DESIGN BLOG
It’s Pool Time! Are You Ready to Add a Pool to Your Backyard?
When it’s summer, we all want to stay cool and a pool is the place to be. Have you considered putting an inground pool into your backyard design? There are many items to consider when adding a pool. We have designed homes with outdoor living spaces, with a pool a must-have for some of our clients.
We thought we’d share the considerations we discuss with our clients when the pool conversation comes up during design.
When it’s summer, we all want to stay cool and a pool is the place to be. Have you considered putting an inground pool into your backyard design? There are many items to consider when adding a pool. We have designed homes with outdoor living spaces, with a pool a must-have for some of our clients.
We thought we’d share the considerations we discuss with our clients when the pool conversation comes up during design.
Design thoughts to consider when adding a pool:
Zoning and utility easements. It seems like a large lot, but zoning may rule out the placement of a pool. Setbacks and the percentage of lot cover are both items to be checked prior to beginning design. Also, utility easements may take a sizable portion of the lot and not allow enough room for the pool.
Accessibility and grade conditions. Does the lot lend itself to an easy placement that is close to the level of the outdoor living area or does the grade fall off in the back so that you need to design an infinity edge or build up the grade to accommodate it? Conversely, if the lot rises toward the rear of the property, the pool may need to be cut into the grade and a landscape retaining wall built behind it. You want the space to flow easily from the outdoor living to the pool surround so that it is an integral part of the living space. A flight of steps will hinder its use, creating a possible safety hazard, and it becomes a destination instead of an integral part of the space.
Privacy. Does the available placement on the lot allow privacy or will extensive landscaping be needed to limit views from neighbors and/or the street? There’s nothing like a gorgeous pool that all of the neighbors can see from most vantage points in their own homes and yards. Think beyond the pool and visualize what you and your neighbors will be able to see.
Bath and changing facilities. Do you want kids with wet feet running through your house to the hall bath? What about an area for guests to change into a suit or change back into street clothes? A remote solution will likely not see much use. Is it easier to add a pool building than adding an additional bath to the house? Or is there room for a bathroom that opens to the backyard, allowing easy access without being in the rest of the house?
Placement of pool equipment. Filters, heaters, pool equipment, etc. take some room and can be an undesirable part of the landscape unless hidden by plantings, a building, or enclosed behind a fence or other structure. Where will you store the pool cleaning and maintenance equipment and chemicals? Where are you going to store the seasonal furniture and pool toys?
Security. City codes and common sense dictate that the pool area must be kept secure from smaller children and unwanted guests. Fencing drives decisions on gate placement and alarm systems along with automatic pool covers. Spend time to determine what safety measures you will need for your pool.
Maintenance. The size of your pool and whether you use a salt water or chlorine pool are all factors that impact maintenance. Are there trees nearby? Are you going to maintain it or hire a company to do that. Knowing this could impact your design.
Type of pool. Vinyl-lined, concrete, or fiberglass. Concrete is the most durable, but takes longer to install. Speaking with your insurance agent is a good idea, to know what you need to add to your home owner’s policy in case of damage, which can be more likely with vinyl or fiberglass.
Budget. There, we said it. Watching pools built on TV home shows one thing. Knowing what your budget is another. You may be tempted by rock wall surrounds, grottos, water features, an island, and more. Know your budget and stick to it.
If your home design includes the plan for a pool, you can rest easy knowing we will help you through the process with your contractor.
Outdoor Living for 2021: Create Your Oasis
What used to be, for some of us, just a place to barbecue, a small patio and space for the kids to play, doesn’t work anymore. We are searching for sustainable lifestyles for now and the future. We’ve spent more time at home and are ready to elevate our outdoors to become an oasis for our family and friends. A place to relax, unwind, entertain, and enjoy.
We certainly view our homes differently than we did over a year ago, don’t we? And one emerging trend involves our outdoor spaces. What used to be, for some of us, just a place to barbecue, a small patio and space for the kids to play, doesn’t work anymore. We are searching for sustainable lifestyles for now and the future. We’ve spent more time at home and are ready to elevate our outdoors to become an oasis for our family and friends. A place to relax, unwind, entertain, and enjoy.
NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) released their annual Design Trends survey. Members completed a survey and within that survey is a 65% increased interest in outdoor living projects. Our RDS designers agree with this, as we are creating designs for all kinds of structures and changes to homes to include optimized space for outdoor living.
According to Houzz, 4 out of 5 homeowners are making changes to help them enjoy their homes more, with outdoor projects at the top of the list.
STRUCTURES TO BUILD
Structures for year-round living, as well as increased time to spend outdoor in the summer are an important piece of the outdoor living puzzle. This trend isn’t going away anytime soon. What structure would work for you? What are your needs?
Pergolas
Provide shade as well as filtered light
Affordable
Built quickly
Space for dining and lounging
Patios/decks
Indoor/outdoor living with doors opening from the family room to the patio or deck
Extends living from the home
Enhances time outdoors
Creates an outdoor “room”
Creates a micro space for working, Zoom calls and school work
Provides shade and escapes weather elements if covered
According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value 2020 Report:
In central Ohio a composite deck addition with a cost of $18,839-$20,000 will provide an ROI of 64% - 67% and a wood deck addition with a cost of $13,222-$14,647 will provide an ROI of 66%-76%. That’s a solid return on your investment!
Sunrooms (three or four season rooms)
Always popular, sunrooms can provide year round living, depending on the windows chosen, insulation, and heat. Connect it to a patio or deck with sliding doors or accordion-type fold-and-stack doors and you have indoor/outdoor access.
Create rooms within rooms – cozy nooks, kids’ play area, dining, and entertaining areas
Extends the footprint of your home
Adds function, square footage and value
Outdoor Kitchens
Eating at home is still the norm, so why not take it outside? From creating a built-in grill area to a kitchen with all of the bells and whistles, you can cook outdoors every night.
Cook and entertain without going in the home
Include a refrigerator, sink, counter space, kegerator, wine storage, pizza oven and grill
Choose weather-resistant counters, cabinets and appliances to enjoy year-round cooking
Al fresco dining – what could be better?
Accessory Dwelling Units
We are seeing them pop up wherever local codes will allow. Serving many functions, creating one that can serve you through the years might be a smart plan.
Their uses are many:
Extra living for elderly parents
Temporary home for older kids
Office/Study area
Extra income through rental
Gym
Meditation room
There are many items to consider as part of your outdoor living experience and several items are the most requested when we are designing outdoor living areas.
Fireplaces, firepits and fire tables
Shade fixtures (shade sails and umbrellas), if there is not a permanent structure
Privacy
Water features to create white noise as well as create a Zen feeling
Space for heat lamps, lighting, tables and furniture groupings
Increased landscaping
Outdoor connectivity with outlets and WIFI
Outdoor furniture that feels as good as it looks
Activity areas for the family–pools, trampolines, gardens, and space for games
This graphic from a survey conducted for the International Casual Furnishings Association and American Home Furnishings Alliance demonstrates how we are prioritizing our outdoor living needs and wants.
Before summer comes and goes, what are your needs for your backyard? Give us a call today. Our designers at Residential Designed Solutions can help you create your outdoor sanctuary!
Outdoor Living: How to Make the Most of Your Space
Sitting outside enjoying a meal with friends, relaxing with a glass of wine, or gathering with family around the campfire reminds us what is really important — time spent together. Now that you’re likely home more often, is your outdoor space a place you look forward to spending your down time or does it leave a lot to be desired? Your home doesn’t have to stop at your back door; you can easily create an outdoor “room” to enjoy al fresco living on any budget.
Now is a great time to plan and create your outdoor space. The design team at RDS will help you translate your dream space to an outdoor reality. We want to share our thought process to help you start thinking about what you might like and how to make the most of your outdoor living area.
Create a master plan.
Whether it’s a patio or an expansive backyard retreat or any size space in between, you need a master plan tailored to your budget.
Decide where this new living space will be situated. Realistically, it should be a natural extension of the family living space (if possible) and allow you to enjoy any views or natural features found on your property. This might allow for new patio doors or foldable, accordion doors to be installed and really bring the outdoors in.
Make a list of activities the space must accommodate - entertaining, outdoor cooking and dining, games, reading, a pool or spa. Do you want it to be one open space with multiple uses or do you want designated areas for different activities? A bocce ball court or an area for a trampoline will need more room. A fire pit that allows for many people needs its own area. Do you entertain a lot and need a large table? The configurations of space are endless, so know what your family wants in order to create the perfect design.
Correctly and carefully designed landscaping will help define the space, as well as provide needed privacy. Use planted containers with taller “anchor” plants in the corners, and perhaps a covered roof or pergola structure to define the ceiling. A lattice trellis softened with colorful climbing plants can add privacy. If you want to be able to view your whole yard, you might want to add plants along your property lines to create privacy.
Now that you have a plan…
Is a covered outdoor space the goal? It can be anything from a pergola, arbor, gazebo, or sun awning, to a covered porch. While covering the space is not critical, it will allow for more time spent outside, no matter the weather elements. Utilizing a roof structure that can accommodate hidden retractable screens will help with pesky bugs.
A heat source everyone can gather around is a central theme for any outdoor space. This can be a full outdoor fireplace that serves as an anchor for the space, a built-in or portable fire pit, or a chiminea. Consider all of your fuel source options: wood burning, gas, electric, or a combination. There’s nothing like roasting marshmallows with family and friends over an outdoor fire on a cool fall evening!
Cooking outside is a must, but what are your needs? Does Summer even count if you didn’t have food sizzling on the grill? The grill can be anything from an amazing built in unit to a portable hibachi. Choose features important for your needs and RDS will help create a design that takes advantage of the space and its elements. You don’t want to install a grill in the outdoor kitchen in an area where the smoke will blow across the table – so plan strategically. Choose countertops and cabinets that will work for your storage and prep needs and can withstand the outside elements. Do you need a sink or small refrigerator installed or is your kitchen close enough to be able to get what you need from inside?
Water features are soothing and create white noise to offset other distracting sounds. These can be permanent or portable features and can be placed anywhere. If a pool or spa is part of the plan, a fence and gate will be needed and there will be additional zoning and building code requirements.
Choose a flooring material to fit your budget and needs. The flooring decision is one that needs to be made early on, as the other elements you may want to use may depend on the flooring. Will your space be elevated or on the ground? An elevated deck with an outdoor kitchen requires a sturdier surface. Drainage systems will have to be planned, as well as considering the type of maintenance needed for whatever flooring you choose.
Low voltage lighting is perfect for landscape accents and walkway lighting. Overhead lighting should be used sparingly, so you can enjoy the evening sky. Carefully placed outdoor lighting can help with evening entertaining but try to keep the lighting limited to general outdoor ambience.
What accessories will complete your space? An exterior flat screen television, heaters, sculptures, fountains, sport courts?
Whatever your plan, your outdoor living space should reflect your tastes and needs. We love nothing more than spending time outside when we are able to, and RDS, your leader in outdoor home design, would love to help you design your backyard retreat. We might even just stay to roast some marshmallows for a s’more!
Our goal is always to create a design that brings your dreams for your spaces to life. Contact us today so the RDS team can start designing your outdoor living oasis.
