Outdoor Living Spaces

While many folks long for a distant summer getaway, others are finding a relaxing retreat in their own backyard. Outdoor living spaces have grown in popularity for the past several years, and the American Society of Landscape Architects reports that 94.4 percent of residential landscape architects believe outdoor living spaces will continue to be popular home upgrades this year.

Whether creating a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen or a simple sitting area, the outdoor living area should maintain a sense of continuity with the rest of the home and act as somewhat of a transition from the interior of the home to the outdoor elements beyond.

One way to create a transition from the indoors to the outdoors is to introduce large potted plants into the patio or deck area. To make the transition even more seamless, the potted plants can be some of the same varieties that are growing throughout the landscape. In addition, one can bring some of the indoor living space to the outdoors by mimicking the indoor color scheme outdoors. For example, if the living room opens out onto the deck, one might choose to use the same color scheme of the indoor upholstery or wall colors for the outdoor upholstery.

Previously, outdoor cushions and upholstery quickly became faded, worn and flattened. However, outdoor upholstery fabrics have come a long way in recent years. New acrylic fabrics are resistant to the elements and are able to face the sun’s harsh rays without fading. Acrylics have also become softer and more comfortable in recent years.

While acrylic is the most common material used for outdoor fabrics, outdoor furniture is available in a range of materials, including plastic, aluminum, wrought iron and wood, all of which hold up relatively well to the elements. Plastic furniture is generally the least expensive, but it is also not as sturdy as the other options. Aluminum furniture is a very popular option because of its light weight, durability and resistance to corrosion. Wrought iron is much heavier than aluminum and is, therefore, ideal for furniture that is not often rearranged. Wrought iron is also susceptible to corrosion over time, while aluminum has a natural resistance to it. These drawbacks have allowed aluminum to surpass wrought iron in popularity in recent years. However, many are still drawn to wrought iron for its timeless, ornate beauty. The elegant curving vines and foliage often depicted in wrought iron furniture are not something easily replicated.

Wood is another popular option for outdoor furniture. The natural material is fitting in an outdoor setting. Cedar is an ideal option because it is resistant to rot and insects, while pine is popular because it is plentiful and when treated, can resist rot for a relatively long time. Lastly, wicker can be a fitting and comfortable material for outdoor use.

While expansive outdoor living rooms and dining rooms have grown in popularity, another trend is the outdoor kitchen. While outdoor cooking traditionally meant grilling meats on a freestanding grill, outdoor cooking has become much more sophisticated in recent years. Many outdoor kitchens are fully equipped with everything needed to prepare a gourmet meal. With built-in grills, warming drawers, stove tops and steamers, everything from steaks to peach cobbler can now be prepared and served outdoors.

Even grills themselves have become more complex and versatile in recent years. Today’s high-end grills offer a range of cooking options. For example, one of Fire Magic’s popular models features a thousand degree difference in heating range. On low it can function as a slow cooker, and on high it is hot enough to transform its silver stainless steel into an infrared glow.

Another popular element of many outdoor living spaces is a fire pit. Fire pits can prolong the enjoyment of the outdoor living space well into the fall and winter months when the brisk air makes an outdoor evening questionable.

An evening with family or close friends gathered around a fire or an afternoon relaxing on a comfortable lounge chair can offer some of the same uplifting benefits as a weekend getaway without leaving the comfort of home.