What is an outdoor living room? The easy answer is simple and very broad: it can be whatever the owner wants it to be, as long as, of course, it is out and that a lot of time is spent living in that. What are your wants and needs? How do you like to spend time outdoors? These are the questions that will help develop his definition of an outdoor seating area. For these reasons, my definition of an outdoor living room includes the following features:
- a furnished patio, dining room and kitchen.
- an activity area that includes a pool and lounge.
- well designed landscaping and a garden area to add atmosphere.
First of all, the key elements of an outdoor living room, like the interior of the house, include a kitchen, a dining room and a patio living room. Weather permitting, our family enjoys cooking, eating, relaxing, and entertaining outdoors; my wife and I like to invite our friends over; our three teenage sons like to have their friends over. Cooking, then, is important and is done at all hours from morning to midnight. A good barbecue forms the centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen, but an extra burner or two also somehow makes life easier for the cook. A large work surface with a chopping block or chopping board can further increase the cook’s leisure time outdoors. Access to water, whether it’s full outside plumbing or just a hose connection or water dispenser, is another necessity. A more important feature is a means of keeping food and drinks fresh and close at hand, whether in a refrigerator or a cooler with ice. An added bonus for me is a counter seating area where friends can watch and keep me company while I cook. All of these features should be arranged to form an efficient work triangle just as they are inside. Next, the kitchen should have easy access to the dining room. A dining table with seating to accommodate groups larger than just the immediate family is a wise move if space allows. Once again, a bonus here would be the outdoor storage space for storing dishes, cutlery, and bedding. A chest or garden shed could easily be adapted for this purpose. Finally, an area to sit, relax, read, chat, and even watch TV, if possible, is a beautiful addition to any outdoor living room. Comfy chairs, couches, side tables, a porch rocker or swing, and even a chaise lounge can make this area cozy and inviting. Garden furniture can be purchased in a wide range of styles and materials to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences; My preference is for cedar patio furniture. The goal here, ultimately, is to make the outdoor living room reflect the comfort and design of the interior.
In addition to eating, relaxing and entertaining outdoors, we also like to be active; therefore, my outdoor living area also includes a pool and space for other activities. Pools come in three basic styles: in-ground, above-ground, and above-ground. In-ground pools are by far the most expensive option, but they also offer the greatest variety of uses and the best aesthetics. The pool is best located where it can get the most sun, an aspect that may not be as necessary in warmer climates, but certainly further north, where summers are a bit shorter and less intense. A wide deck around the pool is needed for good traffic flow and for easy cleaning and maintenance. I recommend that two distinct patio areas be included in the pool deck design. One is an open area where lounge chairs or adirondacks can be set up for sun worshipers. The other should offer an escape from the sun in the form of a covered bar/lounge area or some type of pagoda or tiki hut. As a general rule of thumb, people will stay poolside longer if they can get a little shade from the sun without leaving the entire area. A hot tub spa or sauna would also be a nice addition, if for no other reason, as they add a year-round drawing card to the patio. Also, if space permits, I would set aside a relatively long but not necessarily wide area for playing catch, baseball or soccer, throwing pucks or practicing soccer kicks, or tossing horseshoes, boules, bowling, whatever. to be. Most patios can accommodate all or at least some of these features to some degree; reduction is preferable to omission. The more options available, the more enjoyment you can take.
Finally, atmosphere and ambience are vital to any outdoor living room; these elements can be created with a well-designed garden and complementary landscaping. The goal here is to set the mood for whatever happens, whether it’s pool parties, dinner parties, afternoon barbecues, or quiet family time. The biggest compliment is when guests comment that they feel like they’re visiting a resort. It is advisable to have a clear theme in mind when designing the landscape and garden. Some common themes include tropical paradise, desert oasis, northern woods retreat, English country garden, symmetrical Zen inspiration, or an eclectic mix of garden features drawn from various themes. I prefer the tropical theme but with some elements pulled from the others for effect. Medium-sized trees and shrubs such as Japanese maples, tiger’s eye sumacs, magnolias, dogwoods, and smoke bushes provide a very lush, multi-colored backdrop to any setting; Tall ornamental grasses can create an effective privacy screen and mimic a kind of bamboo forest look. The strange succulent adds a desert quality; yuccas, for example, will grow anywhere. Honeysuckle, trumpet vine, climbing roses, bougainvillea (in warmer climates), or simple ivy can all be grown on a fence or other garden feature, such as a trellis, arbor, or pagoda. If space allows, add a garden bench or stand along a path. In addition, I am also a big fan of natural stone and rock. River rock makes a great border around your pool deck and patio, and can be placed to suggest a rocky beach or dry river bed. Grotto appeal can be added by stacking quarried stone slabs to establish a variety of raised garden beds around the pool or patio. Larger rocks and boulders are always eye-catching additions. Whichever style is chosen, there are a few factors to consider: the amount of space available (don’t overcrowd space; remember: less is more), the position and movement of the sun, average rainfall, and ease of watering if it is necessary. , and of course, the cost.
In conclusion, my definition of an outdoor living room is simply that: my definition. It reflects my personality and my taste. It meets the wants and needs of my family and how we want to spend our time outdoors. You may want to set aside space to accommodate a fire pit or ice rink in the winter. Make your outdoor living room whatever you want it to be. I only hope that my views have provided a starting point.
