The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors

by SweisKloss
April 23, 2020

As we continue to shelter at home into day/week I-am-not-sure-anymore, I now have a routine down. I’ve adjusted my home to have a more functional workspace. I’ve conducted more design + construct business through the virtual world than I thought possible. How have I separated work from home life when my computer is in my personal space? It’s not always easy to disconnect, but it is important to distance myself from all the digital devices and get a change of home scenery, which is why my outdoor space has become my sanctuary. We Californians love the sunshine and being outdoors, one of the major reasons we live here, right? But since our beloved beaches and state park hiking trails are temporarily closed, we are making do with being outdoors in whatever capacity we can during this time. If you haven’t already done so, make your outdoor area the space you’ve always wanted. No matter how big or small, it’s an ideal place to decompress. I was recently asked to give some design tips on how to create a great outdoor space. Here are some of my recommendations:

• Plan out your area by doing a quick sketch of the layout. This will help you determine where to place furniture, planters, a grill, etc. You want your space to be cozy but not overcrowded.
• Design your outdoor space to be an extension of your home’s architecture, using similar or complementary colors and materials.
• Garden walls, pergolas, and landscaping help to define the space, create privacy, and provide transition from one area to another.
• Be sure to think through your outdoor lighting. Does your space get enough sun to use solar-powered accent lights? Are your paths and steps lit for safety?
• Opt for neutral outdoor furniture. Add color accents with pillows, slipcovers, and other weatherproof accessories, which are much easier and more affordable to swap out or update.
• Regular cleaning is important to keep outdoor furniture looking good. Remove loose debris from surfaces. Metal can be cleaned with mild dish soap and warm water. Steel wool will remove rust. When cleaning wood, work in small sections then dry thoroughly when finished.
• Whether you like flowers, herbs, or vegetables, add them in the yard or in containers and planters (with good drainage). Flowers like the California fuchsia will attract hummingbirds.