Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Area Off-Season

Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Area Off-Season

While it may seem like Spring and Summer are the ideal times to update your outdoor living space, you may find there are benefits to waiting until the weather cools. Most people invest in their outdoor living areas during the warmer months. Consider these reasons to schedule your backyard renovations during the off-season; we also suggest some affordable outdoor-living accessories that you may find at off-season clearance prices.

The Perks of Off-Season Outdoor Upgrades

Their Availability

Deck builders and fence contractors have their busy seasons between Memorial Day and Labor Day. You’ll need to schedule very early, and even then, their heavier workload may still bring delays.

Your Availability

Will a contractor delay overlap with your week at the shore? Even long weekends can be a challenge when you need to adapt to your contractor’s rain dates, supply chain holdups, and schedule overruns. If you book updates in-season, backyard renovations may require you to be the most flexible just when you want to be the freest.

Work with Nature

One advantage of backyard renovations during fall and winter is that your plants will be dormant, which will minimize any damage to them. When your garden is in full bloom, it’s at greater risk from the commotion of contractors and their equipment.

Besides appreciating the off-season employment, your contractors will enjoy easier access and clearer sightlines once your bushes and shrubs have dropped leaves. Schedule the work early in the season, and you could still have time to add the many herbs, vegetables, and flowers that are recommended for autumn planting.

Affordable Ideas to Spruce up Your Backyard Retreat

Not everyone is prepared to invest in the outdoor kitchen trend. The average cost of an outdoor kitchen is about $15,000, while the high end can exceed four times that amount. Fortunately, outdoor home improvements can be made affordably when you check out these cost-saving tips.

If you have a smaller yard, consider it your invitation to be imaginative. With less square footage, creating a distinctive outdoor living area can be more budget-friendly. These price-smart accessories can help upgrade your backyard living space.

A sun shade, sometimes called a shade sail, is a large fabric canopy that you can suspend over your backyard seating area. You’ll get a more comfortable outdoor space while adding a splash of color overhead. Before purchasing your sun shade, check out the level of UV protection offered and its ease of DIY installation. Fall is the perfect time to hunt for deals on sun shades and umbrellas as most retailers are making space for cold-weather merchandise.

For affordable seating, consider second-hand outdoor furniture. Bargains on high-quality, gently used outdoor tables and chairs can be found from people who are moving far or who update their furniture frequently. A fresh coat of paint or new fabric for chairs can breathe new life into your thrifty finds.

Plan for enough outdoor seating for stay-at-home time and intimate gatherings. For the occasional crowd, you can keep affordable extra seating on hand with outdoor cushions, poufs, and pillows. They’re lower-cost and take up less room in storage.

Look for a new outdoor rug to help define your outdoor living space, add pops of color, and save money. An outdoor rug is a price-smart way to make a concrete patio homier or to dress up an aging wood deck until you’re ready to replace or refinish it.

Now that the temps have cooled, it’s the perfect time to plan upgrades to your outdoor livings space! When warm sunny days return, you’ll be glad that you upgraded your outdoor living space in the off-season.