– by Merle Kroeker, Landscape Designer –
Years ago the idea of having your outdoor space separated into areas or outdoor rooms was a trend. That trend has now transitioned into the new normal for landscape projects.
Here are a few insider tips and tricks that will help you in your design process to avoid the headache of … why didn’t I think of that BEFORE we started this project!
Outdoor Kitchen:
For best year round barbecuing, a covered area with some air circulation is best, but that’s sort of a no-brainer. But did you know that what you like to barbecue should impact the design of your outdoor kitchen? The usual burgers and chicken doesn’t require anything special, but what about when you are cleaning out fish guts from your latest haul? You want cooking surfaces that aren’t going to absorb any oils or smells. Ideally, even the ground surface should be stone, concrete or pavers that can easily and regularly be hosed down. The last thing you want is stray fish guts finding a crevice somewhere, luring the local critters your way. And the final piece of the outdoor kitchen puzzle: the buddy seat – the place where your buddy sits with a beer and heckles you while you barbecue.
Dining Area:
As Landscape Designers, we see a lot of landscape mistakes. One of the most common is a deck or patio that is too small. When a patio is too small everything feels squished and even claustrophobic. One rule of thumb is to give yourself 4 foot of space on either side of a dining table to allow people to sit and move around it comfortably. For example: a 3′ x 6′ dining table needs approximately 11′ x 14′, a bistro set needs a space 6’– 7′ and a 48″ round table needs 12′ – 14′ in diameter. As often as possible, when view isn’t an issue, stay low – ground level or even better, a sunken area will offer the most privacy.
Entertaining Area:
For most of us, the entertaining area is the same as the cooking/dining areas and that’s fine. The best way to turn up the entertaining quotient is simple: if people are comfortable, they will hang out. Create some ambience with outdoor lighting. Invest in low voltage LEDs that will let you take advantage of those long summer nights. Great lighting is one of the most impacting changes that you can make in your landscape. It helps people get around safely and prolongs the amount of time you can spend outside. An outdoor fireplace for an instant focal point and that cozy feeling is always a nice idea, but at the very least, keep some blankets handy. If you are blessed with the luxury of space, think about multiple seating areas, a bench tucked under a tree, even a couple of tree stumps well placed could be the perfect place for a chat.
For more info: www.pacificridgelandscapes.com
