Outdoor Living: How to Turn an Open Field into a Relaxing Sanctuary

Do you ever find yourself looking out at your yard and envisioning what you could create? Imagine a stylish garage, a sleek wooden deck, or a chic gazebo for those perfect sunny days. The design potential of an open field is massive.

Making a comprehensive plan with a solid framework will help you turn your open field into a relaxing sanctuary you’ve always dreamt of. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of making your outdoor living space into an area that combines style and comfort.

Project Scope

The first step of your open-field transformation should be determining the project’s scope. You’ll want to ensure that your field size aligns with the concept you’re going for to avoid any complications.

Here are some things you should consider:

The main feature: What type of outdoor structure will be the standout feature, e.g., wood or metal gazebos?
Project budget: How much are you willing to spend? $2000 or $10,000?
Size of the open field: The area you have to work within when the construction starts.
Turnaround time: How long do you have to complete the project? Consider seasonal weather and how long you’ll need to hire contractors.

Features of Your Open Field Redesign

Next up, it’s the fun part; you’re choosing the features of your open field redesign. Let your creative spirit run wild with some of these innovative elements:

Outdoor lighting ideas: Spotlights for highlighting, lanterns, or pathway lighting.
The structure: An expansive garage, pergola, or a greenhouse.
Landscaping: Fencing, flower beds, gravel, or trees.
Seating: Benches, swings, sofas, or hammocks.
Infrastructure and utilities: Water supply, electricity, heating and/or cooling systems.

Labor and Materials

Once you’ve got an idea of how you want your yard revamp to turn out, you must source the materials and account for the labor needed for the job.

First, you’ll need to determine whether you’re going to tackle the job on your own or hire a contractor. Say you were getting some landscaping work done; the average price for labor is between $50 and $100 per hour, but it varies based on location. You may be able to do some of the work independently, but hiring professionals will streamline the process and ensure that the job will be done to a high standard.

Regardless of which route you go down for the construction side of things, you’ll have to purchase the materials for the project. While it varies from project to project, some examples include:

Hardscaping: bricks, concrete, or blocks.
Soil: clay soils, sandy soils, or silt soils.
Construction materials: steel, stone or wood.
Extras: Nails, glue, screws, or caulk.

Site Preparation

Site preparation is an essential part of every open-field upgrade. It guarantees a smooth construction process and provides a stable foundation for your project.

When you’re getting your open field ready, these are some of the things you’ll need to do:

Evaluate the field: Make sure the land you’re working on is suitable for the scale of the job you’ll carry out.
Design a blueprint: Outline how much space in the area you’re going to take up. Consider adding zones and account for any additional features that may be combined with the main element.
Clear the site: Get rid of anything in the chosen area that may obstruct the construction phase, e.g., garden furniture.
Prepare for electricity: Determine what will need power and get in touch with an electrician to analyze the project and see if you need anything else.

Adding Additional Furniture and Decorative Elements

Adding some furniture and decorative elements to your open-field project will be the perfect way to finish it off and give it some aesthetic appeal.

You may only want to make some minor enhancements, like adding a firepit or a cute water feature like a fountain. However, to really build the relaxing sanctuary you’re going for, pieces of furniture like couches, tables, sunloungers, or hanging chairs can really bring it to life.

Don’t sleep on some small accessories, either. Some cute little finishing touches like outdoor carpets, hanging baskets, climbing plants, or hanging wind chimes will be great additions.

These Are the Steps to Turning an Open Field Into a Relaxing Sanctuary

If you have an open field on your property, you’d be crazy not to choose it as an area to build something special. It gives you an extra place on your land to create a secluded location to relax and enjoy your free time while also adding value to your home.

As long as you follow the steps in this guide, you’ll be able to pull off building a fantastic outdoor living place. Remember, if you’re not confident enough to take on the process alone, seek help from a contractor so the project turns out how you want.