Our modern lives are getting pretty sedentary. Whether we work from home or trudge to our office, we spend most of our day glued to a keyboard and dreaming of freedom.
We also tend to get so wrapped up in making our home interiors perfect that we neglect an essential part of our human needs, spending time outdoors.
That unused area in your backyard may be the solution to your blues. Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor patio or deck can offer more benefits than just a breath of fresh air and a place to barbecue some killer hamburgers. It could change your life.
Why You Should Consider Decking Out Your Back Yard
Improved Mental Well-Being and Better Sleep
There’s more to an outside space than just a little spell in the sun to improve your mood. A 2024 study found that this sunshine vitamin D not only improved mental health and lessened depression, but it also has a strong effect on your sleep patterns.
Vitamin D produces melatonin, a hormone that plays a pivotal role in your sleep-wake cycle.
Other academic studies have repeatedly shown that spending time outdoors can significantly reduce anxiety compared to urban and indoor environments.
Reconnecting With Nature
Our modern lives are becoming increasingly cramped and confined. However, having access to the outdoors can improve our well-being in a multitude of ways. A beautiful outside patio or deck offers us space outside where we can unwind and destress.
By stepping out into the natural light and breathing in fresh air, not only increase our oxygen levels but also help to raise our serotonin levels. This natural neurotransmitter improves our state of mind and makes us feel good.
Increased Opportunity to Socialize
The American Society of Landscape Architects pointed out the importance of outdoor recreation areas to foster social interaction, psychological renewal, and a deeper connection with nature.
What’s more, creating a dedicated space outdoors for fun and connection with family and friends can build deeper connections and a sense of community.
More importantly, it encourages us to peel ourselves away from our screens for some real-time interactions that can make us feel more connected to those around us and the cycles of the earth.
Outdoor Spaces Can Help Your Kids Develop Into Healthy, Social Adults
A scary study in 2022 found that our modern kids spend less time outdoors than prisoners. What better way to entice them outside than a newly renovated deck area with all the amenities of inside?
A growing body of research suggests that outdoor time can boost children’s self-esteem, reduce aggression and anxiety, improve attention and memory, and help their social skills, such as sharing and cooperation.
Patio VS. Deck: Things to Bear in Mind
Budget
Generally, patios are less expensive to install than decks, but it depends on the type of materials you choose. Just remember that decks require more maintenance, so figure in your long-term vs. short-term costs.
Location
Decks are great for those of you who are craving a view or those who have a sloped landscape. For people who have level plots, a patio provides a seamless transition from inside to the great outdoors.
Climate
You are going to have to take your home state’s weather patterns into account when you are planning your outdoor area.
For instance, if you are out in Palmetto Bay, MIA, consider installing shade structures such as pergolas with retractable canopies. You should also consider appliances to cool you down, like misters or outdoor fans.
If you are in a colder territory, such as Fargo, North Dakota, you need to look at incorporating some shelter, such as a pergola, curtains, and a heat source.
For example, you can opt for a deck builder in Lebanon, PA, who can offer you custom patio firepits and outdoor gas or wood-burning fireplaces for those brrrrrrr snowy nights. Otherwise, who doesn’t love a hot tub or a spa?
Check Local Codes and Permits
Make sure that you are in the know whether you require a permit for your deck or patios, as some local regulations require it.
Most attached structures, elevated decks, or those over a certain size require these permits to ensure safety and compliance.
So it’s always best to check with your local building or zoning department to determine the specific requirements for your project and location.
What Are the Latest Outdoor Recreational Area Trends?
Deck ideas are endless, all you need is your imagination—and the budget— of course. Here are some trends that might spark your interest.
Seamless Is Hot
Many people are opting for a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors, such as extending the same flooring or tiles between the two to create an unbroken flow.
You can also bring in similar decor elements and interior design colors and textures from inside to outdoors to perfect this transition. In this way, you can invite the outdoors inside for a breath of fresh air.
Think Plush and Comfort
Depending on your budget, decor trends that opt for outdoor elegance have replaced the old, practical furniture of the past. Oriental rugs and plush yet weather-resistant sofas now showcase the advances in performance fabrics.
After all, there is no reason why your deck shouldn’t offer all the creature comforts of indoors with all the perks of being outside.
Sourcing Sustainable Materials
Gone are your granny’s plastic chairs that used to stick to your legs in summer. People are npw sourcing organic materials to deck out their outdoor spaces.
Think sustainably sourced wood and rope, and hessian with a focus on locally sourced materials. Reclaimed wood is also a hot choice, as well as FSC-certified hardwoods, for that natural feel.
Conclusion
Spending some time and money on creating an outdoor area can offer multiple benefits. It can offer you a space to bring family and friends together and share treasured moments.
But before you bring out your toolkit, ensure that you have considered your budget, your location, and your climate. Also factor in your personal needs and any potential maintenance costs.
Just remember, an outdoor deck or patio is an investment in your and your family’s health and happiness, and who can put a price on that?
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
