Create your outdoor sanctuary on EasyLiving Front Range Colorado

One of the benefits of living in Colorado is our beautiful weather. To take advantage of all nature has to offer, Coloradans are extending their living spaces to include the great outdoors. You can create outdoor sanctuaries that can function as living and dining areas and even full kitchens. Just how elaborate you want to make the outdoor space is up to your imagination and budget. Local experts have shared some possibilities for you to combine the great outdoors with the comforts of home.

The best place to start in planning your outdoor living area is to decide how you are going to use it, and then identify what you will need to accomplish your goal, says Marion Patterson, owner of The Kitchen & Bath Center in Evergreen. Ask yourself these questions: Do you want to use the area throughout the year or only during warm weather? Do you want an outdoor fireplace or fire pit? How many guests do you want to accommodate and how often? How much seating and floor space will you need? Do you want to make full meals outside? Do you want a full-service bar? Will you need plumbing, electrical or gas hook-ups? Will the structure be attached or freestanding? What is your budget range?

If you want to use your outdoor living area year round, consider a covered deck or porch. Open areas collect snow during winter and require snow removal. Be sure to consider the architectural style of your house so the design of your outdoor space is compatible with the home.

To heat the area you can use outdoor fire pits, chiminea fireplaces or outdoor propane heaters. Both the Mexican clay and cast iron variety of chiminea are very popular, according to Bruce Ramp, outdoor living and seasonal buyer for McGuckin Hardware in Boulder. He recommends covering the clay fireplaces when not in use so they don’t disintegrate from the weather. Cordless table lamps that run on rechargeable are another lighting option.

The seating area can include outdoor speakers, music, built-in big screen televisions, and ambient lighting. Patterson recommends mixed-use seating areas for catching sun during the day and shaded areas for relaxing and reading.

If you are going to create a new kitchen, be sure to include enough counter space and cabinets. You can opt to install a built-in BBQ grill, roasting spit, smoker, under-the-counter mini-refrigerator, wet bar, ventilation, sink, keg fridge, and icemaker or storage bin. Make sure all items and surfaces are made of weather-resistant materials such as stainless steel, granite, concrete, stone, and tile, Patterson says. Be sure to address all gas, electric, and plumbing needs.

The dining area furnishings should be compatible with the overall quality of your home and landscape. Tables and chairs should accommodate the number of family members and guests that you usually entertain. Decorate creatively with colorful cushions, pillows, blankets, and outdoor rugs as well as weatherproof artwork, Patterson suggests. Be sure to remember to illuminate walkways and plan for adequate lighting for the kitchen and dining areas.

Water features are a calming addition to your outside space. Tom Abbot, owner of Water Whispers, Inc. in Wheat Ridge says to place the water features as close as possible to where you and your friends congregate. “Gear back and think small rather than big,” he advises. “People tend to have a grandiose idea of a big pond, and that can become a maintenance headache. You get more bang from the buck, and smaller is more believable.”

Water features typically include a rubber containment device and natural materials and some sort of water flow mimicking a stream. However, Abbot advises owners to not only focus on nature. He recommends home owners add art as a design element such as clay pots or a bronze statue. Be sure to include outdoor lighting as it adds a whole other dimension to the design and allows you to enjoy your water feature in the evenings. — LF

SIDEBAR

Sources for starting your outdoor sanctuary
There are hundreds of sources to give you ideas for designing the right sanctuary. Check your local library or design centers. Here are a few Web sites provided by our experts.
www.subzero.com -- Outdoor refrigeration and grill ideas
www.asla.org -- American Society of Landscape Architects
www.hpba.org -- Hearth, Patio and BBQ Association
www.nadra.org North American Deck and Railing Association
www.hdtv.com -- Offering trends for outdoor kitchens
www.outdoorlivingspace.com -- Boulder-area designer offering design options
www.bhg.com/homeimprovement/outdoor/ -- Design advice from the experts at Better Homes and Gardens
www.concretenetwork.com -- Information portal for decorative concrete

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