After what felt like the quickest summer ever, the leaves will be changing before we know it and it’s time! It’s time for most people’s favorite season of the year! Whether you love all things pumpkin, all things football or just your favorite hoodie, it’s time to prepare for that crisp fall weather to arrive.
Over the last couple years, I have worked with more and more families that love being in the outdoors and having a space where they can sit by a fire and watch television. If you aren’t attending a game at the Shoe, what a better place to watch the Buckeyes than taking advantage of the gorgeous fall weather at home surrounded by family and friends. Screen porches and covered porches are a perfect way to expand beyond the footprint of your home; whether they are attached to the back of your home as an extension to your existing living spaces, or set in your backyard as a detached structure to provide much needed shade near a swimming pool.
When a fireplace or heater is added to the structure, it also allows the space to be used for close to 8 or 9 months of the year, depending upon how you feel about cooler weather. I have also had clients add curtains to the structure which are pulled back when the weather is warmer and closed to keep in the heat in when the temperatures drop. The curtains make the space feel cozy and inviting when they are open, and allow for a perfect place to watch sports or movies when they can be closed later in the fall.
The families I have worked with, normally add space that allows for 2 different activities like a sitting area and an eating area. However, when the outdoor structure is located near a swimming pool, other functional spaces are often included like an outdoor kitchen, a bar, a bathroom, or a storage room.
Outdoor spaces are also a great way to blur the line between the indoors and outdoors, allowing nature to flow into the home with a view from your window, even during the winter months.
I hope these ideas help you create the perfect outdoor oasis to expand the usable space at your home and make more memories with your family and friends!
