BACKRevive Your Outdoor Space
As the summer sun starts to shine on Vancouver Island, it’s time to turn our attention to the great outdoors — if you haven’t already. With our stunning landscapes and relatively mild climate, the region offers the perfect backdrop for outdoor living. If you’re looking to transform your backyard into a luxurious oasis for summer, consider these top renovation trends that will have you soaking up the sun and entertaining in style.
Outdoor Living: Embrace Year-Round Enjoyment
Summer isn’t the only time to enjoy your backyard. A few thoughtful additions can extend the usability of your outdoor space throughout the year. Incorporating elements such as outdoor fireplaces or fire pits will provide warmth and create a cozy ambiance, allowing you to gather with friends and family even on cooler evenings. Add comfortable outdoor seating, warm throws, and ambient lighting to create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. There are endless options to consider depending on the size and configuration of your property. For this outdoor renovation, the Oak Bay homeowners wanted two distinct living spaces — allowing the family the option to entertain together or to enjoy their own space.
Pool Installation: Dive into Luxury
Whether you’re lounging with a book or hosting a backyard barbecue, a pool installation can add value — and wow factor — to one’s property at any time. Installations of pools surged during the pandemic, the attraction of having a private pool as alluring and refreshing as a holiday. From naturalistic water features, to lighting and fire pits, the options for your backyard are endless. You’ll want to work with an experienced pool builder who can help you design and construct the perfect pool for your space. Check Flintstones’ transformation of this steeply sloping yard into a tiered-outdoor oasis complete with pool, hot tub, dining and kitchen space.
Outdoor Kitchen: Unleash Your Inner Chef
Imagine sizzling steaks on a high-end grill, prepping fresh salads on a spacious stone countertop, and enjoying a delicious meal alfresco with friends and family. An outdoor kitchen is the epitome of West Coast luxury and convenience, and the perfect outdoor kitchen will strike a balance between style and functionality. From built-in grills and pizza ovens to refrigeration, beverage dispensers and storage, your outdoor kitchen can match your culinary ambitions. For this Colwood home, an outdoor kitchen was a true extension of their home, allowing them to host meals outside all year around thanks to the addition of a censored louvered pergola.
An outdoor kitchen is the epitome of West Coast luxury and convenience
Hardscaping: Create a Stylish Foundation
Hardscaping plays a vital role in transforming your outdoor space into a visually stunning and functional area. Consider adding a beautiful stone patio, walkways, or retaining walls to create distinct zones within your backyard, like this whimsical backyard in Saanich where the home owners put their creativity on full display. Incorporate natural materials like slate, granite, or flagstone to bring a touch of elegance to your outdoor oasis. A new deck can provide a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. With the right hardscaping elements, your outdoor space will become a work of art that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
With the right hardscaping elements, your outdoor space will become
a work of art that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
It may be hard to know where to start. One pro tip you should consider is to think about designing around the primary focal point, like a view, or a secondary focal point, like an outdoor fireplace or sculpture. Other considerations include where the light falls at what time of the day, what kind of time you like to spend outside (time of day, how long), how hands-on you want to be with the garden, and the scope of entertaining you like to do. The right professionals will help you see options that you may not have recognized were available for your outdoor space.
From pool installations to outdoor kitchens, hardscaping, and sustainable landscaping, there are endless possibilities to create an outdoor oasis that will become a year-round extension of your home. With careful planning and attention to detail you add value to your home and bring more joy to your life.
