FEATURE STORY
Trends in Outdoor Living T
here is nothing sweeter to a homeowner than the first breeze of spring, carrying with it the promise of fun times spent outside in
the pool, grilling a great meal, or entertaining friends. Nature. As a result, there is nothing sweeter to a remodeler than to hear the phone ring and a client ask him to design an outdoor living space. Houston is a city that lends itself well to outdoor living and entertaining. For most of the year, residents are able to enjoy the natural surroundings right outside their door.
The more thoughtful we are about developing an outdoor living space, the more we can tailor it to suit the specific needs and desires of our clients. As the demand for outdoor living spaces increases, so does the number of available amenities. Staying informed about the latest design trends and innovative products is a good idea.
Design Considerations
When designing an outdoor living space, the most important thing to consider is how it will function for your client. This
12
will determine the products and structural components best suited for the project. For example, a stained concrete floor would not be a good choice for a pool surround; however, it may work well as the patio floor.
Furthermore, think about the environment and how it will impact the outdoor living space. Influences such as sun exposure, temperature, year round usability, and landscape limitations will also affect the design of a space. For instance, a west facing backyard would benefit from some type of cooling system in the evening during the hot Houston summers. It could be a ceiling fan, a wall mount fan or a patio misting system. Alternatively, during the cooler months, a fireplace or a fire pit is an option that would be both functional and add to the ambiance of an outdoor room.
Design Options
When designing an outdoor living space it is important to remember that there are many design options. From the simple to the extreme, with your help, a homeowner can transform an uninspired outdoor space into a family’s favorite hangout—all it takes is imagination and knowledge of what is available.
When interviewing your client, be sure to
gather as much information as you can. Ask detailed questions, walk the backyard and take stock of what is possible and what the limitations might be. Are the requests and desires of the client “doable”? Can you make suggestions that would enhance the vision of your client? Look for opportunities to improve upon the project by encompassing new trends, technology, or products.
Design Trends
Despite the economic climate, as homeowners, we continue to reconnect with our outdoor spaces. According to the 2011 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Residential Trends Survey, most homeowners want function, efficiency and fire pits in their outdoor living spaces.
For 2011, the top outdoor living features are some of the most basic: light, fire, food and a place to sit and enjoy it all. Overall, exterior lighting is very popular for this year, followed by fire pits/fireplaces, and seating/dining areas which, not surprisingly, have remained near the top of the list. Grills are all the rage, but what type depends on the budget. Rounding out the top five is the unexpected addition of installed seating like benches or seating walls.
JUNE 2011 | HOUSTON BUILDER | GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48