You Need A Deserve Paradise
Wow. What a crazy few days
it has been. What was supposed to be just an arctic clipper with less just a
dusting of snow predicted developed into 6-10" of fluffy white snow,
another arctic vortex (has anyone even heard of such a thing before this winter?)
brought temperatures in the teens, and more school closings and delays! It is
enough to make you long for a tropical island getaway.
Well, it is not too early
to start thinking about creating your own backyard getaway. Nothing beats being
able to step out your backdoor into your very own private oasis. Here are 6
things you can do to bring this to life:
1. Create a Picture Perfect
Patio
A patio can be a
hot slab of concrete baking in the sun--or it can be a welcoming extension of
your home, calling you outdoors to enjoy cool breezes and fresh air. With a
little planning, you can make your patio a comfortable seasonal room.
Patios are usually
surfaced with brick or stone. If you opt for concrete, consider adding texture
and color to imitate stone for a more natural look. Design the patio
to be an extension of your home's style, and use planting beds, container gardens,
and weatherproof furniture to decorate the outdoor space.
2. Add an Outdoor Kitchen
If you grill at least
twice a week from spring through fall and if you love eating
outdoors, you need an outdoor kitchen. You don't need a fancy grill, but a
countertop for food prep and conveniences such as closed storage and
a separate side burner will greatly enhance your outdoor cooking experience.
Add a refrigerator and sink to make preparation and cleanup even
easier.
3. Plan Outdoor
Lighting
To enjoy your backyard
getaway after the sun sets, include outdoor lighting. At its most basic,
this consists of porch lights that illuminate 
access to the house and
provide ambient lighting. For outdoor kitchens, you'll need good task
lighting over the grill and work areas. For the dining and conversation areas,
candlelight, wallmount downlights, or dimmable electric lamps create a relaxed
mood. Steps and walkways should be illuminated for safety. You can also use
accent lights to add drama and interest to the landscape and to highlight
paths. Combine a mix of lighting sources to make your backyard getaway a
magical place after dark.
access to the house and
provide ambient lighting. For outdoor kitchens, you'll need good task
lighting over the grill and work areas. For the dining and conversation areas,
candlelight, wallmount downlights, or dimmable electric lamps create a relaxed
mood. Steps and walkways should be illuminated for safety. You can also use
accent lights to add drama and interest to the landscape and to highlight
paths. Combine a mix of lighting sources to make your backyard getaway a
magical place after dark.
4. Layer on the Amenities
Fountains, fireplaces, and
fire pits enhance the beauty and usefulness of your outdoor rooms. Fountains
add the soothing sound of trickling water and can serve as the focal point of
an outdoor space. Fireplaces make a natural focal point and can help define
space and provide privacy for an 
outdoor room. They're also
a starting point for an outdoor kitchen. Fire pits, whether built-in or
moveable, also serve to draw people together and can extend the usefulness of
an outdoor living room into cooler weather.
outdoor room. They're also
a starting point for an outdoor kitchen. Fire pits, whether built-in or
moveable, also serve to draw people together and can extend the usefulness of
an outdoor living room into cooler weather.
Finally, accessorize your
outdoor rooms with garden statuary, weatherproof art (such as plates, garden
plaques, or decorative wrought iron), and pillows covered in weatherproof
fabrics. These touches will turn an ordinary patio or deck into a welcoming,
personal space for outdoor living.
5. Dress Up Your Deck
Make your deck a
destination by defining different activity zones within the space. Creating
multiple levels carve out spaces for dining and relaxing on the deck. A pergola covered
with luxurious vines and an abundance of plants in containers bring
the surrounding garden up onto the deck and help blend the structure
into the landscape. Potted gardens packed with seasonal flowers add pizzazz to
brighten up any space.
6. Ensure Privacy
Your outdoor room will
feel more like an oasis if it has a sense of enclosure. Fences and garden walls ensure
privacy for patios, but you can also use lattice, pergolas, and
landscaping to define outdoor spaces and screen views of neighboring houses.
If the thought of these
ideas do not make you yearn for warmer days we don't know what will.
To see more of the
paradises Allentuck Landscaping Co. has created, visit our Project
Portfolio.
