Tips for Planning and Designing Your Winter Outdoor Living Space
Are you looking forward to adding outdoor living space for the winter? Designing a new area can get overwhelming, especially if it is your first time. However, it doesn’t have to be. You can plan and create your winter outdoor living space without stressing out.
Here are our best tips to help you through the process of creating your dream outdoor kitchen.
photo by Leon Contreras
Planning For Your Winter Outdoor Living Space
Before you plan out and design the perfect winter outdoor living space for you, here are some things to get you started on the right foot.
Find Inspirational Ideas
Become inspired by other people’s winter outdoor living spaces. Look at blogs, Instagram accounts, Pinterest boards, YouTube videos, and TV programs. Watching design channels or viewing other people’s outdoor kitchen design inspiration can help you decide on your own. Finding spaces with similar layouts will aid you in designing your space.
Figure Out Your Goal
There is a primary goal for every winter outdoor living space. Do you want comfort or elegance? Are you looking to feel cozy or relaxed? Figure out the primary purpose of your outdoor living space. Having a goal in mind helps you plan your design accordingly. You will also purchase and implement items that fit your ideal and not items at random just because you saw them on a Pinterest board.
Have A Smart Budget
Plan your finances accordingly when planning for a winter outdoor living space. Figure out how much you are willing to spend initially to make your dream space a reality. It is also important to note that additional costs pop up during design implementation.
Have some wiggle room in your design budget for needed adjustments. Additionally, maintaining a winter outdoor living space costs money. Understand that you will need to spend money every so often for the upkeep of your dream space.
Take It Slow
Planning and designing your ideal winter outdoor living space takes time. It will take time to flesh out the idea, set aside a budget, find pieces, and put the vision together. You may have to do it slowly, over several months or even years. Know that your desires can change. You may end up needing more space and significant renovations. Relax and know that planning and designing an outdoor space takes time, especially when doing it yourself.
Tips for Designing Your Ideal Winter Outdoor Living Space
You have envisioned your space, settled on a budget, and are mentally prepared for the work. It is time to design your winter outdoor living space. Here are some tips to consider.
The Purpose
With your main goal in mind, what is the purpose of your winter outdoor living space? Think about what you will mainly use it for so you can design it accordingly.
Consider these questions when defining the purpose:
Do you host many outdoor events?
Is the space primarily for family, or will you regularly have guests?
Do you just want to have a cozy relaxation space?
Do you currently have or are you planning to have pets or children?
Deciding on the room's purpose will help you design the space well. Without a purpose in mind, your space is beautiful but functionless. To enjoy your winter outdoor living space, create it with your primary goal in mind.
The Layout
You should work with the layout of your winter outdoor living space. Also, consider the overall layout of your home and compound. Have a logical and functional flow between each area and your outdoor space. Take into mind how furniture, decor, and people will interact in your outdoor living space, especially in the winter. Utilize CADdetails to help you plan your layout and offer different ideas.
Nature
Winter is a harsh season and gets harsher the further north you are. If you live in an area with milder winters, you have slightly more freedom in design. Your winter outdoor living space can extend further and open to integrate the backyard, even in the winter. For areas with harsher winters, your design is limited.
Even with a winter outdoor living space, you should use the view outside. It can make your space feel more inviting and cohesive. Notice how light comes into the living space and arrange your furniture to make the best of it.
The wind is an essential factor to consider when designing a winter outdoor living space. Plan for wind patterns, as they can determine the usability of your space in winter months.
Ambiance
Water, lighting, and fire features are the key elements that create ambiance. Depending on how you want your winter outdoor living space to feel, each of these features is used differently. You can play around with one or all of them to create an ambiance that works for you. Fireplaces and dim, warm lights make the space warm and cozy. Bright light can open up the space and make it inviting. Working with a designer will help you define the ambiance.
Indoor Outdoor Harmony
To make your winter outdoor living space beautiful and functional, consider the harmony between your indoor and outdoor space. The seamless integration of the outdoors into the inside of the house is what will truly set your space apart.
Plants, surfaces, and furnishings are the factors that create this harmony. Use natural elements like flagstone, boulders, and wood to integrate the outdoors into your living space. Depending on the material used in the room that opens into your outdoor living space, you can pick one or two elements to work with.
Using outdoor furniture that is practical for winter months is a must. Try to match it to your indoor furniture, so your space feels like an extension of your home. Potted plants can liven the space, especially during dry and dead winter months.
Wrapping Up
Make your winter outdoor living space a haven by merging practicality and beauty. Planning and forethought help you envision your outdoor kitchen design and implement it without wasting money.
Author: Granger McCollough
