Decks and Patios
Steps from the screened porch lead down to a small outdoor deck that features Trex decking and the same vertical black baluster (powder-coated three-quarter-inch aluminum) used throughout the project.
A gas-powered fireplace sits centered on the far wall of the porch, warming up the porch during cooler months. Screens on both sides retain the views of the surrounding woodland. The designer added a raised hearth for extra seating and covered it with the same 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile used for the fireplace surround and flooring. “Being able to hose it down was important,” she says of the material. By choosing gas, they didn’t need to build a flue or chimney. A mix of overhead and wall lighting adds ambiance to the space and allows the family to enjoy the porch day and night. Like in an interior of a home, the light fixtures can be controlled individually or in zones, enabling the atmosphere to change with the mood. “We really tried to maximize the idea of sconces,” French says.
In North Carolina, screened porches can be used nearly year-round, French says. “The worst part is the pollen, so we used a PollenTec screen that keeps 99% of the pollen out,” she says. A fireplace warms up the space when the temperature goes down. The designer chose durable, comfortable furniture for maximum enjoyment. The pieces she selected maximize how the family can use the space and also add a stylish quality that delivers some of the Scandinavian style the homeowner liked. French chose all teak furniture and all Sunbrella fabric in order to ensure longevity.
Double doors from the kitchen and breakfast nook area lead to the new screened porch. To work within the home’s roofline, the porch starts out narrow and then opens up to the main living space. French describes the narrow section as looking like a hyphen, if you were to see it in plan view.
The family wanted a space where they could entertain, eat and lounge while the kids play, and where one of the homeowners could comfortably work from home full time. Though there had been a smaller deck where the porch is now, it sat much lower than the house, didn’t provide enough space for the family to do some activities and didn’t cover or protect anyone from the elements or from mosquitoes. “We were trying to bring it all back up on one level, where they could entertain and hang out,” French says.
aneled fencing. To create more privacy for this home in Austin, Texas, the designers mounted a series of free-standing wooden screens, staggered to allow passage between them. The advantage of using freestanding panels, rather than a traditional fence, is that you can adjust the height and placement of each section to selectively screen unattractive views or adjacent buildings.
Laser-cut metal. Becoming more common in garden design, artistic screens made of laser-cut metal can be used to separate garden rooms, screen a hot tub or hide landscape bins. Mount them a few inches in front of a wall and add lights in the evening to appreciate the shadows cast by the metalwork. For this home in Perth, Australia, a laser-cut screen with a swirling, almost nautilus-like design
Slatted screening. Create a feeling of enclosure and interrupt views from neighboring homes with a more modern take on a traditional pergola. The designers of this Los Angeles backyard used painted steel tubing mounted on posts to create a slatted privacy covering for a backyard lounge.
Covered Indoor-Outdoor Living Area in Minneapolis Enclosing a porch or patio can be a great way to extend the use of an outdoor room in cold-winter climates. This enclosed lounge area in Minneapolis feels like an outdoor room — it’s one step down from the house and is furnished like a luxe patio — but it can be used year round. What could be more cozy than sitting by the roaring fire and watching the rain or snow fall outside?
Blankets at the Ready in Illinois Adding warmth to your outdoor seating area can be as easy as bringing out blankets from the house. For this house in Evanston, near Chicago, patterned quilts draped over the backs of outdoor dining chairs bring a hit of color and warmth, tempting guests to linger past sunset.
Curved lounge. While the primary patio or deck off the house may serve as the spot for an outdoor dining table, a second smaller patio creates an opportunity for a more intimate gathering area. In this contemporary garden in London, designer Kate Eyre used curves to carve out planting beds, walkways, the main patio and a smaller satellite one. The curvaceous design with multiple destinations transforms a narrow, rectangular city lot into a dynamic backyard.
The outdoor dining space is used often for entertaining. The pea gravel makes it a low-maintenance area.
The new deck and outdoor dining area were a big splurge in the couple’s modest budget but one they were happy to make. Marilee designed it, then had it built by Hector Castro Painting & Remodeling. Austin, TX
Breezeway deck. A generously sized deck is an effective way to connect structures on the same property — or parts of one large home — and increase outdoor living space at the same time.
Low-slung deck. Even barely raised off the ground, a wooden deck creates a feeling of connection between indoors and out that simple gravel or grass cannot match.
Destination deck. Who says a deck has to be attached to the house? If you want to be drawn into a beautiful backyard, consider placing a freestanding deck platform in your favorite spot. Nestling the deck into trees or creating high landscape plantings behind it will help it settle in.
Multilevel deck. When you are working with a sloped or narrow lot, splitting up the deck into multiple levels can make the best use of the space. An outdoor kitchen could be positioned on the upper level (nearest the house) for easy access to the indoor kitchen, while a seating area or fire pit could be placed a few steps down, creating a private hangout zone.
Garden path deck. Encourage exploration of your back garden by placing a series of interconnected decks throughout. Using a combination of narrower pathway decks and wider platforms will draw visitors through the space.
. Meandering deck. Let the deck beside your home be only the beginning — curving and snaking through the backyard, a meandering deck beckons further exploration. Consider placing a garden sculpture, a bench or another special feature at the end of the path to create a destination.
Layered deck. Layers of decking merge in this unusual and visually interesting deck design. Well suited to modern and contemporary homes, a deck like the one shown here would also make a striking addition to a small urban lot.
Cooling. When it’s hot, humid or both, a breeze across your patio can go a long way toward cooling things down. For hot-summer climates, a permanent fan wired into an overhead structure or wall can give you the breeze you need to help the temperature drop a few degrees. Choose one with a light or two so it can do double duty outside.
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