Creating an Outdoor 'Living' Room

Ask most transplants to Arizona what brought them to our area and the #1 answer is the weather.  Blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year, the Valley is a natural place to extend our living areas out doors but many people have difficulty achieving this goal.

A good friend and a wonderful designer was recently asked to design and furnish a deck for long standing clients.  She called me and said she was worried since she had no experience designing a deck.  I told her she has extensive experience if she thinks of the deck as a room without walls.  That is how I approached the design of these outdoor spaces.

When beginning an interior design project, scale, lifestyle, function, location, and budget are all initial considerations and should be applied when approaching any outdoor space.

Ask yourself how do I want to use this space?  Don’t automatically assume a patio has to include a seating area.  I recently completed a design in a North Scottsdale residence that was a winter home for a large extended family. An outdoor pool table was the natural choice for their patio and has become the center of poolside life for them.

Electronics are playing a bigger role in patio design as we extend our lives outdoors.  Outdoor flat screen televisions, stereo systems and surround sound are all finding their way to the back (and front) yards.

Where to Begin:

Getting the bones right:  Just as in interiors getting the shell right has a big impact on the overall success of your outdoor spaces,  Here the exposed ceiling rafters ( along with electrical lines) was covered in stucco board and battens and painted to match the house.  Other options are accent colors on one or all of you patio and block walls.

For truly seamless indoor outdoor living continue the flooring from inside to out . If that’s not possible make sure your deck areas are finished.  Stained and/or patterened concrete, or outdoor rated tiles and rugs are all great choices underfoot.

Furnishings:  Available in dozens of materials, finishes, and price points, patio furniture today offers something for every one and every budget.  Aluminum is lightweight and available in endless designs, wrought iron is heavy and provides an old world ambience, wood provides classic style but comes with its own maintenance issues, outdoor wicker gives a beachy look and resin offer maintenance free affordability.

Look to your interior to set the style and color palate for your outdoor spaces.  Just as indoors, lighting makes a big impact on outdoor spaces.  Table lamps, candelabras, over head lighting (including ceiling fans), and floor lamps all allow you to place lighting where you need it and it provides functionality and drama to your outdoor space.

Artwork isn’t just for inside your home.  Scrolled Iron work, mirrors, and framed prints all can find a way to your patio.  Just make sure the theme and color way are appropriate to your space. 

Accents make all the difference both inside and outside your home.  Outdoor fabrics (such as Sunbrella) offer a huge variety of patterns and colors.  Mix and match them throughout your space on pillows, cushions, placemats etc.  Statues are a natural choice for outdoors.  Classic inspired designs are perfect for traditional settings while more modern styles (as seen here) can really liven up a space and provide a great conversation starter. Bowls, pottery, candles and throws all help bring the living to outdoor living

Make dining outdoors an occassion.  Well chosen dishes and glassware make your guests feel just as special for a barbeque as for a holiday meal indoors.

The sound of water provides a soothing and restful backdrop to outdoor living and is a great way to mask unwanted noise.  Fountains are available in a variety of different styles and prices and can provide just the focal point your space needs. 

Don’t forget the landscape:  Even those of us with the brownest thumbs can have a beautiful and inviting landscape with the help of a landscaper or the staff at your local garden shop.  By selecting the correct plants for your exposure and assuring it receives adequate water a beautiful yard can be yours too.  Don’t forget the landscape lighting. Uplights, downlights, spots and floods all provide a different look and all have a place in your yard.  Even inexpensive solar lights on posts you just stick in the ground can really add that touch of glamour to your nightscape.

With attention to the backgrounds, choice of the right furnishings for your lifestyle, selecting art and accessories that reflect you and your family and lighting it all beautifully your outdoor space will become your favorite room in your house.