The trend towards making outdoor spaces another part of the home’s living spaces continues to expand. Before, there was a trend of using sliding or french doors to give an easy transition from inside of your home to your patio or deck. The trend has increased even further now. Homeowners are creating entire rooms outdoors, including outdoor living rooms and kitchens. These terrific additions have more than patio chairs and grills. They now include features traditionally only found inside of homes, including love seats, couches, wet bars, rugs, refrigerators and more.

One reason an increasing number of homeowners are expanding their living spaces outdoors is that newly built homes are now being built smaller than they previously were. By tapping into the natural beauty available outside and adding additional living spaces to enjoy, homeowners are greatly increasing their enjoyment of their homes.

You can take advantage of this trend and create your own outdoor living space. Here are some ideas about how you can make your own outdoor room shine.

Make your room easy to access

No matter what type of outdoor room you want to create, you’ll want to figure out from where it can be accessed. Access points might include a path from the back door, a driveway or a side gate. You will want to make the room accessible so that you can easily get to it without disruption. Using natural stone pavers to make a path can make an attractive way to enter the room.

Decide the type of borders your outdoor room will have

One of the first decisions you will need to make is what kind of borders your outdoor room will have. Some people find that separating the space by using a garden makes a naturally beautiful way to divide the area. Decks or patios that have overhead arbors help to make an outdoor dining area defined. When you also add storage containers and built-in benches, you’ll have additional ways to define your space.

Pick your furnishings

Because outdoor rooms are exposed to the weather, you’ll want to select furnishings that are made out of weatherproof materials. Rattan, wicker, teak and bamboo are all great choices and have the added benefit of being easy to move around. Iron is another good choice, as it is durable and attractive.

Choose your lighting

Avoid using glass floor lamps to light your outdoor room. Instead, think about the space in which your room is located and incorporate some of those details into the lighting you choose. Pathway lighting is also important, and you might want to think about adding landscape lighting as well.

A photo posted by flemington granite (@flemingtongranite) on Jan 12, 2016 at 7:06am PST

Design your kitchen

A great outdoor kitchen does not have to have all of the appliances as the kitchen in your house. Outdoor kitchens generally should have a more casual feel to them. They might include tile-topped bars, mini-refrigerators, sinks, grills or a pizza oven. In most cases, people serve appetizers and other easy foods in their outdoor kitchens. Using natural stone or concrete for your countertops is also smart, as they are weather-resistant and easy to clean.

Think about comfort

You’ll want to make certain that you have a covered space so it is cooler during the summer instead of being directly under the sun. A fireplace or firepit is also a good feature to have when the weather turns cool.

Add some touches

Making your outdoor room comfortable and inviting will involve using some added touches that encourage people to linger. These might include candles, throws, coffee tables and anything else that makes your guests feel comfortable. You can also do things like installing a television or an outdoor bar.

Don’t be afraid to use bold colors or large items

You can be very creative with your color choices outdoors. For example, you might consider juxtaposing a brightly colored rug with a natural stone or concrete countertop or coffee table. Adding oversized planters or floor lamps can add additional ambiance when you create an outdoor room.

When you are ready to create an outdoor room, contact our professional designers at Flemington Granite. We can help you to transform your outdoor living space into a beautiful area in which you will be proud to entertain your family and friends.