has become a lot more popular. That means people are rearranging their backyards for more optimal gardening conditions. Trimming shrubs and trees for better lighting and proper plotting for vegetables takes thought, and sometimes requires some landscaping help. Whether it’s a flower bed, a vegetable garden, or more often than not both, there’s something special about admiring some plants you grew yourself.
Expanded Outside
Along with better integrating the outdoor areas with the indoors, people are also expanding their outdoor areas for increased usage. You can’t exactly buy a bigger backyard, but you can trim back the undergrowth, put in a pool, or just make the most of your front porch with a swing or chair. The key is to make the space look large and inviting, even when it’s not.
Comfort
Whether it’s a lot of space or not, people are putting more focus into the comfort of their outdoor areas. Folding chairs are replaced with more comfortable, permanent solutions, like solid wood patio sets. Making the most of your outdoor space for comfort is important when you’re spending more time outside, of course. A good porch swing or chair is a better solution than an old couch, and it looks nicer, too. The same goes for making a nice furniture-laden back deck or patio. Whether it’s just a concrete slab under an awning or a full-blown outdoor patio set, as long as it’s enjoyable to be outside, that’s what matters.
Making the Most of What You Have
Not everyone can afford a home with a back and front yard, especially these days. For those in apartments or multi-story condominiums, the best you can hope for is a balcony. While authentic Amish furniture won’t fit on an apartment balcony, a planter set and decent lounging chair often will. If the space, regardless of size, is comfortable, then you’re more likely to make good use of it. There’s no shame in less outdoor space, but as long as you have what you have, you should make the absolute most of the available space.
Community Spaces
Parks and community gardens have seen improved financial support as a result of the pandemic, helping to ensure that those who don’t have easy access to a backyard can get a fun outdoor experience without having to spend a lot of money. Whether it’s a small local park or garden area near the apartments or a big state park, such areas are providing much-needed respite for all who have access to such resources. unlike working on the front porch or backyard, making the most of a community garden park doesn’t often involve nearly as much financial effort, though a good bit of elbow grease can still be involved.
More Openness
With the newfound emphasis on outdoor space as a means of escape, people are looking to open up their land to better enjoy the experience of being outside. Bushes are trimmed back, trees arranged, and the like. Some folks might not like it, but there’s nothing quite like sitting on the deck with a cold drink after mowing the lawn. While natural enclosed outdoor spaces are great, when it comes to the home, you want to see the sky and appreciate the outside in your own way.
Many changes as a result of the pandemic are here to stay, and, hopefully, efforts to improve our enjoyment of the outdoors is one such example. Whether you’ve turned your backyard into a suburban landscaped paradise, or are an apartment dweller with a nice little community garden plot, making the most of the outdoors is a key part of enduring not just the pandemic, but the hustle and bustle of modern life. Take advantage of the current trends to make the most of outdoor life as much as possible. There are plenty of ways to go about enjoying the outdoors, and not all of them require a lot of money or landscaping, either.
