Outdoor Living Design Is All About Extending Your Indoor Living Space

Today, outdoor living design is all about extending your indoor living space. Americans have traditionally been an outdoor culture and making your patio, deck and backyard area into additional living space is just a natural progression. But we aren't talking about a few extra chairs and an upgrade from the hibachi; we are talking about designing an outdoor area that feels like a part of your home. A place where family and friends will gather to spend time and enjoy the scenery and good company in an environment that is inviting and functional.

In fact, designing an outdoor living area will not only create extra space for your family to use but it's also one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. It is actually the most cost effective home improvement because the amount of money you spend on your outdoor living area will be reflected almost 100% into your home's value. Unfortunately, no other home improvement will offer you this kind of increase while not limiting the number of potential buyers should you decide to sell in the future. So what are some of the more important and creative ideas in outdoor living design? Let's take a look:

What is Hot?

Outdoor Kitchens: No longer just a BBQ pit! The evolution is complete; today's outdoor kitchens are as detailed and hi-tech as their indoor counterparts. The natural gas or propane outdoor grill is a fully integrated cooking island with a connecting prep area and sink. Add in the microwave, refrigerator and bar for good measure.

Outdoor Fireplaces: The Season Extender! Quite popular and having a truly functional purpose, the outdoor fireplace has come a long way from the patio heater and chimaeras. Again, being an extension of the interior design, the outdoor fireplace functions the same as an indoor one, only the chimney isn't nearly as tall.

Deep Seating: No more plastic chairs! Today's outdoor furniture has nothing in common with the past so no more table umbrellas and disposable chairs. Home owners are opting for over-sized furnishings with comfy sofas and chairs in styles similar to the furniture inside the home. Cast aluminum and the new 'wicker' are very chic and are created in very unique and elaborate designs. The colors are vibrant and full of life to give a contrast to the predominant greens and browns of the landscape.

Specific Niches or Alcoves: Functional Areas throughout the retreat area! Each niche has a special purpose that reflects the personality and preference of the home owner; such as chat groups with deep seating and low tables, perfect for those long conversations. Bistro groups have tall tables and chairs for a more casual eating experience or a formal dining area for those who desire to eat in a more elegant atmosphere. Walk ways leading to garden benches surround lush landscaping for those who want to become part of the outdoors.

Landscaping: Upscale and dramatic! The landscaping for outdoor living spaces has become very upscale, dramatic and coordinated. Each is a direct reflection of the owner's imagination come to life. Arbors and porticos are extremely popular creating shaded areas, texture contrast and support for foliage.

Garden designs: you can create another world by using plants in various configurations. You can add shaded areas where there is none or create a beautiful tropical oasis right outside your door. Fragrant flowers and wonderful aromatic plants will attract a variety of butterflies, birds and wildlife for your entire family to enjoy.

Water Features: Pools, Fountains and Ponds abound! Holding to the theme of integration, today's water features are mixed together to create waterfalls, luxurious swimming pools with the spa interwoven into the design. The use of stone, rock, brick and limestone, often combined, are the more popular foundation materials rather than decking.

Accessories: Completing the Outdoor experience! Add in lighting features and outdoor sound systems in order to put the finishing touches on the atmosphere and ambiance of graceful and elegant outdoor living. Lighting is subtle and is used to highlight each area while the sound system ties in the overall theme of extending the living space of the home.

The reasons for creating an outdoor oasis are simple: it extends the available living space and it increases the value of the home. Point of fact is there isn't anything that offers a bigger increase in value to the home than expanding the living space into the outdoors while providing an exciting, interesting and even educational environment for your family. But beyond that, creating a beautiful outdoor living area will increase the time you spend with your family and will give everyone a little different view of life. Nothing is more relaxing than taking some time to be outside enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and wonderful smells from the garden and the grill.

Nothing better on a beautiful spring day then having friends over to enjoy a wonderful meal togeather in your outdoor living space furnished with garden furniture in your fragrant blooming garden. http://www.outdoor-living-design.com/

 

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