Layout

Whether your backyard is small and cozy or large and spacious, allocate space for different activities that you have in mind. For instance, determine the boundaries and location for the outdoor kitchen, eating area, seating area, fire pit, bar with TV, kids’ playground, etc. Plan in such a way that the individual zones complement one another; for example, to ensure your friends sitting around the fire get to see a lovely landscape, or that the grill master of the house gets to enjoy his or her time socializing while preparing the food by positioning the grill near the seating area.

It’s important to get a clear picture of the layout and all the walkway space that lie between different zones – traffic flow and pathways between fixed items need to be allocated even in smaller backyards.

As you start to consider location of your outdoor eating area, remember that, no matter how functional you think your outdoor kitchen will be, you’ll likely find yourself going back and forth into your indoor kitchen. You’ll be grateful for the shorter distance when you have to carry a lot of items or need to quickly run in to get something. At the same time, you’ll also want to make sure that the smoke draft from the grill doesn’t go back into the home, so observe the general wind pattern in your yard and place the grill appropriately and not too close to the house.

Do It In Stages

If you’re on a budget and need to build your outdoor living area in stages, have the compete layout planned before you begin with the project and before you set up any permanent structures. This would allow you to organize and run the utilities before you plan to pour concrete. Once you have everything planned out you can take on one project at a time.

Outdoor Kitchen

Depending on the space, your lifestyle, and budget, a strategic outdoor kitchen layout could include a grill, pizza oven, fridge, sink, and sufficient storage and counter-space that can be transformed into a buffet for a large party.

Outdoor Covered Spaces

Gazebos and pergolas enhance the appearance of your backyard while offering a welcome escape from the sun’s rays and summer heat.

They are perfect for outdoor lounging and entertaining, as well as alfresco eating. You can add airy curtains for privacy and intimacy. In hot regions, an overhead fan or mist sprays are a nice feature to cool the space. If you go for an open slatted roof pergola, you can add translucent fiberglass to protect the area from rain without blocking the light.

If you plan on installing an outdoor grill under a structure, make sure there’s plenty of clearance space between the grill and the ceiling for ventilation.

Outdoor TV Entertainment

Having a TV in your backyard brings endless party possibilities, from big sports games to kid’s campout and family movie nights, to a romantic movie and a soak in the hot tub, and more.

Just make sure the TV is placed in a cabinet well protected from the outdoor conditions. Also, having a good outdoor sound system will enhance your entertaining experiences.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting plays an important part in creating the right ambiance, as well as in providing adequate light for functionality and safety.

Pendants, hanging lamps and bistro lights can set the mood for the evening enjoyment.
Installing accent lighting under your gazebo roof and outdoor kitchen/bar area counters really sets the mood when the sun sets. Low voltage lighting is wonderful for highlighting a water feature, walkways, staircases and grilling areas.

Electrical, Gas and Water

You’ll need electrical, gas and water for a beautiful, fully functional dream backyard. As mentioned before, it’s crucial to plan for it early in the design phase, and when considering the location of your outdoor kitchen, fire pit/fireplace, entertainment area, pool and Jacuzzi, etc.

For the safest, most efficient, and professional-looking installation, leave the work to a certified HVAC contractor.

At UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we install gas fuel lines for all indoor & outdoor fire-pits, fireplaces, grills and appliances for residential and commercial projects serving local homeowners for over 100 years.

So, as the sweet scents and inviting warmth replace long winter months, you can start enjoying endless summer pool parties, cookouts and barbecues, and more, in your new dream backyard!

UGI Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is a comprehensive HVAC company offering Natural Gas Conversion and other HVAC services in Lancaster, PA, Reading, PA, Harrisburg, the Lehigh Valley, and the surrounding communities in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.

We invite you to contact us for more information and to help you figure out the best gas fireplace, gas pool and hot tub heaters, as well as numerous different heating and cooling options – schedule your appointment today, or call us at: 1-833-980-3496.