Our friends at Frisella Nursery note there are trends popping up more than others. Justin Verbryck, Landscape Design Manager, notes, "We have seen a trend towards clients wanting to invest in outdoor living space. People are wanting to spend more time at home with their families and we are seeing that investment being put into creating a warm and inviting environment for friends and family."
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR BIG OUTDOORS
The key to creating an outdoor space that's the envy of the neighborhood is to be intentional when putting together the design — a sentiment Verbryck echos. He said, "When designing an outdoor space there are many factors to consider. Not only is the layout important, but you also want to plan for how the space will connect to other areas of your home. How many people will you be entertaining? How will you be using the space? All these factors play a major role in making sure you not only create a functional but a beautiful and long lasting space to enjoy."
Thinking about adding outdoor living and entertaining spaces to your home? Take a look at some of the top outdoor features that are trending!
Photo Credit: Frisella Nursery
Outdoor Kitchens
The addition of an outdoor kitchen to your patio or deck is the perfect way to blend indoor and outdoor dining. Features like a built-in grill, beverage fridge, and ample counter space ensures you have everything you need right at your fingertips.
And Verbryck said it is easy to customize an outdoor kitchen. "With outdoor kitchens, we have the ability to create a totally custom layout based on the needs," he says. "We will take into consideration what materials will work best with features of your home or other materials in the space for the proposed kitchen."
Outdoor Lounges
Whether you want to keep it simple with an extended patio area with a table and set of chairs or go all in with some built-in seating, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating space to lounge. Some key features to consider: comfortable seating, lighting, and shade during the hot summer months.
Covered Structures
Verbryck said, "Creating a covered structure allows you to be outdoors through various weather conditions and helps create a ceiling for the space. One challenge for an outdoor space is to make it feel as though you are in a room. Building a structure helps create a baseline for your eye to then move through the space, instead of traveling past a point."
As far as the structure itself, there are a couple of different options. You could add a pergola, which can be a little more cost effective but you wouldn't get the same protection from the elements. The other option is to create a traditional enclosed roof over a lounge or kitchen space.
For many, the decision for covering their outdoor space will come down to your overall budget as well as the climate. If it's relatively dry during the summer months, a pergola may work just fine. Lots of rain and snow? You'll want to consider something with a little more cover.
Custom Fire Features
A custom fire feature offers another way to enjoy exterior living areas and also adds visual interest to your outdoor hardscape. Not to mention that you can use it well into the cooler months!
