Very often homeowners do not limit their stay exclusively to the territory of the house, because in good weather or warm season, there is a big desire to equip an additional living area outdoors. These spaces are characterized by increased functionality, for example, here you can drink coffee, relax, meditate, receive guests, sit in the evening with a glass of wine, or work in the fresh air.
To organize such a space as efficiently as possible, it is necessary to take into account some points that will help make your new ADU living area comfortable and ergonomic with relatively small financial investments.
In this review, we will tell you about design techniques that will help you create the perfect ADU for outdoor living space, as well as share useful technical insiders.
ADU outdoor space is a multidimensional structure that consists of many components, each of which should be carefully thought out. We will highlight for you several of the most interesting aspects.
None of us can predict the exact moment when the weather worsens, for example, the start of a sudden rain, so it makes sense to install a roof for the outdoor space. It can be an ordinary static awning made of moisture-proof and wear-resistant fabric, a retractable horizontal canopy called a marquise or a pergola with climbing fast-growing plants. All these methods will help to further protect the space from direct sunlight or precipitation.
Agree that it is very pleasant to sit under a canopy in rainy weather, drink hot tea or coffee, or lie in the shade with your favorite book on a hot day.
To make your stay in the new residential area comfortable, one roof is not enough. You need to pick practical furniture. Of course, you can bring your favorite armchair from the living room, but this is not the best option. Outdoor terrace furniture should be durable, lightweight, made of water-repellent and stainless materials, and at the same time comfortable and stylish. In addition, nothing will happen to such furniture if it will stay in the air.
If you do not have extra room for storing furniture, you can opt for folding things that will not take up more than one corner.
It is an indisputable fact that good lighting is necessary for every living space. Concerning the improvement of the ADU zone in the fresh air, lighting plays a key role in creating coziness and comfort. You can install various lamps and candlesticks, and hang garlands or lanterns. Bright lighting will provide an opportunity for comfortable reading or work, and subdued light will create a more intimate, cozy, and calm atmosphere. For stormy outdoor parties, a mirrored disco ball and bright illumination are suitable.
Consider in advance the possibility of organizing various types of lighting so that all family members will be satisfied.
Eating is an important component of family and friendly gatherings in the fresh air. If finances and space are not a problem, then you can install a stationary kitchenette with a stove and oven on the territory of the new residential space, or pick a modular barbecue oven. If the budget is more modest, then you can select an ordinary portable barbecue grill, an electric grill, or a Swiss raclette.
Believe us, with any of these kitchen elements, a family breakfast or dinner, a reception of guests, or just a snack will be truly divine.
Various plants, flowers, and dwarf trees have always been an integral part of outdoor interiors since time immemorial. Landscaping ADU outdoors is a great opportunity to decorate a new space with live plants. Here everything depends on your imagination and desires. You can plant flowers in beautiful pots or place them in stylish planters, arrange them around the perimeter, on ledges, or special stands. You can also place a fast-growing ivy around the terrace and get not only a beautiful but also a natural and green curtain.
In addition to ornamental plants, you can also place mini flower beds with useful herbs, such as rosemary, marjoram, or savory, which are used in cooking.
Perhaps one of the main elements of outdoor space is a live fire. The place for the fire should be thought out in advance, since no one will be surprised by an ordinary classic fireplace now. Modern designers offer more creative options, which can be either a stationary structure or a portable one made of stone, brick, or metal. If the hearth is not used for its intended purpose, then it can be covered with a beautiful tabletop to create an original table. Installing a fire pit or hearth will allow you to operate outdoor spaces in the cold season.
Even on the frostiest evenings, you can stock up on warm blankets or faux fur bedspreads and enjoy being outdoors in comfort with a glass of mulled wine in your hands.
Thanks to the right color scheme and accessories, you can make your outdoor living space even more interesting and comfortable. You can play with color, let your imagination run wild, and fulfill your long-standing dreams and desires. In this case, anything can be useful, for example, unusual vases, figurines, candlesticks, sculptures, electric fountains, and much more. For sofa pillows and blankets, use bright colors that will give only positive emotions. You can equip a terrace or a gazebo in any style, whether it is modern or ancient historical motifs.
With the help of accessories and advantageous color solutions, you can periodically change the appearance of the outdoor space. For example, in summer you can equip a zone in the style of “Hot and sultry Mexico”, and in the cold time in the format of “Calm and cozy Scandinavia”.
Overall, as you can see, ADU for outdoor living space is a completely customized project, the design of which is determined only by you and your imagination.
Choosing a design is just one of several steps that need to be taken into account to create the perfect ADU for outdoor living space. There are many other, less interesting, but equally important moments in the process.
Now you can get acquainted with the top-3 most essential points:
All in all, if you think through each of these steps, then the process of creating an ADU for outdoor living space will not require large physical, emotional, and monetary costs. With the assistance of a highly qualified general contractor, you will get the perfect ADU that will appeal to all family members.
