Have you vowed to spend more time outdoors on your underutilized deck or patio? Well, what’s stopping you? The weather is gorgeous and there’s no time like the present to enjoy your natural surroundings! Here are some of our tips for creating an outdoor sanctuary that will make it hard for you to want to return to your living room.
- Comfortable Seating is a Must – Outdoor seating has come a long way since the folding lawn chairs of yesteryear. Now outdoor furnishings can rival the most comfortable indoor sofas and chairs with plush filling and soft-to-the-touch fabrics. Depending upon the space you have available, consider creating furniture groupings in your alfresco world. You could place a fire pit surrounded by big, comfy chairs in one area and an oversized sofa with reclining chairs in another.
Separate furniture groupings are featured in this wonderful outdoor space by Sunbrella®.
- Fuss-Free Gas Fire Pits – Fire pits are the most requested design feature in our outdoor projects and with good reason. They truly enhance your
outdoor space by adding a wonderful ambience. Some of our clients, though, would rather not deal with the hassle of hauling firewood or starting a wood fire.
For those clients, we recommend a gas fire pit. What could be simpler than pushing a button to start a smoke-free fire? If the expense of running a gas line concerns you, then consider a propane tank fueled fire pit. This unit also gives you the ability to move around your fire pit as needed and to store it during the winter months.
The Sierra Fire Pit Table by Woodland Direct features a hidden standard propane tank in the space below the pit.
- Build a Pergola for Shade – A pergola over your patio or deck creates a dappled sunlight effect that mimics standing under a tree in the heat of summer. Not only does it provide some relief from the blistering sun, but it also adds a beautiful architectural element to your surroundings. Consider adding curtain panels to your pergola to block sunlight at certain times of the day or to create a more romantic look.
A pergola can provide relief from the blistering sun and also add architectural interest.
- Add a Disappearing Fountain – Enjoy the serenity of soothing water sounds without the high maintenance of a traditional fountain. Disappearing fountains are gaining in popularity because they are super easy to keep up. They stay cleaner because there is no pool of water to catch debris. The basin of water is hidden beneath the fountain, while the fountain itself is usually placed on a grate surrounded by stones. The fountains can be installed on decks or patios.
Here is an example of a beautiful disappearing fountain as featured on finegardening.com.
- Water Misting for the Dog Days – With the sometimes unbearable summer heat in Virginia and Maryland, it may be smart to invest in a misting system. Some of the more advanced systems with pressurized pumps have the ability to drop the temperature significantly with heat absorbing water droplets. The high humidity in our area will make the misting less-effective than a low-humidity area, but you can still expect a nice cooling effect. An outdoor misting fan is another option when looking for relief from the heat.
Now that you have some great ideas for creating an outdoor sanctuary, there’s no excuse for not getting outside and enjoying the fresh air!
