If you are planning a deck or patio space this season, there are a few “must haves” to consider before you build your ideal outdoor living space. When you are designing your space, you will need proper definition of dining and lounging areas. You will also want to think about adding lighting and fire/water elements. These features should, ideally, be designed into the plans and implemented during the initial build.
Dining Space
Designing your outdoor dining area around your personal lifestyle and home layout is imperative. If you are not adding a BBQ or kitchen area to your outdoor living space, then you may want to be close to your interior kitchen. However, if you include a kitchen in your outdoor area, then it will not be as important.
When designing your outdoor dining area make sure to allow 2 – 3 feet of space for each guest around the table. This will provide adequate leg room and good movability for your guests. Also, make sure there is a clear pathway to and from your dining space.
Lounge Area
When planning your lounge area, consider how frequently you will use the area and how many people you typically entertain. This will help you decide how large you need your deck, porch, or patio space to be and how much furniture you will need. The same rule will apply to your lounge area when it comes to guest spacing and lounge area access.
When selecting your lounge furniture, make sure it is durable and comfortable. You will want to look at materials that are water, fade, mildew, and mold resistant. This will benefit you should you forget to bring in the cushions when facing inclement weather. There are different manufacturers to choose from, but the Sunbrella brand really checks all the boxes.
Low Voltage Lighting
It’s true that lighting is a wonderful safety feature, but it’s gorgeous too. Outdoor lighting dramatically changes the look of your space. There are a variety of different deck area lighting choices to use – post cap, in-deck, riser, accent, and more. It’s better to have this lighting installed during the building process otherwise, you will need to retrofit your space for lighting down the road.
Fire Feature
Make a focal point with a fire feature. They are great conversation starters and provide a lot more than good looks. Firepits or places make for lovely gathering places, can keep you warm on cool nights, and are perfect for smore making.
There are numerous choices when it comes to this feature, however the more important decisions will be the location, type of fuel used, and if it will be permanent or portable. If you decide to have a permanent fire pit or fireplace you will need to factor that into your design.
Outdoor Speakers
While portable speakers are terrific, they are not designed to spread sound over large areas and while they may be able to withstand a certain amount of rain, they are not weatherproof. Outdoor speakers come in a variety of aesthetics to fit your environment and price points. Forget the DJ at your next party and don’t worry about leaving your portable speaker outside, just pair your playlist with your outdoor speakers and let the party begin.
When you are ready to dream, design and build your new outdoor living space must haves, reach out to the professionals at Cedarbrook for your free consultation. Allow our team of professional designers and builders to bring your dreams to life 301-703-8728.
Cedarbrook specializes in design and build services; our team of professionals will work with you one-on-one to bring your dreams to life. Cedarbrook has built hundreds of outdoor living spaces in Montgomery, Howard, Frederick, and Carroll counties in Maryland since 2006. We are a “Best Pick” for Frederick, Montgomery, and Howard counties, and Cedarbrook Outdoor Design/Build has been named by REMODELING Magazine to its 2019 Big50 Class.