An inviting outdoor living space makes every day feel luxurious. Does your home need an upscale patio or porch? What about a high-end outdoor kitchen or spa?
Having these vacation-style amenities at home is one of the top building trends of 2023. Here’s how to accomplish a luxury outdoor design with the skill and expertise of a professional home builder.
Functional Planning: How Will You Live Outdoors?
First, consider the intended function of your newly-designed outdoor space and determine where it should be located for convenience. You’ll need easy access from nearby doorways and gates, especially if you’re planning to frequently dine, swim, bathe, or entertain there.
Outdoor kitchens have enduring popularity because they expand the heart of the home into the heart of the outdoors. Enjoy cooking in nature without sacrificing the functionality of a high-quality kitchen. This is the place to add something you’ve always dreamed of: a pizza oven, an oversized smoker, an outdoor refrigerator, or a poolside bar.
Perhaps you’re picturing a new stonework patio surrounding your pool and spa. This is known as hardscaping and provides the structural backbone of a well-designed outdoor space. Your hardscaping is just as important as your landscaping in terms of creating the right atmosphere and dividing areas into comfortable outdoor living areas.
Safety should always be a priority in outdoor spaces, so work with professional builders and electricians to ensure everything is installed according to the highest standards.
Architectural Details: Stonework, Fencing, and More
Ponder your building plans from the perspective of living in your home day-to-day and enjoying the view from indoors. Would your outdoor space look appealing from the living room? Do you need a focal point? Is there a certain area you’d like to screen off from view or keep private?
Architectural Digest recommends making the architectural details of an outdoor space a high priority for a luxurious look. Consider adding upscale materials and features like:
- A fieldstone fireplace
- A focal pond or reflection pool
- Antique-style stonework
- Bluestone pavers with grass joints
- Contrasting dark fencing and light furniture
- Round evergreen plants in stone planters
- Low hedges in long space-dividing boxes
- Oversize teak tables and benches
- Sculpted wood fencing
Decorative Elements: Arbors, Gazebos, and Pergolas
An outdoor space is the perfect spot to add a decorative structure that’s both fun and functional. Grow a cascade of tumbling roses on an arbor, or use your gazebo as a gathering spot for dinners al fresco. These outdoor elements can be designed in almost any size or form to suit your lifestyle.
Need help with the terminology? Here are the definitions of the most common outdoor structures.
Arbor
An arbor is an arched structure typically used as a doorway or gate to another area. It can be a quaint and inviting focal point for an outdoor space.
Arch
Believe it or not, there are more than 20 types of arches commonly used in home building and garden design. What these structures have in common is a semicircular top with columnar sides.
Gazebo
A gazebo is a large partially-enclosed structure, usually octagonal or hexagonal, with a turret top. It makes a bold structural statement while welcoming visitors to sit inside.
Pergola
A pergola is an outdoor structure for shade, shelter, or privacy. It typically has a strong, wide horizontal roof with wood beams and rafters.
Trellis
A trellis can be incorporated into any of the structures above and is simply a framework of metal or wooden bars to provide support.
Elevated Spaces: Rooftop Patios and Terraces
A rooftop patio welcomes outdoor breezes at the highest level of your home. With the help of an experienced home builder, you can create a sturdy roof-level patio, porch, deck, or terrace that’s as structurally sound as it is stylish.
Imagine celebrating the Fourth of July with a rooftop barbeque and fireworks. Picture hosting a movie night around the outdoor theater wall on your new rooftop terrace. You could even turn your roof into a secret getaway for sunbathing so you can relax far from the rest of the world.
Are you having trouble picturing how a rooftop space might integrate into your home? Take a look at these galleries showing upscale roof-level options.
- Outdoor Rooftop Designs
- Sky-High Rooftops and Terraces
- Rooftop Patios for Parties
- Rooftop Deck Ideas
As you plan your outdoor upgrades, gather your favorite ideas into an inspiration board or scrapbook. Share these with your builder so you can work in harmony to envision your outdoor rooms and bring them to life.
Want An Upscale Outdoor Space for Your New Build or Remodel?
Luxury living is easy when you start with smart planning. Contact MC Homes today to discuss how we can implement the outdoor space of your dreams for your project!
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