Photo Credit: The Outdoor GreatRoom Company
There is an old adage that to prosper in the work environment you must “Dress for Success”. This adage also holds true for backyard patios. Why? As the seasons transition from the warmth of summer to the crisp chill of fall and winter, dressing a patio with the right elements means extending outdoor dining and relaxation experiences well in to the colder months. Using gas heaters, fire pits and structural surroundings will create a comfortable and inviting oasis sure to please anytime of the year.
Outdoor Rooms and Pergolas
Outdoor rooms and pergolas offer an elegant and functional solution for extending winter-time dining and outdoor entertainment. By providing shelter amidst the natural surroundings of the backyard, an outdoor room lets those who enjoy the great outdoors to have an extension of their home, where guests can gather and partake indoors or out. Whether cooking, dining, meditating, enjoying the spa, lounging, or even sleeping, the possibilities of an outdoor room are limitless. But there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a design.
Of all the things to consider, available room and cost are the two most important aspects. There are many sizes available to accommodate almost any architectural design, whether small and cozy or large and elaborate. Think about what elements are important such as an open and free-flowing design, or using landscape elements to provide borders.
Other aspects to consider when choosing and locating an outdoor room are the prevailing wind direction, natural surroundings and amount of sunlight, which especially important during the winter season. Water and electrical availability are also important if the plan includes incorporating a bar and lighting.
If you have a vision but prefer to have someone else tackle this type of project, you can work with an outdoor room specialist or landscape designer to get it just right. They will plan for your size and style of yard and design for your specific requirements. If you are adept with the computer, you can download a free application called Google Sketchup which assists you in designing the perfect outdoor room and landscaping elements in three dimensions.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Room Structure
There are as many outdoor room styles available as there are sizes. From modern to mountain to classic, choosing a specific style will set the character and personality for the whole outdoor experience.
A variety of materials is available as well. Material selections for the room range from wood, fiberglass and vinyl to aluminum and stainless steel. Fiberglass and vinyl offer the least amount of maintenance and are the most weather-proof. Wood, while requiring periodic maintenance, can be stained to suite your taste, providing a beautiful look and finish. Aluminum and steel offer high structural strength but at the expense of weight in the case of steel, and cost with aluminum.
Generally, wood is the best choice between cost, structural strength and dimensional stability, with Douglas fir being the standard selection. It is easy to work with and assembly can go quickly, saving time and money.
Another consideration is portability. Do you want the ability to move your shelter or room around the yard or patio? Would you like a temporary or collapsible room? A mobile room is a great choice if you only entertain once in a while and don’t want the expense of a permanent outdoor room.
All Rooms or Spaces Need a Focal Point
As with any architectural design, there is a purpose built element that provides the focal point for which all other elements support. For a social gathering during the winter season in an outdoor room, it is the outdoor fire pit table, a beautiful and very functional patio accessory that is easy to use, a breeze to maintain and a nice accent to any outdoor room. Add a few outdoor chairs around the fire pit and you have the foundation for a great outdoor room design.
Maybe having a drink and some h’ordeuvres around the fire is more your style. Then an attractive and practical unit like a resin wicker natural gas fire pit table is sure to fit the bill. Its weatherproof aluminum construction makes this fire pit long-lasting and extremely durable, highly favored for outdoor use and perfect for creating an elegant focal point for an outdoor room.
Outdoor Heaters
Both aesthetic and practical, outdoor heaters come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any budget and need. Designed to be easy to use, they throw off a significant amount of heat, providing a toasty warm area to relax, even in the coolest of temperatures. If space or budget doesn’t permit a pergola or outdoor room, patio heaters can be used to define a room area and focal point. And because they are made from stainless steel, they will last a lifetime.
Outdoor Lighting
Rounding out the basic elements of a winter-time backyard experience is lighting. While not heat producing, having some basic supplemental lighting to accent an outdoor room is a nice romantic yet practical touch. Guests can see their way around but the muted light doesn’t detract from a nighttime gathering. Light from the fire pit is often enough though you can never go wrong with accent lighting.
Don’t Let Winter Stop the Party
By now you should be feeling all warm and toasty knowing that with a few basic elements, you can extend your backyard patio fun well into the winter months. Fire pits, outdoor heaters and structural surroundings together make both a practical and artistic statement which you can enjoy for years to come.
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This sounds awesome. I am in the Caribbean so an outside venue would be gorgeous especially if I’m near the ocean. One day…one day..
Great article
Dianne Dixon recently posted..Interesting Article: Saudi urged to create jobs for women – Emirates 24/7
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
From one Caribbean girl to the next, yes I totally agree. Outdoor rooms work in any setting, overlooking the ocean, that is even a bigger PLUS!
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..Landmann USA Halo Fire Pit Review: Simply Affordable
Twitter: Ileane
says:
Hi Karen, this certainly sounds like we can make a cozy environment outdoors. I like the idea of using Google Sketchup. I had a look at it a while ago and it’s a very sophisticated program considering it’s free. Google always gives us great free online software. Thanks for the project ideas.
Ileane recently posted..3 Things You Should Do BEFORE and AFTER Writing to Improve Your Content
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Google Sketchup is a great program and fairly easy to use especially for those who are savvy with cad programs can catch on really quickly, great tool if you are designing your backyard.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..Blue Rhino LP Gas Outdoor Firebowl with Slate/Marble Mantel Review
Twitter: TechieSaves
says:
That’s an awesome idea and if you have the budget for it it’s definitely worth building if you have a great view surrounding your home.
Marty recently posted..Apple iPad 3 – What Should We Expect
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Yes Marty, it makes it cozy especially if you have a big yard and nice view.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..Outdoor Greatroom Naples All Weather Wicker Table and Gas Fire Pit Review
I’m afraid that outdoor heaters always seem terribly wasteful of energy to me. Not exactly the best way to save the planet!
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
They are for the serious entertainer. We often don’t spend all evening outside in the winter and are only being used for a short time period. The do come in various fuel options such as clean burning gas, an infra red option and electrical of course.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..The Outdoor GreatRoom Company 42″ Chat Table with Granite Top & Lazy Susan Review
Seems like a little to extravagant. I think only the rich and famous can afford these, especially in the crowded metropolis. Like, where can you put that? Unless you got a big mansion and all. Of course having that is simple awesome, but wishful thinking.
Gil recently posted..Hotweb Promo Winners
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Yes , they are pricey but given the fact that they are prefabricated-made of weatherproof material, all hardware included as well as warranty in a kit , sometimes design and install are also included, it is not a bad deal, compared to hiring a contractor to custom design fabricate and install one for you. You can also purchase on a payment plan with some manufacturers if price is an issue.
Yes, you do need a minimum size space for one of these to fit so yes, a larger than average size backyard is required.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..The Blue Rooster Dragonfly Chiminea Outdoor Fireplace Review
Twitter: RyanSprout
says:
Hi Karen,
This is useful advice! Some are out of my budget but I will definetly keep this in mind when adding an extra sun room in the future!
Ryan recently posted..The Price of Being a Musical Genius-Derek Amato
Twitter: troyp
says:
Sitting outside in winter just doesn’t fit in my mind unless it is soaking in a hot tub. I’ve spent most of my life in Minnesota where it isn’t uncommon to have a week with high temperatures below zero Fahrenheit . Those outdoor space heaters don’t help when temps drop much below 40F; drop down to sub-zero and they only melt the snow stacked on top.
We’ve moved south to Colorado and the winters are milder. I could see how a heater could extend the useful season of the backyard.
Better yet. I like the idea of the Caribbean outside with the ocean in view. Much better!
Troy recently posted..Make The Most Of Your Workouts – Mike Whitfield Interview Part 2
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Hi Troy
- most of us probably would not be outside below minus 15 celcius anyway especially with windchill and a fire to boot! AARGH!
- I am just north of you but we get chinooks- very warm when the wind blows, we can have 5-10 degrees celcius above zero in the winters, even as late as last week, so yes we can use those heaters here even in December. (A different story generally speaking in January though!).
-Nothing beats the Caribbean though!
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..Modfire Modern Outdoor Fireplaces Review – Stunning Sculpture, Fantastic Function
Twitter: MindMart
says:
It is looking rather dismal out there right now. You’ve given me some good ideas to spruce it up a bit.
Clara recently posted..Medicine Reiki, A Perfect Union Of East And West
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Yes turn the fire on and get the yard dressed up- it is a great way to spruce up the winters.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..UniFlame Slate & Marble Firepit with Copper Accents Review
Any tips on getting the lighting just right?
Twitter: FamilyFirepit
says:
Hi Jeannie
In addition to the fire pit at the center, you can use decorative lights along the trellis if you do have one and solar lights are inexpensive as well and they are great to light paths. Candles are great for romantic evenings if you wish t go that route. I was just on the beach 2 nights ago- a fire pit was burning and in addition there were candles to light up the dinner tables and chimineas for a few dark corners. The flames from outdoor heaters will help as well to light corners too.
Karen Ho Fatt recently posted..Decorative Fire Pit Rocks