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"2006, 2007, 2008"
Newsletter : Create an inviting outdoor living space
Posted on August 12, 2008
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| Create an inviting outdoor living space | ||||||
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 hile yards were once the domain of swing sets and barbecues, todays homeowners are turning the great outdoors into additional living space, complete with comfortable furniture and decorative lighting. This trend is so popular that the U.S. Census Bureau shows one-third of nearly $150 billion Americans spent on home remodeling in 2005 went to outdoor living areas; thats money that will often yield a good return on investment when it comes time to sell. Where to begin? Designing an outdoor space is much like designing a room in your houseyoull want to think about the spaces purpose, appropriate furnishings, dcor and dimensions, which can be defined outdoors in much the same way a rooms floor, walls and ceiling define them indoors. Youll also want your new space to flow from the aesthetic of the rest of your home. For instance, a Spanish Colonial home is best complemented by a patio or terrace of the same style, in colors and materials that are true to the era. Consider the function of your new room. Think about what you will use the space for. Is it principally for entertaining? For contemplative moments with a good book? For family dining? Will you be enjoying it primarily in the evenings, or by day? These considerations should drive the design of your space. When space permits, you may want to incorporate seating areas for more than one purpose. Upright chairs are ideal for dining, but youll want some more relaxed and comfortable seating arranged in intimate groupings for conversations or reading. For lounging by the poolside or catching a nap, chaise lounges and hammocks work wonderfully. Youll also want to consider placement. Seating areas should offer the best views, while barbecues, chimineas and other fire-containing items should be kept away from flammable brush, grass and structures, and away from windows that might carry the smoke indoors. Establish boundaries. You may not have thought of your outdoor area as having a floor, ceiling or walls, but defining your space can go a long way towards making it feel like a natural extension of your home. There are almost as many types of outdoor flooring available today as there are indoor types. The default, of course, is lawn. But wood and synthetic decks are also common, as are cement patios. Pavers can quickly convert a patch of lawn into a defined patio, and old cement can be spruced up with a coat of stain or paint, or with some of the outdoor rugs now available. Defining the walls of an outdoor space is easier than you might think. You can go the manmade route with fencing, lattice screens, trellises, retaining walls or planter boxes. Or let Mother Nature help out by planting shrubs or trees, or using large potted arrangements. To top it all off, youll probably want something to keep the weather out and extend the useful season of your outdoor area. This could be as simple as a lawn umbrella affixed to a caf table, or as elaborate as an awning, gazebo or pergola. Mother Nature can help out here as well with an appropriately located shade tree. Add some fresh air to your decorating ideas. Your outdoor area should have a focal point an element that serves the same kind of function as a fireplace or TV screen in your living room. A fountain, outdoor firepit or sculpture works well for this. Again, youll want to keep in mind the mood youre trying to establish. If this is to be a quiet space for reflection, think pastels or earth tones. Party areas deserve more festive colors and perhaps some colorful string lights or tiki torches for the evening hours. In fact, lighting should be task-oriented just as it is indoorsyou might want to add pathway lighting for safety, decorative lighting to highlight landscaping and an outdoor chandelier or simple candles for the dining area. | |
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