Once you’ve planned the layout of your outdoor living space in your new custom home, you have the opportunity to incorporate elements that increase its livability, convenience, and visual appeal. Trendy new designs, cutting edge technology, and outside-the-box ideas can help make your outdoor space a great place for your family to spend time during almost the entire year.
Separate Spaces with Style
Adding expansive indoor-outdoor living spaces when designing your custom home allows you to get the best value for your property dollar and lets the unique topography of your property shine. Multi-level attached decks, ground-level decks and patios, and detached privacy decks are ideal ways to plan outdoor living space. A ground-level privacy deck can allow you to have usable, private outdoor space. Walls, screens, coverings, or tall natural planted features can shade you from the sun on a deck or patio and preserve your family’s privacy. Designing multiple levels and separate areas will not only add visual interest and beauty to your space but will also help you use your whole space better.
Plan your outdoor space to echo the architecture and layout of your home so it looks like it flows naturally rather than being an afterthought. Modern all-weather glass railings, including some that incorporate LED lighting and other contemporary high-tech features, can bring interior style to exterior space. Using planters and “green” walls made of plants or vines are beautiful, natural ways to break up the space and provide railings or barriers between “step down” areas. Incorporate lush fabrics and textures throughout, from floor coverings to throw pillows and ceiling swag.
Plan for the Seasons
A well-planned space helps reduce the hassle of dealing with Iowa’s sometimes brutal seasonal weather. Built-in banquettes with removable cushions, permanent islands and workspaces, and waterproof storage areas can help you make the transition from summer to winter without cluttering up your garage with unwieldy patio furniture. Make sure to include many levels and types of seating, like hanging sling chairs and hammocks, to help make your space a cozy, welcoming retreat.
As the weather chills, having spaces that are protected from the elements can help your outdoor living areas remain usable. Including covered patio space shelters your seating from rain and snow; all-weather fabric curtains can further protect those spaces from winds and chill. For more exposed spaces, include warming elements like gas firepits, torches, sconces, and heaters throughout the area.
Don’t Spare the Luxury
If you’re using your outdoor living spaces for relaxation and entertainment, pull out all the stops and make it as comfortable and luxurious for your family and guests as possible. Your design can incorporate gas connections, electrical hookups, and full water capabilities for outdoor kitchen and barbeque areas.
Make sure that your design includes adequate lighting for all seasons! Incorporating romantic, fun lighting around your landscaping can give you lots of choices to set the perfect mood for pool or garden parties, dinner al fresco, and crisp fall evenings around a fire. You can even incorporate all-weather technology options so that you can use your outdoor space to watch the big game or show movies on outdoor projection screens or televisions. Wire your outdoor landscaping with full surround sound and entertainment systems that allow you to control your audio and video options at the touch of a button.
The design-build team at Homes by Brill home builders in Des Moines, Iowa, believes that innovative, contemporary landscape design is an essential part of building your dream home! Our team of custom home builders and designers will help you plan an outdoor living space that’s perfect for your family’s lifestyle. We’ll help you with everything from finding the right land to arranging financing for your Des Moines-area custom home project. Contact us today to find out more!
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