It’s March and that means spring fever is in the air! Here at Baribault Fuel the buzz around the water cooler is all about outdoor living spaces – and that of course includes kitchens and fireplaces! Our clients are already inquiring about built in propane grill, fireplace and firepit installations so we thought this would be the perfect time to give you the “101” on how to best create your perfect outdoor living, eating and entertaining areas.
First steps
Before you begin digging up the back yard and hiring contractors – or even calling us, you’ll want to decide what your outside living space should look like and most importantly what purpose it will serve.
Decide your MUST HAVES versus your WANTS – this will help narrow down the design
- Are you big entertainers, or do you just want a place for your family to gather on the weekends or for dinner?
- Do you have a pool or are you intending to install one? If you are considering an installation, then much of the electrical and plumbing will be designed around the pool’s needs.
- Do you want a full up outdoor living room? If so, do you have room to store all the furnishings in the winter months?
- Do you want a “complete” outdoor kitchen including countertops, refrigerators and plumbed for water and sewer?
Budget & Time
Pinterest and YouTube are wonderful places for inspiration, but rarely do they tell you how much the outdoor living space of your dreams will cost. After you narrow down what you want as far as a vision, determine your overall budget and KNOW that during any kind of construction process, things happen and budgets will be exceeded – mainly due to unknowns when it comes to digging, plumbing and wiring.
Also know the bigger the build out, the longer it will take. Most will choose to start construction in either early spring or in the fall – to ensure they have a back yard space for the summer months.
Design tips
Now that you have your budget nailed down and know what you want – time to head back to Pinterest and YouTube for some more inspiration! Below are a few guidelines as you make your to-do list.
- Make it seamless. Your outdoor space should be a continuation of your indoor space, in other words the designs should be seamless. Modern home – Modern outdoor design, Rustic home – Rustic outdoor design.
- Create a floor – be it a wood deck, tile or brick – your outdoor living space needs distinction from your yard and should look like a room.
- Rugs and more Rugs – adding outdoor rugs to your flooring not only makes it cozy it also adds to the connection between inside and out.
- Consider Ceilings and Walls – often this is in the form of a pergola or even draped material above and on the sides. Draping helps if there is rain and of course helps with the hot afternoon sun.
- Comfortable seating – this could be benches with pillows, chairs and couches or even hammocks and swings. Don’t forget lots of foot stools that can be used as seating in a pinch!
- Plants, plants, plants! You can’t go wrong with greenery – using perennials around your living space makes for easy maintenance but adding house plants and annuals to the mix will make your space alive with color.
- Lighting – Make sure your lighting is subtle, ambient yet still lights up your area. Consider using accent targeted lighting near your workspaces – such as counters and grills.
- Gas Fireplace – what’s an outdoor living space without a fabulous fireplace or firepit? Using propane eliminates the need for firewood and makes it simple, clean and easy.
- Kitchen Grills & Ovens – if you want a true outdoor living experience, creating a kitchen oasis is the icing on the cake! Propane grills and pizza ovens, refrigerators and of course a beverage cooler – as well as granite countertops, full up sink, dishwasher and storage round out the design. Appliances that use water should be winterized in the cooler months and covered to protect against the elements.
When it comes time to create your dream outdoor living space or build your outdoor kitchen – don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can’t help you pick out pillows, but we can surely help you choose the right propane options for your perfect space.
