Spring is in the air! After months of winter, we are all anxious to get outdoors and make the most of summer! Finding creative ways of extending our summers a little longer has become a National Canadian pastime! Outdoor living spaces are the perfect way to bring the indoors outside to take advantage of our summers!

Some of the most popular outdoor living spaces are decks and patios. A fire pit adds the perfect focal point for outdoor entertainment. Add a BBQ and a patio table and chairs and you are set!  A firepit is something that can set the mood for the perfect gathering space in any backyard and can fall within any budget. You can design a simple DIY backyard wood-burning firepit that you build yourself on a budget. If a DIY project isn’t your thing, a prefabricated unit can be purchased from your local Home and Garden store for less than $500 and be ready to use in minutes.

Finally, we have our high-end gas burning fireplace or firepits. These are typically incorporated into a deck or stone patio with a dedicated gas supply line or propane fuel.  There are few things that compare to sitting around a fire on a warm summer night, sharing a favourite summer beverage with friends and family. 

Outdoor kitchens are no longer just for warm climates. We have seen a significant increase in outdoor kitchens and outdoor eating areas. I don’t mean the standard patio table and chairs. An outdoor eating area can have a fireplace to anchor the space with outdoor sectionals and lounging chairs and then an outdoor dining table with a chandelier over the table for maximum effect! A beautiful pergola over the dining table allows a place to hang the chandelier and other lighting as well as providing some much-needed shade on hot summer days for outdoor dinner parties.

Outdoor kitchens provide a working space with a sink, small fridge, built in BBQ with all the accessories for fine dining creating the perfect outdoor entertainment space! 

Hot tubs and swimming pools are another backyard favorite!  Privacy is typically a priority for hot tubs. Most hot tub owners like to have a privacy screen in place to keep their hot tub isolated from neighbouring views. Hot tubs also have the advantage of being used year round.  Swimming pools are another favourite backyard addition. However, swimming pools can have a negative impact on your resale as not everyone wants a backyard pool.  There are many maintenance issues to consider with a swimming pool as well as safety measures that must be considered for guests to your home but also neighbourhood children and even pets. That being said, we love our backyard pool!  The gas heater extends the length of time we can use it, sometimes as early as Mother’s Day and having the last swim around Thanksgiving. The air might not be warm outside the pool water, but the gas heater always ensures the water is perfect for an early season or late season plunge! Pools and hot tubs have their own outdoor space that you can turn into quite an entertainment area.  There are even floating lights, floating candles and fountains that can be added for evening ambiance during formal evening entertainment.

A discussion of outdoor living spaces would not be complete without sunrooms, gazebos and solariums. These wonderful transitional spaces allow you to enjoy the outdoors while protecting you from the elements. Once warm summer months are upon us, and we throw open the windows, we can enjoy the warm summer breeze without bugs! No dreaded Manitoba Mosquitos!  Free-standing backyard screen rooms can be purchased for around $400 and up depending on the features. One word of caution, make sure you anchor your screen room in very well!  During one bad summer storm we found our screen room tossed over the fence and mangled!  We have some strong winds so make sure you take this into account before you have an unpleasant surprise. A permanent sunroom or solarium is always the preferred option, typically as an addition to your home.  Many clients and home owners move a TV into their sunroom or gazebo and use it as their summer living space. 

There are many options, in every budget, to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful Manitoba summers! Just imagine the possibilities!  Once you start creating outdoor living spaces you will be addicted! There is nothing like relaxing outside with your favorite beverage on a warm summer evening. For some great ideas check out this website at www.katreno.com

Source: Winnipeg Real Estate News