Thousands of homeowners are now considering ways to ramp up their entertainment spaces. Some focus on indoor areas, converting their attics or basements into game rooms, home theaters, and other features designed to keep family and friends comfortable and amused. On the other hand, many homeowners are looking to escape the confines of their homes while making the most of their surrounding properties. As such, they’re concentrating on transforming their outdoor spaces into expansive entertainment areas. Venturing outside the box, so to speak, gives homeowners numerous advantages over focusing solely on their indoor spaces.
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Reasons to Create an Outdoor Entertainment Space
Source: kalamazoogourmet.com
Homeowners have several reasons for creating their entertainment spaces outdoors rather than keeping them inside their homes. For one, doing so gives families and guests more room to spread out without preventing them from mingling and enjoying themselves. Secondly, outdoor entertainment spaces give homeowners more freedom of choice in terms of design and flexibility. Choices for indoor spaces are limited, but creating an outdoor entertainment area offers endless possibilities. These include decks, patios, pools and spas, fire pits, and gardens to name a few.
Of course, outdoor kitchens and dining areas can’t be overlooked, either. If you’d like to learn more about modern outdoor kitchens and other entertainment area inclusions, check out RTA Outdoor Living. In the meantime, take a look at the following ideas and tips for making the most of your outdoor entertainment space.
Consider Your Needs and Expectations
When designing an outdoor space, it’s important to make it as functional for your family as possible. Getting the most out of the investment is also key. That means you need to tailor the space to your lifestyle and your plans for entertaining guests. If your family and friends enjoy swimming, consider adding a pool to the mix. In the event lounging outdoors and enjoying peace and quiet are top priorities, a flower garden or spa area may be the better alternative.
Keep in mind, backyard barbecues have long been a tradition among American families. At this point, though, people are taking their barbecues to entirely new levels. That often means incorporating an inclusive outdoor kitchen into the mix. These days, there are virtually no limits to the elements you can incorporate into an outdoor kitchen. Because of that, you can tailor such a space to any lifestyle.
Natural Versus Synthetic
Source: seiffertlumber.com
Another key aspect of an outdoor entertainment space is the type of finish to be used to round out the area and create its overall look. Many homeowners are trending toward natural stone at this point. Marble, granite, river rock, slate, and quartzite are all popular options in this realm. They generate a natural, sustainable look and can extend from flooring and countertops in an outdoor kitchen to other elements of an entertainment space. Natural wood is also a popular option for finishes. Numerous species are used for outdoor surfaces, each of which has its own level of charm. Still, wood requires a great deal of upkeep and isn’t tolerant to elements.
On the other hand, quite a few homeowners opt for synthetic finishes. These include veneers designed to mimic the appearance of natural rock. Veneers are thinner and more affordable than stone, but they don’t last as long, either. At the same time, composite lumber is gaining a great deal of attention for its resemblance to real timber, longevity, and lack of maintenance needs. Concrete is becoming increasingly popular as well. It’s now available in numerous colors with stamping and texturing options being offered. For outdoor kitchen appliances, stainless steel finishes are common due to their resistance to corrosion.
Seasonal or Year-Round Use
In some corners of the country, creating flower gardens and other natural landscaping features for year-round use just isn’t possible. Cold weather renders foliage a purely seasonal element. Other areas have relatively pleasant weather all year long, so ongoing use of such features is entirely possible. When it comes to other features, such as patios and outdoor kitchens, planning for outdoor use is a great deal more feasible.
It’s possible to have sunshades and other types of shelter installed to protect those features from cold, rain, and other issues. Installing patio and pool heaters, fire pits, and other solutions further enhances the usefulness of outdoor spaces even when the weather isn’t cooperating. All those features will drive up the cost of the project as well as its cost of upkeep and operation. If you’d like to get as much use as possible out of the space, though, they’re certainly worth the investment. Should you only plan to use your outdoor entertainment space during the summer, those extra inclusions may be an unnecessary expense.
Convenience
Source: floridapoolpatio.com
Convenience should also factor into the equation when planning an outdoor entertainment space. This aspect takes on many forms and varies depending on what you’ll be using the space for. One option would be leaving room for extra seating in a patio or outdoor dining area. That would make things simpler and less cramped when you invite guests over for alfresco dining or drinks near the pool.
Including extra storage space in an outdoor kitchen should also be considered. This type of space needs to be as convenient and user-friendly as possible. An abundance of storage space would mean you could keep more essentials in the outdoor kitchen. In turn, you wouldn’t have to waste as much time and energy running back and forth from the outdoor cooking area to your indoor kitchen. Those are only a couple of convenience aspects that may apply to your entertainment area.
Enjoying Your Outdoor Space to the Fullest Extent
People have varying needs and expectations in terms of their outdoor entertainment areas. How you’d like to use the space and for how much of the year should be taken into account. Your selection of materials for the space will affect its usefulness, longevity, and cost of maintenance among other elements. Convenience will also impact the space’s overall functionality and how much you’re able to enjoy it. Consider all these aspects during the planning process. Doing so will help you take full advantage of the space.
