By Cathy Hobbs
From Tribune News Service
Whether you live in a year-round warm weather climate or a place that enjoys all four seasons, there are ways to spruce up your home that may help your family to enjoy their exterior space just as much as their interior one.
Outdoor Kitchens
An outdoor prefabricated kitchen is the centerpiece of an outdoor entertainment environment. Handout/TNS
Outdoor kitchens can be basic or elaborate. Begin by selecting the ideal location for your outdoor kitchen. Select a space that will allow adequate space for both cooking and gathering as well as circulation. When it comes time to design your outdoor kitchen, you can hire a stone mason or carpenter to build one from scratch or select an outdoor kitchen that is pre-made. There are also companies that will even build a custom all-in-one unit that only has to be hooked up with the help of professionals such as an electrician or plumber.
Fire Pits
A blue stone circular hardscape complements a round stone firepit. Handout/TNS
Fire pits are more popular than ever and are especially enjoyable on a chilly night! Fire pits can either be built with the help of a mason or purchased as ready-to-use units. In addition to fire pits, also consider fire bowls. When selecting where to place your fire pit or fire bowl, be sure to select a space that is open and clear to prevent a potential fire hazard.
Hot Tubs
A hot tub with stepping stone leading to it. Handout/TNS
Hot tubs remain a popular outdoor amenity and come in different sizes and shapes. When looking to install a hot tub, evaluate how you want it to blend into your outdoor environment. Consider natural screening such as trees and bushes as well as a partial enclosure. When looking for the ideal location for your hot tub, select a space that will be accessible but also one that blends with your overall outdoor space. One design solution is to create an area that will then be enhanced using landscaping.
Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design home staging expert and short-term rental/vacation home designer with offices in New York City and The Hudson Valley. Contact her at [email protected] or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com. Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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