Your Peaceful Outdoor Oasis

As our patios and porches are become more sophisticated and refined, today’s homeowners are driven to find peaceful sanctuaries as a prescription for their stressful lives.

Creating the perfect outdoor space will be the result of the successful combination of many design elements – landscaping, stonework, carpentry, furnishings, lighting and accessories.  Pre-planning will be key to the creation of your personal sanctuary, so begin with creating a personal “wish list”.  You may be amazed at how long this list might become!

Think about your year round needs.  Do you frequently entertain outdoors?  Do you spend time outdoors in the evenings simply relaxing?  Is an outdoor grilling season a year round requirement for you?  Do you enjoy planning simple family meals outdoors?

Once you’ve accessed your needs, then planning your outdoor space becomes much easier.  Think about incorporating these simple ideas:

1.  Comfortable Furniture!  This should be most important element in your design.  Today’s outdoor furnishings have been manufactured to withstand all that Mother Nature can bestow.  The age of folding vinyl or nylon strapped furniture is definitely now obsolete.  Many pieces of furniture today look identical to indoor furniture, but have been constructed and designed to stand up to all the outdoor elements. 

2.  Fabulous Fabrics!  The biggest name in outdoor fabrics today is Sunbrella.  This company’s collection of fabrics is colorful, design oriented, and totally durable.  Sunbrella features gorgeous fabrics manufactured to resist fading from ultraviolet rays, mildewing from damp conditions, and odor absorption.  It is the ultimate outdoor upholstery or drapery fabric that will be used and enjoyed by your family for years. And of course, Sunbrella Fabrics are carried by Decorating Den Interiors.

3.  Let there be Light!  Be sure to consider incorporating various types of lighting in your outdoor space design, just as you would inside your home.  Landscape lighting, overhead lighting, ceiling fans, sconces and decorative side table lighting are all good ideas.  Develop a creative lighting plan to help you create a space with increased ambiance and functionality.

Remember the goal is to create a space that is perfect for you and your family.  This is a space where memories will be made – so please consider it an important investment…both financially and emotionally.