Most houses have a deck or patio and more now we're seeing people upgrade from a grill, to outdoor kitchens. Now people want even more outdoor living space so we’ve rounded up the best ideas we’ve seen for creating an outdoor family room. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is whether to put a roof over your new outdoor space, as that will influence the types of features you can bring outdoors.
Adding a Roof to Your Outdoor Family Room
In years past, people assumed you could only go outdoors when the weather was nice. Now homeowners are adding a roof without walls, to create large outdoor living spaces. You might not get a view of the sky but you’ll enjoy great views and breezes passing through these rooms, typically open on three sides. A roof will make it possible to spend many additional days outside rather than racing inside at the sight of dark clouds.
If you love nature and want to spend more time outdoors but can’t get away to the beach or mountains, you’ll now get to decide to work or relax indoors or in outside, even when it’s raining. With a roof you have more choices in how to furnish an outdoor family room, although some features like a fire pit, included 6 Hottest Outdoor Living Features, won’t fit.
Walls That Disappear to Combine Indoor and Outdoor Space
If you really want to create an outdoor family room that expands your indoor space, there are several new glass wall options that take the sliding patio door to a new level. They include retractable walls, pocket or roll-up doors, accordion-style folding doors, or even a series of French doors. They’re actually more like glass walls, than doors through a wall, blending the two spaces into one. This makes it easier for family members and guests to mingle.
Installing any one of these glass walls This isn't a project to be taken lightly; you'll need the advice and expertise of a professional contractor. The wall you'll replace is an exterior wall, so it's probably load-bearing. This means altering it in any way requires more than an interior design eye; it needs special structural considerations.
Interior Design with Entertainment that's Accessible, but Protected from the Elements
Every living room needs entertainment features. Whether it's a TV mounted on a wall, games, a sound system embedded into a porch ceiling or floor, or a combination, the right activities encourage people to gather and stay a while.
The most important thing to consider with any electronic equipment outdoors is protecting it from the elements. You'll probably want a use professional installer to be sure the components are safe for outdoor use, and that your electrical wiring is up to code and well protected. With that out of the way, you can decide whether to mount the TV over an outdoor fireplace, a patio wall or elsewhere.
With a kitchen tucked nearby, your outdoor family room is even more inviting, with great food and cool drinks are only a few steps away. And if you’re considering adding an outdoor kitchen, you’ll want to read about these 4 Amazing Outdoor Kitchens.
Smart Furniture Design and Groupings Keep Conversations Going
Maybe high-tech features, outdoor kitchens, and electrical components outdoors just aren't what you're looking for. You can still have a great outdoor family room feel without all of the extras, as long as you use sturdy, comfy furnishings and group them in a way that encourages people to gather and relax.
Arrange seating around a focal point such as a fire pit or a large table, and give yourself and guests plenty of room. Sectional pieces invite you to stretch out, and or they provide ample seating when more guests arrive.
Lightweight or cheap outdoor furniture isn't comfortable, and it doesn't last. You can clean it and paint it, and even buy new cushions. But it's just not the same as durable furnishings that are built to last. Heavy wood pieces made of teak stand up to harsh elements. And when you use upholstery fabrics such as Sunbrella, you get great style, easy care, and UV resistance without sacrificing the soft upholstery feel that your indoor furniture has.
You probably have a patio or deck, and use it occasionally but don’t love this outdoor space. These ideas are meant to get you thinking about how you use the rooms inside your house, and find activities you’d love to move to a great outdoor family room.
It's a great time of year to update your outdoor living space. A total overhaul might not be in your budget, but why not rethink the way you use your deck or patio, and see what inspiring ideas you can dream up?
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