What’s New and Now in Outdoor Living
Charlotteans have always embraced the outdoors as an essential part of their lifestyle.  Now home and garden design is catching up by bringing the outside in and the inside out. For many, the property surrounding a home has become an extension of the home itself.

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), 2006 saw a notable rise in the popularity of outdoor rooms, landscaping and other outdoor amenities. People are now investing more money in enhancing existing spaces than in expanding square footage.

In fact, a Better Homes and Gardens survey showed that building a major outdoor project is the second most popular home improvement venture homeowners undertake.

Kevin James, president of Kevin James Landscape, says his clients frequently ask whether renovating their yards will add value to their property.

“If two similar neighboring houses were for sale and one had a great landscape design, that house would sell faster,” said James.

Why are so many homeowners trading in add-on media rooms or expensive vacations for an oasis in their own backyard?  For one thing, people are spending more time at home and many would like to spend it outdoors.  People are looking to expand the functionality of outdoor spaces from using it for the occasional backyard BBQ, to retreating to it every day to relax and de-stress.

With new outdoor living designs, not only are homeowners enjoying the great outdoors, they are also increasing their property value.  Some experts estimate that a well-designed exterior can contribute up to 30% of a property’s overall value.

However, most experts agree that you probably won’t get a return on your investment if your property is the only one in the neighborhood with the outdoor fireplace and kitchen, waterfall, custom-made pool and spa. That’s why you should weigh your needs versus your desires when it comes to renovating your yard and deciding which features to add — especially if you’re on a tight budget. Even a little bit of money can go a long way if you prioritize and opt for features that are functional rather than purely aesthetic.

So whether you are considering adding a small garden or a large outdoor living space to your property, you’ve come to the right place.

Start With a Good Design
Quality landscape design and installation will add value to your property and help it sell faster, landscape pros agree. If you’re on a tight budget, hire a landscape architect or designer to create a design then install the landscaping yourself — over time, if you have to.

“Some advice is better than none,” says Tony Everett of Custom Land Design. “A landscape architect charges $85 to $135 an hour, on average, to create a design plan,” said Everett. “They could spend 12 to 18 hours creating that plan. By comparison, a landscape designer typically charges $50 to $75 an hour, but they do not possess formal degrees in landscape architecture. Many firms offer a package deal for the design and installation.” To find a designer or architect, talk with friends or family who have used one or check the resources at the end of this article. The designer or architect should ask you lifestyle questions so he or she can design a space that suits your needs.

Functional Outdoor Living Spaces
Kitchens Add Convenience
Outdoor living spaces used to be a luxury purchase that few considered within their budget.  Like their counterparts inside the home, kitchens top the list as a popular design element for an outdoor space.  When it comes to designing a kitchen outdoors, the sky is the limit.  Some outdoor kitchens are rustic and homey, while others are hi-tech and upscale.  For anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000, you can have a complete outdoor kitchen including a refrigerator, gourmet grill, wine cooler and sink installed to cook and dine al fresco.” said Tim Kirk of hhgregg Finelines.

Fireplaces Are a Popular Request
If cooking isn’t your forte, then there are other options to enjoy outdoor spaces.

North Carolina enjoys a fairly warm climate throughout most of the year.  With an outdoor fireplace, you can enjoy your backyard even during the occasional chilly night.  They also provide a certain cozy atmosphere that adds ambience to outdoor gatherings.  Expect to pay between $5,000 to $35,000 for a “built from scratch” fireplace, though there are other options.

“Prebuilt fireplaces can be considered as an affordable alternative,” said John DiFiore of Fun Outdoor Living. “These units are built off site and are just as durable and functional as traditional fireplaces.”

Propane-fueled heaters are also becoming more commonplace to regulate temperature, as are ceiling fans and water misters for warmer evenings.  Some living areas even feature TV nooks or stereo systems.

Dozens of Options with Furniture
Many furniture makers are specializing in weatherproof fabrics and materials that retain a high-end look.  Gone are the days of rattan suited for your grandparent’s Florida room. These days, furniture that is just as comfortable as indoor sofas and chairs can be found outside, without compromising style.

“Sleek lines, exotic hardwoods, and stylish cast aluminum are popular choices,” said Debs Pedigo of The Firehouse Casual Living Store. You can even consider placing protected artwork, outdoor lamps or statuary in your garden to really make the space feel like a “room.” To complete the space, some homeowners are using outdoor rugs or tiles that mirror indoor flooring.

And if you’re thinking of sticking with neutral colors in your outdoor rooms, think again.  Beige is out and deep, bold colors are in.  Consider the colors in your garden and try to find fabrics and accents that match.  You can even change colors with the seasons.

Gardens with Flair
Many homeowners tell designers they want to get out into their yard, not just sit on the porch.  And landscape designers are accommodating these requests by designing gardens that invite exploration.

Your garden should tantalize all your senses.  Colorful flowers are nice, but plant foliage and textures can be just as interesting for your garden.  Fragrant plants can add a lot to the overall ambiance of your garden.  Herbs like basil and rosemary have a strong, invigorating scent, with the added bonus of being a great ingredient in your dinner.

Eco-friendly gardens that are designed with efficient water usage and drainage are one of this year’s hottest trends.  When planning your garden, you should always take into account what plants are native to the region and make sure the right plant is put in the right location.  

Using Natural Elements to Your Advantage:
Water and Light
Well-planned water features and strategically placed lighting can really enhance an outdoor space, and help you get more out of your yard, both day and night. Swimming pools will never go out of style, and pool-buyers have more options than ever when choosing a pool.  From shallow waders to lap pools, Charlotte area swimming pool designers offer a wide array of shapes and sizes for most budgets.

“With our temperate climate and a heated pool, the backyard can be easily used by the entire family year round,” said Simon Spiers of Pool by Design.

To really create a feeling of relaxation and comfort, many designers use water features such as koi ponds or fountains.  They provide a feast for the eyes and for the ears as well.  One of the biggest advantages of fountains and ponds is the intrinsic calming effect of the sound of moving water.  This can act as a “white noise” to block out other neighborhood sounds.

Designing effective lighting for an outdoor space can be challenging, but the effect of a properly illuminated garden can be charming as well as dramatic.  

“Well-placed lights around specimen plantings, pools, ponds, and fountains can really heighten the beauty of your landscape at night,” said Ken Brantley of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.  All-weather outdoor lamps are also becoming popular, allowing night owls to linger outside long after dark.

Clearly, there are a myriad of different ways you can make your exterior living space an inviting, tranquil place. With proper planning and help from the professionals, creating the garden of your dreams may not be as hard as you may think. A well-planned outdoor design will give you a space you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.

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What’s In
Living Room Quality, Outdoor Furniture
All-Weather Wicker
Cast Aluminum Furniture
Darker Framed Finishes (black walnut, pecan, black etc…)
Darker colored, patterned fabrics
Weather-resistant, indoor/outdoor carpet
Outdoor Lamps
Water Features
Natural Stone
Exotic Hardwoods Decking
Outdoor Kitchens
Natural Gas Grills
Ornamental Grasses
Outdoor Fireplaces
Outdoor Audio Systems
Outdoor Showers

What’s out
Environmentally insensitive hardwood decking
Charcoal grills (environmentally harsh)

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Click here for a list of resoures mentioned in this article

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Article provided by and reprinted with permission from Urban Home Magazine (Issue: Spring 2007).

For an archive of this and other magazine articles, visit urbanhomemagazine.com.