Outdoor Rooms & Kitchens
February 6, 2009
The Concept
Outdoor rooms have become a design expansion of the modern house to incorporate the pleasures of being outside with a family living space. The concept of an outdoor living space has been around for centuries but because of advancements in lighting, architecture, furniture and appliances the functionality has greatly increased in the modern home.
The possibilities are almost endless but there are a few things you will want to keep in mind when creating your outdoor space. The concept is simple – to blend the outdoor pleasures with the indoor comforts. Basic outdoor spaces tend to include cooking and dining areas. More exotic concepts can have everything from sofas and beds to spas, hot tubs, fireplaces and meditation areas.
The Plan
The first thing to consider is the space you will need. The next thing to consider is: the size of your property and the size of your budget. The space can be large and flowing or small and intimate. Typically the small and intimate rooms will have some form of a border. You could use materials such as fences and arbors or plant material like flower gardens or hedges.
You need to be mindful of the location in relation to natural factors such as how much sunlight and wind will the space experience. Access to power and water and gas may need to be considered. Look at the space from both a daytime and a nighttime perspective to make sure there is no noise or light levels that might be intrusive to your space.
Flooring options are plentiful but you want to consider what your needs will be. If you plan on hosting parties in your space, ease of clean up might be a consideration as well as comfort to your guests. Perhaps you want to maintain a very natural feel to your space and you might stick with what nature provides you with. Lawn or other mulched space might be your preference.
An important feature to the outside room will be the overhead structure. This will provide cover from the elements and define the space. In most cases the overhead structure is a cost-efficient way to improve the function and usability of your outdoor room or kitchen. Some common choices are: awnings, gazebos or pergolas.
