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The Outdoor Living Room
Does your house feel cramped? Would you like to have some extra space to stretch out and relax? Put down the hammer and nails. And forget about running to the lumberyard. You can add another room to your home without all the hassle of a major construction project. Of course, I’m talking about an outdoor living room.
Now, hear me out. You may be saying, “But I already have a patio off the back of my house.” True, you may already have an outdoor space. But is it really an outdoor “room?” There’s a difference, you know. An outdoor living room is more than just a brick patio or a deck. It’s a carefully planned and furnished space that makes the most of your available area and serves as an extension of your home. If this sounds complicated, don’t worry. We’ve done all the research and consulted the experts. All you have to do is keep reading. Choosing a space The first step in creating an outdoor living room is selecting the appropriate space. Maybe you have several acres to work with. Then again, maybe you only have a postage-stamp backyard. No worries. Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a relaxing retreat for you and your family. The first thing to do is measure your space. This will give you a clearer picture of what type of furnishings you can fit. Next, pay attention to the amount of sunlight the area gets throughout the day. If it’s in the full sun most of the time, you may want to consider adding an awning or a pergola for shade. After all, an outdoor living room isn’t very relaxing if you’re baking in the summer heat all day. Selecting your furniture This is the fun part. Today, there are so many great options for attractive, durable, comfortable outdoor furniture. Just be sure to select a style that reflects your own personal style and taste. An outdoor living space needs to have more than just a couple porch chairs and an umbrella. To create the feel of an actual outdoor “room,” you need to have a variety of pieces, such as an outdoor sofa with pillows, a nice stone or glass coffee table, a few comfortable chairs, and even a fire pit or chiminea for when the nights are a little cooler. (Note: Be sure to check your local ordinances and consult your local fire department before installing any type of fire pit or chiminea.)
Fortunately, long gone are the days of boring, colorless outdoor furniture. Today’s options come in a myriad of styles and colors, which can give your space as much impact as a well-designed interior room. Best of all, today’s outdoor furniture is also more long-lasting, thanks to the availability of more durable materials. Aluminum furniture is both light and sturdy, and it can give your space a contemporary feel. The new plastic wicker furniture is not only attractive, it’s also better suited to outdoor use, since it’s more weather-resistant than the old variety, which can become weak and brittle over time. And unlike traditional wicker, which was only available in neutral shades, the new wicker comes in all types of colors to fit your personal preference. Teak furniture, although a little more expensive, is even more durable than the new wicker and is becoming more and more popular. Wrought iron is another option that can give your space a more classic, formal look and feel. When you want something sturdy, this is your material. Just keep in mind that wrought iron will require some upkeep to prevent rusting and corrosion. You can even go with traditional wooden pieces, which provide a warm, natural feel to your space. Just make sure they’re properly stained and sealed to protect them from the elements.
Also, it’s best to consider functionality when choosing your outdoor furniture pieces. One of the more versatile options available today is a storage container with padding on top, which enables it to be used for extra seating if needed. You should also consider having a focal point for your room, just as a fireplace serves as the focal point for many indoor spaces. Again, this could be a fire pit, or it could be a beautiful fountain or a unique piece of art. The choice is yours. Last but not least, make sure you don’t skimp when it comes to the quality of your outdoor cushions and fabric. Choose all-weather fabrics, which repel stains and resist fading. It might cost you a little more at first, but since they’ll last longer, it will end up saving you time and money in the end. Accessorize Once you’ve selected and laid-out the furniture for your outdoor living room, the next thing you’ll want to do is accessorize it. This is when you get to conjure up your inner interior – actually, exterior – designer. If you have a glass or stone coffee table, set it off with a colorful vase or some designer ceramic coasters. If you have a dining table, and you’re not incorporating an awning or pergola, you may want to add a stylish patio umbrella for a shaded eating space. Other add-ons to consider are outdoor rugs, candles, garden ornaments, wind chimes, potted plants, etc. It’s really up to your own imagination.
Decks, patios and landscaping One thing we haven’t talked about yet is the platform for your outdoor living room. You basically have two options here: a patio or a deck. A well-conceived and constructed deck can make for a stunning platform for your outdoor living room. Decks come in all varieties and sizes, and they can be customized to fit your particular style or needs. Best of all, today’s decks are made with high-quality, durable materials that keep the maintenance down and the enjoyment up. “A deck can really improve your lifestyle at home,” says Jeff Valperga, owner of Affordable Decks and Additions. “When done correctly, a deck can be an attractive addition to your home and one that will provide a great setting for entertaining and relaxation.” No one knows decks like Affordable Decks and Additions. Their award-winning designs and cutting-edge technology has been adding value and enjoyment to homes in western Pennsylvania for nearly 30 years.
“We’ve really got an amazing team of designers and contractors here,” says Valperga. “We pride ourselves in providing the homeowner with a professional experience throughout the entire project, and our products and craftsmanship are really second to none.” Headquartered just south of Pittsburgh in Bethel Park, Affordable Decks and Additions uses Preserve Plus ACQ© Ultrawood TM and Azek Decking to build their decks. They are also currently the only contractor in the region that offers Azek Tongue & Groove Decking. “We use 5/4" premium lumber with a tight grain for a harder more durable surface,” says Valperga. “And our tongue- and-groove synthetic materials are blind-fastened, which keeps nails out of sight and out of harm’s way.” Affordable Decks & Additions also gives customers the choice of six pre-designed rails, made from only premium-grade, supercharged ACQ Ultrawood, and their customized, No. 1-grade 4x4 posts are bolted, glued, and nailed to the inner frame of your project to give it a beautiful finished look.
“Our decks are built for beauty, safety, and durability,” says Valperga. “You really won’t find a better-built deck anywhere in the region.” For more, visit them online at www.affordable-decks.com. A patio is another beautiful, solid foundation option for your outdoor space, and can be made from concrete, stone, brick, or the popular brick pavers you see at your local home improvement store. Of course, we recommend having an expert do the installation for you. “Putting in a patio can be a big undertaking,” says Eric French, president of Eisler Landscapes. “With our many years of experience, we can ensure you that sure your new patio will be installed right the first time, so that there’s no problems down the road.” Eisler Landscapes can help make your outdoor living space your favorite “room” in your house. Since 1926, they’ve landscaped homes from President John F. Kennedy's White House swimming pool to residential homes just like yours.
Their experienced designers, landscape architects, and horticulturists will work together with you to create a well designed and installed landscape, which will not only improve the look of your outdoor living space, but will also increase the value of your home. “Our skilled craftsmen know all of the old-world secrets,” says French. “And they’re also skilled in the most modern technology. When you combine those two skills, you can create something that really has enduring beauty and value.” Eisler offers everything from landscape design and planting, to walls and walks, to beautiful and durable patios. “We work in natural stone, concrete, brick, and composite materials to custom-create your ultimate outdoor living space,” says French. One of the more popular features in outdoor living spaces these days are water features. Whether it’s just a simple bubbler or a large-scale pond, waterfall, or fountain, a water feature can provide a feeling of serenity that can make your outdoor space the perfect place to relax and forget the stresses of everyday life. And no one knows this better than Eisler.
“Our experienced craftsmen have built ponds and waterfalls of all sizes, on all types of terrain,” says French. “Whatever type of water feature you’re imagining, we can help make it a reality.” For more, visit them online at www.eislerlandscapes.com. Don’t let yourself be stuck inside your house all summer long. Get out and take advantage of all the things the great outdoors has to offer, in your new outdoor living room. Heck, you don’t even half to vacuum out here. How’s that for relaxing! Sources:
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