Everywhere you look there are signs of spring in the air. The blossoming flowers, the warmer temperatures, and the patio furniture is being used once again.
In San Diego outdoor living spaces can be used year-round unlike in other parts of the country. However, many people still need to dust off the outdoor furniture this time of year. Maybe it hasn’t been used in several months because the outdoor area isn’t really as comfy all year as most would like it to be. That prompts some to start thinking about how to make the most of their outdoor space.
Whether it’s sparking the urge to remodel and make an outdoor living space a year-round getaway, complete with comfortable furniture and even a heating system for the cooler months, or simply adding a deck,outdoor living is a sure way to add value and livable space to your home.
By 2015 most homes will feature an outdoor living space, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.
Design Consultant, Steven Mark of Marrokal Design & Remodeling says he has created Zen gardens, horseshoe areas, and basketball courts. But outdoor living areas can range from the typical to the luxurious. “A quite popular feature now is outside theater walls,” says Mark.
Mark tries to blend the inside and outside of the home by opening as wide an area as possible to the outdoors. That means a doorway to the outside may open at least 8-12 feet.
“Then if you run the same flooring material from the inside to the outside, and that door is open, it just really blurs the line and you don’t even visually know where the inside stops and the outside begins,” says Mark.
On steep hillsides where the yard might seem unusable, Mark says using a terrace style is a creative way to use the land and have separate private levels. For one remodeled home, Mark designed four terraced levels, each having it’s own special usage.
“The level just outside the house was their barbecue and outside kitchen area. Then they had a level with a pool, deck, sun area, and jacuzzi,” says Mark. He says the next level up featured a second dining area, flat screen TV, and comfortable seating, all beneath a pavilion. The fourth level has an organic vegetable garden.
Outdoor living spaces can be created in stages or all at once, depending on your budget. The best thing to do is to discuss your vision for your outdoor living environment with a design-build firm. Expert designers can introduce creative plans to help you effectively achieve your desired look within your budget and your timeframe.