The concept of outdoor rooms for maximizing outdoor spaces such as gardens and patios has really taken off in recent years. The reasons can range from shrinking square footage in modern housing to improved products for outdoor living, but we can all agree that the extra space provides added flexibility.
Before you begin furnishing an outdoor room you have to decide how you want the space to function. It can be any one of these or a combination:
A place to gather and entertain
A private retreat
A place for cooking and dining, or just dining
A playroom for children and friends
A multipurpose area where you combine different activities
If you have less space to work with, it will call for more efficient planning and creativity. You can turn that area into an exquisite outdoor room with special attention to function and form.
When you have plenty of space, you still have to pay attention to form and function, but you will have more leeway.
Choose a spot with a view if possible. If you don't already have a view, create one with plantings, garden sculpture, fountains and accessories.
Add drama to your location with your furniture. The club chairs from from Veneman Collections are dressed in a fabric that has a deep crimson background with crisp, white vines to make a splash against a green background.
It can be difficult to figure out your boundaries when there are none. Adding a pergola can help you define your space and provide a visual anchor. It can also provide shelter from the sun and other natural elements.
The Shade Pergolas Walpole Woodworkers and ShadeFX Canopies offer shelter and help define a space. These pergolas help bring dimension and substance to outdoor settings and can cover areas up to 600 sq.ft.
You can choose to be as elaborate or simple in selecting furniture for your outdoor dining room. A smaller area would call for a smaller dining set, but if you have the space and like to entertain frequently, you might opt for a something like the Axis dining room from Gloster. Axis, designed by London based designer Mark Gabbertas, is available in solid teak, a wood that is wonderfully suited to outdoor use. Optional cushions can add more comfort.
If you want to add a cooking area to your outdoor dining room, consider getting an outdoor grill.
The Saffire Grill and Smoker from Saffire Grills offers quick start up, high performance, and safety features. It offers a wide range of temperatures and reduced charcoal use. The grill can be installed in a masonry grill island, or come in a cart for easy mobility. Shown here in a maple cart with a granite top.
Outdoor rooms can be great spaces for children, and it is relatively easy to furnish a child-friendly outdoor room since most outdoor furniture can stand up to all kinds use. Avoid glass top tables or ceramic bases, though.
Adding outdoor rugs can make the area even more appealing. The Underwater outdoor rug is from The Hammock Source. It is an indoor-outdoor rug that can be used in a child's room or outdoors. It is hand-hooked using synthetic DuraCord®, a stain, mold and mildew-resistant fiber the company uses in its hammocks. About $250 for a 5 x 8, or $500 for 8 x 10.
What kind of seating do you need for your outdoor room? That depends on whether you want it to be an area for entertaining friends and family, or whether you want your outdoor room to be a quiet retreat just for yourself.
Whatever you choose, comfortable seating is essential for relaxation and conversation . Ebel has club chairs in synthetic wicker in its Cannes Collection. The stainless steel base and legs give them a contemporary look. The chairs are shown here in Seashell, but are also available in black. The club chair retails for around $1,367, the cocktail table for around $1,210.
When you entertain in your outdoor room you will need tables or other surfaces to hold your plates, cups and cutlery.
The 50-inch wide Windsor Buffet Table form Seaside offers a large enough surface for most outdoor entertaining needs. It is constructed of Enviro-wood, a material created from recycled plastic bottles and containers. In addition to the always popular bright white shown here, Enviro-wood is also available in six other colors.
Provide Lighting
Lighting is an important part of your outdoor room, especially if you like to entertain.
Today you can choose from all kinds of lighting depending on what you prefer. Table lamps, floor lamps, chandeliers, and string lights are but some of the lighting options that are available. You can select from different styles, too.
For instance the Shuko lamp from Eglo is very contemporary, and can also be used in smaller spaces because of its slender profile. The lamp is UL listed for outdoor use, even under wet conditions.
You have many choices for adding the element of fire to your outdoor room. Add a table with a firepit to create a cozy gathering spot and a focal point, or install a fireplace in a walls. Alternatively, purchase a portable fireplace to use indoors or outdoors as you need.
This firepit table is from Agio's Yacht Club Collection, a part of its 2010 Disney Resort Collections. A wood-tone finish on the aluminum group gives it a teak-like look. The chairs shown here are about $479 each, while the firepit costs around $999.
