Spring has officially arrived and summer soon on it’s way. The weather will make us want to open our doors and windows and long to be outside more often. Outdoor living spaces have become the norm here in New England as we see more and more homes built for entertaining outside. I have invited guest blogger, Leslie Kramer to give us 5 simple tips on how to create outdoor living spaces. Thank you so much Leslie for your time and expertise!
Whether you are using it for contemporary entertainment and luxury or for serenity and a time for contemplation, the need to have a beautiful outdoor living space is growing every day. The hustles of our lives only begs us to have a place where we can reside after a long day and reflect over the day’s activities in the calmness of a carefully designed setup.
Outdoor Living Spaces that Complements the environment.
This can only be achieved if we develop outdoor living spaces that complements the environment. You can have the space and the view, but it takes expert advice to bring that enticing atmosphere that will usher you into a mood of relaxation and comfort.
Outdoor furniture has been revolutionized to be used in the home’s outdoor living area with confidence. You need not spend too much in sprucing up this area, but you will need to put in a little bit of effort to achieve a comfortable area. At the end of the day, you will love what you see, and you will enjoy sitting down and viewing nature from the comfort of what seems to be an outdoor living room. What are some of the ways to make this area outstanding?
1. Top it off
This idea may not be as famous as many people would suggest, but the living space may do well with a well-fitted roof. You may decide to come up with a roof that is out of the normal but speaks volumes when it comes to style and designs. Since it outside, let it be as natural as it can be. Of course, a metal roof may not be the best idea. A pergolas roof with vine growth will do just fine, though it lacks the impervious quality needed for a roof. A good option is a canvas awning roof, which is not costly and keeps off the water when it rains. The furniture you place here may not all be water resistant, so you need a roof that will guard it against such elements. Alternatively, a gazebo will work just as well.
2. Create glamour and glow
The best way to create glow is to light it up. Lights are an awesome way to wow the visitor, especially if you are running a resort. If you are at home, you can also add outdoor lighting to give a bit of glamour to the outdoor sitting area. One rule of thumb experts give is never to use an overhead bulb. Apart from being too cliché, the bulb kills the glamour that decorative lights ought to present. Have them shoulder-high or below. It is a great idea to hide them at a position where only the light can be seen, and not the entire bulb setup. Strategic placement of beautiful, functional landscape lighting can do a lot to a place. You can arrange them as you wish to create the effect you want to have. It can be dramatic or emotional, or it can be vivid. The lighting will be perfect for events, small gatherings, or even for intimate get-togethers with family and friends. And how about placing a fire pit in your outdoor living area? With furniture surrounding it, it is like a campsite experience while being near to your home comforts.
3. Stay grounded
This is best done using an outdoor rug. It is best to keep yourself feeling ‘in the house while you are outside the house’. This means that you will better enjoy the stay if you feel the comfort and warm atmosphere of the indoors while you actually are outside the house. Make the room as finished as you can on the floor. Add a coffee table and a loveseat if you wish or put in a complete set of outdoor dining tables and chairs to enjoy an outdoor dining experience!
4. Stick to your themes
It does not matter if you decide to make the outdoor a porch, patio, pool house or pergola; you need to stick to what the theme of the house and the theme of the neighboring area dictates. You should not make an ancient Greek style outdoor area if you have a house that speaks of oriental design. This spells confusing and will interfere with the flow. Sticking to your context will go a long way in enhancing eye-comfort. If you have a swimming pool, sticking to the theme means you get lounge chairs for it.
5. Coziness is key
You cannot compromise on having the place being comfortable. In the past, manufacturers only focused on creating outdoor furniture from hard plastic material. Understandably so, they focused on weather-resistant material, which would give the furniture some longevity. However, we are having better inventions today that make it easier to have cozier materials for the outdoors, which also promise resistance from the elements.
Use your creative ability to come up with the best for your business or your home. Much of what you will install in the outdoor living space will come from your personal needs, lifestyle, ideas and creativity.
Thank you so much Leslie for your great insight.
All About Interiors would love to hear what your outdoor oasis consists of? Do you love to dine outdoors or relax under the stars in a cozy chair and ottoman?
Leslie Kramer, the author of this post, is a freelance blogger, who is currently writing for Nader’s LaPopular, one of the leading providers of home furnishings. Leslie is a home improvement expert and uses blogging as platform to share home improvement tips.