Gardening: Ask The Expert
HOW’S YOUR
PATIO LIFE... W
by PJ Kratohvil, Owner of Complete Solutions
hen people call in looking to create an outdoor space, we ask them what they envision or are looking for in the new space. Some will already have plans and know exactly what they want. Others have no idea. The next question a lot of times will be, “What do you like and dislike about your current space?” This will often give the clueless client a chance not to be overwhelmed by the possibilities and allows them to focus on specifics based on what they already have.
Don’t let the details overwhelm and keep you from moving forward. Sometimes, calling to consult with a designer or seeking out a company that specializes in the design aspect as well as the construction of the project is the best option. Your patio space should be an extension of the house – furnished and functional. More than anything, it should be a space that’s designed to fit your needs. This allows you to effortlessly get out and enjoy the outdoors. Having a cover over your space really allows for more usable time throughout the year no matter the weather conditions and gives you the opportunity to truly make it feel as if it’s just another room in the home. Sometimes a good balance of covered as well as uncovered patio space is the answer – just ensure you’re investing in a vision that’s going to fit your family’s needs the best.
Having the ability and an adequate
amount of counter space to grill during the week or entertain on the weekends can greatly enhance your outdoor
experience. Putting in a side burner,
extra storage, or even a fridge can add
to the usability and convenience of the
space. You don’t have to go huge, super luxurious, or over the top with it – just build to suit your needs, and, most
importantly, make it functional for you. With our economy continuing to boom
and seeing no end in sight for the growing construction industry, creating privacy
is and should be at the top of our lists.
Whether it be some taller landscape that
creates a screen wall, a simple curtain and
rod set up that you can pull back-and-forth as needed, or remote solar screens that
offer UV as well as bug control, creating
that element of privacy and really finishing the space off can make all the difference when your home and trying to unplug.
Fireplaces, fountains, fire pits, and other features won’t only set your space apart from others but will also provide some
function to your outdoor living. Whether
it’s that focal point that a fireplace offers, a relaxing sound you get off of a water feature or fountain, or being able to
gather around the fire pit on a cool night. Adding features to your patio space not
only creates interesting destinations but
also brings people together enabling you to enjoy the space that much more.
Once you’ve gotten your patio footprint
together, it’s always important to balance
your hard space with a combination of turf and landscape areas. Much like the patio
itself, landscaping could definitely be a do
it yourself task. But sometimes, design and installation are better left to be thought through by a local professional. We get calls and visit homes on a daily basis
where people have put together a space only to find out it’s not large enough. It
doesn’t offer the function or privacy they had envisioned, or better yet, they have
given their ideas to a “patio builder” who doesn’t necessarily specialize in layout
and design. Now, they need to manipulate what they’ve already paid for into something more usable.
EXTERIOR: 214.735.1363 | COMPLETESOLUTIONSDFW.COM
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SEPTEMBER 2021 | LANTANA LIVING | 45
