Outdoor / Landscape

Creating Backyard Zen
Take your traditional, simple lawn and extend the enjoyable living space of your home into the natural appeal of the outdoors. Incorporate all the elements of indoor living, from purposeful living areas to detailed accents, to create an enjoyable outdoor experience.

The most important thing to remember when designing your outdoor living space is to blend the look and feel of your home's interior into the exterior.

Choose a garden style that complements the style of your home and integrate the same color scheme, furniture style, and even add similar outdoor accessories.

A kitchen doorway may provide access to a sunny terrace with a fresh herb garden or the dining room could extend to an outdoor eating area. Consider connecting your bedroom to a romantic, fragrant flower garden.

Creating Outdoor Rooms
Your outdoor space should have designated areas for the many different things you and your family may do, from hobbies and relaxing to entertaining and recreation. Decorate your outdoor rooms just like you would the interior of your home, with fine patio furniture, weatherproof accessories, and integrate the same overall color scheme.

Consider these outdoor living area options:

• • Living spaces designed specifically for sitting, lounging, or simply enjoying the beauty of the garden are equally important. These areas are often centered around a focal point of your landscape design, like a fountain, pond, or sculpture and are usually accented with comfortable seating.
• • Dining areas and outdoor kitchens are common elements of a modern backyard landscape design. This may be as simple as a grill and picnic table or as elaborate as a custom outdoor kitchen with stainless steel accessories and fine patio furniture.
• • Outdoor areas designated for recreation will depend on the hobbies and interests of you and your family. Swimming pools, outdoor spas, workshops, and sports areas are all possibilities and can be tastefully integrated into your backyard landscape design.
• • Outdoor living rooms can serve many purposes and many upscale homes incorporate more than one outdoor living area to serve these functions. Plan this living space with consideration to the time of day it will be used and the amount of sunlight desired. These areas can be used for relaxing, lounging, entertaining, and even recreation and may integrate interesting decks, beautiful patios, or terraces into the design plan.

Adding Outdoor Accessories
There are a number of accessories designed to resist rain, sun, and other weather conditions that are traditionally found on the interior of the home.

• • Outdoor rugs add safety as well as beauty to your outdoor area. Select colors and designs that blend with the rest of your outdoor design. Bright, vibrant colors are often an appreciated contrast to the neutral, cold hues of outdoor flooring.
• • Fine patio furniture is an excellent way to add comfort and style to your outdoor living area. From traditional tables and chairs to more contemporary outdoor couches and weather-resistant recliners, outdoor furniture is a necessity.
• • There are many other decorative accents found on the inside of your home that can add comfort and personality to your backyard landscape design as well. Candles, artistic wall hangings, and throw pillows are among a few of the accessories you can find designed for outdoor use.
• • Incorporate your own personal tastes into your outdoor living space with your favorite patterns incorporated into furniture and accessories, water features, and wind chimes.

Outdoor Lighting
Candles are a backyard landscape design favorite, but there are several other possibilities to consider as well. Just like indoors, lighting options are a great way to create the right ambiance and atmosphere in your outdoor rooms.

• • Most modern homes feature convenient outdoor electrical outlets that are ideal for the many different styles of outdoor lamps currently available. Choose lamps that match your outdoor design style, blending with the colors and decor inside your home.
• • Custom lighting design plans that incorporate just the right amount of light throughout your yard are also popular.
• • Outdoor lanterns, lighting along walkways, and cozy outdoor fireplaces are other options.

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