Your backyard can be more than just a patch of grass you mow often. Green space is always welcome, but it is no fun if all you can do most of the seasons is stare at it from afar. Functionality is equally significant as aesthetics for outdoor spaces.

You can add certain features to make your Georgia backyard a practical, livable space for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Here are creative things you can add to your enclosure and lawn.

Build a Pergola

Pergolas are the perfect relaxation spot and alternative for indoor spaces. You can fill it with comfortable outdoor furniture and fairy lights for day and nighttime activities with loved ones. You can never go wrong with a pergola in your backyard.

Pergolas cast enough shade enabling you to enjoy warm afternoons outside. You can always install a retractable shade to control the amount of light getting into the space. Pergolas also create the perfect focal point for your yard, breaking the monotony of grass and planters.

Install an Outdoor Fireplace

A fireplace extends your outdoor season, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors for months. They are also very flexible spaces with plenty of designs and aesthetics. You can have wooden or gas firepits or wooden or gas fireplaces. The best part about fireplaces is you do not need to worry about ventilation.

Fireplaces exude warmth and make your space inviting for friends and loved ones. You can have the hearth on your patio or build an exclusive area as your entertainment hub. Alternatively, you can maximize comfort by designing a shade around the fireplace and surrounding the space with comfy outdoor furniture and lighting.

Build an Open Air Room

The outdoor air room is a gazebo with a permeable roof that casts exhilarating shadows while providing ample shade. The structure rests on a raised deck. You can surround it with planters or a resting wall for an enclosure. Fill the space with outdoor furniture that can withstand the elements when the roof lets in a few raindrops.

Build a Tree House

A tree house is an excellent nature retreat. It is a perfect solution if you have kids, ample space in your backyard, and trees. The treehouse adds to your outdoor aesthetics. It is a feature that most people will not fail to spot. Furthermore, a tree house will encourage your children to play outside, enjoy the fresh air and engage in physical activity.

You can make it more captivating by making it themed, installing hanging lights, or having an exciting entrance. Let your kids be part of the design and building process for additional bonding time.

Set Up a Dining Al Fresco

Al fresco dining should not be a feature for hotels or eateries. You can have it in your backyard. Set up a dining al fresco in the shade if you have a leveled backyard with trees. Make those dining moments memorable while you enjoy your meals in nature with the cool breeze.

You can also enjoy nighttime activities with low-light garden lights and tree-hanging lights or add a fireplace for warmth. A dining al fresco setup is also perfect near a lit pool area. The pool provides a captivating and serene background as you enjoy your meal with friends and loved ones.

Install Motorized Patio Screens and Awnings

The unpredictable weather patterns can put a damper on enjoying the outdoor space. While you cannot control the weather, you can make adjustments to make your outdoors habitable again.

One way to enjoy your pergola, gazebos, outdoor fireplace, and patio is by having screens and awnings. Motorized screens adjust depending on the weather, enabling you to control the amount of sunshine in your outdoor space. Most importantly, the screens do not interfere with the outdoor aesthetics and ambiance. You can maximize your outdoor space because of this element of control.

They also act as shields from the elements, allowing you to enjoy outdoor spaces for months. The motorized screen is a barrier to bugs and other pests encroaching on your outdoor space. There is no need for chemical control or destabilizing your lawn’s ecosystem.

motorized screens

Creative design ideas for your backyard include motorized screens which help protect you from the elements and maximize your outdoor space.

 
Having a patio gives you and your family tremendous scope for outdoor activities. However, the weather here in Atlanta is not always ideal, and your patio might go months at a time without being used at all. Of course, this doesn’t have to be the case if you install motorized screens, keeping you protected from the elements when needed.

But once you have your motorized screens, you might just realize that you don’t know what to do with all that patio time you and your family now have. So here are a few ideas for you to try out.

One: Outdoor Movie Nights

With large-screen TVs now an affordable luxury for most, why not install one outside and enjoy a family movie night? If you don’t want to leave a TV out, you can always buy a projector and get the whole experience. Then, grab a few snacks, make popcorn in the kitchen, and relax with a refreshing beverage. Whether it’s a family flick with the kids or a rom-com with your significant other, movie nights have something to offer for everyone.

Two: Patio Dining

It’s lovely to relax and eat on the patio, whether a simple snack at lunchtime or a big event with family or friends. But, when those cold Atlanta winters hit, and there’s a foot of snow on the ground, that’s not so much fun! With motorized screens, you can keep the outdoor dining experience year-round. So there’s more time to try new recipes, invite more friends around and get the most out of the space.

Three: Family Game Night

Playing board games with the family is usually something you do in the comfort of your living room. However, with motorized screens on your patio, you don’t have to worry about the wind blowing your monopoly money away. And, if the weather is good, open the screens and enjoy the outdoor air as you fight to achieve victory over the rest of your family. Another advantage is that you may have more open space on the patio than in your living room, so you can try new games that take up more room, such as Twister or tin can bowling.

Four: Take Up Pottery

The patio is ideal for situating your potter’s wheel, and fresh air is excellent for polymer clays that dry in the sunlight and don’t need an oven. Moving it out to the patio is an excellent idea if you’ve never tried this hobby before because you don’t have the space. You’re bound to improve quickly at this art if you can keep it up all year round and seeing your own handmade work around the home is very rewarding.

Five: Painting

If you’re of an artistic temperament, you probably love the idea of painting the landscapes outside your home. While that’s lovely on a warm summer day, cold and rain aren’t conducive to making the best art. But with motorized screens around your patio, you can still clearly see the scenes you want to capture. So get out there and capture that beautiful view of your snowy garden or the autumn rain rippling across your pond and make a piece of art to grace the walls of your home.

These are just five ideas for enjoying your patio year-round with motorized screens, but we’re sure you could come up with more. Whether it’s playing your favorite musical instruments, spending time with the family pet, or just relaxing and enjoying the garden view, the possibilities are almost endless.

Transforming your outdoor living space into an area you can enjoy is sometimes a big undertaking. But, it’s one that can be a lot of fun. You need to be sure that the space is functional for your needs, but that it’s also appealing to the eye.

Before you get started on your project, be sure you define your wishes. Some people want a large entertaining space where they can host gatherings without worrying about messes indoors. Others want a relaxing oasis where they can enjoy their time and unwind after work. Some may only want a space that has good curb appeal because they want to sell the home.

If you’re considering making some changes to your home’s exterior in 2022, be sure you consider these trends.

Contrasting Color Choices

Exterior home colors are taking a darker tone this year. Primary paint colors like deep navy or even black are common. Accenting those with lighter colors is popular. Matte finishes on these exterior paint jobs are also very popular this year, especially with darker paints.

Some homeowners are even choosing to put bright roofs on their homes. This gives the house a pop of color in a very unexpected place. For example, a red roof on a navy blue house that has white trim with a red front door is all the rage this year.

Retractable Shades and Screens

The pull to retractable shades and screens is simple. They add an extra layer of depth to the exterior home that comes with a valuable purpose. These shades can keep the sun’s harsh rays out of the home during the summer. They can help to keep heat in the home in the winter.

Some shades simply block the sun while allowing you to still see what’s going on outside. These screen mesh shades come in a variety of colors. Once you put these on the exterior of the home, you can sit inside and enjoy the beauty around your home from the comfort of indoors.

Retractable shades are a hugely popular selling point for Atlanta homes this year. Buyers appreciate the ease of raising and lowering these shades. They enjoy the privacy and comfort they bring to the home. Since many buyers are looking for natural lighting, retractable shades enable them to get this by simply raising the shade during the day.

Shaded & Dry Entertainment Areas

Decks and patios are extremely popular this year. One difference this year is that many people don’t want these spaces wide open. They want outdoor shades that can block the sun’s harsh rays when necessary and an under deck drainage system to keep the area dry for use in wet weather. Using a cable-guided system enables you to raise and lower the shades around the space so you can block the sun or even get a little privacy from your neighbors.

These outdoor shades come in various colors, so you can choose the one that goes with your exterior décor. This provides a cohesive appearance that improves the curb appeal of the home.

Functional Outdoor Entertainment Spaces

The backyard is becoming a popular place to hang out with friends and loved ones. With this in mind, the functionality of the outdoor living space is starting to trump the appearance of it.

Think about what types of entertaining you want to do. For example, an outdoor kitchen might be ideal if you want to host dinner parties on your back deck. You might even add a stone pizza oven to the area.

As you’re thinking about this area, be sure to consider the pathways around the yard. Stone pavers and freestanding lanterns are trending this year. Some homeowners are using pea gravel to fill in between stone pavers that are placed 6 to 8 inches apart on the walkway.

Write Out Your Plan

These trending points should be a good starting point for you to decide the changes that you want to make to your Georgia home’s exterior. It can sometimes be overwhelming to try to put it all together.

Write out your plan for the exterior of your home. Consider having a 3-D model made or a sketch drawn so you can see what it will look like. Once you know exactly what you want, you can find the professionals to come in and make it a reality. Peachtree Blinds of Atlanta designs and installs shade products for patios, porches and decks in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas. Please contact us today to get your questions answered and for a free estimate on revolutionizing your outdoor space.

Motorized patio screens are some of the best outdoor improvements you can make. If you want to enclose and transform your patio with the push of a button, then there’s no better way to achieve it than with a motorized patio screen. This will turn your Georgia home into the perfect summer relaxation spot with adjustable screens. Why let stationary screens trap you when you can have the best of both worlds. Read on to find out how adding motorized patio screens can make you the envy of your friends and neighbors.

Motorized Patio Screen Installation

There are two options if you want to install motorized retractable screens. You can either have them installed during the construction phase, or you can get a professional to install them for you on an existing structure. The good thing is that motorized screens are custom made for specific openings, so even if you have an existing patio, you can get the right size. You can also choose the screen fabric you need. For instance, if you are looking to keep the heat in your patio, you can find a mesh that enables you to do that as opposed to one that’s used to keep heat out. You just have to keep in mind that every screen installation is a custom project, so you can be flexible with what you want. The idea is to get the perfect option for your needs.

Why Purchase a Motorized Retractable Screen?

If you love chilling outside, you can agree that it’s impossible to spend too much time outdoors. Unfortunately, there are several challenges that can limit the time you spend outside. For instance, if there is a lot of heat, precipitation, and insects, you might find it difficult to hang out on your patio. Fortunately, a motorized patio screen will solve each of your problems. Aside from resolving the issues we mentioned here, it also has several other perks.

Protection From Insects

Insects can be a nuisance, and in most instances, they can make it impossible for you to spend time outdoors. Imagine trying to eat with a swarm of insects flying all over the place. If you have a motorized screen, all you need to do is shut it down and pave the way for an enjoyable couple of hours. With the screen closed, you won’t even need to use any insect repellant or citronella candles.

When choosing a motorized patio screen, ensure that you pick one that will protect you from all the elements. For instance, when the weather is hot, you need a screen that will work as a coolant, stopping UV rays from entering your patio. Once you are shielded from the sun’s direct glare, you will find that the patio will instantly become cool and comfortable. The same must be true for when it’s cold. Instead of being forced inside, you need to ensure that your screen will keep cold air out and stop the weather from ruining your outdoor events. Lastly, the screen must also divert rain and stop you from getting wet.

Motorized Patio Screens and Energy Savings

A motorized patio screen will help you control indoor temperatures. When the sun is blazing hot during the summer months, you will need all the insulation you can get. All you need to do is close the screen to deflect the sunlight, cool the porch, and in turn, keep the indoor temperatures low. The screen can also work wonders during the colder months. During that time, it will work to stop the heat from leaving the porch. These functions will greatly contribute to the creation of a more energy-efficient home.

Will Your Patio Views Be Compromised?

Not at all. A motorized patio screen will deliver all its benefits with unobstructed views. When you close the screen, you will feel like you are indoors, but the views will be telling a story of their own. You can still see everything on the outside as clearly as you would without the screen.

Because of these and other benefits, most people are installing retractable patio screens in their homes. You will also find that motorized patio screens have the potential to increase the value of your Atlanta home. This means you can expect a good return on investment when and if you sell your home.

However, there are several things you must consider before you purchase a motorized patio screen. To ensure that you get the best option, have a chat with the professionals and tell them how much time you are currently spending outdoors compared to how much time you will likely spend if the conditions are different. You must also consider your climate when purchasing the system. If you play your cards right, this will probably be one of the best investments you’ll make for your outdoors.