The Great OUTDOORS

As more people invest in their outdoor living spaces, we turn to the pros to discover the latest trends and get tips on what to avoid.

BY ETTIE BERNEKING

Outdoor Kitchens

Joan Nutting is the store manager at Maschino’s in Spring eld, and she says one of the latest trends to pop up with outdoor kitchens and grill islands is griddles. “These mean you can cook almost anything in your outdoor kitchen,” Nutting says. “You could cook breakfast or make a stir fry for dinner or use the griddle to saute onions and peppers for burgers.”

When designing your outdoor kitchen, Nutting says wood is a big no-no. “It will absorb moisture and rot.” Cabinets should be made from concrete blocks or galvanized metal wrapped in durox.

Outdoor Fireplaces

Adding an outdoor replace can upgrade your outdoor patio or kitchen. You can choose a gas or wood-burning design, but if you go with a wood-burning replace, Nutting advises hiring a professional to make sure the ue is the right size to draft smoke. If you go with a gas replace, Nutting recommends an IPI system—an intermittent pilot ignition system—so you never have to worry about the pilot light.

Hardscapes

Walkways and patios are moving to larger pavers. Josh Gwennap, owner of JAG Hardscapes, says the larger pavers come in a range of neutral colors like grays, whites and blacks—a move away from the earth tones. “The biggest mistake people often make with hardscapes is trying to DIY it,” Gwennap says. “You have to keep the slope in mind and make sure there’s plenty of drainage. Fixing drainage issues is the No. 1 issue we get called out for.”

Pools

Now that people are staying home more, Brad Tanzer, owner of Creative Pool Concepts, has seen a spike in demand for pools. The biggest design trends making waves are features like tanning shelves and automation that allows owners to engage pool covers and heaters from their phones. The biggest thing to consider is site access. “We have to get large equipment to the site,” Tanzer says. “Slope we can deal with by adding in retainer walls, but site access is trickier. It’s important to talk with a pro about what your site will allow.”