Tips For Transforming Outdoor Living Spaces
Courtesy of Tesselle, LLC
This year the warmer months will be especially welcomed! To take advantage of the fresh air and longer days, conceive of any size outdoor space – even a balcony – as a way to add onto your interior space. Covered or not, these are outdoor rooms. It is common to be able to accommodate more people outside than indoors. Here is a breakdown of the fun possibilities.
Courtesy of Danver Outdoor Kitchens
• When family or friends arrive, the first thing that comes to mind is to offer them a beverage – soft, hard or both. One of the best ways to allow a guest to feel comfortable and to kick off a party or a visit is to gather around the bar. These beverage stations can easily fit into a small space with a 15-inch-wide ice maker, under-counter refrigerator, under-counter wine keeper, small sink and even a beverage dispenser. A single tap can hold either beer or nitro cold brew coffee. A double tap can hold one keg of each. Add an outdoor TV screen or two or more to create that go-to vibe.
Courtesy of Danver Outdoor Kitchens
• Food prep and presentation has become the main attraction as options continue to grow for outdoor appliances. Professional appliances for indoor kitchens have become the benchmark for the outdoor kitchen. In addition to electric, wood- and charcoal-burning grills and smokers of all sizes, there are side burners, flat tops (like Teppanyaki grills), ovens, pizza ovens and warming drawers to keep the temperatures perfect. A new option for outdoor cooking is an invisible induction cooktop. It is safer around young children, energy efficient and offers a sleek aesthetic.
Courtesy of True Refrigeration
• Covered spaces, even if they are open design, will help to delineate an area and can house heaters for extending the outdoor time. They can support certain types of lighting and ceiling fans. Other options for outdoor rooms are fully enclosed ceilings supported by one or more walls. Columns can support the ceiling to evoke the feeling of a room without enclosing it. Sliding doors offer a respite from higher winds and rain while providing the feeling of being outdoors. A simple hammock with a cover for shade creates an instant feeling of relaxation – even when only looking at it. Walls can be partial or be breeze blocks for a level of privacy while allowing for air movement.
• Fire features such as fireplaces and fire pits can be built-in or freestanding. They can have a gas connection or use an alcohol-based fuel in a burner kit. A seating arrangement located around a fire feature is a nice way to bookend the initial gathering around the bar with the end-of-the-day around the fire.
Try dreaming of all of the things you would like to do in your outdoor garden or on your patio, terrace or pool deck. When you write that story as a concept for activities, you can start to define what your design priorities are, broken down into those various functions. As your mom may have told you, “Go out and play.”
Readers are encouraged to submit design questions, which may be printed in a future column. To submit questions, email design@sherryscottdesign.com.
Sherry Scott is a Certified Interior Designer in California, professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the proprietor of Sherry Scott Design in downtown Los Altos, 169 Main St.
