Living Outdoors

With over eight months a year of temperate weather, lush landscapes, and a variety of wildlife, the ideal low country home allows its residents to live both indoors and outdoors. Tying these two spaces together can be a challenge whether you are designing a new home or renovating your existing. Here are a few options for creating that seamless transition.

Create a Courtyard

One of the ways that you can connect your indoor/outdoor living area is to create a courtyard. Whether located at your front entrance or a side patio, installing a fountain or sculpture will create a focal point in the space. Consider placing benches or rocking chairs in the courtyard to sit outside and read or a bistro table to enjoy a coffee or nightcap. Add landscaping features like perennials, shrubs and pathways to compliment your sitting area. Remember to include landscape lighting if you will use the space at night.

Use Glass Walls

The simplest way to connect your indoor/outdoor living is to “open up” your indoor space.  This is easily accomplished with an architectural glass wall, commonly known as “pocket-glass doors or stacking-glass doors.” When the weather is nice, slide the doors open and allow your interior space to flow seamlessly outdoors. These slim-framed glass doors can be installed on most exterior walls with the appropriate structure in place to support the 10-foot, 12-foot or even 16-foot clear opening when in use.

Plan Open-Air Dining and Lounging

The heart of living outdoors is LIVING in the outdoors.  Bring your dining and lounging outside. Furnish your exterior space like your interior, providing eating and lounging areas for friends and family. Focus on the use of the space. If you tend to read outdoors, provide a solitary lounger with small side table. If entertaining friends around a firepit is more appealing, invest in comfortable group seating.

Build an Outdoor Kitchen

The kitchen has become the most important room inside the home. Why not recreate this space outside allowing the cook to share the outdoors with guests while preparing the meal? The modern-day outdoor kitchen is not just a grill and sink but often includes additional features like wine coolers, ice machines, and a fully stocked bar. Cooking outside never looked this good.

The perfect indoor/outdoor space can increase the usable space in and around your home and improve the function of your space. At Pearce Scott Architects, we can design and construct the ideal indoor/outdoor space for you and your family. We deliver an experience that is tailored to your unique vision and needs. Talk to us today about making your home a seamless blend of the outdoors and the indoors by calling us at 843.837.5700 or visiting us in downtown historic Bluffton.