Designing an Outdoor Room

(ARA) - Homeowners are getting creative about where they find livable square footage, and increasingly, they're finding it in the great outdoors. As a result, the back yard or a fully furnished patio are becoming the family's new living and dining rooms -- places to entertain or create a shady retreat.

Professional remodelers have found that today's homeowners, baby boomers in particular, are craving spaces that free them from the confines of the indoors and are welcoming places to visit with their children and grandchildren.

"For a long time the trend was 'cocooning,' and now people want to be outside," said Robert Moisan, a Dallas-based professional remodeler whose outdoor rooms have won national design awards. "The previous trend was to add media rooms and indoor entertainment, as if homeowners didn't want to go anywhere else. But I think people have relaxed from wanting security and privacy and have realized that being stuck inside isn't the answer."

Those who build outdoor rooms reap many benefits, experts say. Depending on the extent of the project, outdoor rooms can add livable square footage without the cost of knocking down walls. In addition, manufacturers have introduced a proliferation of new products designed for outdoor use, such as all-weather furniture, dinnerware made for entertaining outdoors and exterior fireplaces.

"Homes themselves are adapting to this new use," said Shane Meisel, marketing manager for JELD-WEN doors. "Patio doors are becoming wider, spanning the length of whole walls, to open up interior rooms more fully to the outdoors. When it comes to patio doors, there are many new options for homeowners to choose from, for example, low-maintenance fiberglass that mimics the look of wood so closely, even the experts can't tell the difference."

To get in on this home design trend and create your own outdoor living space, here are five points of advice from the pros:

1) Create convenient, easy access points.

The best outdoor living spaces feel like a natural extension of the home. Wide access points allow for better flow and, as an added bonus, create the illusion of larger indoor spaces. Consider traffic patterns within the home.

"Make sure you're not cutting a room in half to add outdoor space. Don't go through the kitchen or utility room for access. Outdoor space is not as inviting when you have difficulty getting to it," Moisan said.

2) Use durable, low-maintenance products.

Half the fun of outdoor living is the relaxed lifestyle it affords. Most homeowners don't want to spend their outdoor time on maintenance chores and upkeep. Evaluate your climate, the amount of exposure your outdoor room will get and choose materials that are low-maintenance. For example, the JELD-WEN IWP Exterior Folding Door System allows for allows for wall-size openings and is available in Aurora fiberglass that looks exactly like wood -- perfect for homeowners searching for lasting beauty with little upkeep. In addition to selecting the right patio door options, investigate all-weather furniture and decor that will last if exposed to sun and rain.

3) Create a space to fit your interests.

Consider what activities you typically enjoy outside. For example, if cooking is a hobby, it makes sense to consider creating an outdoor living space within close proximity of the kitchen, and with space to install an outdoor cooking and dining area. If outdoor living means a shady retreat or reading nook, investigate landscaping, furniture and outdoor lighting that will accommodate your needs.

4) Design outdoor rooms just like the indoor ones.

There are plenty of choices for beautiful, stylish products that can be customized for any taste. Great outdoor living spaces are as carefully considered and planned as any other area of the home. Choose dramatic products and focal points that will truly make a statement, such as a fountain, well-placed sculpture or outdoor fireplace.

5) Incorporate design elements that are personally meaningful.

Memory plays a role in the decor, Moisan has found. Homeowners often ask to incorporate an element that reminds them of their favorite vacation getaway. "One client said, 'When I'm at the lake I want the sound of the water.' So we added a water feature. Little things like that transfer a personal experience back to the outdoor living space," he said.

Article courtesy of ARA Content