Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/pj3BqHOJylY
In this fast-moving and hectic life, improving and taking care of your mental health can be easily neglected. Spending more time outdoors is one of the easiest ways to improve your mental health. If you have an outdoor area in your house, not spending enough time in nature shouldn’t be an excuse. Enhance your outdoor space with self watering flower boxes for outdoors which can beautify your exterior, and also make it more inviting, encouraging you to spend more time outside enjoying your greenery effortlessly.
Here are five additions you can add to the outdoor space in your home to give you more reasons to spend time outside.
- Get a Fire Pit or Heater
If your area gets rains and cold temperatures often, the unpleasant weather can make you more reluctant to go outside. Heaters or fire pits are a great addition that will keep you warm and enjoy spending time outdoors in all seasons.
Fire pits are very affordable, and you can even make them yourself. You can place the fire pit in the center of your outdoor eating area or a separate area with seating around it for socializing and making s’mores. There are many different fire pits, but the easiest is to purchase a table with a gas fire pit built in or make it yourself the traditional camping style.
- Install a Gazebo or Pergola
If you don’t have a roof on your outdoor porch or deck, consider installing a gazebo or pergola to protect you from sunlight and rain, making it possible to use your patio at all times. If you’re confused about installing a pergola vs gazebo, the answer depends on your budget and requirements. Gazebos provide complete shade from the sun and rain, but you need a separate big area to construct it with a bigger budget. If you have a smaller budget, you can install a pergola instead, which can be installed over your deck, but it can only partially protect you from rain and sunlight.
- Add an Outdoor Eating Area
One of the best ways to socialize and hang out with your loved ones is over a meal. Consider creating an outdoor eating area if you like it. It’s easy to do if your outside area is cemented or has gravel; then all you need is a dining table, chairs, a hanging umbrella, and a cocktail table if you want to. You can add a grill, bar, or pizza oven to enjoy making food with your family and hold barbecues in the summer.
- Add a Hot Tub or Pool
A great way to spend outdoors with your family is at the pool or hot tub. A swimming pool can also increase the resale value of your house. If you have a big budget, consider building a pool. You will need a landscape designer and construction crew to help you prepare the area and make the pool.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get a hot tub instead and install it on your deck to have the perfect place to unwind outdoors. You can install the hot tub yourself, and you’ll just need a professional pool cleaner to balance the chemicals every few months.
- Improve Your Outdoor Lighting
Dim lighting can make one feel less inclined to spend time outdoors at night. Adding adequate lighting is practical and gives you aesthetic benefits and increased security – preventing trespassers from coming to your home.
You can consider the following:
- Pathway lights
- Garage lights
- Sensor lights
- Flood lights
- Pathway lights
However, if you want to install lights for ambiance and coziness, installing lights in the garden, patio, and porch will be perfect. You can save money by buying lights you can install yourself, like wall-mounted sconces. If you want to install a garage and floodlights, you will need a bigger budget since you will need material and labor.
Endnote
Spending more time outside in nature can improve your mental health, which you can do more of by enhancing your outdoor area. Consider installing fire pits or heaters and a gazebo or pergola you allow to spend time outside despite unpleasant weather. An outdoor space is a great way to socialize with your family outdoors. A hot tub or pool can help you unwind, giving you more of a reason to stay outside. You can install adequate outdoor lighting to spend time outdoors, even in the dark.
