When thinking about designing an outdoor room, there are three things that you should consider before making a single purchase:
-How you want to use the space
-What your space actually looks like (size, shape, layout, etc.)
-Your style
In
order to have a truly functional and attractive outdoor room, you
should really treat it as you would an indoor room. If done properly,
outdoors space should be an extension of your indoor spaces, and the
feel and style should flow nicely between the two. And many of the same
design principles apply to both. The first and most important design
principle to consider when designing your outdoor space is the function
and purpose of the space. Outdoor spaces are meant to be relaxing,
comfortable places to unwind and enjoy. Give consideration to how you
want to use your outdoor space when thinking about how to design it. Is
it where you want to enjoy outdoor dining, read books, entertain, play
games, etc? Consider all of the activities you currently enjoy, or could
see yourself enjoying outdoors. These will be important for the second
piece of your outdoor room design plan, the space planning. Make a list
of these activities.
Once you've decided what your outdoor
space will be used for, its time to consider how you will arrange that
space to accommodate your needs. Space planning is an important part of
designing any room. It is the step where you consider the space you have
and how it will best work for you. In this step you have to really
consider the size and layout of your space so that you don't waste time,
money and energy on furnishings and accessories that don't really work.
At the very least, make sure you measure your space so that you know
what size furniture can fit within it. Consider doing an actual scaled
floor plan of your outdoor space. Don't worry, you don't have to be an
architect or designer to do a scaled floor plan. All you need is a good
tape measure, some grid paper and a small scale. There are many online
tools that can help you create a simple, scaled floor plan of your space
and even insert furniture within your floor plan to try out various
layouts before making any purchases. Sites like
http://www.floorplanner.com/products/personal will allow you to create
one floor plan with up to five layouts for free or for a small fee, you
can have unlimited access to their services.
When creating your
floor plan, don't forget to consider any element (such as stairways and
doorways) that could become a problem for furniture placement. I highly
recommend taking this extra step as skipping it is where I find that
most people have wasted the most amount of time and money in their
design projects.
Another thing to consider when space planning
is the orientation of your home. If your outdoor space is facing south
and does not have mature trees to block the sun, for example, you can
bet that your outdoor space will be quite hot and uncomfortable most of
the day. You may want to consider investing in some sort of sun
protection when designing your space. There are some wonderful
retractable awnings and fabric canopies that can add shade and comfort
as well as style to your outdoor space.
Another important
element to consider is lighting. If you plan to use your outdoor space
in the evening, lighting is an important design element that you must
take into consideration. Outdoor lighting can be both functional and
stylish. Consider replacing your commonplace light fixture with one that
is more unique and stylish. Outdoor fans with built in lighting can
provide both light and a nice breeze on hot summer nights. There are
even outdoor chandeliers that can add a sense of sophistication to any
outdoor room. Be sure that any light fixture you purchase is safe for
outdoor use and it is recommended that you hire a professional
electrician to install outdoor fixtures for your safety.
The
final piece to consider for your outdoor space is style. Outdoor spaces
truly become outdoor rooms when the style flows nicely from inside of
the home out. Consider the way you have designed the inside of your home
and use those design elements when working on your outdoor room. Make
sure that your colors and furniture styles coordinate so that the space
does not feel out of place. Mother nature is wonderful designer and you
can always take her lead when designing your outdoor space. Use planters
and shrubbery as your artwork, or to divide one functional space from
another (for example your cooking area from your sitting area).
Coordinate your furniture fabrics with your flowers, or vice-versa.
Outdoor rooms can reflect your personality as much as any other room in
your house.
Outdoor spaces can be as functional and attractive
as your indoor spaces. Use these strategies to carefully plan out your
outdoor room and will surely create a space that you can enjoy all
spring, summer and fall.
Paola McDonald, Certified Interior Decorator and Owner of Creative Elegance Interiors, LLC
Creative
Elegance Interiors is a full service interior decorating and design
firm based in Hallmarked, VA and serving Northern Virginia, Washington,
DC and parts of Maryland. We work with homeowners to create beautiful,
functional, elegant home spaces that meet their and their families
needs. We offer everything from custom window treatments, to kitchen and
bathroom design, to furnishings and accessories. Our design style is
elegant, sophisticated and clean. Our goal is to create home spaces that
are beautiful, functional and designed to be enjoyed.
Creative Elegance Interiors, LLC
(571) 331-4801
http://www.creativeeleganceinteriors.com
http://www.creativeeleganceinteriors.wordpress.com
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