Take your living space outside the box

Sunny summer days have finally returned - at least until the next afternoon thunderstorm.

Instead of letting rain or heat limit the time you spend in the backyard, consider creating a sheltered outdoor living space to make your time outside more enjoyable.

Well-designed outdoor rooms provide comfort, help us relax, promote entertaining and can increase our property value. From gourmet kitchens to small seating areas, outdoor rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and they don't have to be expensive or complicated to meet your needs.

Here are a few tips to consider when planning a backyard retreat.

First, assess different areas of your yard for outdoor room potential. Consider a forgotten corner as a cozy reading spot. Recapture the under-used space beneath a second-story deck as an open-air living room. Evaluate the space's exposure to sun, rain and insects throughout the day. This will affect the structures you build, fabrics you select and foliage you plant. Can an existing fence or wall serve as a boundary for the space? Will you need a permanent overhang or mosquito netting to offer additional protection?

Next, define the purpose of your outdoor living area. Do you plan to host large family meals in an open-air dining room, or are you creating a quiet, hidden meditation spot? The physical size, design and scope of your project should be based on the intended purpose of the space. You might be content putting up a simple awning and refinishing a comfy chair from a yard sale.

Larger projects might require a contractor, installation of a structure and professional landscaping. Make sure your plan - no matter how large or small - includes a budget that aligns with your comfort level and desired outcome. It's easy to go overboard.

 

Put your plan into action. First, install the hardscape materials like a flagstone patio or trellis. Train grapes or climbing vines over a wooden pergola to provide overhead protection from sun and light rain.

Lighting is essential at night. Holiday lights, paper lanterns, solar-powered accent lights and tiki torches are a few inexpensive options. Citronella candles double as insect control.

Utilize mature trees to hang a hammock. Tie a series of ropes between sturdy branches to create a temporary shade canopy using elegantly draped fabric. Trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals add color, fragrance and beauty to a space, and often double as a privacy screen or wind break.

Plant appropriately for our climate and the sun's orientation. Avoid using plant varieties that attract pests like aphids. Although comfort is key, outdoor furnishings take a lot of abuse. Select and place furniture appropriately.

With thoughtful planning and a defined purpose, enjoy backyard living all year-long in a sheltered outdoor living space. And instead of worrying about a rained-out barbecue or escaping the sun, you can spend more time perfecting that sangria recipe or taking a nap in your hammock.

Dion Williams is owner and principal of DW Design Group, providing interior design and decorating solutions for residential and small commercial spaces. Visit her Web site at www.dwinteriordesign.com, call her at 208.610.0566 or send e-mail to info@dwinteriordesign.com.