By Cathy Hobbs
McClatchy-Tribune
As warm, balmy days give way to cool, fall nights, so comes the desire to continue to enjoy outdoor entertainment spaces year-round.
Bringing the indoors out has long been desirable for those looking to enjoy their outdoor spaces all year. An outdoor living space can be just that, a living space that serves as an additional room. Outdoor kitchens and fireplaces are often considered to be luxury, high ticket items, but it is possible to incorporate them into your home in an affordable way. Outdoor spaces can also be done simply and successfully.
Outdoor kitchens
From outdoor grilling to full-blown kitchens, who doesn’t like to cook outside and dine alfresco? Outdoor kitchens — while often the standard in many luxury homes on the West Coast where warm nights are more plentiful — can truly be an extension of any home, no matter the geographic location.
Outdoor kitchens have a lure and appeal on their own. Outdoor kitchens, just like in a home, can truly serve as the heart of any outdoor living environment. Some of the must-haves for an outdoor kitchen include a grilling surface and small refrigerator. Want to splurge? Why not add an oven, and a fixed seating area like an elevated bar or built-in bench seating?
Outdoor fireplaces
From residential homes in popular vacation and entertaining destinations like the Hamptons to outdoor nightclubs in destinations such as Ibiza, Spain, and Mykonos, Greece, I have experienced and appreciated outdoor fireplaces firsthand.
Whether it is for warmth or for aesthetic reasons there is simply a certain amount of romanticism associated with fire. An outdoor fireplace can serve as not only the center of a dramatic and luxurious outdoor living space used for entertaining, but also a more subdued and rustic experience, perfect for quiet nights spent around the fire with loved ones.
Fire pits
The fire pit, unlike other outdoor projects, is relatively affordable, and depending on the desired size and look, can be a relatively straightforward outdoor project. Additionally, a fire pit can be transportable and mobile, meaning that it does not have to be a permanent structure and can be moved around one’s property. Even so, fire pits can be quite elaborate, ranging from the rustic to ultra-modern, and can be executed in the form of built-in stone, concrete structures, those sunk into the ground or even above-ground fire pits such as dining tables and bowls.
Whether you are looking to purchase a fire pit or have one custom-made by a professional mason, incorporating one into your outdoor decor can provide the perfect addition for outdoor year-round enjoyment.
About the Author
