As the days lengthen and temperatures warm, Montanans will be spending more time in the great outdoors. This might mean hikes in the mountains and days on the lake, but there are also some great ways to enhance your outdoor living space at home. It’s wonderful to have a backyard escape to relax in after a long day of work, or to share with friends and neighbors during a long, lingering evening. Here are a few ways to spruce up your outdoor living spaces and get ready for summer!
Not surprisingly, the past few years have seen many trends in outdoor living take off, from fireplace features to outdoor water features. But the basic ideas that make the inside of your house appealing also enhance your outdoor living space: thoughtful seating, natural elements, and a cohesive style.
38 Arnica Lane, Whitefish | 3 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms | 3,486 Sq Ft | 5.33 Acres
MLS# 22206857 | $3,600,000
Ken Stein | 406-250-0599 | Ken@PureWestMT.com
Seating for outdoor spaces can be creative, incorporating everything from cushioned outdoor couches to benches and stools. If you have a home with land and trees, hammocks are an inviting escape or, when you’re hosting a party, a great place for kids to swing and play.
Homes with outdoor kitchens are always desirable and are often high on a buyer’s list for residential real estate in Montana. There are many ways to add kitchen elements to your yard, everything from a grill with a carefully planned prep area to a full-scale design with plumbing and gas lines. If you have a small space, consider an all-weather cart that can do double duty as a prep area and serving station, with storage underneath. Ready-to-use grill islands, often designed from stone with built-in counters, are a beautiful and easy way to give your home an outdoor kitchen feel without embarking on a major construction project.
51 Ponderosa Court, Whitefish | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms | 2,465 Sq Ft | .19 Acres
MLS# 22207548 | $1,500,000
Jeff Fisher | 602-531-0435 | JeffFisherRealtor@gmail.com
Well-placed plants and flowers are another excellent way to create a backyard escape. If your yard is small or in close proximity to the neighbors, consider vertical plants, such as tall shrubs or climbing plants, to create privacy and a beautiful natural screen. In a larger yard, you can strategically make part of your space more intimate with shrubs or dwarf trees. Colorful flowers in coordinated planters are a great way to add interest and warmth to any backyard escape.
For homes with land, consider which side of your house offers the best views and plan your outdoor space accordingly—your main outdoor living space doesn’t have to be straight out the back door. You can use pathways and plants to lead from your back door to the best views or coziest corner. Homes with land lend themselves naturally to a fire pit or outdoor fireplace feature, perfect for s’mores in the summer or cool autumn evenings.
Outdoor living is just another part of what makes living in Montana so wonderful. Whether you are looking to style a cozy nook or install an outdoor living space with all the bells and whistles, we hope summer brings many wonderful memories of relaxing afternoons and fun-filled evenings in your Montana backyard escape.
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24037 Geri Lane, Bigfork | 4 Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms | 7,574 Sq Ft | .65 Acres
MLS# 22116299 | $7,250,000
Jennifer Shelley | 406.249.8929 | JenniferShelley@PureWestMT.com
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