#36 - Creating Outdoor Spaces That Enrich Your Lifestyle Year-Round

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We explore how to create outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed throughout all seasons, emphasizing the health benefits and lifestyle improvements that come from well-designed outdoor areas. By incorporating key elements like shelter, heating, cooling, proper lighting, and weather-resistant furniture, any backyard can become a four-season haven for relaxation and enjoyment.

• Key elements for year-round enjoyment include shelter structures, heating and cooling solutions, proper lighting, weather-resistant furniture, and seasonal planting
• Safety and accessibility should be prioritized through non-slip surfaces, well-lit paths, and accessible layouts
• Summer-specific design includes shade solutions, cooling features, and water elements
• Winter enjoyment requires heated seating areas, fire features, and evergreen plants
• Multiple wind protection options range from windproof fencing to retractable screens and structural elements
• Seasonal plants and movable furniture create flexibility for changing conditions
• Strategic placement of wind barriers requires observing prevailing wind patterns in your area

If you have any questions or tips on designing your outdoor space, feel free to reach out to us.

Thanks for listening!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello and welcome to the Aging in Place Directory
podcast.
Today we're going to talk aboutsomething really exciting
creating outdoor spaces that youcan enjoy no matter the season.
You know spending time outdoorshas numerous health benefits,
from reducing stress and anxietyto boosting vitamin D levels
and immune function.
So it makes sense that having awell-designed outdoor space

(00:24):
encourages you to spend moretime outside enjoying nature and
improving your overallwell-being.
And whether you live in a placewith scorching summers, like I
do, or chilly winters, having awell-designed outdoor area can
be a game changer for yourlifestyle.
So let's start exploring howyou can make your backyard or

(00:45):
patio a haven for every time ofthe year.
Imagine being able to host asummer barbecue under the shade
of a pergola or snuggling uparound a fire pit on a crisp
winter evening.
The key to enjoying youroutdoor space year-round is to
design it with flexibility andcomfort in mind.
This means incorporating keyfeatures that protect you from

(01:08):
the elements, provide warmthwhen needed, and provide both
safety and accessibility.
Some key elements foryear-round enjoyment include
shelter and shade, so structureslike pergolas, gazebos and
covered patios.
They're essential for providingshade during the summer and

(01:29):
shelter from rain, snow and windin other seasons.
These structures can beenhanced with retractable
canopies or awnings to adjust todifferent weather conditions.
Number two would be heating andcooling solutions.
Fire pits, outdoor fireplacesand patio heaters will keep your
space warm during the coldermonths.

(01:50):
For hot summer days, you mightconsider adding a misting system
or outdoor fans to keep thingscool.
Number three is lighting.
Proper lighting is crucial forambiance and safety.
Proper lighting is crucial forambiance and safety.
String lights, solar-poweredlanterns and motion sensor

(02:11):
lights can create a welcomingatmosphere while ensuring that
you can use the area safelyduring darker months.
Number four isweather-resistant furniture.
It might be more expensive tobuy up front, but investing in
all-weather furniture made frommaterials like teak or recycled
plastic means that you'll havedurable pieces that require less

(02:32):
maintenance, which means thatyour outdoor space will remain
inviting throughout the year.
And number five is planting forevery season.
Incorporate plants that thrivein different seasons to maintain
visual interest throughout theyear.
Evergreen plants like holly orboxwood keep your garden vibrant

(02:52):
in the winter, and floweringshrubs add color in the spring
and the summer.
So next let's talk aboutdesigning for safety and
accessibility.
When designing your outdoorspace, obviously, safety and
accessibility should be toppriorities.
Here are some tips to ensurethat your space is safe and

(03:12):
enjoyable for everyone.
First, non-slip surfaces Usematerials like textured concrete
or non-slip tiles to preventslipping hazards, especially
around water features or inareas that are prone to moisture
.
Well-lit paths Ensure thatwalkways and stairs are well-lit

(03:33):
, especially during darkermonths.
Solar powered lights or motionsensor lights are great options
for this.
Next is accessible layouts.
Design your space with widepathways and minimal obstacles
to ensure easy navigation forall users.
All right, so let's talk aboutsome seasonal tips for outdoor

(03:55):
spaces.
First, we're going to talk aboutsummer considerations.
Summer is all about enjoyingthe sunshine and the warmth.
Here are a few tips to make theoutdoor space perfect for the
season.
First, you want shade solutions, so use retractable awnings,
umbrellas or pergolas withcanopies to provide that

(04:16):
essential shade and also coolingfeatures.
So, again, installing outdoorfans or misting systems will
help to keep your space coolduring heat waves and water
features.
Adding a small pond or a waterfountain to create a soothing
ambiance and cooling effectthrough evaporation can do a lot
to keep you cool in the summer.

(04:36):
Through evaporation can do alot to keep you cool in the
summer.
So what about winterconsiderations?
Well, there's no doubt thatwinter can be challenging for
any outdoor space, but with theright design, the area can still
be a cozy haven.
First, think heated seatingareas.

(04:57):
Incorporate heated seating orinstall patio heaters to keep
your space warm.
And think about fire pits andfireplaces they're not only warm
, but they create that cozyambiance that's perfect for
winter gatherings.
And think about putting inevergreen plants like holly or
conifers to maintain greeneryand visual interest during the

(05:20):
colder months.
And moving on to spring andfall considerations, your
outdoor space can be a vibranthaven with the right plants and
design elements.
So incorporate plants thatbloom in the spring, like
daffodils and tulips, and alsothose that showcase fall colors,
such as maple trees.

(05:40):
Use movable furniture that canbe easily rearranged so that you
can move your space aroundaccording to the seasonal
activities.
And, lastly, depending on whereyou live.
You might be wondering aboutpractical solutions for
protecting your outdoor spacefrom strong winds.
You can try installingwindproof fencing like lattice

(06:02):
panels or slatted fences.
These allow air to pass through, reducing wind pressure but
maintaining privacy.
Additionally, they're sturdyand stylish and can complement
your garden design.
Another idea is deck fencescreens Made from durable
materials like wood, metal orcomposite.

(06:22):
These screens provide long-termwind protection and privacy.
Or, when planning your design,try to use natural windbreaks
like hedges and trees.
Dense evergreen shrubs likearborvita and juniper create a
natural barrier against windwhile enhancing the aesthetic
appeal of your space.
Windbreak hedges can alsoimprove air quality and provide

(06:47):
habitats for wildlife.
Or you might consider plantinggreen tunnels, which are rows of
plants that are alignedstrategically to help reduce
wind speed while adding greeneryto your outdoor area.
Another choice is addingfreestanding windbreak panels.
Freestanding panels areportable barriers that can be

(07:08):
moved to block wind fromdifferent directions.
They come in various designsand materials, like wood or
metal, which makes themversatile and easy to install.
Retractable awnings can alsoshield your patio from wind as
well as sun.
They are easy to use and theyenhance the overall look of your
outdoor space.
Along the same lines, largepatio umbrellas with weighted

(07:32):
bases can offer wind protectionin smaller areas, and DIY
solutions like embedding a PVCpipe in a concrete-filled flower
pot provide stability for anumbrella even on a breezy day.
You could also tryincorporating retractable
screens or curtains likeheavy-duty vinyl curtains or

(07:54):
tarps.
They can be customized to fitany space and provide efficient
wind protection, and are idealfor patios, gazebos and decks.
There's even things likeretractable glass walls tempered
glass that can provide maximumprotection against strong winds,
and they offer durability andvisibility while shielding your

(08:16):
space effectively.
Another idea is to buildstructural windbreaks, such as
pergolas that have curtains, orput in a statement wall, which
is a short wall made frommaterial like concrete or stone
wall, which is a short wall madefrom material like concrete or
stone.
The walls like this can divertbreezes away from a seating area

(08:36):
and vulnerable plants.
Or you could even do somethingas simple as climbing vines on
trellises.
Climbing plants like ivory orclematis serve as decorative
windbreaks while providing shadeand privacy.
Keep in mind that beforeimplementing any wind solution,
you'll want to spend some timeobserving the direction of the

(08:56):
prevailing winds in your area,then strategically place your
wind barriers where they'll bemost effective in redirecting or
breaking up the wind flow.
So, as you can see, creating asafe and enjoyable outdoor space
for all seasons is aboutbalance and flexibility.
By incorporating shelter,heating and cooling solutions,

(09:18):
lighting and weather-resistantfurniture, you can transform
your backyard into a year-roundhaven, hosting a summer barbecue
or enjoying a cozy winterevening by the fire with a glass
of your favorite wine.
Your outdoor space should be aplace where you can relax,
connect with nature and makelasting memories.

(09:39):
So thanks for tuning into thisepisode.
If you have any questions ortips on designing your outdoor
space, feel free to reach out tous.
And until the next time, takecare Bye.