How to Create an Outdoor Room on Your Dutchess County, NY Patio
A stylish patio is one thing, but the mark of a well-designed and functional outdoor living area is the distinction between separate outdoor rooms in order to create an all-encompassing outdoor floorplan. Here are some of the ways you can turn your Wappingers Falls (and surrounding area of course) patio into a stage for the interplay of function and great design.
Separation
The first thing that needs to be established when creating multi-partitioned outdoor spaces is the distinction between individual rooms. These can be set apart from one another through several means, both visually and physically. At the most foundational level, these can be denoted through the use of different style pavers, different paver laying patterns, or be separated by hardscape structures such as retaining walls. These rooms can even be separated further by being placed on multiple levels - if topography allows. Even with your patio pavers already laid, rooms can still be separated by function and the difference in their furnishings, decorations or covering for specific areas.
Function
The function of an outdoor room will help you decide on both its position on your patio, as well as differentiate it from the rest of your outdoor living space. The functions of outdoor rooms often interact and so should be placed accordingly. An outdoor kitchen, for example, should be nearest to your actual kitchen and also have easy access to your outdoor dining area. An outdoor lounge area might be placed in a position where it receives the most sunshine, or near to your outdoor fireplace for warmth in winter. Whatever the case, the individual function of each outdoor room will set it apart both visually and in terms of how the areas are used.
Furnishing
The way you furnish each outdoor room will largely depend on each room’s function, but furnishing can also be used to control the flow between rooms. Long outdoor sofas can be used as room dividers and outdoor rugs can be used to direct foot traffic or to mark the centers or borders of a room. Tables function in much the same way, often taking up center position in a room. This creates a visual center as is the case with a dining table in your outdoor dining area or a coffee table in your outdoor lounge or living room. Approach these areas very similarly to how you would approach the interiors of your home.
Decoration
As a subset of furnishing, decoration can also be used to visually separate two outdoor rooms and support their function. Decoration may include sculpture, outdoor wall hangings and even certain pieces of less functional furniture. Even outdoor lighting can be considered a part of your "room’s" decor. Think about how lighting differs from one room to another inside your house. Your dining room, might have soft, ambient outdoor lighting, while your outdoor kitchen requires brighter, more functional lighting.
Related: Incorporating Attractive yet Functional Outdoor Lighting in your Landscaping
Covering
A covering encloses a space, creates a unique ambience that differs depending on the material of the covering, and can be used to create a sense of intimacy and comfort. Take a dining area with a pergola covering as an example. Even without any other indication of the room’s function, a pergola covering stands out and says, “This space is for special gatherings.” Use coverings to your advantage to contribute to the room’s atmosphere, create shade or shelter, or define your outdoor spaces.