Bring the Indoors Outdoors: 5 Tips for Outdoor Living Rooms

An outdoor living space acts as a place to come home to and relax. It's a space for you and your family, and it's probably also a space where you entertain. With your outdoor living quarters holding so much importance, and probably getting so much use, it's vital to understand how to create an outdoor living room that suits your needs.

Start with a Solid Foundation

The key to creating an outdoor living room is to begin with a solid foundation. Whether you choose to place it on two slabs of concrete, a wooden deck, or flagstone, the construction quality is essential to how well your finished product will turn out. Hiring a construction professional can help ensure you'll have a strong base for your project. Every aspect of your foundation should incorporate high-quality materials, including the fasteners. Keep in mind, this area may be exposed to moisture, even if it's indirectly. If you choose the route of wooden or composite decking, consider using BECK America’s InvisiDeck® Hidden Fastening System. This system is designed to make installation a snap, and keeps your fasteners hidden for a smooth, fastener-free finish.

Choose Non-Slip Flooring

Your outdoor living room will come in contact with water at some point, even if the area is covered. Every time, you, your family, or a guest has wet feet, you don't want to risk slipping and falling. A slip-resistant flooring option will keep everyone who enjoys your outdoor living room safe. If you choose outdoor carpeting, we advise you to select an option that's intended for outdoors. Outdoor carpeting is mold resistant while many types of indoor carpeting aren't. 

Fencing Around Your Outdoor Living Room 

Fencing or a wall around your outdoor living room gives the area privacy, just like inside of your home. It's your choice how much or how little privacy you want by deciding between an open and closed wall or fencing. Adding small trees or shrubs in front of the long stretches of wall could make the area feel more like home.

Create Zones 

Maybe you have a seating area on the left and an arbor on the right. On the other hand, consider a sitting quarter under a stone awning and an open section. For those who don't have a ton of space, this can make the area appear larger than what it is. 

Determining the Purposes of Your Outdoor Living Room 

The first step to designing your outdoor living quarters is to determine the purpose. Are you entertaining, or is this solely a space for you and your family to enjoy? When you're outside, what is it that you would want to do? For instance, if you plan on watching sports with your buddies, you'll want to plan for an electrical source. 

Creating an outdoor living room is exciting for homeowners. Even if you don't have an extensive budget for the project, there are ways to make the space a place you want to be. Additionally, safety is always a concern with any region of your house. With these tips, you might be able to create a usable, welcoming space that fits your family's needs and wants. Watch the SCRAIL® InvisiDeck® Hidden System video by clicking the blue button.