Outdoor Living Year-Round

Outdoor Living Year-Round

Outdoor living can mean many things to many people, but when it works best, it offers a seamless transition from inside the home to your surrounding environment and beyond.

Here are some things you may want to think about for enhancing your open-air experience for year-round usage or apres ski if you live in a mountain resort area? Consider installing a heated patio or strategically placed fire pits. Contract a reputable mason to build a charming outdoor fireplace with built-in seating for year-round outdoor fun and apres-ski gatherings. Whether you live in Scottsdale, Naples or Sun Valley, everyone loves an outdoor fireplace.

During the warmer months, your patio or covered terrace can be enjoyed day or night. This space should be large enough on a deck or the ground to allow for comfortable amenities that add to the alfresco enjoyment. These amenities are typically a dining table – large enough to accommodate friends and guests, comfortable and weatherproof chairs or couches with colorful pillows and cushions, and a large, attractive rug or outdoor carpet that is easy on the feet and serves to anchor the space.

Providing protection from the elements is essential. Consider a gazebo or a visually pleasing pergola with fast-growing vines like sweet pea or clematis for shade. Another choice might be or a large cantilever umbrella or awning to define the patio area.

Next, you’ll want to make provision for food and drink. Outdoor kitchens are becoming all the rage – with barbecue grills, rotisseries, ovens and ranges plus sinks, refrigerators/ice makers, and even butcher block tables all built into one unit. Enjoy the benefits and enjoyment of outdoor dining all Summer long while you entertain your family and guests.

A third important element is accent lighting to create ambiance. Preferably this would be solar or battery-powered and include landscape lights, lanterns, string lights, or globe lights – whatever you think best sets the mood and fits your outdoor theme.

Speaking of setting the mood, don’t forget to add music as a relaxing element. Even a simple, low-tech sibilance of bamboo wind chimes to modern technology, easily pairing Alexa or a similar device with an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker.

Featured Partners

• Canada Outdoor Kitchens
• RJ Gurley Construction
• Harney Basin Stone
• Madrone Construction
• Metis Design
• Prull Custom Builders
• Wagner Nursery