IX. Designing for Outdoor Living - Seattle Landscaping, Hardscaping, Patio, Walkway, Driveway, Outdoor Fireplaces & Walls

Creating Functional Outdoor Rooms

Definition:
Outdoor rooms are dedicated spaces within your yard, each designed for specific activities or purposes, similar to how indoor rooms serve particular functions (e.g., living room, kitchen, dining room). These spaces can cater to various needs, from relaxing to entertaining.

Examples:

A cozy reading nook nestled between trees or under a pergola for quiet time.
A full-fledged outdoor kitchen equipped with a grill, countertop, and sink for seamless cooking experiences.
A spacious gathering area with comfortable seating where family and friends can enjoy outdoor meals, games, or conversations.

Tips:

Consider Purpose: Think about how you envision using the space. Whether for relaxation, outdoor cooking, or social activities, each area should reflect its intended use.
Use Natural Boundaries: Utilize existing elements in your landscape, such as trees, shrubs, hedges, or fences, to establish clear boundaries and give each space a sense of privacy and intimacy. These natural barriers can help define the flow of the yard while maintaining a cohesive design.

Furniture Selection and Arrangement for Patios and Decks

Choosing the Right Furniture:
When selecting furniture for your outdoor spaces, it’s crucial to choose materials that can withstand the elements while maintaining comfort and style. Opt for weather-resistant materials like teak, aluminum, wrought iron, or durable plastic that will hold up against rain, sun, and temperature fluctuations.

Durability: Look for furniture that resists fading, corrosion, and wear to ensure longevity.
Comfort: Choose cushioned seating options for a cozy, inviting feel. Add throw pillows for extra comfort and a touch of personality.

Arranging the Space:
How you arrange the furniture is key to creating a functional, inviting environment. Keep in mind the flow of traffic and the natural use of the space when planning your layout.

Create Conversation Areas: Group your seating in a way that encourages interaction, such as a circle or U-shape around a central focal point like a coffee table or fire pit.
Leave Walkways: Ensure there is adequate space for people to walk freely between pieces of furniture without feeling cramped or obstructed. This allows for easy movement and access to different areas of the patio or deck.

Cooking, Dining, and Entertainment Spaces

Outdoor Kitchens:
Outdoor cooking spaces elevate the dining experience, making meal preparation part of the fun. Think beyond just a grill — consider installing a sink, counter space, and even a refrigerator to create a fully functional outdoor kitchen. Whether grilling, preparing meals, or enjoying drinks, an outdoor kitchen ensures you don’t have to keep running indoors for every task.

Dining Areas:
The dining area is an essential part of any outdoor room. Choose a dining table and chairs that complement the size of your space and cater to your family’s needs.

Large Table: A spacious dining table is perfect for hosting larger gatherings or family barbecues.
Small Table: For more intimate meals, opt for a compact table that fosters cozy dining experiences.

Entertainment Options:
To create a truly enjoyable outdoor experience, add elements that enhance entertainment and relaxation.

Fire Pit or Fireplace: A fire pit can provide warmth, create ambiance, and serve as a gathering spot on cooler evenings.
Sound System: A quality outdoor sound system can set the mood with music for your gatherings.
Outdoor Games: Incorporating games like cornhole or setting up a small card table encourages friendly competition and social interaction.

Summary Notes

Outdoor Rooms: These are specially designated spaces that cater to various activities, enhancing the usability and enjoyment of your yard.
Furniture Selection and Arrangement: Thoughtful furniture choices and arrangements can make your outdoor spaces more comfortable, functional, and inviting.
Cooking, Dining, and Entertainment: Outdoor kitchens, dining areas, and entertainment features transform your outdoor space into a functional extension of your home, perfect for cooking, dining, and socializing.

Considerations:

Outdoor Room: Imagine creating a shaded area with plush seating and soft lighting for a relaxing retreat.
Furniture Arrangement: Arrange a sectional sofa around a coffee table in a central location to encourage conversation and gatherings.
Outdoor Kitchen: Include a built-in grill with counter space for meal prep, making outdoor cooking more enjoyable and convenient.

Key Definitions

Outdoor Room: A clearly defined area within your outdoor space, designated for specific uses like relaxation, cooking, or socializing.
Furniture Selection: The process of choosing durable, comfortable, and weather-resistant furniture for outdoor use.
Dining Area: A space set up with a table and chairs specifically for eating outdoors, designed to accommodate family or guests.

An outdoor room is essentially an extension of your home, providing a place to unwind, entertain, or dine outdoors. It’s like having a living room or dining room, but outside, offering the chance to enjoy nature while still feeling comfortable and connected.

Arranging furniture in your outdoor space is like assembling a puzzle. Each piece should fit together to create a harmonious, functional layout that supports the activities you want to enjoy while making sure everyone has enough space to move freely.

An outdoor kitchen turns your backyard into a culinary hub, transforming routine meal prep into an enjoyable part of outdoor living. It allows you to cook, socialize, and entertain without leaving the fun of the outdoors.

Lastly, creating an entertainment space is like setting up a small theater in your yard, complete with a fire pit, sound system, or outdoor games — it’s all about crafting an enjoyable environment that brings people together.

Lee’s Landscape, Hardscape, Softscape Design Series:

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Rich Josselyn

20:05 26 Oct 24

We’ve been using Lee’s for several years now and they are absolutely amazing to work with! When we first started looking g they were the most reasonably priced as well as compelling reviews. We have them do 2-3 major clean ups a year and each time they finish we are always left impressed. We have also had them remove some bushes and grind some stumps, as well as other projects which they did a wonderful job on.I would highly recommend using them for all of your lawn care needs and projects!

Claire Moore

14:53 09 Oct 24

It's been a pleasure working with them, they've always been very professional and the quality of their work is superb!

AnnaMaria Pape

20:18 04 Oct 24

They were very responsive, offered competitive bids, and did high quality work. I appreciated the communication and the timelines for our project. Would hire again and highly recommend this company!

pranav kulkarni

16:26 21 Sep 24

Ashley Willis

18:53 29 Aug 24

The quality of the work was excellent, and I'm happy with the results.The team showed up on time, and everything went smoothly. Overall, the service was good, and the work was well done. Just a word of advice to people with pets —double-check your gates after the job is finished to ensure everything is secure.

Megan Penhoet

20:19 24 Jul 24

We have had Lee's General Lanscaping come to our property twice- once to fix a busted water pipe and recently to do a massive yard clean up. Both times their experts were friendly, professional, hard-working and kept in good communication with us throughout their time in the yard. They did a bang up job with our rather large front and back yards and double checked before leaving that we were totally satisfied. A great service and we will continue to use them.

James Farmer

05:18 18 Jul 24

We tried to do the responsible thing and get multiple quotes for the work in our postage stamp backyard. But most of the landscapers and contractors we contacted wanted nothing to do with such a small job. Mr. Lee not only sent someone out right away, but when we had more questions he came out himself to answer them.He asked a lot of questions to make sure he understood our (OK, my wife's) vision for the space, then provided several helpful suggestions. His estimates and invoices were clear and easy to understand, and he responded promptly to any questions or concerns. When his team showed up to start the work, they also had some great ideas from other yards they have worked on.The work took a week, during which everyone involved was helpful and friendly. When the work was done, his team made sure we were completely happy before they packed up their equipment, and Mr. Lee called to make sure we were happy before sending the final invoice.The work is exceptional quality, and they even fixed several issues I was just prepared to deal with due to the odd shape of our yard. 11/10, I will definitely call on Mr. Lee again when we need more yard work!

Mike Mann

19:23 27 Apr 24

Replaced backyard lawn with dog friendly artificial turf a year ago. Incredible install, great drainage with the snow and rain. Love how it looks a year later. Lee did additional landscaping and stone placement on the side of the house. Very professional, highly recommend Lee and his crew.