Spring is Here
Let's move it outside!
10th March 2010
When transforming a traditional backyard into a truly outstanding outdoor living room it helps to think of a home’s alfresco space as an extension of its interior floorplan. With the same room divisions and space-saving principles that guide a home’s indoor design, outdoor living spaces herald possibilities for the home that are at once functional and fashion-forward.
"From furniture placement and flow to textiles and color: outdoor spaces carry the same design considerations as their interior counterparts."
Forget the grassy knoll – well-equipped outdoor living areas add completely functional “new rooms” to a home. The advent of outdoor living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and play areas all point towards the move homeowners and homebuilders are making to expand square footage by literally thinking “outside the box”. Even the bathroom is making its way outside with the increasing popularity of year-round, outdoor showers. By incorporating advances in technology and a little imagination, almost any indoor function can find a home outside the home.
When looking to build or revamp your outdoor living area, consider open air spaces as opportunities to expand upon your existing home. Particularly useful for house plans with modest square footage, the yard, porch and patio provide ample space to discover inventive ways to grill, entertain, dine, play, harvest and relax.
From furniture placement and flow to textiles and color: outdoor spaces carry the same design considerations as their interior counterparts. In place of carpet, flooring and wallpaper, look to decking, walkways, grass and flora to set a tone. Plants, trees, flowers and landscape design shape outside space and bestow endless character.
In addition, outdoor furniture and textiles help attune a home’s exterior to its interior’s style. Stainless steel and aluminum pieces match a minimalist aesthetic while teak and wicker furniture complement a more traditional sensibility. Mixing and matching patterns, styles and colors offers an eclectic feel – bold colors and all-weather fabrics create a polished space that rivals any indoor living room. Furthermore, it goes without saying that outdoor living and dining areas provide repose unmatched by indoor rooms – alongside a lush garden, for example, company and conversation greet the comforts of open air in relaxed, tailored style.
Whether enjoyed seasonally or year-round, auxiliary outdoor spaces can double – or triple – a small home’s size. When considering a home with limited square footage, then, don’t forget to look outside, where expanding a home’s livability comes with natural beauty, creative design and great practicality.
