Take Back The Summertime

In theory, summer is the most outdoorsy of seasons. Warm weather, long days, and plenty of sunshine make outdoor time a no-brainer. In reality, heat, humidity and mosquito bites are not very enjoyable. Too often, we seek the refuge of air conditioning and months of gorgeous days go unappreciated.

Missing out on the summer starts with not realizing your property's full potential. By taking advantage of your outdoor spaces, you can extend your home's living area and give yourself plenty reason to venture outside.

While traditional air conditioning is neither effective nor efficient in an outdoor setting, there are several ways to beat the heat with an outdoor room. The most obvious way to cool things off is to create shade. Any new area can include a roof, whether it is anchored to your house or part of a free-standing structure. Shade can also be provided by partially surrounding the 'room' with shrubs or bushes. In addition to blocking the sun, plants naturally cool the air around them, adding comfort to nearby living spaces. Finally, many outdoor rooms with a roof can be fitted with a ceiling fan which can bring shady breeze where there was once scorching heat.

While cool comfort is a must, you have a huge amount of possibilities when deciding the specific nature of your new space. Would you like the space to be able to accommodate a social gathering? Should the focus be more on dining and cooking? If so, do you want an entire kitchen? Going the other direction, would you prefer this room to be quiet and relaxing with a natural feel? Once you determine the primary function of the new room, you can flesh out the details of how it will all fit together.

While your immediate budget may temper your dream plans for that gourmet outdoor kitchen or the posh cabana complete with wet bar and HDTV, remember that not everything needs to be done at once. With the proper help, you can formulate a plan to add elements in stages over time. Give us a call today, and we'll help you create the perfect space where you can take back your summer.