5 Must-Have Outdoor Living Features

Are you in need of a little Vitamin D?

Feeling like some fresh air would do your body good?

One of the great perks of living in Florida is that we have some AMAZING winters.

And with the hectic life-pace that we sometimes slip into, an outdoor living space—that reminds us to slow down and enjoy the simple moments—is pretty special.

If you’re on the cusp of building a custom home—and brainstorming all the details of the inside—be sure to consider your options for the outside as well.

Let’s explore 5 must-have, outdoor-living spaces.

1) Invite the Outside In

You can’t help but be drawn to the outside when an entire wall—or a good portion of it—is dedicated to letting the outside in.

And today there are many great options for creating a room with a view and making optimal use of natural light. Depending on the amount of space you have and the look you are going for, you can choose:

• Bi-fold patio doors that are accordion-style
• Double french doors
• 8-foot pocketing sliders
• 16-foot pocketing sliders
• Transom windows above your doors

Visual appeal is created when you extend your indoor living space—through the glass—to a welcoming patio, peaceful pool deck, or whimsical garden.

2) Create a Space to Cook

Nothing makes cooking a perfect steak easier than a built-in grill.

And whether you entertain guests regularly or you just enjoy spending an occasional evening under the stars, a backyard barbeque takes on a different vibe when you have everything you need in an outdoor summer kitchen.

Your imagination and budget are the only things that limit what you can do in creating this highly functional space.

Additionally, these features will add to the ease of doing everything outside:

• Under cabinet refrigerator
• A sink
• An exhaust hood
• A usable bar
• Counter-top space for food prep

3) Gather Around a Fire

Florida weather doesn’t force you to NEED the warmth of fire very often.

However, gathering around a fire pit to roast hot dogs, enjoy smores, or sip wine on a 60-degree evening is a relaxing treat.

And having a well-thought-out space for gathering friends and family around your campfire sets the stage for making great memories.

Here are some conversations to have with your builder about this area:

• Will it be part of the patio or pool deck or will it extend off this area?
• If you want it to be a separate space in the yard, will you use pavers to lead from your back door to the firepit?
• What kind of materials would you like to use? Gravel, stone, slate, pavers, and concrete are some options to think about.
• Would you like it to be large enough for extended families or smaller and more intimate?

4) Add Some Shade With a Pergola

The summer sun in Florida is no joke. And backyards can be abandoned for months on end when they lack a way to cool off.

If your yard is open and void of the kinds of trees that provide ample shade, you might consider adding a Pergola.

Often found in a garden, this feature is usually made up of vertical posts that support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice.

Sometimes ivy can be trained to grow and fill at the top to create a denser shade.

A pergola not only adds another great gathering space—for good conversation, reading a book, eating a meal—but it adds an aesthetic appeal and can be part of a larger design plan or stand on its own.

5) Cool Things Off In the Water

For many Floridians, a pool is the desired centerpiece of the backyard.

And during the hot summer months, it seems to be the one area that makes complete sense for birthday parties, cookouts, and other social gatherings.

There are many options to really customize your pool and deck. In fact, each of the elements mentioned above can be part of the entire design plan.

Additionally, you can choose any of these pool elements to reflect your family’s tastes:

• Beach entry
• Kiddie pool
• Jacuzzi
• Mini splash pads
• Sun pads
• Sports pool
• Waterfalls and water effects
• Infinity edge
• Effective lighting
• Complete enclosure or just screened-in options

Your builder can point you to a trusted pool company that he has experience working with and will help to coordinate the design and buildout of this important area.

A Few Bonuses to Think About…

Creating YOUR ideal outdoor-living space is really about you and your family’s preferences.

Compel your family to enjoy the outdoor spaces MORE. Perhaps some of these speak to you:

• Balcony with a view of a lake, koi fish pond, or Disney fireworks
• An expansive wraparound porch with access from several rooms
• A personal putting green
• Beach volleyball court

When you include your outdoor space in the INITIAL building process you benefit in 2 ways:

• Your custom builder will have the BEST suggestions on how to tie your choices into the theme, style, and materials of the rest of the home.
• You wrap the costs of creating this space into your mortgage rather than taking a loan out later.

Now it’s your turn. Does your family have a favorite outdoor space? Share with us in the comments.