Dan's Papers - May 15, 2009 - Expand Your Living Space with Outdoor Rooms

"Summer time... and the livin' is easy." As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, we all crave the warmth of sunshine on our face and the soft caress of salty breezes on our skin. And when evening comes, oh, for a place to escape air conditioning and gaze at a star-studded sky surrounded by fragrant plants. How delightful to have a relaxing spot on your property to enjoy these gifts of summer. Outdoor rooms, those spaces outside we create to enjoy nature, enhance the quality of our lives and expand the borders of our living space as well as increase the value of our homes.

I first heard of the concept of "outdoor rooms" from professional gardener, writer and television personality P. Allen Smith. He referred to his "garden home," describing it as "the private sanctuary between a home's interior spaces and the great outdoors, with 'rooms' for relaxing, bird-watching, cooking, entertaining and simply enjoying the pleasures of nature." Smith outlines 12 fundamental facets for creating successful outdoor rooms, including: enclosure, shape and form, framing the view, entry, focal point, and structures as means to establish the garden's basic framework. Then he describes how the rooms are embellished with texture, pattern and rhythm, color, abundance, whimsy, mystery and time. As an interior designer, I believe that these fundamental concepts are sound principles that drive all good design. The challenge for many of us is how to apply these concepts to the exterior landscape of our homes and create beautiful spaces with definite borders and a sense of functionality.

An outdoor room might be as simple as a deck, a patio, a porch or a secluded spot in the garden set aside to sit and perhaps to dine al fresco. More elaborate rooms consist of complete gourmet kitchens and dining rooms; even offices and grooming spaces such as showers can be found out of doors. These spaces are often equipped with water features, fireplaces, sound systems, lighting, heating and cooling capabilities, the possibilities are endless. Outdoor rooms essentially increase the square footage of your home and can become an extension of your home's interior space. A well-designed outdoor space will facilitate a seamless transition from indoors to out.

Floors, walls and a ceiling are what define tradition interior rooms. Translated to the out of doors, the flooring material in an outdoor room could be as simple as grass, clover or a creeping herb, or it could be mulch or pea stones. More elaborate floors that come to mind are a patio made of natural stone, tiles or pavers. A deck or a porch would be considered a floor as well. Creating walls outdoors can be accomplished with hedges, lattice, fences made of a myriad of materials or groups of plantings. In an outdoor room, adding a ceiling is optional. Your outdoor room might simply be capped off with the shade of a large tree. Arbors and pergolas are also charming ways to create rooms with ceilings. Even a market umbrella is, in effect, a ceiling, as it will protect you from the elements. There are just a few ideas as starting points to create the framework of an outdoor room.

Many outdoor rooms are focused on a water feature such as a pool or spa. Ponds, birdbaths, fountains, and waterfalls can be included in the space and will add to the enjoyment. Listening to and seeing moving water is relaxing and therapeutic.

Another popular focal point for your outdoor room is a fireplace or a fire pit and the warmth of an evening fire will extend the outdoor season longer. Fire features appeal to the caveman and the happy camper in all of us. Sitting around a fire at night is an enjoyment built into our genetic memories. Who can resist sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows?

Some of the finishing touches and embellishments for an outdoor room are provided by the vast array of stylish and affordable all-weather furnishings, fabrics and appliances that are available to consumers today. It is no longer difficult to find attractive outdoor rugs, cushions and other accessories such as outdoor lighting ranging from solar powered to elaborate chandeliers. Artwork designed specifically for outdoors has become popular as an accessory that makes it possible to personalize and further define your outdoor space. There are many wonderful choices, but Mother Nature and the plants you select will provide the real finishing touches!

If you are like most people and are feeling the pinch in this difficult economy, take full advantage of all of your real estate, indoors and out. You can get more bang for your buck by expanding your living space beyond the perimeters of your traditional four walls. According to the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report released by the National Association of Realtors, investing in exterior improvements will mean recouping more of your investment at the time of resale than any other improvement you might make on your home. Consider improving your real estate by pushing the traditional boundaries of your home while supporting a healthier lifestyle by spending more time outside. Outdoor rooms are a sure investment and will provide a much sought-after, restful retreat.

Allegra Dioguardi is the president of Styled and Sold Home Staging LLC in Sag Harbor and the author of Styled by Design - A Guide to the Design Principles of Home Staging. Visit her Web site at styledandsold.com. Contact Allegra at styledandsold@optimum.net.