One
area of the home to come the furthest in terms of design over the
years is the outdoor living space. These were once just spaces to
place patio furniture set and maybe a grill. But these days, people
are including televisions, entire kitchens (including the kitchen
sink) and dining areas fit for a restaurant. Many outdoor living
spaces have fire pits that are works of art, and sometimes even full
fireplaces. So if you’re ready to update your outdoor living space
in a big way, take a look at the inspiring photos below. You might
just find an idea for your next backyard remodel.

Outdoor
living spaces with a TV

One
of the key ways in which outdoor living spaces have evolved is the
inclusion of technology right in the backyard. Thanks to the modern
convenience of outdoor TVs, it’s easier than ever to hang a
television anywhere. While outdoor TVs carry a hefty price tag than
their regular siblings, it’s for good reason: They’re
specifically designed to perform no matter what the weather brings.
Not only will you be able to binge your favorite shows in the
brightest of sunlight without affecting picture quality, but these
TVs will also withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, rain, and
snow. But if you don't want to splurge on an outdoor TV, consider a
portable projector with an outdoor screen and connect them with your
home
stereo system
instead — or opt for using a regular HDTV in conjunction with an
outdoor TV cover.

Outdoor
kitchen spaces

Nowadays,
outdoor spaces feature entire kitchens. This means there are spaces
for small refrigerators, a variety of cooktops and sinks outdoors.

Modern
outdoor kitchen appliances also tend to come in stainless steel,
since that makes the appliances more resistant to the weather and
other wear and tear. A common design aesthetic is to put stainless
steel in stone or brick. The rustic stone and modern stainless steel
combination create an interesting contrast. The stone also helps
anchor the appliances in place and gives them a more outdoorsy look.

Outdoor
fireplaces and fire pits

A
classic mainstay of an outdoor space is the fire
pit. Many of
us have spent fond evenings relaxing around the fire as the heat of
the day dissipates. However, fire pits have adopted an artistic bent
over the years, looking more like “fire features” than
traditional fire pits. Another development is taking the traditional
fireplace from inside the home and placing it outside. These usually
provide seating areas and a backdrop for TVs.

Outdoor
dining spaces

Perhaps
it wouldn’t be a full outdoor living space without bringing the
dining room outside, too. Outdoor dining spaces these days are so
detailed that they look like they belong indoors — that is, until
you look closer and realize that everything is designed to stand up
to the elements.

Some
outdoor living spaces boast long, full tables similar to what you
would see in a dining room. Others make use of bar areas. Still
others resemble kitchen islands. With so many options surrounding
space and materials, the outdoor dining space is truly customizable.

Extend
the Indoors with Timber Decking

Avoid
muddy natural grass and ugly concrete! Timber decking is a sleek and
contemporary outdoor flooring option, and makes the perfect base on
which to build an excellent outdoor entertainment area. If you’re
hosting a backyard BBQ, or a buffet bonanza, you’ll be looking for
a sturdy ground. Hardly achievable with just your natural lawn
beneath you! A timber deck is a fantastic way to extend your indoor
living space into the outdoors. It’s got that wholesome vibe of
natural woods, blending seamlessly into your outdoor space.

Plan
your perfect garden

If
you’re planning on entertaining outdoors, you’ve got to spare a
thought for aesthetics. People will see your backyard, and they’ll
be able to tell immediately if you’ve got a green thumb or not. If
you’re keen to impress and you’re happy to put the time and
effort into your garden, you’ll have a wide selection of plants to
choose from. But if your thumb isn’t very green, stick to native
plants so all you need to do is whack them in the garden and let them
do the rest. For a small backyard, you can save on space by creating
vertical gardens along your fences.

Alfresco
dining with an alfresco kitchen

With
an outdoor kitchen, you can make it easy to cater any event from
alfresco
dinner for
the family to a neighborhood party. You can increase the potential of
your outdoor area by adding a barbecue, sink and bar fridge. You can
even get everything you need in a complete outdoor kitchen unit.

Offer
plenty of backyard seating

When
entertaining in your backyard, you want your guests to be comfortable
and relaxed. This means you’ll need a reasonable amount of seating.
Add corner seating to allow for a more open area in a small backyard
and arrange to seat in a way that promotes socializing. Set up
several different areas, so guests feel free to spread out.

Beat
the heat with a Swimming Pool

Everyone
loves a swimming pool; they can be an attractive feature of any
backyard. A swimming pool is a fun addition that will benefit the
whole family, and all of your friends! Whether you have room for a
big lagoon or only enough room for a lap pool, a swimming pool will
really increase the entertainment value of your backyard.

Hide
the eyesores

Lastly,
you will want to hide the unsightly things common to backyards. A
backyard shed can be turned into a green oasis with some creeping and
climbing plants or vertical gardens made from wooden pallets. An ugly
and worn out fence can be revived with a fresh coat of paint. You can
also paint the shed the same color as the fence to camouflage it. Or
add design elements to give it an original look. Light colors will
make your yard look fresh and bright. Obscure an ugly water heater,
garbage bins or an aircon unit with a screen or fence. Use the same
timber as your decking and add greenery to make the space beautiful.
Hang mirrors to give the illusion of space. From verandahs and
pergolas, decking and swimming pools, we can help increase the
entertainment value of your backyard.

Enjoy
the shade with a Pergola

The
Australian sun can be beautiful, but it can also be pretty harsh.
Protect your family and guests from harmful UV rays and stormy
weather with an undercover outdoor area. A well-designed pergola
or verandah can add value to your home and improve the look of your
property. It will also increase the functionality and entertainment
value of your backyard.

So go
ahead and design the outdoor entertainment area of your dreams,
achieve your vision and leave people in awe when they see what a
beautiful space you have created, which represents yourself entirely.
For more useful guides and lists go to Audiostance.