The rainy season will soon arrive. (NMake your landscape more usable year-round by creating sheltered outdoor living areas. Here are some tips on creating outdoor rooms.
1. Determine the purpose and location
- Uses: Decide what you want to do in your outdoor room. Would you like to dine, relax, entertain and/or cook? If you want to cook, would you prefer a simple portable grill or something permanent such as burners, a pizza oven, refrigerator and sink?
- Location: Where is a good place for the new room in your yard? How will it connect to your home?
2. Define the space
- Boundaries: Walls protect against weather, but you will not want the space to be completely enclosed so you can connect to your landscape. You can use existing structures like walls, fences or hedges to help create boundaries, or you can use features like trellises, screens or potted plants.
- Flooring: The flooring material will demarcate the outdoor room from the rest of the yard. Stone pavers and decking are popular alternatives.
- Overhead structure: A roof provides shelter from rain, sun and cold winds. You could consider a permanent roof or a retractable awning.
3. Add comfort and style
- Furniture: Your outdoor room will be at least partly exposed to the weather. Choose weather-resistant furniture that is comfortable and durable. Would you like a dining set for meals, lounge chairs for relaxation and/or a conversation set for socializing? Consider a mix of seating options like sofas, chairs and ottomans.
- Soft surfaces: Add cushions, pillows, and throws to make the space feel cozy and inviting.
4. Add ambiance
- Heating elements: You will want to provide some source of heat, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space on cooler days and evenings. A fireplace can be a beautiful focal point of your room. You could also consider a fire pit, fireplace, chiminea or fire table.
- Privacy: Use plants, screens or curtains to add style and block out unwanted views or noise.
- Lighting: Lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Lights could include wall, table, floor and ceiling lamps. You could also use string lights or lanterns to define the space. You may also want to light an access pathway.
- Water features: You may want to add a soothing element with a small fountain or other water feature nearby.
We can help you create a welcoming outdoor room. Check out our portfolio, read about our landscape design process. And contact us for a design consultation.
