Why build an outdoor room?
Rather than build a full extension to your home, why not consider a more cost-effective and fun alternative in an outdoor room? Outdoor rooms create a bridge between the indoors and the outdoors, giving you an enclosed space in your backyard which gives you the feel of being outdoors, while remaining sheltered from the sun, wind, and rain.
Before you begin, ask yourself some basic questions:
- What’s the purpose of this room? Cooking? Entertaining? Relaxing?
- What is my budget?
- Do I need to install additional plumbing?
- Will additional electrical circuits be needed?
- Do I need a building permit?
- Do I need to build overhead protection in the form of a shade, an awning, or a pergola?
Then, determine what type of outdoor room you’re going to build:
- Relaxation / reading / summer room
- Gazebos
- Outdoor saunas
- Outdoor dining
- Outdoor kitchen
Then, here are the key steps involved in getting to your dream of an outdoor room:
Dream it up, and take notes!
Brainstorm all the ideas you have about your outdoor room. Think of all the uses for it and everything you want out of your outdoor room and jot these down.
Create a collage of ideas
This is the fun part - check out pictures! Surf the web and check out magazines for outdoor room photos. Clip the ones you like and save them - this will be your “collage” of outdoor room ideas. One thing to remember at this stage is to consider your home’s architectural style. As you clip photos, make sure that the design direction you pick matches with your home’s style.
Go shopping
Visit a specialty retailer. Think of them as your consultants - they will help you determine what you’ll need to build your outdoor room. Be sure to bring your notes and photos. Once you determine your top-level plan, you’ll get to start researching the products you’ll need. You should compare prices between your local shop and online stores. Northern Tool, Home Depot, and Lowe’s each have good online stores. Here’s a quick guide to choosing a BBQ grill.
Draw out your floorplan
Sketch out a diagram showing how your outdoor room will look in detail. Include all the features such as fireplace, barbeque, seating areas, tables, walkways, and doors.
Important things to consider
- Fireplace or barbeque - If you outdoor room will include one of these, this will be the focal point of your room. Consider carefully where you will place it and think about fire safety considerations.
- Lighting - think about the direction of the sun, and how much light will enter your room based on your design. You should reference this against the uses you imagine for your room - if you plan to spend afternoons there, how much sunlight do you want, and does your design facilitate this?
- Electricity - Does your room need power? Do you have circuits which can facilitate this? You may need to hire an electrician to help you or do the work yourself.
- Plumbing - Does your room require running water? You’ll need to plan for adding plumbing if so.
Hire contractors if needed
Determine which work you’ll do yourself and which work you’ll need to hire professionals for. Ask for referrals from your local home improvement shop. You can also use Craigslist, but I’ve found you’ll get inconsistent results in terms of work quality. A better choice I’ve found is Angie’s List. You have to pay to use Angie’s List, but you get detailed ratings and reviews on the service providers, think of it like a sort of Better Business Bureau for contractors. Here’s a map of Angie’s List’s coverage to see whether they have good coverage in your area.
Build it!
This is the fun part.
Add furnishings and accessories
Once you’ve built your room, it’s time to add furniture. Pick tables, chairs, lounges, and accessories. Remember to keep in mind the styling of your room and match that to the furnishings you choose.
Add appliances
If you need appliances such as refrigeration, stoves, lighting, heating, or fans, add these as well. Consider again the styling of your room and furnishings and buy appliances that accentuate your design. I’ve found Compact Appliance and A.J. Madison to be a great online stores for appliances, both have good selection, low prices, and service. Bellacor is a good supplier for lighting.
Add plants and gardening
Flowers, shrubs, and trees in and around your outdoor room can make a big difference in the overall visual appeal. Consider colors and styles and seasons to make sure your plants will be there in the seasons you want them, and that they match the style of your room. Check out your local garden supply store, or if you prefer home delivery, check out Direct Gardening.
Take it in phases
You don’t have to complete the whole project in one stage. Phase things out - you can start with your fireplace or hearth in the first phase, and build from there. Or start with your foundation. Determine what phasing makes the most sense for you.
Enjoy your outdoor room!
Most importantly, enjoy your room once it’s built! You’ll now have a new place to escape from life’s daily challenges, right there in the comfort of your backyard.
