Colorado is a beautiful place to live, and many homeowners here spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the sanctuary of their own backyards. If you’ve recently moved into your home or want to renovate your outdoor space, you’re going to want to know what works best in the area and what other homeowners are enjoying in The Centennial State. The best options complement the state’s natural beauty and diverse climate.

Deck or Patio

The outdoor beauty of Colorado’s vast landscape is unique. While you live in the state, you’ll want to take advantage of these stunning views. A dedicated deck or patio space can allow you to cook, swim, entertain, or relax in style. A custom deck or patio can help you include features like outdoor fireplaces, full-size kitchens, conversation pits, smart technology, hand-laid masonry, and more. In the summer, you can enjoy fans with misters to keep you cool; you may even install a pool. In the winter, your deck space can offer you a cozy fire pit or hot tub. All of these features are set against a beautiful Colorado backdrop. Find a deck or patio contractor near you to get the process started. You can compare options through online searches, using your specific location. I found a deck contractor near me at some affordable rates.

Winter-Proof Roofing

How your roof handles cold weather and the weight of snow matters in a state like Colorado. Flat or low-pitch roofs have to carry more snow each winter, making them more susceptible to damage, including water and weather leaks. You can replace your roof with a more lightweight and durable material that isn’t prone to warping in the cold months. Your roof should be able to withstand the rapid thawing and freezing cycles that can happen in early or late winter. Metal is one of the most popular choices available that meets these parameters; it’s lightweight and non-porous, handling snow and melting ice with ease. Insulating materials, such as slate, can also help keep your home warmer in the winter without overworking your heating system.

Efficient Windows

While windows can be considered an interior upgrade, they also help enhance the appearance of your home’s exterior. Outdated or broken windows can also cause significant drafts in your home, which is particularly problematic during the winter when your furnace may struggle to keep up with the cold weather coming in. Double or triple-glazed windows are heavily insulated to regulate interior temperatures without sacrificing natural light and your Colorado views. Sealing the gaps around your windows can also help mitigate weather leaks.

Seasonal Landscaping

Spring and summer are often beautiful times for the greenery and landscaping in your yard, but winter is known for dormant and barren plants or trees. There are evergreen trees and shrubs, however, that can give you a bit of color even in Colorado’s coldest times of the year. Options such as the Colorado Blue Spruce, Mugo Pine, Juniper, boxwood, and holly can provide festive and colorful foliage peeking through the snow. Adding some deciduous trees and shrubs can light up your yard during autumn, too; Quaking Aspen and Bigtooth Maple are some favorite trees in the area. Layer your landscaping according to season, and you won’t have to worry about a bare or plain yard for half of the year.

Full Kitchen

Whether you’re a fan of a backyard barbecue and a refreshing cocktail in the Colorado summers, or prefer to wind down with some hot chocolate near the fire pit in the winter, a kitchen space outdoors can keep you entertained and enriched year-round. Kitchens with stone countertops and smokers can help you craft the finest dishes for you and your loved ones. You can incorporate the kitchen right on your deck or by the pool if desired. Full outdoor kitchens are also extremely popular among future homebuyers, which can increase your property value if you ever need to sell.

Photo by Askar Abayev on Pexels

Fireplace or Fire Pit

One of the best ways to deal with Colorado’s often harsh winters is to cozy up by a warm fire. You can do this safely—and stylishly—by installing an outdoor fireplace with beautiful stonework or a firepit that friends and family can gather around. Roasting marshmallows is a blast when you have a dedicated fire space in your private backyard. There are many options to match your existing outdoor space or home exterior for a cohesive look.

Stylish Storage

A spruced-up outdoor space comes with a lot of maintenance, and you’ll need somewhere to store your tools and equipment. You will also want a place to store pool toys in the winter and winter decorations in the summer. Storage sheds and deck boxes make it easy to declutter your yard year-round without sacrificing beauty. You can decorate a storage shed to mimic your home; rustic or modern farmhouse styles are popular in many homes throughout Colorado.

Conclusion

The perfect outdoor space in Colorado seamlessly blends in with the natural landscape and withstands the divergent climate. Including plenty of attractive storage options, such as custom sheds, can help you easily reduce seasonal clutter. Installing a custom deck or patio to withstand the harsh winters and hot summers in Colorado is a smart choice; consider adding custom fireplaces or pergolas with fans. Landscaping that is beautiful year-round, with layered options, can provide something to look at even when the temperatures drop. Preparing your windows and roofing for seasonal extremes is a smart choice to protect your entire home. Before breaking ground outdoors, consider options that align with your lifestyle and how you want to spend time in this beautiful area.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com