5 ‘Must Haves’ for an Outdoor Living Space
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all and Winter is right around the corner and in Texas that means enjoying the great outdoors. You should already be making plans to spend more time enjoying the outdoors and your own outdoor space. But it all starts with a great plan. Your first order of business should be considering an area where you want your space and how many people you entertain on a regular basis – at the same time accomplishing a desired design style. Great outdoor design is analogous to great interior design. Often, the outdoor space is an organic extension and reflection of the spirit of the home itself. Site lines, design element orientation, landscape and lighting all play concert with the indoor space. So, once your design is ready, take a look at these five must-have-add-ons to create your outdoor area nirvana. LIGHTING – Outdoor lighting is really the “cherry” on top of any outdoor living space, so it should go without saying that lighting should be one of your first considerations when designing your outdoor space. A beautifully designed outdoor environment translates to a complete new and beautiful aesthetic at night with a professionally designed lighting installation. AUDIO/VIDEO – We are in the world of high tech entertaining. More and more outdoor spaces are equipped with flat-screen TVs and surround sound stereo equipment. Contractors can provide fully integrated electronic solutions so that music, audio/video, theaterstyle surround sound complete the environment. FIRE PITS VS FIREPLACES – It may just be a natural fact that if you build a fire, people will gather. A fire feature provides a natural designation for 18
people to congregate on a chilly night. Outdoor fireplaces offer a stately and attractive architectural feature within a design. However, fireplaces are significantly more expensive than fire pits, mostly due to scalability and engineering requirements to comply with code. While a fire pit is a little closer to a rustic element, the functionality and aesthetics can really work in the right environment. Fire pits can be a great alternative if, perhaps, budget or space limitations are the issue. OUTDOOR PIZZA OVENS – An outdoor kitchen is an investment for some, but it is becoming more of a standard in the Metroplex area. With interest rates so low, people are looking for ways to increase the value of their home. By investing in their home, they are able to enjoy the final outcome plus reap the benefits when they sell their home. A wood-burning oven, for example, provides a way for cooking your own pizzas, veggies and meats. It definitely becomes the focal point of any outdoor kitchen, bringing family and friends together. NATURAL ELEMENTS – When planning your space, it is very important to take all aspects of the natural environment into consideration – wind direction, sunrise, sunset, rain, etc. Most outdoor spaces are being built with some sort of roof structure attached. And, watertight structures allow for year-round casual entertainment and offer more protection for lavish outdoor furnishings. Outdoor living hinges upon design innovation, deep technical knowledge, efficient execution and craftsmanship. So, finding the right remodeler to help you in your outdoor living area journey is key. But, once your space is finished you won’t want to come back indoors!
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