While walking the waterfront of the Chautauqua Lake I stumbled upon an outdoor room. It was set up a lot like an outdoor kitchen room and was surround by a small rock wall. With its beautiful cooking area, stone floor and terraced garden the image remained with me and I knew one day I wanted an outdoor room in my backyard.
photo credit: Archway Andres

So what exactly is an outdoor room? It’s any area of your yard that has been set up in such a way to have a feel of its own space. It can be influenced by what is around it but it has a feel of being separate from the rest of the backyard area. Although there are no walls you have the advantage of being outdoors but the comforts of being indoors.

When planning an outdoor room you need to decide what the purpose of the room will be and plan a design. Will the room be for cooking and entertaining? The children would enjoy an area set up as a separate backyard children’s play area. A room could also take on an atmosphere as an oasis for relaxation and escape from the world. There are many different styles of outdoor rooms and their design depends on you and your families needs.

Outdoor Room ideas

Swimming pool retreat
Koi pond or water garden oasis
Fireplace lounge
Patio entertainment center
Secret garden

The ideas for outdoor rooms are only limited by space, cost and your ideas.

Other considerations for your outdoor room are how close to the house you will want it. Outdoor rooms placed in back corners of the yard lend to privacy. Rooms attached to the house help extend the indoor space to outdoor space. And attached outdoor room is also convenient for kitchen rooms so that you don’t have to carry supplies as far. A children’s play area room is also nice close to the house so that the children can have supervision.

A patio can easily be converted into an outdoor room with little time or expense. The addition of a trellis or latticework for privacy, a grill or chiminea for cooking and outdoor furniture and plants will quickly create a backyard oasis for entertaining. And by adding a carpet and lighting you will create the feeling of indoor space. You might possibly want to add a roof for protection from rain.

Many outdoor rooms will require a few added features such as plants, shrubs and small trees. A small stone wall, trellis or pathway will also add to such a backyard design. This will be enough to set the space apart from the rest of the yard. Other rooms will need more design and supplies. This will add to the cost and time required to set the room up.

An example of such a room would be an outdoor kitchen that is set up to entertain many people. These rooms often have cemented floors. If you are adding cement to your project or walls you may want to contact a contractor to make sure the job is up to your local codes. And check for any permits you may need.

The outdoor room will add comfort and more uses to your backyard oasis paradise. And with proper planning it will make added use of the space you have available. Your backyard may even take on a bigger more comfortable look and feel.

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A Backyard Patio will extend your living area, even if your yard is small. By combining your indoor living space with outdoor space you create a flow that gives the feel of more room. And for the best results design your backyard patio around what your backyard offers and make the most of every detail or possible problem. A hillside or stream area can even be added into your patio plans with stunning results.
photo credit: madmoiselle lavender❤ (gone for 2 weeks)

In order to get the best design for your patio you should plan out a design on paper. Your design can be simple as using graft paper or you can use some of the graft design programs available online.  If your project is big you may consider hiring a landscaper.

Another consideration in your backyard patio design is making sure it compliments your house. Traditional or formal looking houses will look nice with an older look and a classic brick patio and aged looking furniture. A cottage garden home would be inviting with a small rounded patio ringed with a decorative picket fence. While a contemporary styled house might have a patio with smooth, simple clean lines.

Shape of your patio is also important. Rounded patios, surrounded by gardens will soften the hard edges of a house and create a private feeling, almost a secret garden effect. A wide, narrow patio works well for a large garden or lawn area and gives a more stylized look. If you yard is small blend the patio off from your porch or deck and make use of your small space by growing up or in containers.

When designing, think of your patio is an outdoor room and decorate that space so it becomes as useful as another room. This will make your patio comfortable and even more of an extension to your home a backyard oasis that you are trying to create.

Color is one of the final and most important ways to accent patio space. And by adding and changing the colors you will give this outdoor haven a new and fresh look anytime you choose. You can quickly change your color pattern with a folding screen, garden furniture or containers or flowers or hanging plants. Seasons also are a wonderful time to redo a color scheme.

photo credit: mattbuck4950

Add to the fun of your backyard oasis and start to  create and design your backyard patio today. You will extend your indoor and outdoor living space and add an area for friends and family to enjoy year round. Even in my cold Zone 5 climate the colors and lines of my patio relaxes me. So grab a few magazines or go online and round up ideas for creating that perfect patio hideaway

Technorati Tags: backyard, backyard design, backyard oasis, backyard patio, outdoor room