6 tips for making the most of outdoor space in your modern home

Extend your living space outdoors

One of the reasons we all love Palo Alto is for its gorgeous weather. We live in a city that gets – on average – 261 sunny days each year. This beautiful weather motivates us to get outside as much as we can.

So, it’s important when planning the construction of your modern home to think about how to extend your living space outdoors. The right design will turn your outside areas into an oasis that’s so comfortable, inviting, and relaxing, you’ll never want to leave!

At Clarum, we encourage our clients to think about their outdoor spaces throughout the custom homebuilding process so that they are an integrated extension of their indoor living space. Read more about how you can create outside areas perfect for lounging, entertaining, dining, and taking advantage of our beautiful weather.

1) Incorporate a fire pit

If you’ve lived in a home with a fireplace, you know how cozy and inviting it can be. Whether you’re curling up with a good book or gathering with family and friends on a chilly night; it’s the perfect way to end the day.

The same is true in outdoor living spaces: fire pits and outdoor fireplaces draw people to them. Plus, it’s a great focal point to any outdoor living space. You can build upon this central element with a stone patio, modern outdoor furniture, and landscaping that makes this space even more appealing. Your options for fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are spectacular, bringing style and comfort to the exterior of your modern home.

2) Add natural fencing

Modern homes use natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal to create a softer, more authentic feeling. You can extend this same principle to your outdoor space by using natural fencing to frame exterior areas. Bamboo, lattice work, wood screens, partitions, and pergolas are all options that can be used to create multiple outdoor rooms, each with their own unique experience, and make your outdoor space more intriguing. You can also use these structures to create a gentle perimeter and provide comfortable shade on sunny days. Incorporating natural fencing to create some privacy will transform your outdoor space into a haven.

3) Incorporate outdoor planters

Pots of all shapes are a great way to make exterior rooms more attractive, adding dashes of color and texture. Modern outdoor planters make it easy to integrate natural greenery with your patios, sitting areas, and landscape. Carefully select the placement of your planters to soften the lines of a walkway, bring visual interest to an area, or add a welcoming touch to an entryway.

You’ll find that there are a wide variety of materials, designs, and shapes to choose from. Ceramic is always a wonderful, reliable option. But don’t be afraid to choose less traditional options like stone, wood, metal, or even glass. You can select many elite brands with an impressive array of planters, or you can have custom planters designed to fit your space and style aesthetic. Work with your landscaper to choose the right plants to complement each outdoor area and planter.

4) Wire it up

Let’s be honest: we love our devices and electronics. Technological innovation is a key component of Clarum’s modern homes. Our team strives to make it easy for you to tie your outdoor spaces into your smart home so that you can keep texting, emailing, and watching videos both inside and outside of your home.

A wireless outdoor antenna can give your Wi-Fi the extra boost it needs to keep you connected outside. You can also install a solar-powered charging station. Wireless speakers make it easy to fill your outdoor rooms with music that fits your mood – a relaxing symphony after a long day or the latest hits when entertaining friends. You can even install an outdoor, all-weather television if you’d like to watch the Big Game outside.

5) Blur the lines between interiors and exteriors

Creating seamless transitions between your home’s interior and exterior is a dramatic and effective way to enhance your enjoyment of the space. Modern homes incorporate covered awnings, extended rooflines, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open to patios and atriums. The use of large expanses of glass bring your home’s exterior environment inside with vivid views and integrated landscaping. Ease of access to your outdoor living spaces through large doors and sliding panels makes it easier to step outdoors into your exterior sanctuary at any time.

6) Create nighttime-friendly outdoor spaces

Don’t let cooler evenings and occasional rain stop you from enjoying nature – you can design outdoor spaces that keep you comfortable while allowing you to be outside in all weather. Incorporate features into your modern home such as covered patios and fire pits to keep the fun and relaxation going all year-round.

You can also strategically place lighting to welcome you and your guests, and emphasize the beauty of your home and landscape. Technological advancements in lighting have created endless options for designing the ideal outdoor spaces. Include focused lighting on trees and other architectural features to accent their character and instantly create an engaging atmosphere.

Love your modern home’s outside

By carefully designing your outdoor living areas, you can create pleasing spaces that are perfect for everything from relaxing on your own to entertaining your friends and family. Creating your own haven can be the best way to extend your modern living space outdoors in beautiful Palo Alto.

To learn more about building a modern, custom home with beautiful outdoor spaces, call Clarum at 650.322.7069.