Home Garden: Deci sions, Decisions How to

Decisions, Decisions

ORGANIZING YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

By Janice F. Booth

We’ve had two years to adapt to living more of our lives out-of-doors. Perhaps it’s time to reexamine our garden’s living spaces. Is there room for expansion? Can a few changes make outdoor living at home more comfortable and inviting?

First Option: Expansion

Can you and do you want to expand your outdoor space? Here are several questions to consider.

1. Is there a portion of your property that could be transformed into a patio? (Be sure to check any legal issues—covenants and building codes.) 2. Is this area easy to reach from the house? If the area is remote or just difficult to get to while carrying a laptop or tray of drinks, your lovely, new patio may languish unused. 3. Will you need to include a walkway to the new area? How about privacy? Will you feel comfortable carrying on a phone conversation or just chatting with family in this new area? Perhaps a privacy fence or shrubbery can be installed as part of the construction. Will electricity be available? Almost a must for outdoor living today.

These issues can best be resolved by consulting a landscape architect or builder who has lots of experience with outdoor areas. They will advise you about permits, potential problems with light and drainage, and how to meet your family’s requirements for an outdoor living space.

Second option: Revamping

Since you’ve already spent quite a bit of time in your existing outdoor area—patio, deck, or garden glade—you have a clear picture of how you and your family enjoy being at home, outdoors. You’re also aware of the drawbacks and annoyances of your current outdoor space layout. As you look, now, with fresh eyes there are four points to consider: Comfort, Durability, Flexibility, and Design.

DURABILITY 

Our summer winds, strong sunshine, and occasional downpours make it important to choose furnishings and accessories that can survive and look great after being drenched in sunlight and rain as well as being tossed about by winds.

SUNSHADES: Whether you add a second sun umbrella or invest in an awning, be sure the design can handle wind and rain as well as sun. Weighted bases on umbrella stands and wind-vents on awnings are features to look for. Also check the ease of handling. Having an awning that takes two strong people to crank open or close may mean you don’t bother using it. An umbrella that requires you climb on a table to push it up and open is not a smart solution.

LIGHTING: Particularly important when it comes to electricity, be sure the lights, lamps, and decorative lighting will not short out in a heavy rain or break if tapped by a few flailing branches on a windy night. Here’s where an experienced electrician will be worth employing. She/he can help you devise a simple or elaborate lighting system that is safe.

FURNISHINGS: You may have already discovered that the elegant glass table and streamlined chairs you loved when you bought them, have not worked out for your lived-in patio or deck. You may need to choose more comfortable and sturdy chairs that can hold a teenager’s sprawling limbs and still support Grandpa’s sore back. Finally, will the furnishings you select need covers or will they be able to remain comfortable and reasonably clean without the necessity of nightly coverings?

 COMFORT

• Do you need an awning or more sun umbrellas for the late afternoon?

• Is there equipment, game boards, etc., that need a place to wait for the next Monopoly or Badminton game?

• Lighting may have become more important. Even though summer evenings come on slowly, if you like reading after the kids go to bed, maybe outlets for reading lamps should be added.

• You probably know if insects are a problem. You may want to add a few pedestal fans to blow away mosquitoes, or maybe net curtains to keep the flies and mosquitoes out.

 FLEXIBILITY

You may already realize that your chairs, tables, and other furnishings on the deck must serve many purposes—for kids, as a workspace, for dining, entertaining, and just a few hours respite.

TABLES: Consider a selection of smaller tables—end tables and coffee tables, rather than one large table for the deck. Small tables can be moved around to accommodate seating arrangements and uses. In a pinch, a well-built end table can be used for seating.

SEATING: Depending on who uses your deck and its size, you may want to select chairs that are both comfortable for lounging and dining—so, not too far into the recliner style or too severely erect and formal. Rather than upholstery, cushions may be more useful—easier to maintain and able to serve as floor seating if the need arises.

LIGHTING: A flexible lamp may be useful for an all-purpose patio. Perhaps a few floor lamps with multiple heads that can be directed, like spotlights, where the action is.

 DESIGN

Here is another place where bringing in a professional or a friend with really good taste may be an advantage. Invite someone with experience in outdoor furnishings to assist and advise you.

SEATING: Consider whether there is enough space for separate areas of your patio or deck to be furnished for dining, quiet reading or working, and entertaining.

FLOORING: will it be practical to use indoor-outdoor area rugs to designate areas of your patio or simply for added comfort under bare feet?

LIGHTING: You may want your lighting to avoid disturbing neighbors and the nocturnal creatures with fur or feathers. How can that be accomplished?

You may be able to make these next six months more comfortable and less stress-filled with your newly redecorated, comfortable deck or patio.