10 Inspirational Outdoor Spaces

Nothing could make your house feel more relaxing and restful than well-planned outdoor spaces. From decks to covered patios, we share 10 of our all-time favorite outdoor living areas.

A large open-air covered deck is the ideal place to sit down and absorb the mountain views. The stacked-stone fireplace also creates the sensation of an outside lounge. Photo by Karl Neumann.

This double-sided fireplace serves as a natural divider between the patio’s seating and dining areas. Cushioned chairs lend color and luxury, while a durable dining set and accessories give an indoor feel without the added maintenance. Photo by Steve Tague.

A large pool, hot tub and covered patio area create a spacious outdoor living space during this lakeside timber home. Photo by Roger Wade.

This outdoor fireplace makes the covered-porch space an intimate indoor/outdoor living area that may be used all year long. Photo by Roger Wade.

The wraparound deck in this single-room, 35-foot-high fire tower in western Montana is made of reclaimed barn wood and lines extra-long overhangs to be sure guests can benefit from the space, rain or shine. Photo by Heidi Long.

Nothing draws a celebration outside quite like a warm, toasty fire. On this Washington home, a whole-size fireplace made out of local glacial stone creates a meeting spot and instant focus within the outdoor area. Photo by Roger Wade.

In this Washington timber home, Douglas fir rafters project the roofline, framing this cozy sitting area, complete with firepit. Photo by Heidi Long.

This covered deck outside of the good room has its own gas fireplace, making a comfortable and personal retreat even if the elements is chilly. Photo by Roger Wade.

Reclaimed materials paired with a good looking view are a winning combination on this open porch. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Antique Hardwoods.

This deck space offers several covered areas framed in western red cedar for al fresco entertaining. Opening off the lounge, the primary porch offers an out of doors fireplace of native stacked stone and a candle chandelier for a comfy feel in any weather. Photo by Roger Wade.


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5 Outdoor Kitchen Essentials

When the times get longer and the elements starts to vary, everyone desires to take their usual indoor activities outside. And dining isn’t any exception. But if you’re attempting to host a barbecue or banquet outdoors while your kitchen and supplies are indoors, you’ll likely spend more of a while dashing than enjoying your organization.

To remedy this problem, consider upgrading your house with an outside kitchen. “An outdoor kitchen expands the living spaces in your house by making a new spot to enjoy time with friends and family in a calm, backyard setting,” says Lee Anne White, author of out of doors Kitchen Ideas That Work and Outdoor Living Idea Book. “I’ve seen outdoor kitchens really pull families together. Plus, there’s just something special about food cooked at the grill. It tastes better, and it’s fun to organize.”

When designing your outdoor kitchen, White suggests planning your kitchen to deal with how you live. “Visualize yourself in that setting,” she suggests. “What are you cooking? Who’re you cooking for? How often do you intend on using the distance? Where would you be most comfortable eating? The answers may also help you pick where to construct your outdoor kitchen and what it would include to be functional and cozy.”

White shares a couple of design topics to handle before you start your project.

Outdoor kitchen

Ample counter space and further amenities can create a more self-sufficient outdoor kitchen if placement faraway from the major kitchen is important. Credit: Fire Magic photo

Amenities: As a place to begin, you’ll need a cooking and prep area, a dining area and an area devoted to casual socializing, comparable to a bar or a sitting area with multiple lounge chairs. In case you plan to do most of your food prep and cleanup outdoors, you’ll would like to include ample counter space, in addition to an entire-size sink with a hookup for chilly and hot water. And in the event you plan to host large gatherings, consider installing an icemaker, beer tap or refrigerator for keeping beverages cold and convenient.

Location: Although an out of doors kitchen will also be located anywhere inside the landscape, the farther it’s from the home, the farther you’ll need to run gas, water and electrical lines, White warns. Also, in case you position the kitchen far from the home, you’ll have the desire to make the distance more fully equipped so that you won’t should spend an excessive amount of time hauling supplies and food backward and forward. Outdoor kitchens built just outside your back door can make the most of the indoor kitchen’s conveniences.

Outdoor Lighting

Set the proper mood on your outdoor kitchen setting with outdoor-grade fixtures. Credit: Kichler photo

Lighting: “Lighting must be subtle, not bold — only as bright as necessary for specific areas,” says White. “To accomplish this, several varieties of lighting utilized in combination are most popular. Downlights hung from trees, arbors or walls promises soft, general lighting, while task lighting installed near the grill or other work areas will make food prep easier. Path and step lighting increases safety within the walkways, and accent lighting can highlight unique water or landscape features while adding extra ambience to the distance.”

Materials: “Durability is a vital consideration, as outdoor kitchens are exposed year-round to the weather,” White explains. Choose outdoor-grade appliances and heavy-duty cabinets comprised of durable plastic, and coated in stainless-steel or wood shells to accommodate all your grilling, dining and entertaining essentials. For countertops, decide on weatherproof materials similar to brushed granite, stone, stained concrete or flagstone.

Outdoor heater

Depending on where your timber house is located, portable heaters could be essential to keep you and your guests comfortable while dining. Credit: UniFlame Corp. photo

Climate Considerations: In the event you live in a hot climate, consider summertime conditions, and address tips on how to stay cool and keep bugs at bay, White advises. Fan and market umbrellas or other shading options are essential in hot regions; misting systems might help, too. In colder regions, providing a windbreak and overhead protection could be critical, White suggests. Patio heaters or an out of doors fireplace may help extend the season, while covered areas corresponding to pavilions and porches can save the day in rain-prone areas. In spite of climate, choose furniture designed specifically for out of doors use, and choose weather-worthy fabrics that won’t stain, fade
or mildew.

40 Daring Striped Interiors Helping You Energize Your house in 2013

Very popular within the fashion industry, stripes are getting a significant trend in interior design in addition (take a look at Top 10 Most Pointed out Interior Design Trends for 2013 to peer what else you ought to expect for this year). Thick or thin, horizontal or vertical, prepare find them in quite a lot of homes or offices, and begin enjoying the energy they inspire. In today’s post we gathered merely enough striped interiors to provide you inspiration on tips on how to combine them so that you can achieve rooms with various personalities.

Be creative and brainstorm surprising solutions for adding stripes into your house. Sure, you’ll discover them in wallpapers, in your carpet or in paintings, but you may always get a hold of original decorating items or an unexpected upholstery design for instance. Color is a vital factor to contemplate. Opt for a black and white zebra-like pattern for elegant and sober interiors, a black and red mix for additonal energy, or lime green for a burst of vitality. Enjoy decorating and be happy to share your fantastic results us!