What is an outdoor living room? The easy answer is simple and very broad: it can be whatever the owner wants it to be, as long as, of course, it is outside and that a lot of time is spent living in that. What are your wants and needs? How do you like to spend time outdoors? These are the questions that will help develop his definition of an outdoor seating area. For these reasons, my definition of an outdoor living room includes the following features:
- a furnished patio, dining room and kitchen.
- an activities area that includes a pool and lounge.
- Well designed landscaping and garden area to add ambience.
First of all, the key elements of an outdoor living room, like the interior of the house, include a kitchen, a dining room and a patio sitting area. When the weather permits, our family likes to cook, eat, relax, and entertain outside; my wife and I like to invite our friends over; our three teenage sons like to invite their friends over. So cooking is important and is done at all hours from morning to midnight. A good barbecue forms the centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen, but an extra burner or two also makes life easier for the cook in some way. A large work surface with a chopping block or chopping board can further increase the cook’s time outdoors. Access to water, whether it’s complete outside plumbing or just a hose connection or water dispenser, is another necessity. A more important feature is a means of keeping food and drinks cool and close at hand, whether in a refrigerator or an ice chest. An added bonus for me is a counter seating area where friends can watch and keep me company while I cook. All of these features need to be arranged to form an efficient working triangle just as they are in the interior. Next, the kitchen should have easy access to the dining room. A dining table with seating to accommodate larger groups than just the immediate family is a wise move if space allows. Again, a bonus here would be the outdoor storage space for dishes, cutlery and linens. A chest or garden booth could easily be adapted for this purpose. Finally, an area to sit, relax, read, chat, and even watch TV if possible, makes a beautiful addition to any outdoor living room. Comfortable chairs, sofas, end tables, a rocker or porch swing, and even a chaise longue can make this area cozy and inviting. Garden furniture can be purchased in a wide range of styles and materials to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences; my preference is for cedar patio furniture. The goal here, ultimately, is to make the outdoor living space reflect the comfort and design of the interior.
In addition to eating, relaxing, and entertaining outdoors, we also like to be active; therefore my outdoor living area also includes a pool and space for other activities. Pools come in three basic styles: in-ground, above-ground, and above-ground. Inground pools are by far the most expensive option, but they also offer the widest variety of uses and the best aesthetics. The pool is best located where it can receive maximum sun, an aspect that may not be as necessary in warmer climates, but certainly further north where the summers are a bit shorter and less intense. A wide deck around the pool is needed for good traffic flow and to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. I recommend that two distinct patio areas be included in the pool deck design. One is an open area where lounge chairs or adirondacks can be placed for sun worshipers. The other should offer an escape from the sun in the form of a covered bar/lounge area or some sort of pagoda or tiki hut. As a general rule of thumb, people will stay poolside longer if they can get some shade from the sun without leaving the entire area. A spa with a hot tub or a sauna would also be a nice addition, if for no other reason, as they add a year-round drawing card to the yard. Also, if space allows, I would set aside a relatively long but not necessarily wide area for playing catch with baseballs or soccer balls, throwing pucks or practicing soccer kicks, or throwing horseshoes, bocce balls, bowling, etc. whatever. Most patios can accommodate all, or at least some of these features to some degree; reduction is preferable to omission. The more options available, the more enjoyment you can take.
Finally, atmosphere and ambiance are vital to any outdoor living room; these elements can be created with a well-designed garden and complementary landscaping. The goal here is to set the mood for whatever activity happens, whether it’s pool parties, dinner parties, afternoon barbecues, or quiet family time. The biggest compliment is when guests comment that they feel like they are visiting a resort. It is advisable to have a clear theme in mind when designing the landscape and garden. Some common themes include tropical paradise, desert oasis, northern woodland retreat, English country garden, symmetrical Zen inspiration, or an eclectic mix of garden features drawn from various themes. I prefer the tropical theme but with some elements taken from the others for effect. Medium-sized trees and shrubs, such as Japanese maples, tiger’s-eye sumacs, magnolias, dogwoods, and smoke bushes, make a very lush, multicolored backdrop to any setting; Tall ornamental grasses can create an effective privacy screen and mimic a sort of bamboo forest look. The odd succulent adds a desert quality; yuccas, for example, will grow anywhere. Honeysuckle, trumpet vine, climbing roses, bougainvillea (in warmer climates), or plain ivy can all be grown on a fence or other garden feature, such as a trellis, arbor, or pagoda. If space allows, add a garden bench or position it along a path. In addition, I am also a big fan of natural stone and rock. River rock makes an excellent border around the pool deck and patio, and can be positioned to suggest a rocky beach or dry river bed. Grotto appeal can be added by stacking quarried stone slabs to set a variety of raised garden beds around the pool or patio. Larger rocks and boulders are always eye-catching additions. Whichever style is chosen, there are a few factors to consider: the amount of space available (don’t clutter the space – remember: less is more), the position and movement of the sun, the average rainfall, and the ease of watering if is necessary, and of course, the cost.
In conclusion, my definition of an outdoor living room is simply that: my definition. It reflects my personality and my taste. It meets my family’s wants and needs and how we want to spend our time outdoors. You may want to reserve space to accommodate a fire pit or ice rink in the winter. Make your outdoor living room whatever you want it to be. I only hope that my views have provided a starting point.
