As we get deeper into summer, the term staycation is getting more and more attention. If you are like many of us planning on spending more time at home, it is the perfect opportunity to invest in your own backyard oasis. A great deck, patio or porch area creates the ideal environment for gathering with loved ones and the perfect space for entertaining.
Deck Life
Decks are a great way to expand your living space outdoors right off the back of the house. They can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes like some of these HomeSquare created examples.
Adding a deck can provide an outdoor dining space just a few feet from the kitchen, add a step or two down to open up into a small sitting area, and another few steps can lead to a ground level patio or pool area. If your master suite is on the first floor you can build a smaller deck off the master bedroom to enjoy your coffee that then opens up to a larger deck space for entertaining.
A deck is an excellent way to create additional outdoor space at any elevation: they can hover off the ground, come higher up to meet your first or second floor, or even create a balcony like this one HomeSquare built for a Westport, CT client. Since decks can be built at any elevation, there are many ways you can use this to your advantage. If the back of your home has a steep grade, you may want to use a deck so you have more space in your yard. Also, you may want to use height to create a better vantage point for scenic views overlooking your landscape.
This small balcony provides a great spot to sit and chat or sip on a beverage while enjoying your surroundings. It was part of a total condominium remodel HomeSquare completed in Greenwich, CT.
This deck balcony we built for a client in Norwalk, CT adds an outdoor element to the second floor while conveniently creating a covered space over the garage below, protecting it from the elements.
Adding a step or two to create a change in plane can help define different spaces, dining, grilling and lounging!
Get Creative With Your Design & Materials
Decking materials have improved significantly over time. Wood is no longer the only option and the materials available have become increasingly more beautiful and resilient with the introduction of composite decking materials like Azek trims and molding, and cellular PVC. Composite decking comes in a variety of colors allowing you to get creative with your design and color combinations!
Achieve a luxurious look for your deck by combining different colors. Soften the hardscape by creating voids of different shapes or levels for planting beds or planters to add some lush greenery to your environment.
Lighting is also a fun way to liven up your outdoor space. Landscape lighting added to stair risers or on the edges of surfaces will help illuminate the space for safe use at night.
This deck overlooking the water has a pergola structure with a soft treatment for shade coverage and a glass railing for an unobstructed view.
A combination of curved steps, a mix of stone and wood textures, varying tones and a pergola with a soft shade creates a beautifully layered space.
Glass railings provide a contemporary look and allow for an infinity style view of the scenery beyond.
Enjoy The Great Front Yard!
A front porch is more than just a shady spot to relax in a rocking chair at the front of your home. It’s a wonderful way to architecturally break up the front facade. On a rainy summer day, there’s nothing more enjoyable than admiring your surroundings from a fully covered front porch.
We completely renovated this beautiful front porch in Riverside, CT with a newly painted floor, stained high gloss ceiling, siding, doors and shutters, and some much-needed rot repair.
Create a dramatic and cozy vibe by adding stained planks to the ceiling. Add recessed lights or ceiling fans to make the space even more inviting. Sit on a porch swing and enjoy a cup of coffee or read a book while enjoying the aroma of the landscape. Front porches have returned to importance in our social lives during the pandemic, as folks seek to safely socialize. Make yours a destination!
Whatever the style of your home, lean into its character with color, texture and materials. A colonial style home looks great with traditional accents like white paint, lantern style fixtures and painted columns or posts. Enhance a more rustic style home with stained wood tones and stone textures.
Consider your front porch the “welcome mat” to your home. Create ambiance with greenery, exterior lighting and furniture, or a porch swing for a special place to sit and make memories!
Back Porches
A back porch is a great quasi-indoor/outdoor space. A fully covered ceiling allows for use throughout the seasons and the space can be screened in or open.
Adding ceiling fans, fireplaces and TVs make the space more comfortable and entertaining.
Motorized screens provide enclosure from bugs and the elements while still allowing you to enjoy the fresh air.
Enjoy Your Staycation!
There are so many great options to think about when expanding or extending into your outdoor spaces that can create wonderful gathering or entertaining areas. It’s a good time of year to undergo this type of home improvement. Investing in your home will not only ensure that you can enjoy the summer and fall this year, but will continue to add value to your home for years to come! Not sure where to start? Patio, deck, porch or outdoor kitchen? Check out our previous posts from this series and contact your HomeSquare account manager for a complimentary consultation!
Katie Canfield is the founder and principal designer at Studio KC. Studio KC got its humble start in 2015 when Katie was just 23 years old. While she was freelancing with other interior designers in the NY and CT area she also became a go-to designer for local contractors and trades that needed a designer’s help for their clients whether it be for custom cabinetry drawings or plans for a gut renovation on an entire home.
Katie Canfield’s design aesthetic is eclectic and flexible. She delights in the marriage between old and new- keeping spaces approachable but still matching each client’s unique aesthetic and family narrative. Her passion for design keeps her motivated and constantly on the hunt for new trends and materials. Her broad experience includes an art history background, study at the Accademia Italiana in Florence, a stint with the renowned Manhattan firm Amanda Nisbet Design, as well as collaborations with builders and designers across the tri-state area. She’s seen it all: from gutting prewar Manhattan apartments to new construction in the ‘burbs.