Building an Outdoor Room
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
When I watch home design shows, I often end up wishing I lived in southern California. Most of the time, I love Baltimore (where I do live) and its seasons, but when I see a really cool outdoor living area - especially one with a kitchen - I can't help but wish I lived in a place where the weather made such a thing practical.
Of course, it's not. But now that the weather on the East Coast is warming up, I'm thinking a lot about how to create some cool, but not too expensive, living spaces in my backyard. Areas that will provide some shade on sunny days and shelter from rain, so we can enjoy summer rain showers without getting drenched.
Fortunately, there are a lot of great ideas out there. Here are some of my favorites:
Of course, it's not. But now that the weather on the East Coast is warming up, I'm thinking a lot about how to create some cool, but not too expensive, living spaces in my backyard. Areas that will provide some shade on sunny days and shelter from rain, so we can enjoy summer rain showers without getting drenched.
Fortunately, there are a lot of great ideas out there. Here are some of my favorites:
I love this neat, simple structure - it provides just the right amount of shelter and its minimal style is a great match for the cool checkerboard yard.
With a view like this, I would never go inside. I really like how the little covered space looks organic, like it's just grown out of the house itself. It's not fancy at all and kind of reminds me of a beach shack, which I love.
City backyards are actually prime for outdoor structures like this pergola. Since the space is small, why not really go all out? In this case, since the house is neutral I'd add a ton of color in the furniture and with flowers, and even paint the concrete. A crazy little oasis is a nice surprise behind a conservative house.
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| Hawaii is the ideal place to create outdoor rooms (of course, they do have to be able to handle a daily rain shower). While this space isn't technically outside, it's got the right spirit. The open wall is just amazing. |
This LA home is another great example of keeping walls open to connect outside and inside spaces. Here, I love the mid-century roof lines and the way the outdoor spaces work with the rest of the house.
This simple porch makes me think a lot about how we usually furnish outdoor spaces, and how we use them. Too often, outdoor furniture just isn't all that comfortable, and the focus is more on dining than it is on just hanging out. This sofa looks like a nice spot for a nap, though. I like the idea of using outdoor rooms for more than just meals.
by Blacksheep
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That said, I do love dining al fresco. This dining space is so cool, too - the use of fabric instead of a solid roof is genius. I'm sure it's fantastic on a day with a slight breeze.
Too often, we don't think about artwork for outside. True, nature is art in itself and it doesn't always make sense to compete with the landscape. But I think simple art that emphasizes the benefits of the outdoors - like this cool wall sculpture - work with the natural landscape and neatly emphasize an outdoor room's combination of indoors and out.
I love the idea of a covered deck that's dressed up with drapery and furniture borrowed from inside. But this room also gets me with the hanging lanterns - they're perfect in the space and look like a party waiting to happen.
Ideabook updated on Sept. 6, 2009.
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