Outdoor Comforts

Backyards and porches are an extension of the home. With the addition of a few creature comforts, outdoor spaces become as cozy as indoor dining and living rooms.

“People come and live at the beach or visit the beach to be outside and not to sit inside and watch TV,” says Susan Kiley of Bay Breeze Patio in Destin. “They want to experience the outdoors. Our job is to make the outside as fabulous as possible.”

Creating Flow

Flow is important, according to Kiley. But she’s not just talking about foot traffic patterns. Continuity of color themes and furniture placement can impact the overall impression of a space.

Michael Andrews of Patriot Outdoor Solutions in Destin says that separate areas, similar to rooms in a house, should be established to create flow. Ideally, the outdoor kitchen area will be close to the main entrance to the backyard from the home.

“So, you’re not having to travel so far bringing food in and out,” he says.

And, he suggests, the main porch area should be screened in to protect against pests and elements. This space might include the outdoor kitchen as well as lounge or dining furniture.

Outsmarting the Elements

To combat Florida’s heat and sun, Andrews recommends installing shades and ceiling fans in your covered porch or lanai.

Moving to open green spaces, a pavilion area or pergola can offer shade relief and create an aesthetic element. And, with some distance from the home, create a casual hangout area with a fire pit surrounded by comfortable seating like hammocks, Adirondack chairs, or benches. Incorporate string lights throughout the space to add a touch of whimsy.

“Outdoor lighting is something that really enhances the mood whenever you’re sitting down there at dusk,” Andrews says.

Lifestyle Matters

When designing your outdoor space and selecting furniture, Andrews says to keep in mind entertainment capacity.

“Everyone should  have multiple places to go congregate,” he says, “so that not everybody’s on top of each other.”

For families with young children, consider avoiding fragile decor and opting for safety features like nonslip materials for decking.

High-Performance Materials

Kiley says high-performance materials are a top priority in exterior design due to Northwest Florida’s intense sun, humidity levels, and salt air and wind from the coast.

Newer outdoor fabrics, mostly solution-dyed acrylics, offer an upscale look and feel with realistic imitations of materials, including leather, silk, and even velour.

“You actually have to walk over and touch them, thinking, ‘This has to be real. There’s no way this can be an outdoor fabric,’” she says.

High-quality outdoor furniture can be costly. But Kiley notes, good designs offer longevity against the elements. 

“An indoor sofa is made on a wood frame or a steel frame, neither of which you really can do here,” she says. “You need an aluminum frame. Or you need a composite frame.”

Composite wood furniture has become popular in recent years.

“They feel like wood, they look like wood, they just hold up much better than wood,” she says.

For outdoor kitchens, Kiley suggests marine-grade stainless steel.

“I keep reinforcing to people all the time: ‘Stainless’ means ‘rust less,’ not ‘rust never,’” she says. “In everything we do, we have to think it out very carefully. Will this hold up? Will the wind take it? Will the salt get it? Will the sun bleach it out too fast? And if there’s a ‘yes’ to any of that, we don’t want to touch it.”

Designing with longevity in mind is key.

With a little care, attention, and help from modern designs, outdoor living spaces can be as beautiful, functional, and comfortable as your home’s interior—with the bonus of fresh air and beautiful views.

No-Maintenance Green Space

Artificial turf is a hot trend in exterior design, especially for homeowners with smaller yards and those seeking zero maintenance. In addition to eliminating the need for weeding, mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides, artificial turf is stain-resistant and doesn’t attract pests. Michael Andrews, owner of Patriot Outdoor Solutions in Destin, often uses turf in stone-scape projects, such as filling in narrow gaps in grid patterns between tiles. And he even creates putting greens in some clients’ yards. Although artificial turf can heat up in the sun, Andrews says modern designs have new water-retaining cooling technology. For homeowners wanting to cool the turf further for their dog’s comfort, a sprinkler system can be installed to use as needed. Andrews says his suppliers each offer 10 to 15 different sample pieces with varying turf height, color, and even thatch. “They’re trying to emulate all styles of grass now,” he says. “It’s come a long way from the stuff they used to have at your grandmother’s house that looked like something that they put in a boat.”