The 7 Deadly Sins of Outdoor Living Space
Design
Diving into outdoor living
space design? Hold your horses. Before you start flexing the
credit card at the checkout counter, ensure you’ll be sitting pretty on your
new patio and not making these common patio design mistakes:
1.
Winging it.
If you’ve never so much as taken out the tape measure, you’re not on your way to stellar outdoor design. Eyeballing is not enough to ensure sizing and fit. Flex your ruler and some tape or chalk, marking potential placement within your patio space. Be certain not to overlook necessary room for walkways and door clearance.
If you’ve never so much as taken out the tape measure, you’re not on your way to stellar outdoor design. Eyeballing is not enough to ensure sizing and fit. Flex your ruler and some tape or chalk, marking potential placement within your patio space. Be certain not to overlook necessary room for walkways and door clearance.
2.
Minimizing the
importance of quality.
It’s easy to get sucked-into a purchase of vibrantly patterned, yet cheap patio fare. But it pays to remember the adage, ‘Buy cheap, buy twice.’ You’re likely dropping cash on something that will soon fall apart. Research all outdoor materials before purchase, including brand reputation, considering how materials will withstand time in the sun, exposure to moisture and weather, and the use/abuse of your family.
It’s easy to get sucked-into a purchase of vibrantly patterned, yet cheap patio fare. But it pays to remember the adage, ‘Buy cheap, buy twice.’ You’re likely dropping cash on something that will soon fall apart. Research all outdoor materials before purchase, including brand reputation, considering how materials will withstand time in the sun, exposure to moisture and weather, and the use/abuse of your family.
3.
Failing to
consider climate/location.
Those metal chairs may look fabulous… But how will they feel after an hour in the summer sun, or on a chilly winter’s day? Do those cushy chairs really belong poolside, or that wicker furniture beneath that needle-laden, sap dripping pine?
Those metal chairs may look fabulous… But how will they feel after an hour in the summer sun, or on a chilly winter’s day? Do those cushy chairs really belong poolside, or that wicker furniture beneath that needle-laden, sap dripping pine?
4.
Skipping the
test drive.
Taking a seat in a chair, at a table, or simply picking up and pretending to use items you want to add to your outdoor space can tell you a lot. Don’t skip this step – or perusing customer reviews. There may be facets to each product you did not consider.
Taking a seat in a chair, at a table, or simply picking up and pretending to use items you want to add to your outdoor space can tell you a lot. Don’t skip this step – or perusing customer reviews. There may be facets to each product you did not consider.
5.
Overlooking
care.
How high-maintenance are the materials you’re choosing for your outdoor living gear? Are you up for the annual restaining necessary for that wooden pergola? Or the care necessary to keep cushioned patio fare free from mildew and mold? Research material benefits and drawbacks in advance, committing to care before purchase.
How high-maintenance are the materials you’re choosing for your outdoor living gear? Are you up for the annual restaining necessary for that wooden pergola? Or the care necessary to keep cushioned patio fare free from mildew and mold? Research material benefits and drawbacks in advance, committing to care before purchase.
6.
Glossing
over function.
Consider ‘real life’ use of your space – not simply looks. Will your kids fight over the best seat? (Buy 2, and skip something else.) Do you love to indulge in coffee/wine and a book? (Buy side tables.) Is the only time you’re around to enjoy the outdoors at night? (Focus on lighting.) Do you burn in T-minus 15 seconds? You need shelter.
Consider ‘real life’ use of your space – not simply looks. Will your kids fight over the best seat? (Buy 2, and skip something else.) Do you love to indulge in coffee/wine and a book? (Buy side tables.) Is the only time you’re around to enjoy the outdoors at night? (Focus on lighting.) Do you burn in T-minus 15 seconds? You need shelter.
7.
Failing to
invest in protection.
Outdoor living essentials aren’t cheap. To prevent forking out year-over-year, you’ll need to protect your investment – and the use you’ll get from it.
Outdoor living essentials aren’t cheap. To prevent forking out year-over-year, you’ll need to protect your investment – and the use you’ll get from it.
Protect Your Outdoor
Living Space with a Pergola
The ultimate in quality, looks and functionality, Arcadia adjustable aluminum pergolas offer all the protection you need to make the most of your time outdoors year-round. Fully-extruded, powder-coated aluminum construction requires minimal soap-and-water care. 170-degrees of rotation lets you enjoy the sun in fair weather, dial-in just the right amount of shade, or fully close to protect your expensive patio furniture from sun damage, rain, and snow. Open and close by time, pre-set positions, or automatically manage rain and wind in your absence with additional rain sensor technology.
Looking for more usable living space in your home? Think outside the box. Design your dream outdoor living area with the help of Denver Pergola Systems today.
The ultimate in quality, looks and functionality, Arcadia adjustable aluminum pergolas offer all the protection you need to make the most of your time outdoors year-round. Fully-extruded, powder-coated aluminum construction requires minimal soap-and-water care. 170-degrees of rotation lets you enjoy the sun in fair weather, dial-in just the right amount of shade, or fully close to protect your expensive patio furniture from sun damage, rain, and snow. Open and close by time, pre-set positions, or automatically manage rain and wind in your absence with additional rain sensor technology.
Looking for more usable living space in your home? Think outside the box. Design your dream outdoor living area with the help of Denver Pergola Systems today.
This post was
originally published at http://www.denverpergolas.com/designing-outdoor-living-space-dont-fall-victim-common-mistakes/
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