Outdoor Space Planning: Tips, Trends & Tidbits
What continues to be hotter than this summer’s temperatures? Outdoor living spaces! Like a thermostat in June, the square footage devoted to outdoor spaces is also on the rise. Covered and uncovered patios, decks, kitchens, pergolas, pavilions, contemplation spaces, gardens, conversation spaces, showers, and even outdoor home movie theaters — it’s clear that we want to spend as much time as possible living al fresco.
Whether your tastes are modern or English country garden, following some basic outdoor design guidelines will enhance the enjoyment of your exterior rooms.
Establish the Space
Gravitating to comfort in the form of shelter is our human nature. Inside, ceilings, walls and floors do the trick. Once you step outside, these boundaries disappear and it’s up to you to bring them back.
Walls are fences, shrubbery, large potted plants, or even a large tree trunk anchoring a portion of the space
Floors are patios, outdoor rugs, decks, or even a designated grassy area.
Roofs show up as pergolas, pavilions, shade cloth, or the overhead branches of a tree.
Porches, especially wrap-around, beg to be made into cozy outdoor rooms.
Variety
Different surfaces and heights bring diversity and interest to an outdoor space, making them more engaging and irresistible.
Feature This
Anchor these spaces around a purpose, even if that purpose is as simple as sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air.
Outdoor fireplaces: instant living room!
A distinct water feature: not only beautiful, these can improve your physical and mental wellness for healthier living.
Heat lamps: a great alternative for small spaces or for those who don’t want the smoke.
Seating areas: traditional couches or chairs or go natural with large rocks, stumps, and a graceful log.
Inside or Out?
Don’t choose between inside and out! Expansive sliding or accordion glass doors that open to an outdoor living room blurs the gap between the two. Home designs are also incorporating stacked-sliding-glass-and-disappearing walls that slide up and out of view, completely removing one side of the room.
