The Perfect Outdoor Environments for Entertaining at Home
Summer is here! What better way to sit back and enjoy some warm rays this season than with the perfect outdoor environment to entertain friends and family right in your back yard? Adding some alfresco elements to your back yard is on the simpler end of possible house additions, so don’t fret! It can be easily achieved in a summer and is a sure-fire way to raise the value of your property and your popularity levels at the same time! But just what makes the perfect outdoor entertaining environment? We’ll go through some of the key elements in this article.
Flooring
Right from the ground up, the perfect alfresco entertainment area must be well thought-out, in order to be easily accessible. This means carefully considering what groundwork you’re going to implement. An outdoor space should flow neatly indoors, so consider a flush flooring option to increase indoor-outdoor flow. Make sure the material is durable and dries quickly, such as concrete or coated wooden boards.
This being said, no matter how much you dress it up, outdoors is where nature lies, and incorporating the natural environment into your built-up outdoor space is a good way to create a sense of separation from the outdoors. You can do this with the use of pot plants, or incorporating a green environment in any way you choose.
Shade and Shelter
As much as we all want to soak in the sun’s rays from dawn till’ dusk, Kiwi summer weather is not the kindest when it comes to such a privilege. When it’s hot in New Zealand, it’s far too hot for most of us to be out in the sun for too long without roasting, and even when it’s not scorching hot, you never know when a thunder storm is going to hit in the middle of summer. Be prepared for anything by adding some sleek shade and shelter to your outdoor space. Louvre roofs, which allow you to decide how much sun you get, can be an excellent choice. Otherwise, look for other options to provide you with different variations of shelter that can be changed with the conditions.
Peace and Privacy
If, like many New Zealanders, your backyard is just a little too close to all your neighbours for your liking, privacy is going to be a huge factor in your outdoor space. During your outdoor house design planning, you can create privacy in a number of ways to as high or low a degree as you feel comfortable with.
You can create a private space in the landscaping of your outdoor area, by perhaps planting hedges or lovely fruit trees to add an extra layer of greenery. In a more built-up space, you can add permanent or temporary enclosures such as windbreakers or dividers to shelter you from nosy neighbours.
Furnishings
No outdoor space is complete without some outdoor furniture! A good set of furniture can really make a space feel like home, so while you want to think about durability, you also want to find some outdoor furniture that’s cosy and comfortable.
Look for a range of lounge furniture and dining elements, so that you have the option for whatever kind of event you’re hosting. This being said, remember not to crowd your outdoor space with furniture, as this can make it seem much smaller. Make sure there is room to walk around and breathe in the fresh air.
Glamorous Extras
The most fun part of designing an outdoor entertainment space is of course the gadgets and extras. Although these aren’t a necessity, they are always nice to have and exciting to shop around for. Consider outdoor cooking on a barbeque, pizza oven or even a smoker. Then, think about warmth for your guests with outdoor heaters or a fireplace.
There is so much to consider in these areas, we can only suggest that you not let all the glamorous extras overwhelm you, and try to stick to a few select things that you know will get used. The last thing you want is a space that’s overcrowded with gadgets.
Plan Your Outdoor Area with Expert Architectural Designers
No matter what you want to incorporate into your new outdoor entertainment space, the expert architectural designers at Gubb Design are here to help. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your perfect alfresco space.
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