Outdoor living areas are a great addition to Hudson Valley homes, whether you live here full-time or have a weekend house. Whether you’re getting ready to hire a contractor or are just starting out, learn top mistakes that could make your vision of outdoor entertaining challenging to execute successfully.

Ourtdoor Living Design

Before you determine the space, know how you’ll use it. You might know the saying “form follows function.” In terms of design, this means that you should let the function of the space dictate the shape it takes.

Before you decide on a 10 by 10 outdoor living room behind your garage, think about what you want out of the space. That might work fine for a meditation garden and outdoor yoga studio, but if you want to cook and entertain, you’ll need easy access to power and water. Once you know what you will do, find the space that’s right for that purpose.

Don’t forget about sun/shade exposure

Once you’ve found an ideal site, track the sun’s path through your yard. If the space receives full sun, you may want a sun shade or pergola to keep the area cool on hot, humid days. If the space is in full shade, it will limit your landscaping options, so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Don’t forget about lighting and infrastructure

If your outdoor living room isn’t right off the house, you’ll need lighted pathways to see your way indoors at the end of a summer night. Along with lighting, plan ahead if you want utilities. For instance, if you want to barbecue, a propane grill will do. If you want the option to charge your phone while you’re outside, you’ll need to install outlets. Take these things into account as you plan to avoid going over budget or overlooking critical elements in your dream room.

Don’t forget about the view

When you’re relaxing in your outdoor living room, are you staring at a pleasing garden or the backside of your old fence? When possible, site your outdoor living room so it showcases a stunning feature of your yard or landscape. If you have no option — say, any site you choose offers a view of your 10′ tall wooden fence — make lemonade from your lemons. Use lighting, outdoor sculptures, vining plants, or container gardens to create a pretty view that masks your fence.

Don’t move inside furniture outdoors

Rather than move an old futon or coffee table outside, look for materials that can withstand rain, sun, and wind. Materials that perform well outside include rattan, wicker, wood, aluminum, steel, wrought iron, and plastic.

Look for cushions or pillows made from treated outdoor fabrics. Rather than mix and match all of these materials, select one or two you’ll use — say, a wrought-iron bistro table and wooden loungers — and unite everything with a color scheme.

At Kehoe Kustom, we build outdoor living areas for clients throughout the tri-state area. We’re happy to review your objectives and ideas, working together to come up with the right outdoor living solution for your home. Learn more or contact us to schedule a consultation.

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