Cozy Outdoor Rooms Let You Snuggle Up to Fall

Shelter 7 Shelter 7 created this intimate spot, which stays shaded during the day, but at nigh it becomes a cozy room, out of the wind, and next the glowing fire, often needed on cool summer nights of Nantucket.

olldbobbi The woven overhang in the second pic, I would like to figure out a way to make that myself. Pretty cool!

Alicia A wonderful tile mural would create a dramatic focal point.. Any image can be transferred onto porcelain tile, kiln fired at 1800 degrees f and guaranteed for a lifetime.

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olldroo Bobbi, some bamboo or brush screening over a frame could look great, and is easy to take down, roll up and put away if you wanted sun in winter.

I would worry about storing logs under seating - do you not have spiders and other crawlies that love to live in timber logs?

olldbobbi groovygranny - I thought of that too. Unfortunately, we get occasional almost gale force winds here, and if the cover wasn't somehow rooted, my neighbors would be enjoying the fruits of my labor!!!

It would have to be somewhat of a semi-permanent structure. I've even thought about using pvc pipe and elbows, and outdoor fabric. Our backyard faces west and temps are over 100F daily, reaching their peak around 7PM. One evening we peaked at 113F! That should be illegal.

olldroo BobbiP, sounds like my lounge room. Wonderful in winter but summer is hell. You would need to anchor the screening at regular intervals. Can you buy shade sails there? I love them. They come in triangular or rectangle shapes according to how much shade you need. Small ones you can DIY and don't need as much tension so you can take them down in hurricane season. Larger ones are best made to measure and installed as they are tension mounted but the open fabric weave would allow them to stand up to a reasonable amount of wind. You would need to check with a supplier.

olldbobbi groovygranny, I think we would need to anchor the posts in buckets of concrete, or holes filled with concrete in the ground. The area we need to shade would be an extension of the covered patio we already have. That sounds crazy, I know, but the heat is unbearable. The area measures about 30' X 20' so that would be a whole lot of sails!!! I've even thought of planting some tall trees in the middle of it; but we have another 20' deep of yard with an orange tree and many plants and flowers so it might look stupid. Still working on it, but gratefully the summer is over for this year!

olldroo Bobbi, that is a big area, and yes you would need to cement the posts into the ground. I don't think you are crazy, I can really relate to what you say. My lounge opens onto a courtyard approx 30' x 25' and I can't cover the whole lot as it would block too much light to other rooms. I have grown a magnolia tree on one side which is deciduous in winter and is absolute heaven to sit under in summer as we generally get a lovely sea breeze in the afternoon. Unfortunately it has taken about 35 years to get to where it is, the downside to plantings.

Sounds like you don't want to do anything too permanent or expensive but if you do a frame, you could also buy shade cloth by the metre (or should say yard for you) and attach that with a twine. What sort of a "roof" do you have on the existing covered patio?

olldbobbi The covered patio is a permanent, wood roof. And I looked at the area again, it looks more like 40' x 20'. I'm thinking either outdoor fabric, or possibly canvas. But I don't have to worry about it for at least 6 months, so that's a good thing!!!

olldroo The wood should be ok, I was just thinking it might be something that can actually make the area hotter. Whatever you choose make sure it is something that does breathe and let any breeze in. As our summer is about to start, I will let you know if I see something of interest. Of course keep looking here, I'm sure a solution will present itself, I just never know what I will find next and when I least expect it. Goodnight, I must get to bed.

digsblues I have 3 shade sails in my backyard. They are green and blend in with the palms and banana trees. They've been up year round for 4 years and still look brand new. I love the shade they give. They're not as fancy as the woven overhang, but are simple and sturdy.

For fun lighting, I bought some solar powered globes and lanterns. They are lovely. Fixing up an outside room is fun and doesn't have to be expensive.

patriciamc los espacios presentados son cada día más feos !

retromomma I'd be interested in finding out more about reasonably priced sail shades or fabric if @bobbi p or groovygranny can recommend (or anyone else). I have two areas that need it-one is a brick courtyard next to our garden, the other is a patio with a deck (2nd story) stopping before the footprint. Need shade in NC!

olldbobbi retromamma, go to www.homedepot.com. They have a good assortment of outdoor fabric, and it's very "sewable" as I bought some and made a new cover for my glider. I think it was $6.50/yard.

retromomma Bobbi P! Thanks for the tip. I think I need the kind that has holes in it-but have seen there-so it's not a solid shade but has some wind/air quality! I will check it out. As a matter of fact, my hubby just left to go pick up some cement floor board panels for a project at HD-I should have tagged along! Thanks!

olldbobbi retromamma, I haven't seen the fabric in the store itself, only on-line, so you saved yourself a trip! And, I may be wrong, but I believe outdoor fabric is a non-woven fabric, so cutting little triangles in the fabric may work for the wind problem. I'm not sure so I wouldn't go cutting a million holes, just one or two at first to see if it works.

patscats2 Love that little wooden getaway. That was really neat.

olldroo Sorry Retromomma, I am in Australia so can't help you with suppliers. Our shade cloth comes in a mesh fabric which breathes and allows the wind to pass through without having additional openings. It comes in different colours generally lightest colour for minimal shade through to black for a deep shade. It can also be purchased by the metre to use as walls for outdoor rooms, keeping bugs out as well as preventing the sun coming in. I have even seen blinds made in it that can be dropped down when the sun is low or raised when not needed. It can be hooked it off your roof timber but need securely anchored poles for the outside ends. There are tension screws you can buy to secure it but big sail should be professionally done for safety. Happy hunting.

Laurel Ennis Sadly, we live too far north for this sort of outdoor nightime entertaining. By the time it gets dark in summer here it's quite late and no one wants to go to a party so late at night. Great for more southern climes, you lucky dogs.

eztia Shade cloth has little air holes in it. Usually comes in dark green. Is available by the yard at the plant nurseries here in New Mexico.
Shade sails are different. The school playgrounds have them.

retromomma Thanks Tipi! That helps -didn't know about that landscapers fabric. I would prefer something other than hunter gree nif that is the same stuff I am thinking you mean-we have a modern mid century and I do have access to sewers.

nanaanne Wonderful article. I couldn't make up my mind which one I liked best!

eztia Retromomma, Look at www.shadesails.com.

mcneelj None of these are a typical back porch ... C'mon

olldroo No Mcneelj, these are the ones you dream about - in my next life, when I come back as a cat.

Teak Patio Outdoor Indonesia Very nice idea. I need to learn how you design it