Nedi Vozis-Penev : Forest Hill Real Estate Inc., Brokerage Parkview : Blog posts labelled: home design

20 Beautiful Backyard Design Ideas to Get You Ready for Springtime

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Nedi Vozis-Penev

Posted in Backyard, Beautiful Backyards, Beautiful Design, Design, Design Tips, Entertaining, Home Design, MyDomaine, Outdoor Design, Outdoor Spaces, Outdoor Spaces, Outdoors, Spring, Toronto, Toronto Homes, Toronto Real Estate, Toronto Realtor

20 Beautiful Backyard Design Ideas to Get You Ready for Springtime

If there's one mistake most dwellers make, it's not paying enough attention to the spaces outside of your home. While we appreciate an impeccably designed interior, you'd be remiss not to decorate your backyard with an equal amount of style as any other room inside of your house.

Whether you're working with endless square footage or you have a tiny deck that needs a little something to get you outside more often, we have the inspiration you need to up your backyard design game.

1 | Make It Comfortable

backyard ideas

SG STYLE BLOG

Do yourself a favor and invest in comfortable outdoor furniture. Extra comfy pieces will call out to you after long days, which will ensure that you're always getting the most of your backyard setup.

2 | Circle Around a Fire

ROOM FOR TUESDAY

Gathering around a fire is one of the oldest forms of socializing. There's something to be said about toasting your favorite wine with friends and family outdoors under the stars, huddled around a crackling fire.

While most dwellers only take advantage of this age-old activity when partaking in outdoor activities, like camping or beach bonfires, there's no reason you can't bring the age-old ritual to your very own backyard.

3 | Try Outdoor Curtains

ROOM FOR TUESDAY

Installing a rod with outdoor curtains will give your backyard an upscale cabana feel, plus some added privacy for lounging, reading, or hanging by the pool.

QUICK TIP - Outdoor curtains are stars for much more than their good looks—they provide tons of shade on extra sunny days.

4 | Warm Things Up

ROOM FOR TUESDAY

An impeccably decorated backyard will inevitably make your home the go-to for outdoor gatherings all season long. Our best advice is to be prepared for chillier nights. Invest in an outdoor heater to keep your guests comfortable after the sun goes down.

5 | Install Statement Lighting

ROOM FOR TUESDAY

If you have a pergola, here's your sign to dress it up with statement overhead lighting. Hang a cluster of paper lanterns and fairy lights from the beams and you've got yourself an outdoor take on a modern chandelier.

6 | Make It Kid-Friendly

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Whether all your friends have kids or it's just your little ones running around, creating an outdoor space that's kid and parent-friendly will make the perfect backdrop for lifetime memories. We're building this snow cone station in our own backyards stat.

7 | Give Old Pieces New Life

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Redesigning your backyard can be expensive. If you have some family heirlooms lying around, here's the perfect place to display them. If you don't, there's never a bad time to visit a thrift store.

QUICK TIP - Not only is it easy on your wallet, the final look will have just the perfect amount of old-world charm.

8 | Upcycle Your Outdoor Furniture

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Sometimes, the coolest furniture pieces are the ones you can't buy. Don't believe us? This table was made with a piece of scrap metal and a slab of stone for the top—and still looks utterly chic.

9 | Try the Rattan Trend

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

There's no better time than spring to try the rattan trend, but the good news is the timeless look will look fabulous in your home all year round. Potted plants and string lights will make it the most Instagrammable backyard on the block.

10 | Plan for Outdoor Entertaining

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

If you pride yourself on being the hostess with the mostess, the ultimate backyard showpiece is elusive outdoor movie screen. A tent and plenty of floor cushions cozy things up and make it the perfect place to crash under the stars when the movie runs late.

11 | Make It Dinner-Party Ready

SG STYLE BLOG

As the weather warms up, you're going to want to spend more time outdoors. Designate a space for dinners al fresco and keep it dinner-party ready with plenty of seating, outdoor lighting and fresh flowers clipped from your garden to dress up your table.

12 | Keep a Well-Stocked Bar Cart

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Nothing gets a backyard boogie going quite like a well-stocked bar cart. Some ice, sparkling water, and citrus garnishes will keep your guests hydrated—and it looks cute to boot.

13 | Go With Fancy Tiles

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

When you think of fancy patterned tiles, formal dining rooms might come to mind. But if your budget allows, installing a statement tile in your outdoor space will transport you to a resort on the Italian coast.

14 | Think Outside The (Furniture) Box

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Take it back to basics with a rustic setup like this backyard retreat. Set up some seating made of tree stumps—just like our ancestors did it—and stock the space with plenty of cozy blankets and tools for cooking the perfect s'more.

QUICK TIP - This rustic approach will make for a backyard campsite you'll never want to pack up.

15 | Create Entertaining Zones

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

The secret to a well-balanced backyard lies in the layout. Creating entertaining zones, like a cozy seating area and separate dining space, will ensure that your guests always feel at home. And when you're not hosting, you have plenty of lounging options to enjoy.

16 | Establish a Colour Story

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Creating and sticking to a gorgeous colour story will make your outdoor space look so polished. We love this royal blue setup that includes porcelain plates and lumbar pillows on each chair, which pop against the wooden tabletop.

17 | Soak Up the Sun

EMILY HENDERSON DESIGN

Whether your backyard boasts a sparkling pool or not, a couple of outdoor chaise loungers make your space the perfect place to lay out and work on your tan.

18 | DIY a Fire Pit

DESIGN: KRISTIN LEWIS, PHOTO: CHARLOTTE LEA

Fire pits can sometimes be expensive, and if we're being honest, sometimes the best home décor items are the ones you take to make yourself. An afternoon DIY project, some boulders, and some firewood can provide backyard entertainment for years to come.

19 | Bring On the Old-World Charm

TIM MELIDEO

It's often proven that less is actually more and this backyard setup is what we mean. The rustic, solid wood dining table and chairs in this adorable home will make you think you're in your very own Moroccan hideaway.

20 | Install an Outdoor Shower

TIM MELIDEO

There's nothing like an al-fresco shower on a sunny spring day. Install an outdoor shower head and switch up your shower routine all season long.

Which of these ideas is your favourite?! Share your thoughts on my Facebook or Instagram page, or leave a comment below!

Source: MyDomaine

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These Incredible DIY Backyard Studios Take 'Work From Home' To A Whole New Level

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Nedi Vozis-Penev

Posted in Architecture, Backyard, Backyard Studios, Cabin, Cool Spaces, Design, DIY, Dwell Magazine, Home Design, Home Office, Interior Design, Modular, Office, Shipping Container, Studio, Studios, Toronto, Toronto Homes, Unique Spaces, Work From Home

Home has taken on a more robust role than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people find ways to work from a spare room, home office, or even their kitchen table. These incredible backyard studios are some of the most unique and creative takes on what 'working from home' can look like.

Via Dwell

A Shipping Container Office

After working from home for over a decade, Canadian architect Randy Bens found himself in need of a little more breathing room to accommodate the growth of his New Westminster–based architecture practice. Rather than rent an office, Randy decided to maintain his no-commute lifestyle by transforming an industrial shipping container into RBA Studio, a cozy 350-square-foot backyard office.

A Timber Workspace

Oliver Dang, architect and founder of Six Four Five A, typically works from home, but his rambunctious toddler made him recognize the need for more space with fewer distractions. Instead of immediately turning to office rentals, however, Oliver built a 100-square-foot workplace in his own backyard in Toronto, Canada.

A Flat-Pack Cabin

Almost four years ago, Hungarian design studio and educational platform Hello Wood began building prototypes of a tiny cabin that they dubbed Kabinka. Over the years, these prototypes were put to the test by architecture and design students taking part in the Hello Wood summer school. The studio then developed a flat-pack version of the cabin, and it’s now available for purchase as an affordable, self-build option for a weekend retreat, backyard guest room, or private office.

A Writer’s Studio with Bookshelves that Pivot to Reveal Hidden Rooms

Architect Bulent Baydar, of Harrison Design, devised this studio for screenwriter Matthew Michael Carnahan’s home in Arlington, Virginia—and although it was never in the plan, it’s as much an entertaining space as it is an office. "Matthew had been working in his basement," Baydar says. "He’s the father of three young daughters, and he needed a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the family where he could write." Carnahan commissioned the architect to imagine a freestanding structure in his rear yard that would provide peace and quiet—and plenty of sunlight.

A Light-Filled Backyard Retreat

San Francisco–based architect Beverly Choe transformed an old garage on the site of a carriage house into an open and meditative backyard studio where a family can easily retreat to work, relax, and create. The result is a "box of suffused light" that feels airy and minimal yet warm and personal, thanks to plenty of rugs, greenery, and handmade ceramic vases.

A Snug Garden Studio

A Wellington, New Zealand, couple loved their neighborhood of Berhampore, but found that with two young sons, they were running out of space. They called on Parsonson Architects to devise a solution, which came in the form of a 183-square-foot studio in the backyard of their two-bedroom Victorian cottage. "Set against a backdrop of mature trees at the end of the garden," says founder Gerald Parsonson, "the new studio provides extra space for play, study, and sleeping."

A Modular Office

Proving beautiful design can be achieved in small spaces and on a small budget, architect Richard John Andrews crafted a modular home office for his backyard in East London. Building the bespoke studio was a challenge—Andrews had a limited budget, space constraints, and site conditions necessitated lightweight materials. But Andrews, who preferred the flexibility of a self-build, knew the endeavor would be worthwhile.

A Renaissance-Inspired Escape

In the backyard of a downtown Toronto home, local design practice Anya Moryoussef Architect has transformed a single-car garage into a multifunctional, light-filled workspace that cleverly belies its compact 325-square-foot size. The client—a former architect who now works from home as a screenwriter and art director—set high demands for the small space. He requested not only a workspace and a separate sitting room, but also plenty of storage for his art collection and scripts, as well as room for his golden retriever, Ollie.

A Lighthouse Micro Office

Nowhere else are the playful aesthetics of Los Angeles design/build studio Knowhow Shop best expressed than in Lighthouse, their recently completed office in Highland Park that doubles as a striking showpiece. Sharply angular and experimental, the 154-square-foot microbuilding pulls inspiration from a variety of sources, including boatbuilding.

Which of these unique backyard studios is your favourite?! Share your thoughts on my Facebook or Instagram page, or leave a comment below!

See the full list here

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