Outdoor Rooms

Boike gets many requests for custom gardens, and people aren’t just asking for vine-ripe tomatoes and blooming hydrangeas. “I like to make the space functional, and that goes beyond pretty flowers,” he says. “I’ve designed gardens with outdoor showers, stone pathways and fountains as part of the design.” But flowers are an important aspect of the garden, of course, and Boike says for those who enjoy digging into the earth, creating a custom growing space can be a fun experience. “We still use the ‘room’ concept with the garden,” he says. “We can create a cottage garden, a kitchen garden, an area for perennials and even a laboratory where people who love to garden can ‘play,’ testing out where different plants do best.” When deciding about gardening and planting, however, Boike cautions against just going out to a garden megastore and grabbing whatever catches your eye. “People need to educate themselves on planting and know their USDA zone,” he says, referring to standard map gardeners use to determine which plants will grow well in different geographical areas. “You can waste a lot of money on materials if you don’t do some research. Take drives around to see what grows naturally. Ask at local garden centers to find out what’s indigenous to the area--things that are natural are beautiful.” Adding a water feature is a popular choice for outdoor rooms. Thanks to the variety of options, homeowners can find an aquatic accessory that fits their unique lifestyle. Delight in the Details While it’s important to take a “big picture” view of your outdoor space, don’t forget to consider details like landscaping, lighting and materials. “Great lighting and landscaping are often overlooked in place of a great pool or barbecue,” Cohen says. “These are not expensive upgrades, and they show off the home very well. Often, people forget the value in this and the longevity it provides.” Lighting entertaining areas is also key, Darsa says. “There are lamps now made for outdoors that are just like what you’d have in your living area except they’re weatherproof,” she says, noting these can be ideal ways to light up a people-friendly area for evening entertaining. Boike says choosing the ground cover for your areas is another detail that deserves some serious thought. “Think about how the space will be used and if you want a wood deck, a stone patio or even limestone and pea gravel,” he says. “Of course, budget is a consideration here, as well, but it’s an important decision that will affect how the space is used.” Kids' & Pets' Safety in Outdoor Rooms Fire pits, swimming pools and poisonous plants are just a few of the hazards that children and pets may face in outdoor rooms. And while parents tend to think cautiously indoors, they may not be as stringent with safety in the outdoors. That’s a mistake, Darsa says. “Parents need to safety-proof the outside of the home just like they would the indoors,” she says. The Consumer Products Safety Commission offers these tips for making your outdoor area a safer place: • If you have playground equipment in your outdoor space, be sure to have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel or have mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. • Check outdoor surfacing regularly to ensure they’re in good condition to avoid trips and falls. • Carefully supervise children to make sure they're safe, particularly around any water or fire features. • Never leave children unattended around water features. • Be aware of the dangers of drains in hot tubs, pools and spas. Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, stresses that while safety precautions are always best practice, there is no substitute for the watchful eye of an adult, particularly in areas where there are major hazards like pools or fires. Use Water Your Way Water is the centerpiece to many successful outdoor spaces. But even if you want an aquatic atmosphere, that doesn’t mean you have to splurge for a pool. “Many clients ask about water features, and we first decide what it is exactly they’re looking for,” Boike says. “Do they want a pond or just the sound of the water?” For clients who just want a sense of water, a fountain that just re-circulates water can be a more conservative option. But pools, hot tubs and spas are still popular outdoor features, particularly in areas like south Florida where most of Cohen’s clients are based. “Lighting and water features are integral to all of our creations,” Cohen says. “They create mood and atmosphere that is vital to the overall use of the space. We make it our mission to include these elements in all of our outdoor spaces.” Enjoy Your Relaxing Retreat Above all, make sure you invest in good design to create the space you really want because it can be your vacation even at home, says Cohen. “Travel has become difficult, and enjoying one’s home both indoors and outdoors has become very important for people’s way of life,” he says. “Outdoor spaces have become an extension of the home and are now living areas, recreation areas and so much more.”

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