Need ideas for empty space on new construction

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

So the space is about a 10x10 outcove space outside my kitchen eating area, between my soon to be covered porch and master bedroom. I don't know what to create and was hoping to get some nice ideas from fellow houzzers. The style of the house will be modern farmhouse. As you can see the pictures below the spaces seems to lack the size for an outdoor kitchen and it's too close to the house for a grill, a hot tub or a fireplace. Feel free to share images of your idea. Thanks!!

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One Devoted Dame

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I like several of the ideas presented, including the deck, assuming it won't face West while receiving evening use. Depending on circulation/traffic patterns, a couple of chairs with a small table between could be nice.

All of my other ideas were landscaping related, since I love gardening, and think it's plenty fun all by itself, lol! <3

A small accent tree (6'-10' tall & wide) without invasive roots would also be really nice -- or a circle of tall, colorful hollyhocks (sorry, I always think of hollyhocks when I think of farmhouses) -- maybe surrounded by short, cascading herbs/plants in raised planters/containers. I wouldn't necessarily center the tree; it might look good off to one side, framing a view from inside the house. In addition to the tree, if you wanted to add a water feature of some kind (old fashioned water pump inspired, maybe?), it would fit better in the space if the tree wasn't centered.

Do y'all have any hummingbirds in your area? Plants that attract hummers and butterflies are always awesome right outside windows. You could use shepherd's hooks with hummer feeders, too.

Or, depending on which direction it faces, I'd consider a pergola bridging the gap between the bedroom and porch. If it faces North, then I'd skip the pergola, to allow maximum sunshine into the window. You could grow a controllable vine (max height of 20'; no roots/shoots/tendrils that will work their way into your house's structure) up the pergola's legs and over the top of the pergola's roof. I'm partial to roses, myself, but you could use other climbing plants that are more compatible with whatever "modern farmhouse" means to you/your area. :-D

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Comments (17)

Paul Rosas
Original Author
6 years ago
Paul Rosas
Original Author
6 years ago
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Paul Rosas
Original Author
6 years ago
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
What did the person that designed the house have in mind for the space?
PRO
Yardvaark
6 years ago
If does not become something else, it would default to landscape planting
Irene Morresey
6 years ago
Maybe a water feature with solar spotlight
Paul Rosas thanked Irene Morresey
chispa
6 years ago
Is is part of your yard and just needs to be landscaped.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
6 years ago
Hi, Paul,

The design of your roof will channel a large volume of storm water into this area in the event of any significant rain (no gutters won't always be able to keep up.) I suggest you plan on dealing with the runoff in whatever design you come up with.
Paul Rosas thanked Charles Ross Homes
User
6 years ago
Bog garden. It will always be an issue. If you have a basement, better hope it was waterproofed!
Paul Rosas thanked User
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
I am trying to figure out why it was done at all When you approved the plan what were you thinking it was for?
Paul Rosas
Original Author
6 years ago
Hey All, thanks for the suggestions, I originally thought it would be a deck but the elevation ended being up much lower than we thought to save on foundation work. So we ended being only about 18 inches above grade at that area. I like the water feature Idea but wonder if mosquitoes would become an issue. Landscaping is a default answer to the problem but I was hoping for something a little more fun.
Paul Rosas
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Charles Ross Homes, The water runoff is certainly something to keep in mind. I had not though about that. Thanks for the heads up!!
Lindsey_CA
6 years ago
"I like the water feature Idea but wonder if mosquitoes would become an issue."

Mosquitoes shouldn't be an issue is the water is moving. Only if the water is still.
Paul Rosas thanked Lindsey_CA
S B
6 years ago
18" should be sufficient for a deck, if that was the original plan I'd stick with it. Just make sure you slope that grade away from the house.

Then fill it up with container grown plants!
Paul Rosas thanked S B
Irene Morresey
6 years ago
Still like the water feature idea from my comment above, could look so great, have a tall water feature with plantings and don’t forget solar lighting
Paul Rosas thanked Irene Morresey
nandina
6 years ago
Paul,

My first thought when viewing your pictures the other day was,,,water problem off the roof. I have a strong suggestion. While the ground is open around your construction site ask your builder/contractor to arrange a meeting with you and the company he uses for gutter/downspout installation to discuss the situation. There is a problem here and now is the time to solve it as some underground work may be required.
Paul Rosas thanked nandina