While style gurus want us to believe that we all yearn to live in stylish city-centre apartments with minimalist interiors and access to 24-hour gymnasiums, the reality is a little different. When Australian homeowners were surveyed in 2020, 77% stated their desire to live in a property with a backyard, and nearly a quarter of these people specifically mentioned an outdoor entertainment area in their response. If you’re like many Australians, you are sure to enjoy today’s blog post, which is all about how to create the perfect backyard entertainment area.
Designing A Backyard Entertainment Area
Before shopping for outdoor furniture and new BBQ equipment, spend a few minutes thinking about what you want from your backyard entertainment area. With a list of goals in hand, you’ll be able to create a plan that includes everything you desire. Consider all the following factors carefully when working on your first draft to avoid making any rookie mistakes:
- Seating – Whatever you’re planning to do in your outdoor entertainment area, you’re sure to want somewhere to sit, even if it’s just to catch your breath now and then. Think about how many people you’ll be hosting and what sort of activities you’ll be enjoying to inform your seating plan.
- Food – While the Australian BBQ may have been overdone as a cultural icon, it is indeed true that many of us love grilling over charcoal and soaking up some rays whenever we get the chance. In a country where the government maintains accurate datasets of public sites in all major towns and cities, it’s hard to deny the cultural significance of the BBQ. If you enjoy BBQs too, don’t forget to make space for one in your outdoor entertainment area.
- Drink – It’s not that difficult to keep fetching cold drinks from the kitchen fridge when you’re spending time in your backyard, but it can make it harder to relax. So if you’re the sort of person who enjoys an ice-cold beer in the garden after a hard day’s work, reserve a special place in your outdoor entertainment area for an all-weather fridge.
- Shelter – Whether you want to use your outdoor entertainment area to chill with friends or host wild parties, you’ll need adequate shelter from the elements. The best type of shelter to install will depend on your budget and tastes. You could erect an awning that can quickly be taken down when not in use, or you could build a more permanent structure, such as a gazebo, in your garden.
- Entertainment – It’s important not to forget the entertainment when designing an outdoor entertainment area! If you want music piped into your backyard while relaxing with friends, you’ll need to plan for the cables and speakers. If you’d like to watch sports, a sheltered spot for a large-screen TV should be included in your layout.
Get these key areas right, and everything else falls into place. Get them wrong, and your home will be on your friend’s blacklist all summer.
