Makeover Your Outdoor Rooms!
Make the most of your outdoor living spaces – treat them to a redesign!
It’s SPRING! Being outdoors is the antidote to cabin fever you’ve been craving. Whether you have a small balcony or patio, or a deck the size of a small airport landing strip, you can take advantage of the space you have and turn it into your own private escape with an outdoor room makeover.
This is the first of a series of outdoor room redesigns meant to illustrate common situations and how they may be transformed. This is a true redesign-the makeover was accomplished using only what existed in the home.
Before – A medium sized deck with basic outdoor furniture was arranged with a large open space for gathering. Seating lined the railing and was available to be pulled into the space as needed. The reality was that it never moved. The color of green unified the various pieces but also contributed to the rigid feel. The grill, serving cart, table and chairs were crowded together in the far end of the deck in an attempt to make them more convenient and to create a dining area. The remaining space was certainly large but awkwardly arranged and the homeowners felt it was uninviting.
After – To make the most of all of the available space, zones were created for grilling, dining, entertaining, serving and for conversation, with plenty of room for moving about.
The electric grill was relocated to provide a safe buffer zone between it and guests. The serving cart became accessible to both grilling and entertaining areas, ready to be rolled into the dining area when needed. A conversation grouping makes better use of the open space and beckons visitors. It can be easily expanded by bringing in the dining chairs, something guests were hesitant to do when the space was empty.
Weather resistant accessories were selected from the home’s furnishings to add color, comfort and interest. The green of the furnishings became the perfect neutral backdrop to the patterns and textures. The eclectic mix created a better transition between the feel of the house and the outdoor room. The result is an extension of the house that is multi-purpose, functional, attractive and welcoming.
Pam Faulkner
Faulkner House
Interior Redesign, LLC
703-689-9886
www.FaulknerHouse.com
