Creating The Perfect Architectural Outdoor Space
We’ve all got our own notions of an ideal perfect space. But do architects necessarily agree with us?
Creating the perfect outdoor relaxation space is no easy task. After all, it’s not just a reflection of your house, or a reflection of your style; it’s also a reflection of yourself. After a long hard day at work, there’s nothing any of us would like better to come back to a place designed for you to unwind. Better yet – long, lazy weekends can be passed in divine tranquillity. Obviously, we’ll always be the first to say that your choice of balustrade is going to play a key part in the overall feel of things, but there are other important factors too! With that in mind, we’ve got some suggestions to help your ideal outside space take shape.
Don’t Be Afraid To Get Creative
The key to any kind of design challenge is to think creatively. You can find endless images on the Internet of veritable oases of calm, with a cascade of artful decorations and pioneering gadgets. As products of months of design, they’re almost always professionally photographed; there’s no doubt that they look fantastic, but they’re also frequently the result of huge budgets. If you don’t have one of those it’s easy to get discouraged, but you don’t need to be! Instead what you need to do is look at what you already have, and whether it could be repurposed into something else. Do you have anything indoors sitting unused – or even in the way – that could be put to better use out here? For example, if you have potted plants sitting around the house, bring them outside to give your space definition and dimension. Modest shelves of garden decorations – like ceramic statues or stones – can give your space some vertical scale, as can a trellis decked with shrubs.
Rest Easy
When furnishing your outside space, it’s always best to err on the side of comfort; spare cushions or blankets can be thrown over outdoor furniture to make them feel more homely. If you don’t have any, it’s easy enough to buy them cheaply. At every level, it’s often the little, personal touches that matter. A small bedside cabinet is a great example of something that can be a new and diverse range of roles. For example it could be used as a straightforward storage unit, a drinks cabinet, a place to put your books or simply a place to rest your wineglass for a moment as you enjoy the sun.
Choosing Your Balustrade
Privacy is another frequent concern for people designing their personal relaxation space. Whether you’re a people person or prefer your own company, we at Elite Balustrades have got options that tailor to you. Our glass balustrades are perfect for giving your relaxation area a more open, spacious feel, while our frosted, etched or tinted panels grant you welcome seclusion from prying eyes.
Lighten Up
Lighting options offer another great opportunity to experiment with your outdoor space, setting the mood and tone for how you’d like to use it. Whether you’d prefer soft ambient white lighting or a string of colourful bulbs, there are plenty of choices available. What’s more, they don’t even have to be expensive. Solar lights are widely and cheaply available, and very few require the use of cumbersome wires or sockets. If you’ve got a socket available, you might realise that as winter approaches, you find yourself leaning towards the colourful Christmas options.
Watching the Weather
Speaking of winter months – and as with any outdoor space – weather will always come into play, so you’ll need to take that into account when planning your space. If you live in a windy or rainy area, it’s best to anticipate your furniture and decorations needing to withstand these elements from time to time. Most outdoor furniture is designed to endure these conditions, so as long as any soft furniture like cushions and blankets are sufficiently sheltered while you’re inside, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
We’re Here To Help!
There’s no shortage of inspiration available, but remember: most of all it’s about what makes you feel comfortable. You can click here to browse our case studies to find what’s worked for our previous customers, or you can call us on 01254 825 594 to discuss a bespoke balustrade solution, or any other questions you may have.
Published: 5th December 2016
