Outdoor Living Areas – A Planning Guide
When spring rolls around, we inevitably start thinking about enjoying the warm weather in our backyard and getting our outdoor living areas ready. You may already have projects in mind for your outdoor living area or kitchen and your landscaping. The following guide will help you determine your project specifications in preparation for meeting with your contractor or landscaper.
The Overall Plan:
- How will you use your outdoor living space (e.g. relaxing, cooking, entertainment)?
- What features will you be adding (e.g. patio, deck, storage shed)?
- How many people will regularly use the space? Ages/sexes?
- Will pets use this space, and if so, what kinds?
- What are your priorities for your outdoor space in terms of affordability, maintenance, privacy, and project time frame?
- What is your budget for this project?
- When should the project be completed?
Outdoor Living Area:
- What type of setting do you want (e.g. open-space, beach, garden)?
- How many months a year do you expect to use the area?
- Do you need an expansion, a renovation or both?
- Do you want a water feature, and if so, what kind (e.g. waterfall, pond, hot tub, etc.)?
- Do you want a fire feature, and if so, what kind (e.g. gas fireplace, in-ground fire pit, wood-burning fireplace)?
- What material do you want for the base (e.g. slate, brick, stamped concrete, flagstone)?
- What features do you want based on the anticipated number of guests (e.g. small or large table, number of chairs, built-in seating, fire area size)?
Landscaping:
- Do you want a vegetable, water or herb garden? If so, how large will they be and where will they be located?
- Do you want fruit trees? If so, what kind?
- How much of your yard do you want landscaped?
- What kind of problems do you need corrected (e.g. diseased or dead trees, drainage or erosion issues)?
- How important are curb appeal, organic gardening, rainwater harvesting, and turf grass to you?
Outdoor Kitchen:
- Will your outdoor kitchen be covered?
- How many cabinets will you need? Upper or lower?
- What type of countertop material do you want?
- What appliances do you want (e.g. grill, ice maker, refrigerator)?
- What other features do you want (e.g. sink)?
