Deck the Halls! Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space
Many of the homeowners we meet with are looking for insights and ideas to make better use of their outdoor space, from a simple deck to indoor/outdoor areas like screened in porches and functioning outdoor kitchens with sinks, cooktops, wet bars and pizza ovens, so many options to enjoy our beautiful Central Texas weather while adding value to your home!
The Great Outdoors
It is always a good time to refresh the outdoor space and make full use of everything a property has to offer. This can be done in various ways, whether it be by creating a strictly functional space, a personal oasis, a social hub, or bringing the indoors outside.
While December may seem like an odd time to be thinking about your new deck or patio - it actually is the perfect time to get started with design and permitting so that your new outdoor space will be ready for spring. Check out a few of our finished projects below for ideas and inspiration of what could be possible for your own home!
Functional Spaces
Functional outdoor spaces are becoming more and more popular, especially in our post-pandemic era, the most common example being your basic family-friendly deck. These can be one-level or multi-level spaces that provide comfortable seating for the whole family plus guests, and can also incorporate storage space, and outdoor dining.
Outdoor kitchens are increasing in popularity as well. The kitchen as indoor social hub can also apply to the outdoors. Outdoor kitchens almost always feature a grill with built-in drawers or cabinets for storing cooking utensils and dishware. Higher budget outdoor kitchens may also include plumbed sinks for cleanup and drinking water access, a refrigerator, and maybe adding on a smoker or pizza oven.
Aside the kitchen one may want a covered outdoor living room with cozy seating around a firepit or outdoor coffee table. We love the tables with built-in fireplaces, perfect for setting a favorite beverage down while roasting one’s marshmallow! Another popular option for these spaces is to install a wall mounted television for watching the game or holding family movie nights.
The Big Sliding Door
They are trendy and they are not cheap, but everyone loves a big door! The bigger the better, with bold bronze or black finishes, sometimes replacing entire exterior walls to create a breathtaking view to the outdoors (preferably visible when guests enter the home). Pricing for these large doors varies greatly depending on the configuration of the door (the number of operable panels). Think about how the space will be used and accessed, and consider whether you really need a full multipaneled sliding door, or if a door with sidelights (picture windows) can provide the views you desire at a more economical price point.
Backyard Oasis
The privacy of a backyard setting is the perfect foundation for building a personal and family oasis. Every homeowner can reimagine their backyard space in a different way, and that is an essential part of the magic. Some people choose to create a wide open, sunny space with an in-ground pool; garden lovers can create extensive networks of edible and decorative plants that will keep their hands dirty all season; and less outdoorsy folks may be looking for a covered patio with full bar and a large screen TV with sports on 24-7.
Another wonderful idea is to have an intimate and tranquil space for reading and recuperating. Low-maintenance shrubbery, small trees, maybe a serene water feature, can transform any backyard space into the perfect relaxation zone.
To Cover or not to Cover
“Is it better to cover the deck or leave uncovered?” Both! Covered space is of course going to be much more usable in the Texas summer, add a ceiling fan and a few lights and a covered patio can be used in most seasons. That said, some of us love the sun and also want a portion of space allocated to catching some Vitamin D when it isn’t 105 degrees out! Balancing priorities is a key need when thinking of how to best use that space. Also consider the position of the sun at different times of the day when thinking about what areas you may want to leave uncovered.
Convert to Conditioned Space
Families can grow for a number of reasons: a new baby being born, adult children may need to come back home or simply visit, and aging parents may move in if they need assistance during retirement and beyond. Many homeowners also reach out to us to provide consultation on options to covert outdoor spaces like covered patios into an additional room, creating a relatively inexpensive way to add interior square footage and functionality to the home.
Final Thoughts
We love a well curated outdoor or indoor-outdoor space! The options are nearly limitless: with the right design plan and the right crew to bring it to life, every homeowner will fall in love with their space all over again. One does need to be aware of restrictions that may exist in different cities as well as restrictions or approvals needed by Homeowner Associations, and also to be aware of appropriate materials selections for safe use of the outdoor area. Many jurisdictions will require engineering design as part of their approval process, and even if not in a City jurisdiction it is wise to have formal structural plans to ensure the safety and longevity of your outdoor investment.
Contact us to learn more about how you can better take advantage of outdoor spaces!
