Would you like to improve your outdoor living space in both style and practicality?
A great way to do that is by adding a patio or a deck to your home. When planned and built properly, this outdoor addition will become your go-to spot for relaxing, dining, practicing yoga, and hosting parties for family and friends.
These 5 tips will help you plan your perfect outdoor space:
When planning, think about the following questions. What will be the principal use of the space? What furniture do you plan for the space? Will it be attached to your house or stand alone? Will it have a roof, a pergola, an awning, or be completely uncovered? Will you need storage? Answering these questions will help you maximize your patio/deck’s utility.
Where will it be? Choose a spot with great sun and a wonderful view. We recommend it to be hidden from passersby.
Keep it close to the kitchen. Patios are most frequently used as a dining area or barbeque zone, so save yourself lengthy trips to the kitchen by keeping the patio close.
Choose materials carefully. Decks made of wood require some maintenance, but synthetic deck materials are now common and available in a wide variety of colors and finishes. Patios can be made of different materials such as concrete pavers, stone, bricks, tile pavers or patterned concrete.
Think about the walkways - you need to make sure they tie into the design of your house and outdoor space. You will need to consider stairs to your deck, and add lighting to the walkways to guide the way at night.
If you are planning to build a major outdoor structure, consult with a professional architect to make sure your new space will be engineered correctly and receive all the required permits for a safe and secure area. Contact Harrison Mulhern Architects for a FREE initial consultation, and benefit from solid expertise while we guide you through the process of planning and building your patio or deck!