Opening Your Home to the Outside: Mixing Indoor-Outdoor Living Spaces in Your Home

Backyard porches used to be the most popular settings for social gatherings at home, but now everyone’s talking about indoor-outdoor living spaces. They combine features of both to make your house visually seamless. Here are some ways to create the perfect environment, both inside and out.

1. Pick a Purpose

Every renovation job starts with some daydreaming. Think about which space in your home you’d like to change and why. How would you use your back porch if it became more than plywood and screened walls?

Pick a purpose for the space before starting work. You’ll only experience the rewarding feeling of finishing a renovation project if you feel confident in how you’ll use it. If you can’t think of anything, imagine how your loved ones would want to use the new area. Anything’s possible, like a reading nook, a party space or even a family game night area.

2. Mirror Your Exterior Architecture

Merging spaces into an outdoor-indoor room requires making them look similar. Interior renovations would require using the same paint or carpets, but you can go bigger with your upcoming project. Consider weaving your exterior architecture throughout the new space to make a cohesive area.

There are numerous types of exterior architecture for homes, so reflect on your house’s outward appearance. If it has pointed arches and stone walls, it might be a Victorian Gothic house compared to the massive porticos on neoclassical revival homes.

When you’ve found your home’s architectural style, draw inspiration from it for decorating. You could replicate the siding’s color in your new flooring or match your decor to the shade of your shutters. Everything will match without looking identical, creating the visual cohesion necessary for a fantastic project.

3. Replicate Your Interior Furniture

You don’t need to start from scratch with your new furniture. Get inspired by what’s already inside your home before decorating your indoor-outdoor living space. You could use a patio table and chairs that match your kitchen set. Use the same color shades if the exact materials don’t hold up well outside. A cherry table would work with cherry wicker outdoor chairs and make your home look professionally styled.

4. Dream Big About the Space’s Functionality

How would you use your newly mixed space if budgeting wasn’t an issue? If your dream is an outdoor pizza oven and an oversized dining table for all your loved ones, get a stand-alone oven and a table slightly larger than the one inside your home. You’ll make any dream possible by figuring out what you want and making it work for your home and budget.

Functionality also requires comfort. No one wants to use an indoor-outdoor space where they get sunburned while reading a book or chatting with a friend. A simple addition to block shade could improve your property and lower your energy bills while doubling your home’s usable space. It would block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause sunburns and shelter people from rain. Strategic functionality makes any room more usable, which is the biggest benefit during home renovations.

5. Make Socializing Central

Imagine your loved ones hanging out in the living room. They wouldn’t be able to comfortably socialize if your furniture faced two directions. Remember to make socializing central in your newly combined space. Turn seating toward each other so conversing is easy. Even if that means some of your furniture faces away from the primary view of your yard, you’ll have more pleasant future experiences because no one will have to strain their neck to chat.

6. Add Something for Everyone

Interior spaces in your home include things for everyone. Your partner might have their favorite throw blanket over the couch while your teenager has their PlayStation plugged into the TV. Transfer what they love to your mixed space, too. Get a second throw blanket in the same style and add an outlet extension so your teen can play their handheld console while it charges.

Younger kids could have another toybox in your newly created indoor-outdoor living space so they stay entertained while you grill dinner. If your loved ones see themselves represented in the new room, everyone will enjoy it equally.

7. Double-Check Your Lighting

Your newly designed space might look lovely, but will you have enough light to enjoy it after the sun sets? You’ll also need light fixtures on a cloudy day or during an early morning relaxation session with a cup of coffee.

Consider if your space is covered or has walls to block rain or snow. You could use light fixtures such as standing lamps in a covered space. If you have an open area like a California room, place garden lights on the edges or along a decorative path in your yard.

Even if you dream of creating an outdoor-indoor room inspired by the Regency era, you could hang a weatherproof chandelier that adds ornate designs and charm to your new space. The singular lighting addition would change the room’s visuals and elevate it to your desired design style. Whether you decorate with string lights or a fixed lighting choice, they must withstand outdoor weather to last years after your renovation finishes.

8. Utilize Different Textures

Texture is easy to overlook when merging spaces. Interior rooms already have different textures due to carpeting, rugs and upholstery fabric. Outdoor areas might have concrete and waterproof wooden furniture, so add more textures to give both places the same vibe.

You could decorate with an outdoor rug beneath your new furniture and upholstered cushions on any furniture you choose. Decorative curtains block sunlight as the sun sets while doubling your visual textures. The space will have a professionally designed look and match the rest of your home, completing your merging project.

Have Fun Creating Your Indoor-Outdoor Living Space

Anyone can design and build an outdoor-indoor room with tips like these. Think about how you’ll use the space and what will make it match the exterior and interior parts of your house. You’ll create a place everyone will love on whatever budget you set for the project and make the most of it.

How Getting Renovations Can Impact Your Home Insurance

Home renovations can freshen up an otherwise drab dwelling and increase the value of your house. Unfortunately, you might also run into unexpected expenses such as needing more insurance to cover a higher replacement value and added protections while people work on the space.

Some improvements naturally increase expenses, such as adding a pool or other luxury items. If your home still falls under prime mortgage insurance (PMI), an increase in property taxes that are umbrellaed into payments may result in higher overall costs as well.

Experts predict homeowners will spend around $621 billion in total home improvements in 2025. They may not realize the added costs of insurance, though. Going in with your eyes open prepares you for added expenses and allows you to plan. Here are the things you should consider before undertaking a new project.

1. New and Upgraded Materials

Whether you want to upgrade your countertops from Formica to granite or you’re getting a building up to code, replacing dated materials with higher end ones can up the replacement costs and thus the amount of insurance coverage you need.

Review your policy with your insurance agent to ensure you have adequate coverage should the worst happen. Those living in Florida and leasing may be subject to Senate Bill 4-D and need to add hurricane impact windows and doors. Associations must now keep records of structural conditions and maintenance work to share with unit owners and buyers.

However, insurance companies are also offering a discount on premiums of as much as 45% with proper maintenance and materials. Each location can be unique so seeking someone with knowledge of the area makes the most sense. Getting an independent adjuster should you have a claim can also increase the amount received in case of a claim.

2. Higher Home Value

If you build an addition and increase your home’s square footage, you’ll need added coverage should anything happen. The old insurance plan likely isn’t for enough funds to replace your new structure should you lose everything in a fire or natural disaster.

Also consider any additional personal items added space brings. One example is building an in-law suite to accommodate your aging parents. You’ll need added coverage to accommodate their belongings as well as enough to replace the building should it be irreparably damaged.

Take inventory and photos of everything, including the renovated areas and keep them on file in another location in case of emergency.

3. Safety Features and Bonus Items

Adding some safety features can reduce your insurance premiums. For example, if you live in a high crime area, adding bars to the windows or an in-home security system might net you a discount.

Working smoke alarms can bring an additional discount. Some insurance companies offer discounts for adding a new roof or sprinklers or upgrading wiring and plumbing.

Interior sprinkler systems can reduce damage caused by a fire and may bring perks such as lower premiums. Talk to your agent about other discounts, such as multiple policy perks when you have your automobiles and homeowners with the same company.

4. Construction Coverage

Good idea to add additional coverage for the liability of having workers with heavy equipment or climbing on ladders and such. Even the added number of deliveries could result in an injury and claim against your property.

DIYers may want to take out some builders’ risk insurance should something happen while a new room or section of your home is under construction. Potential damage could come from vandals, natural disasters or thieves.

Talk to your contractor about the coverage they have on their crew and equipment. Some states require they take out certain policies before working a job site.

5. Home Office Coverage

If you’re building a home office, you might find you need additional coverage. Depending upon the type of business you’re running, you may have to cover expensive equipment or take out added insurance to cover clients coming and going from your space.

Talk to your insurance provider about whether you can tag on an umbrella policy with extended coverage or if you need a separate business policy. Some companies offer in-home business insurance, which may be less than other policies.

6. Flood Insurance

If you don’t currently have flood insurance, you may not realize how pricey it can be. However, if you add a basement or otherwise change the landscape or structure of your home, you could create a scenario where you now need flood insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that flood damage is excluded under standard policies. Homeowners can secure a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program via FEMA or private companies. Only 78% of people at risk of a flood secured some form of insurance in 2023. Flood insurance can add considerably to the overall cost of coverage.

Talk to your insurance agent before beginning basement construction to find out the requirements for your area. Where is the water table and can you build on with a basement or will you now be required to add expensive coverage to your policy you didn’t need before?

7. Check Contractor’s Insurance

Don’t just talk to your contractor about their insurance. Get written confirmation they are bonded and insured. The last thing you want is for someone on their crew to get harmed and you be responsible for all their medical expenses.

Another nightmare scenario involves a contractor who doesn’t know what they’re doing, damages your existing house and leaves the structure half-finished. Insurance is meant to protect homeowners from unscrupulous builders.

8. Transportation Concerns

If you’re transporting any of the building materials yourself, ensure your automobile insurance will cover any problems. Things such as bundles of wood or heavy tiles may come loose and create damage while driving down the road.

Typically, your auto insurance would cover you for any liability but it’s always best to double-check and make sure you have adequate amounts should the unthinkable happen.

9. Lapse in Coverage

You should always inform your insurance company of any upcoming renovations. Many policies have fine print that states you must tell them within so many days before starting construction to be covered. While the policy typically will cover damages during construction, such as a building collapsing, it’s best to cover your bases and make sure your agent is aware of your building plans and that you take out any additional recommended extensions to your policy.

Keep in mind if you must vacate your home during some of the renovations, your standard policy also won’t cover you for theft and vandalism as the property will be considered vacant. Talk to your agent about any needed coverage to protect your assets from bad players while you aren’t there.

Review Policy and Upgrade After Finishing Renovations

You should work with your provider and review your policies at several points during the renovation process. Talk to your agent before starting remodeling, during and after completion to ensure you have the insurance you need at a rate you can afford.

Once you’ve finished your upgrades, get an independent evaluation of replacement costs and ensure you have adequate coverage for your home’s current, updated value rather than what it was worth before the renovations began.