Sitting outside enjoying a meal with friends, relaxing with a glass of wine, or gathering with family around the campfire reminds us what is really important — time spent together. Now that you’re likely home more often, is your outdoor space a place you look forward to spending your down time or does it leave a lot to be desired? Your home doesn’t have to stop at your back door; you can easily create an outdoor “room” to enjoy al fresco living on any budget.
Now is a great time to plan and create your outdoor space. The design team at RDS will help you translate your dream space to an outdoor reality. We want to share our thought process to help you start thinking about what you might like and how to make the most of your outdoor living area.
Create a master plan.
Whether it’s a patio or an expansive backyard retreat or any size space in between, you need a master plan tailored to your budget.
Decide where this new living space will be situated. Realistically, it should be a natural extension of the family living space (if possible) and allow you to enjoy any views or natural features found on your property. This might allow for new patio doors or foldable, accordion doors to be installed and really bring the outdoors in.
Make a list of activities the space must accommodate - entertaining, outdoor cooking and dining, games, reading, a pool or spa. Do you want it to be one open space with multiple uses or do you want designated areas for different activities? A bocce ball court or an area for a trampoline will need more room. A fire pit that allows for many people needs its own area. Do you entertain a lot and need a large table? The configurations of space are endless, so know what your family wants in order to create the perfect design.
Correctly and carefully designed landscaping will help define the space, as well as provide needed privacy. Use planted containers with taller “anchor” plants in the corners, and perhaps a covered roof or pergola structure to define the ceiling. A lattice trellis softened with colorful climbing plants can add privacy. If you want to be able to view your whole yard, you might want to add plants along your property lines to create privacy.
Now that you have a plan…
Is a covered outdoor space the goal? It can be anything from a pergola, arbor, gazebo, or sun awning, to a covered porch. While covering the space is not critical, it will allow for more time spent outside, no matter the weather elements. Utilizing a roof structure that can accommodate hidden retractable screens will help with pesky bugs.
A heat source everyone can gather around is a central theme for any outdoor space. This can be a full outdoor fireplace that serves as an anchor for the space, a built-in or portable fire pit, or a chiminea. Consider all of your fuel source options: wood burning, gas, electric, or a combination. There’s nothing like roasting marshmallows with family and friends over an outdoor fire on a cool fall evening!
Cooking outside is a must, but what are your needs? Does Summer even count if you didn’t have food sizzling on the grill? The grill can be anything from an amazing built in unit to a portable hibachi. Choose features important for your needs and RDS will help create a design that takes advantage of the space and its elements. You don’t want to install a grill in the outdoor kitchen in an area where the smoke will blow across the table – so plan strategically. Choose countertops and cabinets that will work for your storage and prep needs and can withstand the outside elements. Do you need a sink or small refrigerator installed or is your kitchen close enough to be able to get what you need from inside?
Water features are soothing and create white noise to offset other distracting sounds. These can be permanent or portable features and can be placed anywhere. If a pool or spa is part of the plan, a fence and gate will be needed and there will be additional zoning and building code requirements.
Choose a flooring material to fit your budget and needs. The flooring decision is one that needs to be made early on, as the other elements you may want to use may depend on the flooring. Will your space be elevated or on the ground? An elevated deck with an outdoor kitchen requires a sturdier surface. Drainage systems will have to be planned, as well as considering the type of maintenance needed for whatever flooring you choose.
Low voltage lighting is perfect for landscape accents and walkway lighting. Overhead lighting should be used sparingly, so you can enjoy the evening sky. Carefully placed outdoor lighting can help with evening entertaining but try to keep the lighting limited to general outdoor ambience.
What accessories will complete your space? An exterior flat screen television, heaters, sculptures, fountains, sport courts?
Whatever your plan, your outdoor living space should reflect your tastes and needs. We love nothing more than spending time outside when we are able to, and RDS, your leader in outdoor home design, would love to help you design your backyard retreat. We might even just stay to roast some marshmallows for a s’more!
Our goal is always to create a design that brings your dreams for your spaces to life. Contact us today so the RDS team can start designing your outdoor living oasis.
